Edward Bunker Sr. (1822 - 1901) Profile

Edward Bunker (1822 - 1901)

British Missionaries, Liverpool, 1855 - discussed plans to utilize handcarts to bring some Saints to Zion during 1856 season.

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Edward Bunker

birth-date-qualifier-birth

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971, January 5, 1853.

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971.

"Edward Bunker Sr.," General Epistle Files, CHL

"Edward Bunker Sr.," General Epistle Files, CHL.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, April 8, 1852, Page 1.

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

Latter-day Saint biographical encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson

"Edward Bunker", Latter-day Saint biographical encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, 3, Page 30.

Latter-day Saint biographical encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson.

Millennial Star

Appointments, &c.

"Appointments, &c.", Millennial Star, 16, December 2, 1854, No. 48. Page 763.

Appointments

"Appointments", Millennial Star, 15, January 22, 1853, No. 4. Page 58.

On the 5th instant, the following Elders, also from Salt Lake Valley, arrived amongst us, per ship American Union from New York; --- Benjamin Brown, James G. Willie, Perrygrine Sessions, Mellen Atwood, Charles Smith, Sylvester H. Earl, David Grant, Thomas W. Treat, John Oakley, Daniel D. McArthur, Edward Bunker, and Samuel Glasgow, on missions to England;. . .Elders Mellen Atwood, Samuel Glasgow, and Daniel D. McArthur, are appointed to labour in Scotland,

Transcript for The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 15:58-59

On the 5th instant, the following Elders, also from Salt Lake Valley, arrived amongst us, per ship American Union from New York; --- Benjamin Brown, James G. Willie, Perrygrine Sessions, Mellen Atwood, Charles Smith, Sylvester H. Earl, David Grant, Thomas W. Treat, John Oakley, Daniel D. McArthur, Edward Bunker, and Samuel Glasgow, on missions to England;

Millennial Star.

Nauvoo Restoration Inc., comp., Nauvoo Seventies list

Nauvoo Restoration Inc., comp., Nauvoo Seventies list, Vol. 1.

Nauvoo Restoration Inc., comp., Nauvoo Seventies list.

Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register

Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, Page 325.

Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register.

Attley, Henry William, Reminiscences, in Papers, 1858-1910

Attley, Henry William, Reminiscences, in Papers, 1858-1910.

