Parley Parker Pratt Sr. (1807 - 1857) Profile

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Parley Parker Pratt, Sr.

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'Reported Assassination', Deseret News, 1 August 1857

'Reported Assassination', Deseret News, 1 August 1857, Page 5.

'Reported Assassination', Deseret News, 1 August 1857.

Ann Agatha W. Pratt reminiscences and letters, 1847-1907, Church History Library

Ann Agatha W. Pratt reminiscences and letters, 1847-1907, Church History Library.

British Mission history, 1841-1971, Church History Library

British Mission history, 1841-1971, Church History Library, Page 7.

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

Eastern States Mission Manuscript History and Historical Reports, 1830-1977

1837

"1837", Eastern States Mission Manuscript History and Historical Reports, 1830-1977, 2, Part 1, Page 23.

Eastern States Mission Manuscript History and Historical Reports, 1830-1977.

George B. Higginson, Account of the assassination of Parley P. Pratt, undated, Church History Library

George B. Higginson, Account of the assassination of Parley P. Pratt, undated, Church History Library.

Historical Department journal history of the Church

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, August 17, 1843.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, July 25, 1846.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, February 26, 1834.

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

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

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

"Arrived," Deseret News

"Arrived," Deseret News, August 22, 1855.

Arrived.—Elder P. P. Pratt arrived in this city, by the northern route, on Saturday 18th inst., after an absence of fifteen months; he has preached and published the fulness of the Gospel, throughout California with considerable success.



He was accompanied by Elder James Hawkins, who has been absent from this city, on a mission to the Sandwich Islands, about 6 years. Elders Thomas Morris, R. Mowery, and Joseph Peck, who returned from his mission to the Islands on account of ill health, and others.



The party met Col. Steptoe's command on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Judge Hyde was examining the country to ascertain its facilities preparatory to the location of the shire town of Carson County. The Indians on the road were friendly. Feed and water plentiful, with the exception of the forty-five miles drive.

Transcript for "Arrived," Deseret News, 22 August 1855, 189

"Arrived," Deseret News.

Chauncey W. West diary

Chauncey W. West diary, June 1847.

Transcript for Chauncey W. West diary, 1847 June-September

Chauncey W. West diary.

"Correspondence," Deseret News

"Correspondence," Deseret News, August 22, 1855.

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



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



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">G.S.L. City, Aug. 21st, 1855.</center>



 



Ed. Deseret News,— Sir:—



I arrived in this city on Saturday evening, 18th inst., at 6 o'clock, in good health and spirits, having left San Francisco, Cal[ifornia], on the 20th of June, br[other] Nalles, San Jose Mission, on the 26th June, Dr. McIntire's, near Sacramento City, on the 2d July, and Col. Reese's Mill, Carson Valley, on the 18th July.



Our company (including some packers who joined us on Mary's River) consisted of 16 men, 2 women, 6 wagons, and 29 horses and mules.



The names of the party were as follows:--



P. P. and Elizabeth Pratt, of G.S.L. City,



Mr. Jenkins, Mary Jenkins, and Rhanaldo Mowery, from San Francisco, Cal.



Elders James Hawkins, Thomas Morris, Joseph Peck, M. D. Merrick, of G. S. L. City, returning from Missions.



James Peck, Henry Coltrin, and Samuel F. Neslen, of G.S.L. City.



M. D. Hamilton, of San Pete, Utah.



Thomas King and J. C. Dobson, of G.S.L. City.



M. S. Hadley, A. Thompson, and C. Dodge, for U.S.A.



We had good luck by the way—good grass and water. Met many companies from Utah and the States. Saw several hundred Indians on the waters of Mary's river,— from whom we had a supply of salmon trout—all very friendly.



We were all weary with our journey and pilgrimage, and thankful to get home; and the joy of meeting with our friends and families was more than we shall attempt to describe.



I had been absent upwards of 15 months, during which I had promulgated the gospel on the Pacific, with all the energy and gift that God saw fit to bestow upon me, and with some degree of success.



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Respectfully, 
P. P. Pratt.</center>

Transcript for "Correspondence," Deseret News, 22 August 1855, 192

"Correspondence," Deseret News.

Fuller, Elijah K., Reminiscences, in Utah Semi-Centennial Commission, The book of the pioneers [ca. 1897]

Fuller, Elijah K., Reminiscences, in Utah Semi-Centennial Commission, The book of the pioneers [ca. 1897].

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">1847—Utah Pioneer Jubilee—1897 July 24, 1897 </center>
PIONEER Elijah K. Fuller 
Residence Leeds 
Town Leeds 
County Washington 
State Utah 
Born Elijah K Fuller June 13, 1811 
Town Of Windham 
County Green 
State New York 
Arrived in Salt Lake Valley Sept. 16th1847 
Whose Company Parley P. Pratt 
Captain of 100 Parley P. Pratt 
Captain of 50 Perrygreen [Perrigrine] Sess[i]ons 
Captain of 10 Elijah K. Fuller 
<center>I Will Present The Follwing Relics To The State</center>
....in this Move I Brought 3 Waggons two loaded with Provision &amp; (1) with family &amp; I killed the first Buffalo that was killed in our company 
<center>Remarks</center>
<center> after Ariving in the vally I went through the vast desert of a thousand miles to Los Angalas [Angeles] Cal[ifornia] and brought a bushel of Seed Potatoes on a Pack Animal with Seeds [to] Uttah 						</center><center>E.K. Fuller</center>

Transcript for Fuller, Elijah K., Reminiscences, in Utah Semi-Centennial Commission, The book of the pioneers [ca. 1897]

George Benjamin Wallace Emigrating Company journal

George Benjamin Wallace Emigrating Company journal, June 1847.

