John Needham (1819 - 1901) Profile

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John Needham

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British Mission history 1841-1971, Church History Library

British Mission history 1841-1971, Church History Library, Page 63.

British Mission history 1841-1971, Church History Library.

Index to the British Mission history, 1841-1971, Church History Library

Index to the British Mission history, 1841-1971, Church History Library.

John Needham autobiography and journal, 1840 August-1842 December

John Needham autobiography and journal, 1840 August-1842 December.

Millennial Star/ 1840-1841/1840 October (No. 6

Millennial Star/ 1840-1841/1840 October (No. 6, Page 32.

Millennial Star/ 1840-1841/1840 October (No. 6.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 2, Line 61.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 2, Page 2, Line 61.

Andrew Jenson, "Needham, John," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia

Andrew Jenson, "Needham, John," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1.

Andrew Jenson, "Needham, John," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia.

DUP Pioneer History Collection

Autobiography of Carl Christian Nicoli Dorius

"Autobiography of Carl Christian Nicoli Dorius", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 19-21.

We were at once shown to our camping ground, which was two or three miles out of Iowa City, by John Taylor and Abrah[a]m Cannon. We pitched our tents in a circle, 18 persons to be accomodated in each tent.


We stayed about one month to get our hand carts and provision in order to make everything ready. The handcarts were in poor condition and they soon became worse as we went over ditches and rough hills and hollows. This was the beginning of our trip across the plains, our goal being Salt Lake City, Utah. It was something to tackle, as the two previous handcart companies the year before had almost perished, so we were warned to start as soon as possible on account of the winter weather. Our first captain of the handcart company was Elder James R. Park, whom the Scandinavians did not understand, and he did not understand them. So a new captain was named. A number did not have enough means to go on and stayed in the valley. Many went by ox team, which was somewhat better, although our company, which was the 7th, made almost as good time.


There were 300 souls, 68 handcarts, 3 wagons, 10 mules. Christian Christianson, the man the saints love so much and who baptized three of my father’s family, became our captain from Florence to Salt Lake City. We were so thankful for this wonderful man to take charge, and then went much better. He divided the company into four divisions under four other captains. I was made captain of one division of 16 handcarts. The other captains also had 16 handcarts to oversee. This helped to make our traveling more unique.


We traveled on one side of the Platt[e] River, while the Johnston Army was traveling also toward Salt Lake City. Little wee knew who were and what their aims were, but the army stayed at Fort Bridger that winter and did not come toward Salt Lake until the next summer. There was joy and sorrow in that trek. When we camped we held meetings. We also danced barefoot and sang when we camped, and all tried to be happy. One tenth of the company died for want of care and nourishment. We had to send to Salt Lake for provisions, which were most too late for help. We also saw that thrilling never-to-be-forgotten experience of a buffalo stampede.


Our shoes were entirely worn out, and the women had to use burlap around their feet, which my wife, Ellen, often spoke of. When we crossed the small streams the thin ice would tear our bleeding feet, and oh! how swollen they would be. But we five couples walked almost all the way. Being young, we soon forgot the hardships we had endured. We pulled and pushed the handcarts, side by side with our wives as true partners of this hectic journey, but no one ever complained. We tried to be pioneers true blue.


Even the Johnson Army came to our rescue, as almost a miracle, just when we were almost without food. One of the captains approached our company and said very kindly that one of his oxen had its foot crushed, and if we could use it and care for it, we could have it. This came as a blessing and kept the trek from starving, as they had been without meat for weeks. This certainly was a real treat. By using the meat sparingly, it lasted until help came from Salt Lake, consisting of food and something special for the sick and those most in need.


We landed in Salt Lake City the 13th of September, 1857.

Transcript for "Autobiography of Carl Christian Nicoli Dorius," 19-21.

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008

Peter Nebeker letter

"Peter Nebeker letter", CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, August 25, 1863, Page 1.

The "Deseret News" published the following:FROM THE PLAINS
 
Fort Laramie, Aug. 25, '63.
 