We being impressed to leave Saint Lewis [Louis] and go up the River to Florrence [Florence] and take our chance. Called in a Broker and sold all our Furniture, and Bought some Provisions and went up the river to Florrence [Florence] with a company of Saints that was going in a few days. Edmond El[l]sworth arrived <in Florence> a few days after with the first company of Saints for Salt Lake. Mr. [Thomas C.] Armstrong sent his Boy to me, saying his Father wanted to see me, I went and he wanted me to drive his Team to the Valley w[h]ich I consented too. Captain El[l]sworth was prepareing to move on. there were 4 private outfits traveling with him, and I was one of them. The company being ready we formed in line. It was a grand sight to see them travel, the hand Carts on the lead, and the wagons in the rear. All went well, till we got to Wood River here we had to Ferry across the River. After we all got over one of the company seeing a cloud as big as a man hand at first in the distance. We watched it and found it increased and roleing over and over and coming very rapid towards us, and in a littew[h]ile we was in the middle of it and it Burst with a loud Explosion, the rain coming down in Torrents and the Lightning was terable. and a man was killed by it as he was drawing his hand Cart from the Ferry Boat. We laid by for 2 days and held a Funeral over him and Burried him. On the road we came to a large Encampment of Ind[i]ans drying their Buffalo meat, they stood and looked with amazement at the hand Carts and seeing our luse [loose] herd of Cows and oxen they demanded a Beef of the Captain before they would let us pass on which was given to them.
Captain El[l]sworth sent some men with a wagon to the Woods to cut a Tre[e] to raise our Wagons beds up, to keep the water from our Flour, the Laramie river being very high. After the wagons Boxes was raised and we was again ready to mouved. The Captain came to me and said he wanted me to take the lead, as I had more controle over my Cattle then his Teamsters had. and he leading out on horseback down to the river which &lt;was&gt; exceedingly wide. After comming out and turning my cattle out to Feed. I went to the river and found the last one going in the water on the other side. I then went to the wagons and took the Tents out and put them up with the other Teamsters for the Ladies <s>to dry their clo[th]es</s>
At the Plat[te] river 12 miles from Laramie River we being heavily loaded had to bye [buy] a nother Yoke of Oxen before assending the Black Hills. Armstrong bought a Yoke at Deer Creek, and coming on a lone to catch up with the company who was ahead of us. we met 2 men and a Woman and child, one of the men Armstrong was ajuainted [acquainted] with and they wanted us to Camp with them which we did to our sorrow and the next Morning they let Loose the Cattle and they run back to deer Creek the 4 Yoke, with the Yokes on them. The men then got into the wagon and drove off. Armstrong following after them to get the Cattle He was gonne all day and came back at Night without them.
We was camped here 8 days before we got them, about the 6[th] day 12 Indians armed with guns and Bow and arrows came galaping down the Hills towards us, and my Wife said to me Oh look at them Indians what shall I do. I answered do as I tell you, for I saw them first and offered up a silent Prayer to God to give his Spirit to me, that I may know how to act with them[.] they came up full speed towards me as I was standing by the camp fire, the Chief on the lead and gave me a paper from a Government Post. Recomending the said Cheif and Indians as good and frindly to the Government and to feed them, as they ware on way to there [their] Hunting grounds. I told my Wife to provide food for them which was done. They ware armed and Powerfull men 
The cattle being found we again started on and Traveled for 2 Weeks all alone. And we kept along the Plat[te] river and finding good feed and coming on a heavy rain we camped for 2 days. here The second Night I had a Dream[.] I dreamed I started on the rode and drove about a mile and a half and looking Back I saw a company of Saints with Hand Carts which filled me with joy for we were very lonely[.] I awoke and got up and made a fire and calli&lt;n&gt;g my Wife up to make Breakfast and w[h]ile eating breakfast I told them it was the last day we would be alone. I then yoked the cattle up and role [roll] on it being a Lovely Morning, arriving at the Place I had previcely seen the Night before in my dream[.] I knew it again and turning round as I did in the dream I saw the company[.] it was Bunker Company and We came in the Valley with them[.] He told us that the 2 men and Woman was killed by the Indian[s].
Came in Salt Lake Oct. 5, 1856
Cap [Edmund] E[l]lsworth [Salt Lake] Sept 16, 1856
at deer creek, he bought a youke of Cattle, and being detained thereby, Edmond El[l]sworth and company went on and left us, to come on. we traveled 12 miles towards the Plat[te] River, here we came to a Hill and a carri[a]ge coming down, and it was Thomas Margetts and a man and his wife Named Cowley[.] Thomas C. Armstrong was well acquainted with him in Quin[n] Street London Book Office. Margetts asked him ware he was going and he said to El[l]sworth Company[.] why I met him at 1 Oclock this Morning[.] their [they’re] a long way off from here, you had better camp here for the Night. I told Armstrong that if he went on top of the hill he would see the camp, as it was not more thin [than] ½ a mile and as we had a New yoke of cattle they would stay with the herd better, and not go back to deer creek were you bough[t] them[.] It being about 7 Oclock at Night and Cowl[e]y was turning out his horses to camp for the Night and his wife was making a fire to cook supper Armstrong said he is a Intimate friend of mine and I want to stay with him to Night and I beli[e]ve he passed the company as he said. I told him that he had left the church and was cut off the Church in Salt Lake and Cowley too, And wanted our company as he was afraid of &lt;the&gt; Indians and that he had lied to him to have his company [.] well it was his team and I complyed and tur[ne]d my Team towards his wagon and took the 4 yoke and cha[i]ned them to the Trees by the Plat[te] river for the Night. In the morning I got up about ½ past 4 and made a fire to have a Erly start[.] Marget[t]s was up a littler [little] w[h]ile after and came to me and said why dont you loose the cattle and let them feed[.] why I said their is no feed for them here nothing but the bare ground. O he said they will find something and I did not comply to let them loose, and Told him E[l]lsworth camp was only a little way above the Hill, Armstrong coming up, he said why dount [don’t] you order your teemster to let them cattle loose to feed[?] I said theire is nothing here for them. Marget[t]s said to Armstrong you turn them loose foure [your]self. I don’t understand them. Marget[t]s said shall I Loose them[?] Armstrong said yes. I then stept up to armstrong and said if you let him loose them they will run back to deer Creek and take the others with them and you will have to go after them for I will not. El[l]sworths Camp is only a little way over the Hill, and after breakfast we will start for the camp and thay can feed with his herd at Noon. Marget[t]s went up to the cattle saying if they go to deer creek I will ich [hitch] up my teem and bring them back. As soon as he dropt the Chain of the Yoke he Bought they started to run with thier tailes stretch out and the others went after them with ther heads down tairing [tearing] up the grownd with their horns. I then went up a high hill that overlook[ed] the way they went and see them still going full speed. W[h]ile on the top of Hill I saw Marget[t]s go to his wagon and get [h]is Rifle out and aimed at me. my Wife said what are you going to do, shoot him. he said no I going to skair [scare] him[.] I stood still on top of the Hill and being Impraced [impressed] waited till he fired the Rifle off. I came doon [down] and asked him what he fired at me for. he said he doneit to skair you. I knew better. He icked [hitched] up his teame and went off never askin[g] Armstrong to ride with him. Armstrong had told him all I said to him I beleive[.] I told him their goes your Intimate friend[.] he has not ask you to ride with him or go after the cattle as he promise[d] you, he has had our company for the Night and that was all he wantted. It was 8 days before he found them, going every morning &amp; coming back at Night. The five day a band of Indians 7 in number came down the Hill armed with guns and aroes [arrows] with their quivers full and galloped up to me and gave me papers from the U.S. Government saying they were frindly and feed them. My Wife seeing them coming said look at the Indians. what shal I do. I answerd do as I tel you. I lifted up a Prayer to God, asking him to teach me how to deal with them as I did not know thiere language. I then with my hands made a Sign for them to Circicle [circle] all, being led that way. and going to the wagon and teling my Wife to make some food ready for them. armstrong[’s] Mother said we can not do ti [it]. we canot feed all them men. I told her to hold her tongue and to give my Wife all she ask for, as the Indians could take all we had and gave instructions to my &lt;Wife&gt; how to act, to lay the clooth [cloth] on the grownd and place the food on it. I then went to the Indians and set with them in a ci[r]cle they leaving a Place for me to set[.] the Cheif fil[l]ing a pipe of Erb [Herb] tobacco and lit it smoked it, and gave it to me, and I gave it to the next one and he to the others til it came to the Chief and he put &lt;it&gt; away then the food being ready we all came and ate toger [together.] After smoking the pipe of Pease [Peace] and had dinner thay all got up, sadled their horses and pooting [putting] the Cheif on his horse shookhands with me saying you have a windwind Squau [Squaw]. and left. I told Demec Huntingen [Dimmick Huntington] some years after how I acted with them Indians, and he said who lerned you the Indians Language. After we got the cattle we traveled 2 Weeks alone, and one Night I dreamed I went about a mite [mile] and turning round I saw [Edward] Bunkers Company coming[.] the Next morning I told my Wife we would &lt;have&gt; company to day and when I came to the place the next day turning [a]round I saw them coming as seen in the dream 
Captain Bunker told me Thomas Marget[t]s was Shot and the man with him[.] the Woman was striped Naked and tied to a Tre[e] Alive. Some Emigrants coming by, released her and she went East with them.
We then had Breakfast and saw a Carrage coming down the Hill towards our Tent, and the man asked if this was Armstrong Wagon[.] I said yes. He said Mr. El[l]sworth sent him to say He would wait for us til Noon and then go on. I asked him how far is his Camp from here. He said just over the Hill you will see it. armstrong herd all he said but our Cattle was gonne and we could not mouve. Armstron[g] and his son Started off for Deer Creek for the Cattle.

Transcript for Attley, Henry William, Reminiscences, in Papers, 1858-1910

Brigham Young office files, 1832-1878 (bulk 1844-1877)

William Woodward letter to Heber C. Kimball

"William Woodward letter to Heber C. Kimball", Brigham Young office files, 1832-1878, June 11, 1856.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">L.D.S. Camp Nr. Iowa City, 
Iowa June 11th 1856.</center>



Prest. H[eber]. C[hase]. Kimball: Dear Brother, Thinking you would like to hear of the emigration of the European Saints, &amp; the progress of the "Hand-Cart" companies, I have concluded to write to you from this point, &amp; tell what little I can about the Emigration of the "Mormons" on their way to Great Salt Lake Country. In the first place, our camp ground is about two miles west of Iowa City, on a rising point of land. It is a good location &amp; was selected by bro. D. Spencer.



This place was selected in the early part of May, &amp; several of the Saints came here. James Ferguson's company came on the ground on the 14th of May, numbering about 531 souls. In company with James Ferguson were Edmund Ellsworth, S[picer]. W[ells]. Crandell[,] W.B. Hodyetts, John A. Hunt, J.D.T. McAllister &amp; D[aniel]. D[uncan]. McArthur. Since that time this place, has been an important place for business, such as making "Hand-Carts," "Ox yokes," "Ox-bows" &amp;c.



Dan Jones' company came into camp June 2nd numbering about 500 souls, mostly from Wales. Health of this company tolerable good. Up to this time 16 infants of Bro. Jones company have died, since they left Liverpool, &amp; one adult; total died in Capt. Jones company 17 souls. I came in this company. Riding in the cars was very trying to the infants. Up night &amp; day after crossing the sea is very trying to weak persons.