Transcript for George Benjamin Wallace Emigrating Company journal, 1847 June-September

George Benjamin Wallace Emigrating Company journal.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, June 21, 1847, Page 7.

Martin, Sophronia Moore, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1915], 1

Martin, Sophronia Moore, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1915], 1.

In the spring of 47 We started our journey to the Mountains. We had to cross a stream of water on a raft, and while crossing the river a young man swore and profaned the name of THE LORD, so that Brother Parley P[arker]. Pratt could not stand it any longer, and told him "you have forfeited your life ever so many times to-day". The next day Brother Alfred [Boaz] Lambson was called to take back a message to Winter Qua[r]ters. He took the young man with him, and as they were riding in their carriage an Indain [Indian] raised up behind a bush and shot and killed him. Brother Lambson whipped up his horses and went on alright after that. He took him to Winter Quarters and he was buried there. You see it does not pay to profane the name of the LORD. That was the only death we had from our company all the way to UTAH.	
 As we traveled along we came to a little Post Office dug in the bank of the Hill. There were two dead wild cats in it, and when they were taken out, there we found a letter from President YOUNG telling us their camp was alright. OH there was such a funny thing happened to-day. A dog jumped at a buffalo and got his teeth caught in its tail and away went the Buffalo and the Dog for the water, now was not that a funny way for a dog to take a buffalo to water?	
 From the time we left NAUVOO untill we arrivied in The Salt Lake Valley, I drove Cows every day we traveled. So you see I did all I could do to get butter and milk into the valleys of the mountains, and I came every step of the way Bare Footed.	
 Brother DANIEL SPENCER was Captain of the Hundred, and PERRY GREEN [PERRIGRINE] SESSIONS was Captain of the fifty, and ELIJAH [KNAPP] FULLER was Captain of the Ten of the Company that I came across the plains with. PARLEY P. PRATT and his family came in the same Company, and also JOHN VAN COTT and his family, and also Uncle JOHN SMITH and Aunt CLARISSA [LYMAN SMITH] as we all called them. The[y] were Uncle GEORGE A. SMITH'S parents.	
 After we arrived in the Salt Lake Valley we lived in a tent....

Transcript for Martin, Sophronia Moore, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1915], 1

Perrigrine Sessions reminiscences and diaries, 1839-1886

Perrigrine Sessions reminiscences and diaries, 1839-1886, February 1845, Vol. 1.