Editor of the Deseret News:
 
	
Sir—Knowing the anxiety of the Saints in the mountains to learn the progress of the several trains enroute for Salt Lake, I embrace this opportunity of sending a few lines from this point. The company over which I have charge left the Elk Horn on Monday the 27th of July, and arrived at Laramie, Aug. the 25th, in the morning. It includes fifty church wagons, loaded with machinery and passengers, and eighteen independent wagons. There are about five hundred souls under my charge. The names of the Church emigrants I expect you have received a list of before this time.	
During the two first weeks of our journey the weather was very wet, not affording us dry roads two days together; notwithstanding the health of the company has been very good considering the state of the people when we left the Missouri river. There has been eight deaths—two old persons, five children and Amelia Stumpf, aged 28, killed by lightning. We experienced, last Friday the 21st inst. one of those sudden and terrific thunder storms, killing the young woman, leveling to the ground, as though dead, seven of the cattle in the lead team and shocking both man and beast for quite a distance down the train. Our cattle are in good traveling order and all the teamsters in good spirits. There is but very little water in the Platte river, which indicates a very dry season in the upper country.	
Elders Needham, [Jacob B.] Bigler and [George] Peacock are in company. We have all safely forded across the Platte this morning. 			
<center>Peter Nebeker, Capt. 4th com.</center> (Deseret News; 13:71)

Transcript for Nebeker, Peter, Letter, in Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 25 Aug. 1863, 1

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

"Life In Utah Fifty Years Ago," Deseret Evening News

"Life In Utah Fifty Years Ago," Deseret Evening News, January 16, 1915.

"Life In Utah Fifty Years Ago," Deseret Evening News.

Needham, John, Letter: Salt Lake City, Utah, to extended family, Salt Lake City, Utah

Needham, John, Letter: Salt Lake City, Utah, to extended family, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 1899.

In 1851 I sold out my business and came to G.S.L. City, bringing my father and sister Eliza with me the rest came after. It took us five months to travel across the plains.

Transcript for Needham, John, Letter: Salt Lake City, Utah, to extended family, Salt Lake City, Utah 1899 Apr. 1. (MS 17983

Needham, John, Letter: Salt Lake City, Utah, to extended family, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Orson F. Whitey, History of Utah: in Four Volumes

Orson F. Whitey, History of Utah: in Four Volumes, Vol. 4.

Orson F. Whitey, History of Utah: in Four Volumes.

Peacock, George, Journal and reminiscences

Peacock, George, Journal and reminiscences, November 1851, Vol. 3.

Tuesday, the 21st Bro. Feresmore [Faramorz] Little met us, also my Son W. H. Peacock and conveyed us to Florence[.] after remaining a few Days to fit up for the Plains we were joined to Peter Nebukirs [Nebeker's] Church train Leaving Florence for Salt Lake City on the 26th Sunday. our mess consisted of myself, John Needhom[,] Jacob G. Bigler[,] Sister Elizabeth Cannon & three children—Hannah Howard[,] Elisa Lyons and Mary Honyboy [Hornsby] our journey was somewhat Tedious and we were subjected to all the hardshps and incidents attending a journey across the plains[.] the weather hot and dry—over twenty souls died. among whom was a little girl of Sister Geo. Q. Cannon, Georgeana[.] she died on the 2d day of Sept. I Soldered the body up in a tin churn[,] Boxed it up and Bro. F. Little conveyed it to Salt Lake for burial. 
[The journal skips from July to September]
 the 24th Day of September We arrived in Salt Lake City and was gladly Received by President B. Young and many relitives &amp; friends.

Transcript for Peacock, George, Journal and reminiscences, 1851 Nov.-1861 Apr., vol. 3, 22-23

Peacock, George, Journal and reminiscences.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund ledger index, 1992; 2015

Perpetual Emigrating Fund ledger index, 1992; 2015.

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Leeds, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

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Ordained Elder while in field, 8 March 1841.


Helped establish first branches in South Wales: Llanthony, Abergavenny, Llanfoist, and Llanellen, Monmouthshire.

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Garway, Herefordshire Conference and Southeast Wales

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Early Missionaries preaching across the Welsh Border from Herefordshire and Gloucestershire were: <a href="https://history-preview.churchofjesuschrist.org/chd/individual/james-weaver-palmer-1820?lang=eng&amp;timelineTabs=allTabs">James Palmer</a>, <a href="https://history-preview.churchofjesuschrist.org/chd/individual/john-needham-1819?lang=eng&amp;timelineTabs=allTabs">John Needham</a>, and <a href="https://history-preview.churchofjesuschrist.org/chd/individual/richard-steele-1818?lang=eng&amp;timelineTabs=allTabs">Richard Steele</a>.

John Needham

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