Bathsheba Wilson Bigler (1822 - 1910) Profile

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Bathsheba Wilson Bigler

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Bathsheba W. Smith journal

Bathsheba W. Smith journal, June 1849.

Transcript for Bathsheba W. Smith journal, 1849 June-October, 23

Bathsheba W. Smith journal.

"Bathsheba W. Smith," Deseret News

"Bathsheba W. Smith," Deseret News, November 1, 1901.

"Bathsheba W. Smith," Deseret News.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849

Ezra T. Benson's 100, report

"Ezra T. Benson's 100, report", Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849, September 24, 1849, Page 8.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849.

Edward W. Tullidge, The Women of Mormondom (1877), 342-43

Edward W. Tullidge, The Women of Mormondom (1877), 342-43.

[Bathsheba W. Smith]



In May, 1849, about four hundred wagons were "organized and started West.



In the latter part of June following, our family left our encampment. We started on our journey to the valley in a company of two hundred and eighteen wagons. These were organized into three companies, which were subdivided into companies of ten, each company properly officered. Each company also had its blacksmith and wagon maker, equipped with proper tools for attending to their work of setting tires, shoeing animals, and repairing wagons.



Twenty-four of the wagons of our company belonged to the Welch saints, who had been led from Wales by Elder Dan Jones. They did not understand driving oxen. It was very amusing to see them yoke their cattle; two would have an animal by the horns, one by the tail, and one or two others would do their best to put on the yoke, whilst the apparently astonished ox, not at all enlightened by the guttural sounds of the Welch tongue, seemed perfectly at a loss what to do, or to know what was wanted of him. But these saints amply made up for their lack of skill in driving cattle by their excellent singing, which afforded us great assistance in our public meetings, and helped to enliven our evenings.



On this journey my wagon was provided with projections, of about eight inches wide, on each side of the top of the box. The cover, which was high enough for us to stand erect, was widened by these projections. A frame was laid across the back part of our wagon, and was corded as a bedstead; this made our sleeping very comfortable. Under our beds we stowed our heaviest articles. We had a door in one side of the wagon cover, and on the opposite side a window. A step-ladder was used to ascend to our door, which was between the wheels. Our cover was of 'osnaburg,' lined with blue drilling. Our door and window could be opened and closed at pleasure. I had, hanging up on the inside, a looking-glass, candlestick, pincushion, etc. In the centre of our wagon we had room for four chairs, in which we and our two children sat and rode when we chose. The floor of our traveling house was carpeted, and we made ourselves as comfortable as we could under the circumstances.



After having experienced the common vicissitudes of that strange journey, having encountered terrible storms and endured extreme hardships, we arrived at our destination on the 5th of November, one hundred and five days after leaving the Missouri river. Having been homeless and wandering up to this time, I was prepared to appreciate a home.

Transcript for Edward W. Tullidge, The Women of Mormondom (1877), 342-43

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008. Supplement after 31 December 1849: Page 8B.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008.

Lucy Meserve Smith papers, 1848-1892 Family history and autobiography

Lucy Meserve Smith papers, 1848-1892 Family history and autobiography, June 1889.

I taught school 5 1/2 days in a week and Sabbath school on Sunday. When my six months were up I bade adieu to the Paunee [Pawnee] Mission, went home, made preparations, and started with the rest of the family for the Salt Lake Valley. Our family including teamsters, hunter and cowboy, numbered 19, souls. Sister Bathsheba Smith and myself did the work for 14, with the help of Phineas Daily at the washtub, and Thomas Adshead to help bake the bread.



Sister Sarah [Smith], and her baby John Henry, and Sister Hannah, and her baby Charles Warren, and Teamster was a seperate family, Sister Sarah being quite feeble in health, Sister H. had to do the most of the work for their portion of the family. We left Kanesville June 22 1849. cross[ed] the Missouri July 11th cross[ed] Elk Horn 17th cattle stampede, lots of bother to get them togather again



Apostle Geo. A. Smith Capt. of 50. Elder Myron Tanner Capt. of ten, each ten has a Capt., the first Welch Co. of saints help to compose our 50.