....started on the 5 of June 1847[.] my sister sylvia and David started back to Lourry on the 9 of May[.] this seamed to bee all most our last look at them in this world[,] but to return to our journey at this time the Indians seamed to bee stured up against us and we dare not travil in small companies and had to keep up gards night and day[.] This caused us much trouble as men were scarse in camp as we were now six hundred men short in camp five hundred had gone to the Mexican war and over one hundred Poineers [Pioneers.] this left us with all most half the teams with out teamsters except females[.] this was a sene of things that looked hard indeed but go we must at this cricess [crisis] and under these circumstances and the God of Heaven only knew when our journey would end[,] but with a chearful heart with the whole camp we went out onto the trackless plaines with out a g[u]ide save the Allmighty whome we trusted in[.] camped about five miles with about thirty wagons[.] I was caled upon by <s>P.P. Parley</s> Paraley [Parley] P[arker]. Pratt to call out a gard for the night and untill otherwise directed this I done and in the morning severil wagons came up and we started with about forty wagons in my charg[e] to see that all kept there places and were redy for any atack of the Indians[.] made a good drive to a stream caled the Papeo [Pappea.] camped againe in a storm of hale and raine thunder and litening[.] the alarm was given that the Indians had scared the cattle[.] all turned out and ran after the cattle[.] we followed them by the li[gh]tening[.] when it litened we could see them plaine and then for a moment all was dark here[.] I had on shirt hat and shoes[.] went some mile and a half and back[.] got the cattle all safe in the morning[.] built a bridg[e] and crossed the stream and traviled to the Elk horn river this about thirty five miles[.] found it very high and about one hundred and twenty feet wide[.] here I selected ten men and left the rest in charge of the camp and went up the river some five miles[.] got some dry timber[.] built a raft to cross our wagons[.] in too [two] days we were all safe across[.] at this time the wagons came as fast as we could cross them[,] I then selected some fifteen men and went to build a Publick carel [corral] to put the cattle in too day[.] I had some ten acres well fenced[.] I then raised a Liberty pole about seventy feet high with a white flag here[.] the People gathered and Organized for there journey[.] there was captins of Hundreds fifties and tens[.] here I was apointed captin of fifty the first organized and in the Company was Father John Smith the Patriarch of the whole Church &amp; Parley P. Pratt one of the Twelve[.] afternoon we were all Organized[.] in my company was eighty seven Wagons and fifty men over fourteen and four hundred souls in all and four hundred head of Stock[.] here we had some thirty wagons with out a Man to drive them but the females volunteered to drive them my Mother [Patty Bartlett Sessions] was one of them[.] They looked hard as we had no road[.] there was six hundred and sixty wagons in all the camp here[.] we had to wate for two pieces of canon that we had left[.] this detained us severil days dureing which time we caught plenty of fish for my company[.] here I found myself with a great responsibility to keep up gards and provide for other camp duties[.] when the canon came Parley P. Pratt with me and company were apointed to lead the whole camp[.] this was another task as we had no road only what we made here I was Obliged to direct allmost the move of the Whole camp[.] Brother Pratt and I had to go a head of the camp and that And on foot to hunt out the way build bri[d]ges hunt fords acrost the streams[.] this exposed us to the Indians more than any other men but we had not traviled far before one day as we were some four miles a head of the camp we found each of us a fine horse[.] one of them had a Sadle and Bridle on this gave us much joy and a thankful heart as we found it much easier to ride than to go a foot. I will say that this was a Blessing of God to us[.] when we reached the Platt[e] river we found fresh Indian tracks and the Body of a man or his bones that had been killed but too or three days but the wolves had eaten the flesh from the bones[.] we gathered them up and Buried him and set up a sign by it[.] this told us plane that we were in danger and put us more on our gard but we procseded on our journey killing some game[.] when we got to the Loop [Loup] fork of the Platt[e] river found it high and had to travel up some forty miles[.] here we found a place to ford the river altho we had to drive all our cattle severil times a crost to tamp the quick sand so that we could cross our wagons[.] the stream about one half mile wide this hindered us too days but all got safe over[.] we then had about thirty five miles without water over a sandy plaine[.] in the after noon it began to rain[e] this furnished us with plenty of water for the stock[.] camped with out wood[.] here we found plenty of Antilope[.] killed severil[.] continued our journey to Wood river[.] this is a fine stream of water runing through a level plaine and emptys it self into the Platt[e] river[.] here we found a sign of the Poineers [Pioneers] and a letter that gave us much joy[.] I will here say that once in a while we could find the trail of the Poineers here we found where they had killed eleven Buffalow but no new sign of Buffalow[.] saw but few Indians here[.] we were amongst the Paunieges [Pawnees.] continued our journey to elm crick [creek.] here we found Plenty of Buffalow[.] here the camped all staoped to hunt[.] I selected five men in my company and started about eleven Oclock and returned the next night with some twenty five hundred lbs of meet[.] this cheared the camp[.] continued our journey until near chimney rock when the cattle of our fifty took a stampeed and they lost many cattle[.] they stoped the whole camp and I had to let fourteen yoke of Oxen go out of my company[.] this weakened our teams so that we could move but slow as our lodes [loads] were he[a]vy and the cattle began to dy [die.] here we made slow headway when near Larime [Laramie] we met Curnel [Colonel] Cane [Thomas Kane] from California with a bout forty men[.] here we met Brother Jerry Miah [Jeremiah] Willey returning from the battalion or the Mexican war[.] here we herd from the Poineers[.] this gave us all much joy[.] continued our journey to Fort Larime [Laramie.] here we bought severil yoke of Oxen repared our wagons set tier [tire] &amp;c found the Platt[e] river very low so that we could ford it with out difficulty[.] made our way over the black hills[.] here we struck the old Californy [California] road and we found altho a hilly road[e] that we could travil much easier yet our teams were worn out and many of the cattle dying and made slow headway[.] here we left the Buffalow that we had used plenty of them for the last three hundread miles but the antilopes were quite plenty and we killed many of them[.] this was great help to the camp for food <this> made our journey more agreeable altho it pased off slow <we> had but few axidents[.] one day as we were traviling one of Parley P. Pratts children fell out of the wagon and the wheal run over the childs body and it was picked up for dead but too or three elders were caled out laid there hands on the Child and it was made whole This is one among the many that was healed by the Ordinance of laying <on> of the hands[.] we held metings on the sabath in our various companies and the Gifts of the Gospel atended the camp in all our travils[.] met with the Lamanites allmost daley but they seamed friendly and glad to see us[.] when we arived at the up[p]er crossing of the Platt[e] we met severil of the Poineers [pioneers] on there way back after there families[.] this gave us fresh courage altho our teams quite feeble and hardley able to move the camp but by the blessing of God we continued our journey and met the first Presidency of the Church on a stream caled the little sandy[.] here we caled a halt and they gave us a brief acount of the Valey with many instructions pertaining to the coarse that the camp should persue when we got into the Valey[.] this was chearing to the camp as we had but about too hundread miles to travil before we could begin to build and inhabit[.] altho in the midst of the wild men of the mountains yet our Spirits were refreshed and it seamed as though our burdens were light altho we were woren out with the long and tedious journey[.] when we got to Big Sandy there fell about four inches of snow this was about the first of september and the wether cold the ground frozen some but after too or three days the wether turned warm and we were able to travil on[.] the most of the saints were obliged to walk on foot and many with out shoes but after a long journey of all most four months we landed in Great Salt Lake Valey on the twnety fourth of September 1847[.] All well and not a death had been while on the journey in my company of four hundread Souls yet severil children were born on the way </on></we></this>

Transcript for Perrigrine Sessions reminiscences and diaries, 1839-1886, Volume 1, 1845 February-1853 February, 11-13

Perrigrine Sessions reminiscences and diaries, 1839-1886.

"Pioneer of Richfield Dead," Ogden Standard Examiner

"Pioneer of Richfield Dead," Ogden Standard Examiner, April 20, 1903.

"Pioneer of Richfield Dead," Ogden Standard Examiner.

Pratt, Parley P., Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt [1985], 329-31

Pratt, Parley P., Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt [1985], 329-31.