Bro. Spencer is President of the emigration to Deseret from Europe &amp; is constantly on hand attending to his business. James Ferguson assists him. J.D.T. McAllister is commissary of the "P.E. Fund" store, which is at this place[.] Daniel Tyler is Bishop of the camp—Daniel Spencer &amp; James Ferguson his counsellors. C.G. Webb superintends the making of Hand-Carts. E[dward]. Bunker the making of ox yokes, ox bows &amp; the hauling of timber from the woods some six miles distant from camp. Wm. Walker is going to haul luggage from this place to the Valley at $12.50 pr. hd. lbs. if two thirds of the cash is paid down; if it is paid in Utah when the things arrive there, it is to be $15.00 pr. hd. lbs.



The best of feelings exist in camp. The "Hand-Carts" are thought considerable of by all of us, &amp; the bad feeling if such a thing you can call it is, we wanted to go by the First companies—that is the boys that are left.



The First "Hand cart" company rolled from this place on the 9th of June, in fine spirits. This company has a band with it, &amp; is led by Capt. Edmund Ellsworth—he is assisted by John Oakley &amp; William Butler. This company was greatly cheered by all present as it was leaving the Ground: it numbered 278 souls[.] they had with them 6 yoke of cattle, 3 mules &amp; 1 horse &amp; 3 wagons &amp; 56 hand carts. Five persons to each cart.



The second Hand-Cart company left this point to-day about 11 A.M. led by Capt. D.D. McArthur assisted by S.W. Crandell &amp; T. Lenord. McArthur's company left in fine spirits—they are generally hardy scotch &amp; fine travellers.



The Third company is now fitting up—they are "Cambrian-Americans." We call everybody here, "Americans"!



J. Van Cott, W.H. Kimball &amp; G.D.Grant are purchasing cattle for the company. I guess they are in Missouri.



A Dependent Company of ox teams will start when they get their cattle. The wagons that are here &amp; those that are gone by the two "Cart" companies, came from Chicago and cost from $75.00 to $110.00 dollars. Flour at this point is worth about $3.50 pr. hd. lbs. Bacon about $9.00 pr. hd.



We have heard that another ship load of emigrants have arrived at New York by the ship "Thornton" numbering when they left Liverpool 764 souls. James G. Willie, Miller [Millen] Atwood, &amp; Moses Clough preside over the Thornton's company. We expect them at this point by the 16th or 17th of June.



We have meetings twice on Sundays &amp; occasionally thro' the week. Many strangers attend our meetings on the Sabbath &amp; listen attentively to what is said. We have many "hand cart" sermons preached; &amp; a "hand-cart" song sung, the chorus of which is the following:—"For some must push &amp; some must pull, As we go marching up the hill. Then merrily on the way we'll go, until we reach the Valley."



Seventeen lbs. of luggage is what is allowed to each person with the "Hand-Cart" companies. Much luggage will have to come by Wm. Walker's freight train.



I have but little to say about the difficulties in Kansas, or the nominations for president. Buchanan late ambassador to Gt. Britain &amp; Beckenridge of Kentucky have been nominated by the Democrats of Iowa City, the former for President of the U.S. the latter for vicepresident.



The best of feelings exist amongst us that are left on the camp ground. We are only waiting for the word "Up &amp; go to the Valley".



I am clerk to the camp; &amp; Postmaster; that is, bring &amp; take letters to &amp; from the Post Office.



Our camp is now rather quiet since the two first companies have left us. Occasionally a Gentile or two visit us enquiring about our strange religion, &amp; the reasons we are moving westward. I have heard thro' Bro Tyler that times are rather hard in the Valley—Bro Tyler has received a letter from his wife bearing date March 28th 1856. When difficulties commence with the Saints what must they be when the[y] reach the Gentiles.



Give my kind love to bros. Brigham &amp; Jedediah &amp; Sister Kimball &amp; all of the family. Tell Lucy that her Bro. Loren from Nauvoo is in camp &amp; is going to the Valley this season. Remember me to the young folks &amp; all enquiring friends. I enjoy tolerable good health &amp; I am in good spirits



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Yours truly, in the Everlasting Covenant, 
William Woodward</center>



 



I have sent a letter to Laura M.H. by the mail that I send this one



June 16th. Our camp is busy turning out the Hand-Carts. Yesterday we had good meetings. The Spirit of the Lord was with us &amp; we felt well. Bro. Spencer is gone to St. Louis on business. James Ferguson has gone out to see how the hand cart companies are getting along. Peace prevails here.



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">W. Woodward</center>

Transcript for William Woodward letter to Heber C. Kimball, 11 June 1856

Brigham Young office files, 1832-1878 (bulk 1844-1877).

Deseret News

Immigration to Utah

"Immigration to Utah", Deseret News, October 15, 1856, Page 6.

Transcript for "Immigration to Utah," Deseret News, 15 October 1856, 254

Deseret News.

Edward Bunker autobiography, 1894

Edward Bunker autobiography, 1894.

Having drawn our pay and procured an out-fit, we prepared to return to our homes by way of Sutter's Fort <and> across the North Pass of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The old <s>E</s><e>migrant trail. While crossing the mountains, we met Capt. Brown and Sam Brannan from Salt Lake Valley. Brown to draw the pay for his company and Brannan to meet the company of Saints who had gone to California by water.</e></and>



The returning men of the Battalion divided into three squads on their return trip and I was in company with Bros [Daniel] Tyler, Hancock and others. We met Brown near where the company of emigrants, en route to Cal[ifornia]. had perished the winter before. We camped there and while there <s>and</s> I went hunting and found their camp and saw the skeletons and bones of those unfortunate people lying on the ground unburied.



Brown brought word from Brigham Young that those of the Battalion who had not provisions to last them in Salt Lake Valley had better remain in California during the winter.



Some of the bretheren turned back and a few others continued eastward. I was one of the latter number, and we arrived in Salt Lake Valley the 16th of October 1847.

Transcript for Edward Bunker autobiography, 1894, 13-14

Edward Bunker autobiography, 1894, Page 19-20.

In the spring of 1850, I started for Salt Lake Valley in Capt. Johnson’s hundred and Mat[t]hew Caldwell’s fifty and I was captain of a ten. We followed up the route of the Calif. emigration on the south side of the Platt[e] river. Nothing of importance happened until we came into the cholera district where the emigrants had died in great numbers and were buried by the roadside. We found one man unburied lying in the brush. He was given a burial by the company. Our camp was attacked and eighteen out of our hundred died from the effects of the cholera. My wife and daughter, Emily who had been born to us the 1st of Mar, [1849] on Mesquite Creek Iowa - was taken very sick but through the power of faith and good nursing they recovered.