July 31. Br. Bensons cat[t]le stampede, one sticks up his nose and gives a snuff, then the rest all follow suit, they pay no more attention to a Co. of men than if they were mice, they rush over every thing they come in contact with for miles before they halt[.] Apostle Ezra Taft Benson Capt. of 50, Elder Silas Richards Capt. of another 50



We crossed the Loup Fork of the Platt[e] River, the water very high and swift, but we all get over safely by some of the brethren getting completely drenched trying to ride over on the animals back. They both went rolling over one top of the other in the water until we feared they would drown, but they come out safely



August 7th, we saw the first Indians here that we have seen since we left home. They are friendly to us although one man was killed by Indians in br. Gullies [Samuel Gully] company, a little in advance of us. One Ox supposed snake bit. We travel 13 miles, no water. Camp close by br. Benson's Co. get water from their well fetch wood in the old Gundelo wagon, as it is called because of the variety of rattle-traps brought along in it.



Aug. 8th. Brs. [B.F.] Stoddard and [William] Ham[b]lin went a hunting catch a Buffalo and Antelope, start back for a wagon[.] they lose their way, having covered their meat with a blanket they lay down til morning, then came for the old Gundelo, and went for their game, but to their surprise it had all been devoured by wolves so they killed another Antelope and came back feeling a little chop-fallen over the loss of their nice Buffalo meat.



Aug. 9th. drive 9 miles, stop and bate by Platt[e] lake then drive five miles[.] stop for the night[.] dig five feet deep[.] find good water



Aug. 10th, we start out[.] stop by the Platt[e] River to bate, the water is soft and nice, Buffalo on the other side taking a draught. It seemed to us that the Lord had <s>had</s> caused this land to become fertile for This saints sake, as two years ago it was perfectly barren, and now the rains are abundant which makes grass plenty, and Oh, such lovely Cherries, they are larger than Musket Bullets[.] they grow on low bushes. We had a perfect feast, We felt to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for them.



Aug. 11th, we start on three miles[,] camp on Skunk Creek[.] Phineas Dailey [Daily] and I wash[.] Sister Bathsheba bakes 7 large loaves of bread, The brethren dig a well to get good water to drink.



Aug. 12th, we had a meeting to day, had two excelent discourses from Apostle George A. Smith, and Elder [William Ivins] Appleby on the wars, commotions, desolutians [desolations] of Kingdoms, and the necessity of our being humble and faithful to God.



Aug. 13th, bro Benson is very sick with bilious Cholic. Prest Smith washes and anoints him[.] he goes to sleep[,] is better



Aug. 14th, brs. [William] Hamblin and [Phineas] Daily each, Pick a patent pail full of sand cherries, they were a gr[e]at treat to our whole camp here in the desert. We stop all day as br. Benson is not able to travel.



Aug. 15th, we start[,] pass cold springs, which is 295 miles from winter quarters.



Aug. 16th, we drove four miles then stop to wash and bake as we shall come to no more wood for two hundred miles



Aug. 17th, we drove eleven miles today. It commenced raining, thundering, and lightning and hailing and such hailstones I never saw before, they were as large as hens eggs, Br.[William B.] Simmons said he picked up one as big as his fist. The horses broke loose, the cattle tore around as though they thought the Indians were after them.



Aug. 18th, we drove eleven miles, br. Benson is worse[,] sends for Prest. Smith



Aug. 19th, Sunday to day. br. Benson requests the saints to meet and pray for him, we did so confessing our sins, some said they got out of humour once in a while. I thought if we could keep from showing the inside of our hearts we did first rate, as we had so many vexatious things to encounter.