After a few days' rest I began to prepare for journeying to the mountains with my family. My wagons were overhauled and put in order, tires reset, chains repaired, yokes and bows arranged in order, wagon bows made or mended, etc., etc. This occupied most of my time till June.
Early in June I loaded my goods and family into my wagons, and, obtaining a few more cattle, started for the Rocky Mountains; or rather for the Elk Horn River, where we expected to form a rendezvous, and establish a ferry, and wait the arrival of others, and the organization of companies for the purpose of mutual safety in travelling. 
Arriving at Elk Horn River with a small company, we made a ferry of a raft of dry cotton-wood timber, and rafted over our own company of about fifty wagons. We then organized for herding and grazing purposes, and continued to aid others in crossing and organizing until five hundred and sixty-six wagons were finally crossed and organized ready for a march. In the final organization of this vast company Father Isaac Morley and Bishop Whitney assisted, or rather took the oversight—being a committee appointed for that purpose by the Presidency before they left. As Brother Taylor and myself were present, we were appointed and invited to take a general superintendency of this emigration. 
The organization consisted of companies of tens, fifties and hundreds, with a captain over each, and the whole presided over by a president and two counselors, a marshal, etc. President John Young was called to preside—having been nominated by the Presidency before their departure. John Van Cott was appointed marshal. 
Thus organized, this large company moved on up the Platte about the Fourth of July. There were some difficulties and jealousies during the first few days, on account of some misunderstanding and insubordination in the order of travel. This at length became so far developed that it was found necessary to call a general halt on the Platte River, and hold a council of the principal officers, in which things were amicably adjusted and the camp moved on. 
Arriving at the Loupe [Loup] Fork of Platte River, we continued up it quite a distance above the trail the pioneers had made, as we could not ford the river in their track. We at length found a ford, and with some difficulty on account of quicksands, forded the river and made our way over to the Main Platte, re-entering the pioneer trail. As we passed up the Platte on this trail the companies in front had frequently to halt and build bridges, etc. On one occasion Peregrine Sessions, who was captain of our company of fifty, and myself found two horses which had probably strayed from some former travellers, and which, after several unsuccessful attempts by different parties, Brother Taylor succeeded in driving into camp, and he and I captured them. We were at the time ahead of the company, following up a stream to try and find a ford. This was a very timely providence to me, as I had lost all my horses the previous winter, and was now pioneering for the company without any horse, and on foot. 
After journeying for several hundred miles up the Platte, we at length met two messengers from the pioneers under President Young, from Salt Lake Valley. These were P[orter]. Rockwell and E[zra]. T. Benson; who had been sent out to try to find us and report our progress and circumstances. Having visited all the camps, they returned to the valley, or rather to where they met the President and pioneers, on their way back to Winter Quarters on the Missouri. I accompanied them back nearly one day's ride on the way, and then bid them God speed, and returned to my own camp. Soon after this our fifty met the President and company of pioneers and camped with them one day. 
A council was called, in which I was highly censured and chastened by President Young and others. This arose in part from some defect in the organization under my superintendence at the Elk Horn, and in part from other misunderstandings on the road. I was charged with neglecting to observe the order of organization entered into under the superintendence of the President before he left the camps at Winter Quarters; and of variously interfering with previous arrangements. In short, I was severely reproved and chastened. I no doubt deserved this chastisement; and I humbled myself, acknowledged my faults and errors, and asked forgiveness. I was frankly forgiven, and, bidding each other farewell, each company passed on their way. This school of experience made me more humble and careful in future, and I think it was the means of making me a wiser and better man ever after. 
After bidding farewell to the President and pioneers, and to my own brother, Orson Pratt, who was one of them, we continued our journey; and after many toils, vexations and trials, such as breaking wagons, losing cattle, upsetting, etc., we arrived in the Valley of Great Salt Lake late in September, 1847.

Transcript for Pratt, Parley P., Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt [1985], 329-31

Pratt, Parley P., Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt [1888], 454-55

Pratt, Parley P., Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt [1888], 454-55.

Tuesday, 14th.—All being ready, we took leave of the Saints in San Barnardino [Bernardino], and commenced our journey at nine o’clock, A.M.



Brothers Rich and Lyman, with several other friends, accompanied us a few miles, and ox teams and teamsters accompanied us for three days, to haul us over the Cajon Pass, where we took leave of them, and at evening organized our company as follows:—P[arley]. P. Pratt and wife, Rufus Allen, William Follett, Clark Ames, Samuel Gould, Andrew Calhoun and wife, Elisha Hyatt wife and child, Thomas Dowel, John Hyatt, John Green, George Clark, John Green was appointed captain of the guard. In all, eleven men, four women and one child. [Only three women are listed.]



We were soon joined by five Spaniards, who had near forty animals, mostly horses, who accompanied us for some hundreds of miles, and joined us in guarding, etc. Their animals being poor and unshod, we left them on the Rio Virgin. We met a company of twenty-four emigrants near the Salt Spring.



On the Muddy our camp was thronged with near sixty Indians, in a state of nudity, bringing with them green corn, melons, and dressed skins for sale, or exchange for clothing. They were all good natured and glad to see us; some of them accompanied us twenty-five miles, held our horses, guns, etc., and assisted us up the hills.



After twenty days we all arrived in safety at Santa Clara, about one hundred miles from the settlement in Iron County.



October 7th.—All arrived in safety in the settlement in Iron County, Utah, and were kindly received and entertained by the Saints.



I called on sister Robinson in the twilight of evening, and asked for the dinner which I had spoken for one and a half years before. We were kindly received by her and others.



We tarried three days in Parowan Fort and preached to the Saints.



Taking leave of the Saints we resumed our journey. Nothing worthy of note transpired during the rest of the journey, which was two hundred and fifty miles, mostly among the settlements, where we were kindly entertained.



On the 18th, near midnight, I arrived home.