At the end of three months we reached Salt Lake Valley, our haven of rest, Sept 1st 1850.

Transcript for Edward Bunker autobiography, 1894, 19-20

Bunker, Edward, Autobiography, 1894, 22-23.

. . . to Iowa City which place we reached in the month of June 1856[.] Here the companies were fitted out with hand carts[.] I was given charge of a Welsh company and left Iowa City <June> 23rd 1856. We rec’d our provisions and teams to haul our supplies at Council Bluffs. After leaving Iowa City, we encountered some heavy rain and wind storms which blew down our tents and washed away our handcarts. I got a heavy drenching, which brought on a spell of rheumatism that confined me to my bed a portion of the Journey.
I had for my councilors Bros [David] Grant, a Scotchman and taylor [tailor] by trade, and [John] Macdonald a cabinet maker, neither of <s>which</s> &lt;whom&gt; had had much experience in handling teams[.] Both were returned missionaries. The Welsh had no experience at all and very few of them could speak English. This made the burden upon me very heavy. I had the mule team to drive and had to instruct the teamsters about yoking the oxen.
The journey from the Missouri river to Salt Lake City was accomplished in 65 days. We were short of provisions all the way and would have suffered for food, had not supplies reached us from the Valley. However we arrived safely in Salt Lake City Oct. 2nd 1856.

Transcript for Bunker, Edward, Autobiography, 1894, 22-23

George W. Turner autobiography and minutebook, 1871-1887

George W. Turner autobiography and minutebook, 1871-1887, Page 121-23.

we landed in Boston on or about the 26th of May, having been nearly 6 weeks on the water, we staid in Boston, about 2 days, where our Captain Dan Jones, chartered a special train, by which we started for Iowa, where we arrived in about eight days, traveling night and day[.] <here> we camped in the open air, for over three weeks, preparing hand carts, tents &amp;c for our journey, across the plains, a distance of nearly 1300 miles, here my wifes mother who was not very well in health, when we left the old country, had grown <worse> until, through the exposure of travelling, night and day, for over a week, <s>was</s> together with the inconveniance, of outdoor camp life, was more than her weak constitution could stand. She <s>d</s> died, in a few days after our arrival at camp, and we had to bury her body in the camp burying ground. in about four weeks after our arrival, every thing being in readiness, our company was organized, as follows, Edward Bunker, returning missionary, Captain, David Grant another returning missionary, Captain of the first hundred, myself Captain of the second, and Elder John Parry, captain of the third, my company numbered 111, so that the company all told, numbered 311, souls. we were only allowed, to take 17 lbs of luggage, including bedding, for each person, the residue of our clothing, we had to leave, to be forwarded by the Church teams, later in the fall,</worse></here>



all things being in readiness, we rolled out of camp, about the first week in June, singing , “some must push and some must pull, as we go marching up the hill, and merrily on the way we’ll go, until we reach the valley.” we had 4 mule teams with us, to help haul our provisions, an Captain Bunker, had a team of two yoke of oxen, which constituted our entire train.



on the third night after we left the camp ground at Iowa, as we were, as we thought secure for the night, and all were wrapt in slumber, we were visited by one of those severe thunder, wind, and rain Storms, so frequent on the praires, of the State of Iowa. our tents were blown over, and the hand &lt;carts&gt; carried for quite a distance by the force of the wind, while the rain poured down in torrents in such a manner, that in the short space, of twenty minutes, every thing in the camp, was floating. the water being from 15 to 18 inches deep, over the entire camp, and men[,] women, and children were in a wet and Shivering condition, half way up their legs in water all night. when day light came in the morning our camp presented quite a novel spectacle, tents and clothing all mixed up. but the sun came out in such splnder, and warmth, that the storm of the previous night, was soon forgotten. It took us nearly all day, to straigten things up, so that it was nearly 4 o clock in the afternoon before we were rady to <s>go</s> strike camp and move. we could only travel some 4 miles. we had an experience of this kind several times, whilst travelling, through the state of Iowa. but not any I think quite so bad, as the first, one.



we were about 3 weeks travelling through the State of Iowa, arriving at Florence, or what was then called Winter Quarters, about the first week in July. here we were detained, about 3 weeks, mending our hand carts, and tents, and making such other preparations, that were necessary, to accomplish the remainder of our journey, over an almost trackless desert, for upwards of 1000 miles.



we left Florence on the 31st of July, and arrived in Salt Lake City, on the 2nd of October. This I consider one of the most remarkable feats of endurance on record. men[,] women and children, averaging nearly 17 miles per day, for 64 days, in all kinds of weather, drawing their own provisions, bedding, closthing, cooking utensils, and all othe neccessaries, fording rivers, and streams, over mountains, and hills, and sandy plains, on a very scanty allowance, of provisions. for all that <s>we</s> we had to subsist upon, for the last 300 miles of the journey, was eight ounces of flour per day, to each person. this was a very severe tax upon human endurance, and several who were stout, and robust, at the commencement of the journey, <s>had</s> were stricken with death, and we had to perform the painful task, of burying &lt;them&gt; by the wayside. I shall never forget the remark of one brother named William Jenkins, a large stout, able bodied &lt;man&gt; wgo [who] lift [left] Cardiff with us. Brother George says he the day before he died, if any person ever asks you the cause of my death, tell them it was lack of the proper amount of necessary food, to sustain my body, in this long and laborious journey. some of the Brethren, and sisters, have said many hard things in my hearing, against the Church authorities, in regard to the hand cart enterprise, owing to the great amount of suffering, and death, caused by that movement, but I do not blame any one. I believe that the Bretheren, in their desire to be economical, in the matter, and through inexperience, put a greater ta upon the human system, than it was able to endure.

Transcript for George W. Turner autobiography and minutebook, 1871-1887, 121-23

George W. Turner autobiography and minutebook, 1871-1887.

Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914

Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Franklin, Idaho, Sept. 12 1906</center>



Albert Jones, Dear Bro.



Seeing an announcement in the Deseret News of Sep 3 I was anxious to correspond with you, My paper was mislaid and only last night I found it.



I belonged to the 4th. Hand cart Co. Jas. G. Willie capt. Or rather was called president when our company was organized: Millen Atwood Capt. Of 1st hundred; Levi Savage Capt 2nd hundred; William Woodward Capt. 3rd hundred; John Chislett capt 4th hundred; A H [Johan August] Ahmansen capt of 5th hundred.



Willie &amp; Atwood, are dead, Savage lived in Southern Utah; Chislett and Ahmansen apostatised



I was clerk of camp at Iowa City, and historian, two days after my arrival on the 2nd of June 1856.



Directly after our company arrived the 1st &amp;2nd Hand Cart companies were organized Some of our people were put in the 1st Co. Some in the 2nd Co the balance made the 3rd Co.