Aug. 20th, we drove 13 miles[,] cross Goose Creek, and Duck Weed Creek, it is hard crossing over the sand bluffs, we saw a herd of Buffolo about two miles off on the bluff, we encamped for the night.



Aug. 21st. cloudy. br. Babbit comes into camp with the Mail from the Valley, we met and hear the letters read from the Presidency[.] they were very cheering to us all. we have a dance in the after-noon, both Companies meet.



Aug. 22, we cross smoll creek, Shoal Stream, and Battle Snake Creek. stop and bate near Cedar Bluff, came 14. miles to day[.] Wm Hamlin killed a Deer to day.



Aug 23rd, cross the six feet wide Creek and a No. of others, one of the Welch brs. upset his wagon, but no harm done, we drove over the high sandy bluff and stop. Peter [Smith] gets kicked by his ox[,] the animal being wild when he was unyoking[.] he turned and kicked, Peter looked very pale, some of the brethren administered to him[.] he soon got over his injury. A woman bitten by a dog[.] he was sentenced to be shot but obtained a reprieve in case he would go with the Express to the valley, being a good dog to keep off Indians.



Aug. 24th, We drive 10 miles to day, a Thunder shower this evening. The Welch leve a jaded ox back on the range



Aug. 25, we drove 14 miles to day[.] cross a wide creek[.] br. [Elisha Averett] Everett broke the hound of his wagon, mended it at noon while bating.



Aug. 26th, a company of Sioux visited us, they appeared genteel and pleasant and were very neatly clad, and manifested no disposition to steal from us. It is very cold to day



Aug. 27th, fair weather not quite as cold as yesterday[.] the sun shines very hot at noon[.] we passed some beautiful flower gardens, resembling fields of red clover, it makes me think of home. We traveled about 14. miles to day. We passed over beds of sand, which I should think were beds of rivers formerly. We camp near Ancient Bluff Ruins.



Aug. 28th, we pass bluff ruins[.] grass poor and scarce, roads dry and sands fly, no wood yet. Buffolo chips burn very well, bake our biscuits nicely. A gun goes off in a wagon accidently a few shot[s] hit Prest Smith and a few another man, but no serious damage done. Great Frost last night[.] water froze in our wagons last night.



Aug. 29th, very cold this morning. We traveled about 14. miles, very uncomfortably cold riding throuhg the day



Aug. 30th, we drove 13 miles[.] warm weather, dry and sandy, no wood yet[.] we stop opisite Chinney [Chimney] Rock at noon



Aug. 31st, we drove about 14. miles to day, stop near Scotch Bluffs, fair weather.



Sep. 1st, we drive 13. miles to day[,] fair weather, a wagon ran over sister Lewis son, hurt him slightly



Sep. 2, we have a meeting as it is Sunday[.] Pres. Smith preached, after meeting the ordinance of baptism was administered. In the afternoon we moved on 4 miles[.] dry and sandy, sand flies very badly.



Sep. 3d, we travel til we come to Rasbaws trading Post where we encamp for the night. A large Co. of Sioux here[.] they treat us very politely. Plenty of wood here.



Sep. 4th, we drove 4. miles in the morning before breakfast, stop[,] wash and bake[,] plenty of wood.



Sept. 5th, drove 15 miles, pass Fort Larimie [Laramie] about 6 o'clock P.M., stop 1. mile this side, plenty of wood



Sept. 6th. we passed over some very sandy hills, come to a very steep hill where we have to lock both wheels, stop under the hill to bate, grass very good, river close by, fair weather[.] the plains completely covered with flowers, their variety are to[o] numerous to name. Larime [Laramie] Peak looks like a black cloud it is so high and far away.



Sept. 7th, we pass along gently over the Black Hills[,] find a few spots of green grass for the animals, drive about 12 miles a day, fair weather, wood plenty, good springs and brooks in the deserts, very sandy, Sage and Prickly Pears in abundance. High thick shoes are needed here, we must make a two pail pot of hash for dinner



Sept. 8th, we travel til noon[,] came up with br. Silas Richards Co.[,] stop to do some Smithwork. A Welch br. strolls away from camp, and could not be found[.] it was a great hinderence to us, we traveld two miles and camp for the night



Sept. 9th, our folks are still searching for the lost man[.] br. Richards camp went past.