Transcript for Pratt, Parley P., Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt [1888], 454-55

Pratt, Parley Parker, Journal

Pratt, Parley Parker, Journal, July 1855.

1855 Monday July 2 being all ready we started from Dr. Mc Intires at 9 O Clock A.M. with 8 men, six waggons, & 3 women & a child. covering 23 miles & camped on the [
text missing
] which we crossed on a toll bridge. 
Tuesday 3rd—Journeyed about 22 miles &amp; camped on the great Road Leading from Sacramento to Placerville. 
Wennesday 4th Travel a few miles &amp; camped at a House &amp; bought hay &amp; grain 
<s>Th</s> 
Thursday 5th The team of Sister Bruce (formerly the widdow green,) being entirely insufficient for the journey she was admonished to go no further so herself, daughter &amp; Br. Sherman, parted with us here, by councel, &amp; common concent. Our com[pany] was now reduced to 16 animals, 5 waggons, &amp; seven men &amp; 2 women.
The road had already commenced to be hilly &amp; rough. We traveled a few miles, &amp; get some blacksmithing done &amp; camped for the night.
Friday 6th traveled a few miles &amp; camped under the shade of some tall oaks while the brethren got some blacksmithing &amp; other repairs. The country hilly &amp; variously timbered with oak &amp; pine. friday traveled 12 M.S. over a rough road[.] met some of the Co. Steptoe hacks from Salt Lake &amp; several other emigrants from the same place, among others[:] John Taylors daughter, Mrs. Wheelock &amp; her brother &amp; her mother &amp; sisters, &amp; Porter Rockwell. 
Satturday Traveled 15 ms over a Mountanious heavey timbered Country of oak pine &amp; redwood &amp; camped at sundown at a mountain vally &amp; spring after climing some of the most tremendous hills of which a waggon ever passed[.] very rocky road most of the day[.] For the last two or 3 days I had walked mostly, &amp; lifted hard at waggons up the Mountains[.] I was now wholy exhausted &amp; all were very weary arriving so late in camp with hungry mules they were not brot in before dark. The concequence was, some of the mules could not be found, &amp; the others were not found till near 11 O. C. &amp; after miles of travel in search of them. Five were missing and all but the gua[r]d retired to rest with heavy hearts.
Sunday, July 8th Arose at break of day and went in search of the mules, that is several of us while others took the mules to feed, &amp; wattter them and others [to] the camp[.] I felt as though we were chastened for our neglect &amp; for our sins &amp; when I traveled on foot about 3 miles, without finding any signs of the Lost mules, I kneeled down <s>I</s> &amp; prayed, confessing my sins, &amp; the sins of the Camp asking forgiveness &amp; for the Lord to inspire some of us to find the Strayed or to restue [rescue] the stolen mules[.] I then returned unsuccessful to the Camp &amp; found one of the missing animals had come in[.] Exhausted I went to bed &amp; after all had retired time and again without success—all save one this one came in exausted, having found all the Missing animals &amp; brought in 2 while he left the other 2 tied to a tree he had walked for many miles over mountains an thrue kenyons [canyons] &amp; forest &amp; found them at Last where none would have expected them to be. Thus my prayers had been answered &amp; how great was our Joy.
The other 2 were soon brot in[.] we now commenced to rest for the day except to guard our animals, and other necessary labores, Evening all came togather &amp; thanked God for deliverence.
Monday, July 9th traveled 12 m.s.—Road very rocky &amp; hilly, &amp; camped at Rock Creek
Tuesday 10 assended the principle summet of the Sier[r]a Nevada. Ascent 5 m.s. very Rough. Commenced descending and arrived the most horible Rocky Steeps, Snows Mud &amp; Roaring torrent, &amp; sidling precipices, we descended near one mile, Broke an Excel &amp; Camped for the night on a wooded eminence with a hundred foot debth of snow, hanging above us, within gun Shot, and sending it Roaring torrents all around us[.] We found good grass.
Wennesday 11th made a new Excel here. &amp; traveled 4 miles <s>dou</s> down the mountain Camped at Red Lake.
Thursday 12th traveled up &amp; down <s>the</s> another summit of awful steeps &amp; Rocky precpices. <s>&amp; cor</s> 10 miles, to a beautiful valley, which formed the head waters of Carson River west fork. good feed this day. I had to call the camp togather &amp; reprove them sharply for not stoping to help each other at the hard places. &amp; for a disposition not to help others. 
Friday. 13th traveled seven m.s. along a beautiful valley, &amp; then entered a rough Kenyon where the stream, which had now become Large makes its way through a Mountain pass, 5 m.s. very Rough Road about midway of this Kenyon, Br Jenkins <s>bre</s> broke a waggon tyre and a little further on Br. Merrick turned his Waggen Bottom upward.
We were now met By a Br Peck, Hesting &amp; Stiles, from the Camp of Br. Hyde, &amp; were assisted, to get out of the Kenyon &amp; camp at its mouth where we found a Blacksmiths Shop, Mill etc. But all did not get to camp till next Morning. 