Edmund Ellsworth capt of 1st. Company John Oakley and Wm. Butter, aids. McArthur capt. of 2nd company, Spicer W Crandall, &amp; Truman Lenan aids Edward Bunker capt 3rd Company (Welsh) David Grant &amp; John McDonald aids. the 4th company as I have mentioned above. I was present when the 5th and 6th companies were organized, but subsequently they were merged into one.



The Relief Train came to us one night on the Sweetwater. The express met us two days before, composed of C. H. Whetlock[,] J.A. Young, Steve Taylor &amp; a bro Garr. They were away to take comfort to the 5th company and urge them to travel to meet the relief train. Geo D. Grant was in command of the relief train. He left some wagons with our company; W. H. Kimball in charge. Snow came on us the night we met the express about a foot deep. We had given all our flour out at the suggestion of some of the express as the relief train they said would soon be with us. We had lost half of our cattle this side of Fort Kearney, and we were in a poor fix to travel in the snow. So we staid till the relief train came. (two days later)



Some of you tell of hardships; hardships they were truly. We buried 68 . I kept the camp journal as our clerk gave out. Our butcher died, so I became butcher. In crossing the Rocky Ridge, two of our teamsters gave out in a bitter snow storm. Atwood and I had to take their places and we picked up the straglers. Our wagons were full of people, we got to camp away in the night; next day we buried 13 and the 2nd morning 2 more besides them.



We arrived in SL City Nov 9th.



To talk of our experiences is a thrilling theme. I was 8 weeks at Iowa camp. I have lived here more than 46 years. Yours t[ruly] W. Woodward



I approve of the move of Hand Cart veterans meeting. Will be at the meeting in the City if all is well. 



W T Wright &amp; wife of the 2nd hand cart co live here, but ha has left the Church. G. T. Marshall of one 1st company lives here &amp; his sister lives in the next settlement. Jas. [James] [?]ew, than a boy, lives on Bear River some 12 miles away. (A non member) 



G T Marshall was a child at the time of his coming - his mother a widow with some 6 childran.



I would like to see a history of the companies of 1856 published I was a returning missionary at the time 23 years old. W.W.



Albert Jones, I think I saw you once in Franklin

Transcript for Woodward, W., to Albert Jones, Handcart Veterans Association, 12 Sep. 1906. Handcart Veterans Association, Scrapbook, 1906-1914, fd. 2

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008. Supplement after 31 December 1850: Page 3.

John Parry reminiscences and diary, 1857 March-1867 September

John Parry reminiscences and diary, 1857 March-1867 September, March 1857.

We Camped in Ioway [Iowa] for three weeks to wait for Wagons, And for hand Carts. This was the first time for hand Carts to be used to go acros the Plains.
The first Company went a few days before us, Edmond El[l]sworth being Captain, 
Another Company started before us a few MacArthur [Daniel D. McArthur] days being Captain.
Thirdly the Welsh was organised as a Company Edward Bunker being head Captain, and David Grant, Myself, and George Davies, being Captains of hundreds, After we traveled the first Day and put up our tents, it began Thunder &amp; Lightening, and we had the aufulest Storm that I ever witnessed in my life.
(I omited to mention one of my conexion [connection] who came with us from Wales, Thomas Parry son of Robert Parry Newmarket, who we left at Ioway [Iowa] being engaged to drive a Team to Dan Jones over the Plains, But he got wet, and caught a Cold, and Died, in the neibourhood of Newton, Ioway [Iowa].)
After we got Dry the folowing day we started again and Traveled hard, our ration of food was half a pound of flour a day, and a little Tea and shugar and a very little of any thing else[.] we had a hard task to stand the Journey from Ioway [Iowa] to counsel [Council] Bluffs. Distance of about 300 miles, When at Newton we stopt over sunday, &lt;till&gt; and many of our Camp, on account of shortness of rations, Made their minds up to stop at this Place, and engaged with some of the Gentiles to work for them, And on Monday morning, several of the croude [crowd] turned one side with their Hand Carts, by going through the above Town, I went after them, while the Camp went a head, to puswade [persuade] them to come along, at last I prevaled on them, then we started after the Camp, which was far a head, and when I was aboute the midle of Newton, I was imediately Surrounded by a large croude of mobs, who was very mad, because I perswaded those that had promised to work for them, to come along[.] after a little talk the[y] did send several from the crowde to get Tar &amp; Feathers, to put on me, while I was surounded Brother [John] McDonald came, that had been in some store, and asked why did they stop me on the high way; and while they turned their atention to him, I slipt through the crowd and made my escape, by turning round a corner I turned my head and saw many coming after me[.] Then I took to run, and before I came to the Camp I was overcome by two rufians, who began to take hold of my colar, but I spoke very harch [harsh] and independant to them, and got from them, after a while I reached the camp and when Traveling along, Great many mobs came after us some on horses and others on foot, with Revolvers, Clubs &amp;c 
To try to perswade some of either men or Women to turn back, that they would get good situations or Farmes to them, &amp;c, &amp;c, But not one of them went, after a while they went back, they did not know me, as I did change my close [clothes],
then we traveled on from day to day until we at last came to Florence, where we had a fit oute to cross the Plains, (a few did stay on the way.) 
I laboured very hard to help some Widows and Fatherless, and the weak, to pull their Carts up hilly pleases [places], &amp;c, beside puling my own along with my Wife [Harriet] and my sisters Young Daughter, Elizabeth, 
We stopped at this Place aboute a week. James McGaw, had the charge of the starting of the emigration over the Plians [Plains],
In the begin[n]ing of August [blank space] 1856 We started over the Plians, Buried sister Emma Brooks, from N[ea]r Newmarket Wales, the Day before we started, her Death was caused by diarrhoea,
We had more food, now, than before, 7 lbs a week to cross the plians, and some few things beside, Yet not near enough, as we were working so hard in pulling our little Trinkets &amp; food only 17 lbs each was alowd beside our food, and we had an ox Team, to every hundred, to help us,
After traveling a few days, we saw tens of thousands of Buffalos, we killed a few to eat, We did wade the rivers, little Children 6 years of age did use to walk 26 miles p[er] day, one evening one old Brother was mised oute of my hundred, aboute 120 miles west of Laramie; it was ten o Clock when I found oute that he was missing. Then I and 2 more went to look for him, after we traveled 8 miles we met the old Brother coming along slowly, had been sleeping on the way, untill some wolfs came And Barked at him, then we did put him on our hand Cart and took him to camp,
Several died on the way, And only one little sick child that never was well, died oute of my Company, or hundred, all the way from Ioway [Iowa] to Great, Salt, Lake, City.
Somewere in the neighborhood of the uper crossing of the Platt[e] River, Teams From G, S, L, City, came to meet us with flour, which we was in much need, though not oute of flour, but not near enough to reach the Valley,
On a sunday at the pasific [Pacific] Springs, we met Parley, P, Pratt, the Twelve, and others going to the states, we also Met Patriarch John Smith, going to meet his sister, he gived us some, Salt, 
Indians met us some times, and helped us to pull our Carts, which was a great fun for them, we had no trouble of any kind in crosing the plians [Plains], only Fatigue, I, worked my self down, I did pull Samuel Brookss boy, Frank, for some hundreds of miles, as he was an Invaleed [Invalid], 
Hard pull up the Big Mountain, when we came in-site of the City, our hearts was overwhelmed with Joy, and thanksgiving to the Lord, that our lives was spared, through such a Journey, and traveling in such a maner, that history has no comparison.
When near the City My Father Met us on horse back, Tears of Joy filled my ey[e]s when met him, and we kissed one another,
We arrived in the City on the 3rd of October, and had a glance at President B Young [at] the time we entered the City, 
We camped on the Union Square.