Sept. 10th, we find the lost man in a camp 5. miles on a head of our camp.



Sept. 11. We drove 15. miles and encamp for the night.



Sept 15. leave the Black Hills.



Sept 21. teams came from Salt Lake Valley to help us along.



Oct. 1st we traveled til 11. o--clock at night to get to the willows as we found no feed for the animals, and it is snowing very fast. We camp, for how long we knew not.



Oct. 2d, we lose 60. head of cattle, The snow drifted six feet deep, no wood only as the brethren dug roots and Elder Myron Tanner made a fire in our Iron kettle and baked pancakes and boiled Coffee in the front end of his wagon so we could have a basin of coffee and one pancake a piece that whole day, as not one of &lt;us&gt; women could get out to do a thing[.] the storm was still raging so badly. The front of my wagon was full of snow. I tried to get up to get a snow ball[.] I was so very thirsty but I fainted and fell back. Sister Bathsheba [Smith] had two small children, she had a little stove in her wagon. Sister Sarah [Smith] and Hannah [Smith] with the two boys John Henry [Smith] and Charles Warren [Smith] were in another wagon J[ohn].H[enry]. was one year old C[harles].W[arren]. 8 months. The Mothers were oblige[d] to stay in <s>in</s> bead to keep the babies hands covered til the men could set up a little stove, as the weather was so very cold.



Oct. 3d, the brethren dug away the snow and made a fire of the roots, and I stood on the snowy wagon floor and made out biscuit[s] and passed out to the men to bake and they made coffee and we enjoyed our breakfast. We were oblige[d] to stay a number of days before we could move on, the snow was so very deep, had it not been for the help from the valley, we must have left a portion of our wagons in the willows, being 280. miles from Salt Lake City.



Oct. 7th, we drive through the South Pass and encamp &lt;for the night&gt;



Oct. 10th, we have a few inches of the beautiful.



Oct. 12th, we cross Green River



Oct. 16th, we cross Hams Fork



Oct. 18th, we drove all day and Coral our wagons[.] the three fifties all together. We have a large pile of Sage brush in the center, then set it on fire[.] it lit the whole country around. Prest. Smith preached and related a Prophesy which he uttered in the Kirtland Temple, that the wild beasts should pick the old mobocrat Dr. Dodd's bones. Br. Elijah Cheena being in the Temple at the time that George A. Smith uttered that Prophesy, and also being at the grave with G.A. Smith, and seeing Dr. Dodds bones strewn about having been dug up and picked by the wolves, and his name plain to be seen on the board[.] br. Cheena [Cheney] arose and testified to the litteral fulfillment of that Prophesy. The old Dr. died with Cholera on the plains, while on his way to the gold regions.



Oct. 26th. it is impossible for me to keep my journel the weather is so cold. We are in the midst of Mountains covered with snow.



Oct. 27th, we arive in Salt Lake City quite late in the evening tired and hungry, but I must cook supper for myself and teamsters, and then I could go back to my wagon and go to bed, and thank my Heavenly Father for my safe arrival. We found my husband's Father and Mother well and pleased to greet us.

Transcript for Lucy Meserve Smith papers, 1848-1892 Family history and autobiography, 1889 June, 28-37

Lucy Meserve Smith papers, 1848-1892 Family history and autobiography.

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Shinnston, Harrison, Virginia, United States

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George Albert Smith Jr.

Bathsheba Smith

George Albert Smith

Lucy Meserve Smith

Sarah Ann Libby

Zilpha Stark

Hannah Maria Libby

Charles Warren Smith

John Henry Smith

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Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States

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Bathsheba Wilson Bigler

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