Saty July 14th Welded &amp; set the Tyre &amp; Br. Merrick repaired his waggon so we started at noon and traveled about 4 miles to a fine farm, where El Hyde had stoped, the man being familiarly Known as Lucky Bill. This man had a good house &amp; barn, and some fine crops, &amp; below on the north ward, Expanded to a risen the broad valley of Carson, shaped by the timber of the East &amp; west fork of the R. and bounded on the west by the timbered Range of the Si[er]ra Nevada, with pines down to its Base, and fine clear streams rolling down its table—and on the east by the Barren naked hills of sage, etc. so caracteristic of the Great Basin. Here we camped on good feed. 
Sun, July 15th Traveled 14 M.S. and arrived about noon to Colonel Reese, where we found El Hyde and most of his com, &amp; the Brs Reese[.] Here we camped, &amp; Myself—Wife, El H &amp; others were invited to dine at Br [text missing] who prepared a sumptuous dinner. Evening a meeting was convened at his house &amp; well attended—El H, preached &amp; I added my testimony &amp; exhorted them to repentance. Here also I read a paper from S. L. City date June 6th and was highly edified.
Mon, July 16th Spent the day in blacksmithing, &amp; other preperations
Tuesday, Same—
Wennesday 18th called the com[pany] togather for morning devotion as usual &amp; while togather, we voted to disfellowship a Br Jenkins who with his wife had been turned out of our Com, on the 16th for abusive language <s>and</s> to El Muns, &amp; for striking him with his fist— Berry Jones and By Br Hamilton, &amp; five others, our com now consisting of 12 men &amp; one woman started on, biding fare well to Col. Reese &amp; others. who had Kindly assisted us—in 9 m.s. we met El Hyde &amp; Enoch Rees &amp; others who had been to explore a new valley. We bid them fare well—&amp; continued our journey. Camping on C. River at evening having traveld about 20 M.S. Br Jenkins having Repented of his Sins &amp; asked forgiveness was again admitted—So our Com, at last consisted of 13 men—2 women—6 carrieges, &amp; 22 horses &amp; mules.
we now continued to descend Carson R, for several days without much worth Recording. The River is about as large as Jordan at Salt Lake, and is good sweet water Plenty of grass and some cotten wood along its vally
Sunday—22d having traveld about 80 m.s. from Col. Reeses’s we now Left C. R. &amp; crossed the 40 Mile desart [desert] in which there is no grass, &amp; but little water which ought not to be drank—The whole way was strewed with the carcuses of dead animals, bones &amp; Iron, &amp; several Large Merchant wagons were left standing on the desart. We camped at evening on a slew of stagnant water—in which were thousands of dead fish. tollerable feed.
Monday 23d traveled 20 ms. six of which was along the shore of the Lake formed by Maries R, which is a beautiful Sheet of water about 6 m.s. Long by 5 broad, a little warm &amp; brackish but tolerable for use—Shores bald, &amp; barren. we camped at night on a slew of running water amid Snakes &amp; Musketos [mosquitoes] there we spent the most miserable night of all, the musketoes forbiding all sleep.
Tuesday 24th traveled ten miles &amp; camped on the borders of a swamp formed by <s>tar</s> Maries River[.] here we were anoyed by the Musketoes, so as to prevent all sleep. I was so poisoned with them in my face &amp; eyes, that I could see with but one eye, &amp; but a little with it. Here about 30 Pahutes [Paiutes], consisting men Women &amp; children, were about our camp—They were Civil, &amp; well disposed as were all the Indians we had yet se[e]n, one of the Ladies was dressed in a figured silk dress, one in Calico, &amp; others in old cloths, <s>li</s> Skins etc. some of them talked a little English &amp; others a little Spanish, etc. They had 2 or 3 horses, &amp; one of them wished to take his wife &amp; child &amp; go with us to the Lake but we had no horse for him. we fed them &amp; gave them presents of clothing, N[e]edle, thread, etc. Here I gathered cow dung &amp; green wood for fewel [fuel], &amp; my wife Elizebeth got up an extra supper to I celebrate the 24th July, &amp; also our wedding day. 
Thursday [Wednesday] 25th 13 m.s. &amp; camped on the Maries River proper, we found it about as Large as the western Jordan a little Riley a gentle current with grass, willows &amp; sunflowers on the immediate bottom and a worthless desert in all directions; banded by barren hills or mountains of volcanic Rock[.] Here we were free from musketoes, and rested well.
Thursday 25 [26]—Startd early, morning cool, air balmy &amp; <s>hra</s> bracing, with a fresh breese from the north[.] saw in the distance on the other side the R, several waggons which were said to be from the States. Halted to noon on the R, 12 m.s. <s>having</s> camped at eve, 20 m.s.
Friday 27th 22 miles
Saturday 28th 10 m.s. over heavy sand much of the &lt;way&gt; halted to noon—one of my animals is to lame to work, and is driven slowly &amp; with difficulty. Camped at eve, having traveld 20 M.S.
Sunday 29th 23 miles, much heavy road 
Monday 30th 20 m.s. every day there are indians in camp. and now there are 10 of them in camp. Some of them armed with Rifles and mounted on horses. we Keep our arms in hand and watch closely. Although they appear to be friendly. 