Transcript for Parry, John, Reminiscences and diary, 1857 Mar.-1867 Sept., 55-60

John Parry reminiscences and diary, 1857 March-1867 September.

Foreign Correspondence

Daniel Spencer letter to Franklin D. Richards, "Foreign Correspondence", Millennial Star, 18, August 2, 1856, No. 31. Page 489.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">IOWA. 
L. D. S. Camp, near Iowa City, 
Iowa, June 22, 1856.</center>



President F. D. Richards.



Dear Brother—In reply to your favours of the 8th and 27th May, I am happy to inform you that everything moves along well with us, even better than I could have anticipated. . . . . .



The Thornton’s passengers I am expecting in a day or two. I received, on the 20th, a message of their arrival, but without date, and the telegraphic element becomes very lazy when it points its course westward. From New York a messenger will arrive here some days a-head of his own message sent to announce his coming.



It will give you much joy to learn that the hand-cart experiment is now being fairly, and so far, most successfully tested. Captain Edmund Ellsworth left here on the 9th, with 274 souls, accompanied by elders [John] Oakley and [William] Butler as assistants. Captain D[aniel]. D. McArthur left on the 11th with 221 souls, accompanied by Elders [Spicer Wells] Crandall and [Truman] Leonard as assistants. These numbering in all 497 souls, embraced 104 of the S. Curling’s company, and their fit-out was, together, 100 hand-carts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, 4 mules, 25 tents, and provisions to Florence. Brother Ferguson visited their camps 35 miles out, and accompanied them during a portion of a morning’s march. He reports that, though their first two days’ travel were good marches for strong men, considering the sandy roads, he never visited a camp of travelling Saints so cheerful and universally happy. All were full of faith in God, and the fulfilment of His promises through His servants, and what few doubts existed in the minds of half-weakly believers, had all vanished when they saw the reality before them. The weak and feeble had already begun to gather strength; the sick were fast recovering, and the power of God was made abundantly manifest in the pouring out of His Spirit upon the people. Much credit is due, not only to the brethren in charge of the companies, but to the native Presidents of Conferences, who emulated each other in setting an example of putting in practice the theories they had taught their flocks in their fields of labour in their own country. The remainder of the S. Curling’s company of Fund passengers will leave to-morrow, numbering about 320 souls. They are organized with elder Edward Bunker as their Captain, assisted by Elders David Grant, John Parry, and Geo. W. Davis. To fit out these companies, brothers Grant and Kimball succeeded in purchasing, in the vicinity of Weston, a few cattle and mules, which, including travelling expenses, average nearly $85 per yoke for oxen, and $120 per head for mules. Since then cattle have lowered some in value, and brothers Van Cott and Grant have purchased about sufficient to fit out the independent hand-cart and ordinary dependent companies, at an average of from $38 to 65 per yoke, cows will cost from $15 to $18 each. These will be furnished at the Bluffs with the through fit-out. They have also contracted for young stock to supply the demands already made at the rate of $7 for yearling and $12 for two-years-old heifers ; dry cows $15 each. Brother George has also purchased and brought in 16 head of mules at $110, which with seven or eight which brother Van Cott has got, will make sufficient for a mule team to each 500 of the Fund companies, and for those who will cross the Plains with you. . . . . .



I am looking for brother Van Cott daily, with the general drove of cattle, from which I expect to supply the ordinary passengers who are here, as well as those coming, with whose names you have furnished me. The first company of wagons left Florence about the 6th instant, of which, by my appointment, Elder P[hilemon]. C. Merrill took charge. Elder Peterson’s company were expected to accompany them. Elder Joseph France left in company with Captains Ellsworth and McArthur, with the appointment to take charge, on his arrival, of such of the Saints congregated there from St. Louis and other parts, as would form the second company of wagons.



Business having called me down to St. Louis a few days, I was much rejoiced, on the 14th, to meet brother Erastus, together with brothers G. A. Smith, E. T. Benson, Orson Pratt, and the other brethren bound eastward. Brother Erastus accompanied me here. He leaves to-morrow for St. Louis, and is in tolerable health. I expect he will meet the Horizon’s company at Boston, and, having a copy of that portion of your letter pertaining to the business of that company, will give it the necessary attention. I will continue to draw upon you, as heretofore, until I shall have completed the money part of the season’s operations. I shall expect to meet you at Florence, and will endeavour to have the mules harnessed and whip in hand on your arrival, and a crust of bread in pocket . . .



The health of the camp is unusually good this season. My own is also excellent. Truly the Lord has been with us, and has favoured the opening of the new route. Since we have taken the making of the hand-carts into our own hands, it is getting along beyond our best calculations. Brother Webb has been most faithful and successful in the charge of this department. The Church goods, sent by the Thornton, were already ordered to this place, and will have the proper attention.



Brothers Ferguson, McAllister, Grant, Webb and the brethren generally, join me in much love to yourself, brothers Cyrus, Little, Dunbar, Linforth, Calkin, Williams, Turnbull, and all the Saints. May success be multiplied to you in all your exertions.