Dear Belinda &amp; family I am now within 457 m.s. of you by the traveled road &amp; every day brings me 20 m.s. neare. O how slow. But can you not sense and realize that I am drawing sensibly &amp; feeling near
Tuesday 31st 30 m.s. The river is now clea, and good and there are broad vallies of good farming Land along it, Indians abundant, and plenty of fish. Some of which are Sammon [salmon] trout from 18 inches to 2 feet long, abundant pasturage, But no timber except willows &amp; a small tree, yearling animal four Red— Wensday Aug 1st 20 miles—nooning at stoney point. above this point the furtile &amp; grassy bottoms expanded into a beautiful valley several miles wide &amp; some 20 long—Rich in soil, grass &amp; a variety of productions, such as willows wild Rue, wiregrass, Rabbit weed—Brushes. all grass etc—The wild Rye abounds &amp; is frequently six feet high. But the whole country is destitute of timber, &amp; the mountains show no furtility much less of timber[.] if the good land of this River is ever settled it must be by rafting timber from the Mountains near its head—as it rises about 6 feet, and would in high water undoubtedly float a raft or even a small steamer, or other Craft 
Thurs, Aug 2d—17 m.s.
Friday 3d, 23 m.s.
Saturday 4th 9 m.s. to noon—Broke a waggon—Mended it while we noond[.] Indians numerous. Bot some Ttout [trout]. made 7 in afternoon in all 16 m.s. 
Sunday 5th 28 m.s. Road excellent. Land good plenty of Indians and sammon trout all we could eat, met 3 trains of waggons from the States Bound for Cal. This evening we camped in the Broad valley <s>at</s> at the base of the Humbold[t] Mts. They lay on our east in plain view about 18 m.s. distant—they resemble the Wasatch Range in which borders Salt Lake—It is now estimated that 318 miles of Road separates us from our homes in the Beloved City—How sweet to the heart is the thought of tomorrow.
Monday 6th 25 M.S.—Left the main humboldt, of the R, and traveled 5 M.S. up a small Branch of the same, through a beautiful meadow. 2 Indians on horseback one a brave looking Chief Staid with us this night, puting their horses into our hurd, and in care of our guards. 
Tuesday 7th 21 miles—15 of which continued along the beautiful meadow described [-] which proved to be a mile or 2 wide &amp; 20 long. 3 miles of rough Road through a Kenyon,—3 along a rich mountain meadow on the same stream. The last two nights very cool &amp; this night ice appeared in the water. The whole country is high &amp; frosty but the hills abound in rich grass &amp; in some places with thick Ceders and the vales are rich in meadow grasses. A number of Prairie chickens were killed this day, and our fresh salmon trout still held out.
Wednesday 8th 16 m.s. to a noon halt in a beautiful meadow &amp; cold spring water. day cool &amp; pleasant. Briese [Breeze] fresh. goose creek mountains are in sight at some 80 miles distant having been joined some days since by 3 packers, hard [headed] for the states, our Com now consists of 15 men &amp; 2 women[.] M S Hadley—A Thompson, C Dodge &amp; C Dotson had previously joined us at Carson. these appear to be good men but not themselves of the Church of the Saints. The names of the other 12 are as follows—P. P. Pratt, Rhanaldo Mowrey, James Hawkins, Thomas &lt;O&gt; King, M D Hamilton, Thos Morris, Joseph W. Peck, James Peck, Mr Jenkins &amp; lady,—Henry Coltrin, Samuel Neslen, M. D. Merrick. In the afternoon 12 miles making 28.
Thursday 9th 20 M.S. camped at dark on Goose Creek.—
friday 10th 22 M.S. camped at evening on goose Creek opposite to where the road leaves the Creek &amp; passes over the mountains[.] This day at the noon halt a spirit of disorder, or of insubordination, manifested itself in our Captain Rhanaldo Mowrey who chose to camp by himself and drew off a number with him. They halted to noon about a half mile from the place where the president halted &amp; most of the Company. this being in an Indian Country, &amp; contrary to all the rules <s>of the</s> and covenants of the company was very wrong. At eve, I called the Com. together &amp; reproved that Spirit and all was amicably settled and the camp com again united. 
Saturday 11th 20 miles passing the Goose creek mountains, &amp; camped at Du Cashure.
Sunday—12th 18 M.S. Camped on Stoney creek. the country is utterly worthless, only for water &amp; grass, it is mostly a sage Desert of altering Mountains &amp; vallies. 
<s>Saturday July 18</s>
Wednesday 15th Aug, Since last date traveled every day,—this day crossed the Bear River &amp; camped 4 miles, from it within five m.s. of the Settlements met several of our acquaintances and learned about families &amp; friends also a taste of new cheese, Poatatoes &amp; eggs from the vally. 
Thursday 16th joined with Br Lorenzo Snow Box Elder &amp; stoped over night at Willow Creek with Bishop Hubbard, there I met a band from the City &amp; attended a concert given by them. 
Friday 17th arrived at Keys Creek 25 M. S. from the City where I unexpectedly met with my wife Phebe &amp; child, stayed over night with her at her fathers,—all well.
Saturday 18th Aug Dined at P Sessions—I then met my son Parley mounted on a mule &amp; coming to meet me 5 miles out. Arrived home at 6 oclock P. M.—found all the family well.