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Faithfully in Christ, 
DANIEL SPENCER.</center>

Transcript for Daniel Spencer letter to Franklin D. Richards printed in "Foreign Correspondence," Millennial Star, 2 August 1856, 489-90

Nebraska Territory

D. Grant letter to William G. Noble, "Nebraska Territory", Millennial Star, 18, August 30, 1856, No. 48. Page 767.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">NEBRASKA TERRITORY.</center>
<center>3rd Hand-cart Company, E. Bunker, Capt., Scott’s Bluffs, 50 miles east of Fort Laramie, August 30, 1856.</center>
Dear Brother William G. Noble—It is with pleasure that I spend a few moments in writing to you, after travelling, to-day, twenty miles, and helping to pull a hand-cart the most of the way. If you come to Utah next year, a few items of information from me may be useful to you. It is one month to-day since we left Florence, formerly called Winter Quarters, and we are almost five hundred miles from it. I have travelled the same road three times with horse and ox teams, but never made the trip in so short a time before. We have averaged twenty miles a-day for the past week, and are determined to average that or more every day until we reach Great Salt Lake City, where the Prophets and Apostles of our God live.
The Saints are getting more and more of the spirit of Zion upon them as they approach nearer to it. I will give it as my opinion, that the Saints will cross the Plains with hand-carts for years to come, because of the utility of the plan, considering the circumstances by which the Saints are surrounded. There are twenty persons and four hand-carts to each tent. Each adult person has seventeen and each child ten pounds of luggage, which consists of bedding and wearing apparel; extra of this they haul their cooking utensils.
The provisions are hauled in a wagon, and rationed out to the company every other day, as follows—to each adult or child per day, on[e] pound of flour, with tea or coffee, sugar, and rice. We have, for the use of the company, eighteen cows that give milk, and have killed three fine buffaloes, and eaten as we had need. Besides that which I have enumerated, we have with us beef cattle enough to last through to Utah, using one of them a-week. This is so healthy a country, that our appetites are very good, and we send our allowances home without much trouble. There are some very old brethren and sisters that walk every day. One sister, that has walked all the way from Iowa City, is seventy-three years old. There are in the company those still more advanced in years, who ride in the wagons. . . .
If there were settlements every hundred and fifty or two hundred miles on the road, from which companies could get supplies, they could carry their provisions on their hand-carts, and dispense with the provision wagons, which greatly retard our progress. . . . 
We travel together in peace and harmony, and when we camp, are not molested by wolves in sheep’s clothing. Elder [Edward] Bunker has proved himself a father to this people, and I know that the Holy Spirit has been with and aided him to leading them all the time.
I am happy to say that we have been united in all things since we left Iowa City, and am glad in having such a man to lead us as our Captain. He sends his love to you and family, the Bradford Saints, and all inquiring friends. Please remember me to the Manchester and Bradford Saints; also give my love to your worthy Pastor, Elder Dana, brother Pratt, and all associated with him in the Office. I pray God to bless you in your high and holy calling.<center>Yours as ever, </center>
<center> D. Grant.</center>

Transcript for Grant, D[avid] to William G. Noble, 30 Aug. 1856, "Foreign Correspondence," Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 29 Nov. 1856, 767

Priscilla Merriman Evans autobiography, circa 1914

Priscilla Merriman Evans autobiography, circa 1914, Item 2, Page 39-41.

<xhtml:p xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">. . . where we remained three weeks, waiting for our “Hand Carts” to be made. We were offer’d many inducements to remain there. My husband [Thomas David] was offer’d Ten dollars pr day to stay and work at his trade of “Iron Roller”. But money was no inducement, as we were anxious to get to Zion. Many who Stayed to better their circumstances died of Cholera and many apostatized from the Church. When the “Carts,” were ready we Started on a Three hundred &amp; 30 mile “walk”, to “Winter quarters” on the Missoura [Missouri] river. There were many who made sport of us as we walked and pulled our Carts. But the weather was beautiful and the roads excellent, and altho I was sick, and weak, and we were all tired out at night, Still we thot it a “glorious” way to come to “Zion.” We began our journey of “One Thousand 30 miles” on foot, pulling, our hand carts. Some families consisted of man and wife, and some, had quite large families, each cart had 100 lbs Flour, that to be devided and get more from the wagons as required. At first we had a little coffee and bacon, but that was soon gone, and we had no use for any cooking utencils but a frying pan. The flour was self raising. Mixed with water, and cooked in the frying pan[.] That was all we had to eat. After months of traveling we were put on half[-]rations, and at one time before help came, we were out of flour, for two days. We shook the flour sacks to thicken the gravy but had no grease of any kind. Our company was a Welch Co. of about Three hundred. There were about one doz in our tent. Six of whom could not speak the Welch language. Myself among the number. Dont you think I had a pleasant journey, traveling for months with about 300, people, of whose language I could not understand a word. My husband could speak Welch, so he could join in their festivities when he felt like it. There were in our tent a man with one leg (my husband)[,] Two blind[,] Thomas Giles being one of them, one man with one arm, and a widow with five children. The widow and her children and myself, were the only ones who could not speak the Welch language. My husband was commisary for our Co. There were five mule teams to haul the tents and flour. We were allowed to bring but 17 lbs of clothing[,] our bedding[,] Books, (quite a bit of Genealogy my husband had gathered during his missionary labors) and many other useful things were left in a store house, and were to be sent with the next emigration, but we never did recieve them. We had the tent for covering and had to sleep on the ground. I had a shawl and my husband an Over coat which was included in the 17 lbs of clothing we were permitted to bring. The remainder of clothing to make up the ammount was an oil cloth sack. Edward Bunker was the Captian of our Co. The Orders of the day were. “If any are sick among you, and not able to walk, you must pull them on your carts.” No one rode in the wagons. Sometime[s] a bunch of Buffaloes would come and the “Carts” would stop untill they passed, had we been prepaired like the people who traveled with teams, to kill Buffalo’s we would have had meat, and would not have come so near starving. One incident hapened which came near being serious. Some Indians came to our camp, and my husband in a joking way told an Indian, who admired me, that he would trade me for a Pony. He thot no more about it. But the next day, here came the Indian with the Pony, and it was no Joke with him. I never was so frightened in all my life. There was no place to hide, and we did not know what to do. The Captain was called, and they had some dificulty in settling with the Indian with out trouble. In crossing rivers the Women and children were carried over the deep places, and they waded the others. We were much more fortunate than those who came later, as we had no snow, and the weather was quite pleasant. My husband had the misfortune to lose his leg when 9 yrs old. While walking 20 to 25 miles per day where the knee rested on the pad it would gather and break and was most painful, but he had to endure it or remain behind. One incident will show you how they were fixed for grease. My husband and John Thain [Thayne] a Butcher in some way killed an old Buffalo. They sat up all night and boiled it to get some grease to grease the carts, but he was so old and poor there was not a drop of grease in him. No grease for the carts and no grease for even gravy for the little children. We reached Salt Lake City Oct 2-1856. </xhtml:p>

Transcript for Evans, Priscilla Merriman, Autobiography [ca. 1914], item 2, 39-41

Priscilla Merriman Evans autobiography, circa 1914.

Roberts, Robert D., [Reminiscences], 80, in Joel Ricks, "Memories of Early Days in Cache County," in Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Salt Lake City, Utah, Scrapbooks

Roberts, Robert D., [Reminiscences], 80, in Joel Ricks, "Memories of Early Days in Cache County," in Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Salt Lake City, Utah, Scrapbooks.

We remained there [Iowa City, Iowa] for about three weeks, and during that time were compelled to live out in the open air, as no shelter of any kind could be obtained. We were very anxious to get started on our journey. Edward Bunker, had charge of our company of about 300 souls. We had no wagons so were organized into a hand cart company. Our equipment and supplies were very limited. Twenty people were compelled to sleep in one tent in order to give shelter to every one. We had six wagons drawn by oxen, which carried our tents and provisions. Each family had one and sometimes two hand carts, in which they carried their bedding, and ration of food. There were eight in our family and we had two carts. About June 24th 1856 the company started on its memorable journey across the plains.
 On our first day we traveled three miles when we were overttaken by a very bad storm. We made camp on the bank of a small creek, the wind was blowing terribly, and we had to cling to our tents and poles to keep them from blowing away, but in spite of our efforts some of the tents were blown down. In a short time the rain came in torrents, accompanied by thunder and lightening. The water rose over the banks of the creek, and flooded our camp, and was a foot deep around some of the tents. We had few clothes except those we had on, the rest having left behind to be sent on later. So that we had to lay over the next day to dry our clothes. This was very trying for our first experience. We resumed our journey the next day, with 300 miles to march before reaching Florence. The journey was very hard on us as the hand carts were hard to pull, and our rations were very scant. We had to make three meals on half of a pound of flour until we got to Florence, then we were allowed a pound a day. The first river we crossed after leaving Florence was called Loup fork, and after leaving it we had ten miles to go before we could get water. The sun was burning hot and it seemed to concentrate on the trail between the tall grass growing on either side. This grass grew from five to eight feet tall. The suffering from heat and thirst was something terrible, and some of the people became so exhausted, they gave up and stopped by the way. Some of the company got through, and they returned with water to those left behind, which revived them so that they could go on. After leaving the Wood River, we came into the buffalo country, where we saw thousands of buffalo in great herds. We were able to kill some of them thus adding to our provision. While traveling through this country we were unable to get wood to burn, and were compelled to use buffalo chips. 
 We were unable to keep the fresh buffalo meat very long as we had no salt to preserve it. We crossed the Platt[e] river at Laramie. Some thirty miles this side of Laramie, we woke up one morning to find six inches of snow on the ground. We remained in camp until the sun had melted the snow a little, and then resumed our journey, feeling very down hearted, as the road was very muddy, which made the carts hard to pull. After crossing the upper place on the Platt[e] river, we went to the Sweet Water river, and camped near Independence Rick [Rock], from there to Salt Lake was 800 miles and I was compelled to walk the entire distance barefooted as my boots were no good. 
 In the Black Hills we met Parley P. Pratt, and company going east, probably going on missions.
 From Fort Bridger to Salt Lake we were allowed less then a half a pound of flour per day. We arrived in Salt Lake City, October 2, 1856 after a perilous journey which I shall never forget.

Transcript for Roberts, Robert D., [Reminiscences], 80, in Joel Ricks, "Memories of Early Days in Cache County," in Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Salt Lake City, Utah, Scrapbooks

Roberts, Robert David, Autobiographical sketch, in Robert D. Roberts, Papers of the Roberts Family Association

Roberts, Robert David, Autobiographical sketch, in Robert D. Roberts, Papers of the Roberts Family Association.

On April 9, 1856, my father and his family in company with others left Wales to go to America. 
We left Liverpool, England, on April 29, 1856, in the Sunders Curling, a merchant sailing vessel and after a very tempestuous voyage arrived in Boston May 24, 1856. Within a couple of days we boarded the railroad train for Iowa City, Iowa, the then western railroad terminal of the United States. 
After remaining there about three weeks, we started across the great plains of America with a company of hand carts. (Captain Edward Bunker's Company.) 
arriving at Salt Lake City on October 2, 1856. This hand cart journey was a very severe and trying experience in which many lost their lives… 
During the journey to Salt Lake City I was the guide of and assistant to my Uncle John, who was nearly blind, for which service my Uncle John paid my fare from Wales. Uncle John died in Salt Lake City a few days after our arrival on account of the hardships of the hand cart journey.

Transcript for Roberts, Robert David, Autobiographical sketch, in Robert D. Roberts, Papers of the Roberts Family Association

The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848

Norma Baldwin Ricketts, The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848. Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996. Page 180.

Norma Baldwin Ricketts, The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848. Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996. Page 23.

Norma Baldwin Ricketts. The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848.

Woman's Exponent

Autobiagraphy [sic] of Elizabeth L. Hyde

"Autobiagraphy [sic] of Elizabeth L. Hyde", Woman's Exponent, August 15, 1896, Page 28-29.

Captain Edward Bunker was appointed to conduct us through. We started on our way West June 24, and arrived safe at Florence, and stopped there two weeks, and left for the plains July 30. I had always been isolated from the Church, so that I had not one particular friend; I seemed to travel all alone. I was allowed to bring 15 pounds of baggage; this was put on the cart with a man and his wife. This man had a wooden leg, his name was Thomas Evans, and he lives at Spanish Fork. He soon gave out in the deep sands of Nebraska, and his wife and myself took the cart all the way to Laramie. When the man got better, I became lame while we were traveling in the Black hills, I had rheumatism in my ankles and had to give up pulling the cart. I made a friend of one of the teamsters, and he put a small bundle on the wagon for me, after Captain Bunker had refused to do so, and then I was free to walk alone. There was one man in the camp I shall always remember with gratitude, his name is John Cousins, he lives at Bear Lake. He has carried me on his back through many rivers, and when Captain Bunker put me out of the wagon at Laramie River, he picked me up and carried me through the water. 
We finally came to Green River, and I was behind the camp; there was no one in sight and it was near sundown. I sat down and thought this is the last. After a while I began to ask myself what brought you here? I called myself a coward. So I got up and asked the Lord to help me, and prepared to wade the river; and the Lord did help me, and I got safe to the camp just as they were preparing to come after me. But the next morning I could not stand; I had been chilled through. Brother David Grant, then the Captain of our one hundred, was sent for and had me lifted into one of the wagons for the forenoon, and gave orders to the teamster that I should wade no more rivers, and the order was obeyed. 
We arrived in Salt Lake City, Oct. 2, and camped on what is now the University Square, where we partook of a good supper after a fast of thirty hours.

Transcript for Hyde, Elizabeth Lane, "Autobiagraphy [sic] of Elizabeth L. Hyde," Woman's Exponent, 15 Aug. 1896, 29

Woman's Exponent.

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joined-company

pioneerCompanyReferenceIdValue

with-pioneer-activity

Edward Bunker Jr.

Emily Abbott

Emily Bunker

departed-from-field

arrived-in-field

missionQualifier

maritalStatusWhenCalled

images

missionOrganizationReferenceIdValue

locationServed

deathPlace

Default List Title

The Church History Biographical Database is a powerful research tool that contains biographical entries on over 100,000 early Latter-day Saints, such as pioneers who traveled to Utah and missionaries who served throughout the world from 1830-1940.

Name

Presided Over

Sources

Title

Edward Bunker

Birth Date

Death Date

Gender

Sources