Transcript for Pratt, Parley Parker, Journal, 1855 Jul-1856 Mar

Pratt, Parley Parker, Journal.

Sessions, Patty Bartlett, Diaries and account book, 1846-1866; 1880

Sessions, Patty Bartlett, Diaries and account book, 1846-1866; 1880, Vol. 1.

Transcript for Sessions, Patty Bartlett, Diaries and account book, 1846-1866; 1880, vol. 1

Sessions, Patty Bartlett, Diaries and account book, 1846-1866; 1880.

Sheets, Susanna Musser, Journal, in Elijah Funk Sheets, Journals, 1843-1904

Sheets, Susanna Musser, Journal, in Elijah Funk Sheets, Journals, 1843-1904, Vol. 1.

June the 6
th
 1847
 
Winter quarters
 
[
blank space
] we left this place on the 6 for the mountains & on the 8 thay Orgenized Captens of tens[.] on the 9 thay bilt a Raft and on the 10 we crost on the other side Horn [Elkhorn River], & on the 13
th
 we held the first meeting, on the 14
th
 thay Errected a Pole for the sign of Liberty & a Flag was raised also on the same day[.] Br Mellon reached our Camp and on the same day sister Frost Recived a letter from hir Husband 
June the 16th Letter found by a man who was supposed to have bean murderd by the Indians only 12 Miles from our Camp. Mr [Daniel] Spencer found the letter &amp; brought it back to the <s>Camp</s> it was red to the public &amp; then sent back from whens it was sent, 
on the 19th we left the Horn for the Plat[te River] wich was 13 miles,
on the 20th we held a meeting at the Liberty Pole, P[arley] P Pratt[,] J Ta[y]lor [blank space] the instructurs
 June the 20th 1847 O painfull though one Brother shot by the Omahaw [Omaha] Indians; his sufferings was soon over[.] he left tow [two] Sisters in our Camp to lement his loss not only them but the whole Camp
Oh Liberty whare art thy Charms and when will we injoy them,
on the 22 we traveld 13 miles up the Plat river; &amp; on the 23th we traveled 15 miles; we past a grate many Romantic sceans [scenes] &amp; among the rest we past a Indian grave;— 
on the 24 we <s>if</s> traveld 7 miles &amp; then Camped for the night as thare is—wore in the <s>Cap</s> Camp &amp; on the 25 we traveld 12 miles, it is the plesents pplace we have camped since we left the Horn and on the 26th we traveld 18 miles,
on the 27th we did not travel but held a meeting[.] Br Smith &amp; Br.—You[n]g principle instructters[.] Som forded the Be[a]ver Crick [Creek] in the evening
on the 28th we crost Bever Crick &amp; traveled 6 miles; we seen whare the Indians is farming corn,
on the 29th we traveld 01 miles, we crost t[w]o steams one of wich was Quite wide[.] it [is] 1 mile this side of the <s>F</s> first Indian Vilage I hird [heard] since it is willow crick [Creek]
on the 30th we traveld 11 miles &amp; reached Look [Loup] [blank space] Fork—
 July the 1st 1847 we crost the Look Fork; one Child was kild in crossing; the waggon run over it; 
on the 2 we traveled 18 miles over a large paria [prairie] and Capped [camped] in the ev[en]ing 6 miles from wood or water upper[.] the account of W. grate storm we seen Antilope [antelope] in aboundance, 
on the 3 we traveled 16 miles, we Crost. 2 Stream of wich I have hird no <s>[illegible]</s> name but I will say we lost our tar Can; we made a bridg with grass, &amp; reached what they Cald Grand Island &amp; Capped [camped] thare
over the <s>4</s> 4 we held A meeting, Br. Pratt; &amp; Br. Tator, our—instructters;
on the 5 we crost a stream[.] [blank space] mad[e] a crosing, &amp; traveled 16 miles &amp; we Camped near a sine bord that the Pi[o]neers put up;
on the 6 we traveled 18 miles
on the 7 we traveld 18 miles[.] we saw <s>[illegible]</s> a grate many Paria [prairie] Dogs &amp;
on the 8 we trav 12 miles[.] on the sam day 2 Horses was Cau[gh]t[.] one Child run over but not badly hurt,
on the 9 we traveld 11 miles 
on the 10 we traveld 5 miles and Camped for over the Sabbath[.] on the 10 we held meeting in the evinng[.] our fifty shot 5 Buffalow
on the 11 we traveld 12 miles,
on the 12 we traveld 15 miles[.] kild 3 Buffalow &amp; saw 2 Horses—
on the 13 traveld 5 miles then camped till the next day[.] we stoped to feed &amp; rest the Cattle 
4 Buffalows kild on the <s>4</s> 14[.] we traveld 15 miles Camped at a large Spring
on the 15 traveld 12 miles[.] Buffalow git in the hird[.] shot one wounded three
on the 16 traveld 14 miles[.] Buffalow [-] Innumerable kild one at noon
on the 17 &amp; 18 lade still held meeting[.] on the 17 miss Cattal found by Br [Rufus] Beach on the 18 
July the 19th 1847 on the 19 traveled 9 miles &amp; <s>st</s> stoped to provide Cattle for Brother Grant
on the 21 we traveld 10 miles &amp; saw innumerable Buffalow
on the 21 traveld 10 miles[.] about 50 Indians made thar appearence[.] we made them a feast[.] the name of this tribe is the Sues [Sioux]
on the 22 we &lt;did not&gt; traveld[.] we wated for the other Compenys, the Indians Visitted us again[.] we had som music &amp; Dansing[.] the trading was don out of Camp
on the 23 we traveld 11 miles[.] som trading was don[.] left the Indians friendly. 	
on the 24 did not travel[.] held meeting. hird the news from the Bretheren, Pineers	
on the 25 we traveld 20 miles	
on the 26 traveld 18 miles[.] another party of the Sue. [Sioux] Indians viseted us in number about 100[.] thay left us friendly	
on the 27 we traveld 17 miles[.] Crost a large Stream 	
on the 28 traveld 17 miles[.] Crost vary large Sand bluffs	
on the 29 traveld 15 miles past many Dramatic Seans [scenes]; Co[u]rthouse [Court House Rock] among the rest	
30 traveld 15 miles past the Chimely [Chimney Rock]	
on the 31 traveld 51 miles, no grass,
August the 1 1847 on the 1 did not traved[.] tow [two] Cows dide [died.] others sick 	
on the 2 traveld 25 miles no grass	
on the 3 traveled 16 miles <s>on the traveled [-] miles</s>	
on the 4 traveled 7 miles[.] Crosed the Plat[te.] Camped at 12 o clock[.] Indians numerous but friendly[.] we made then [them] a fest	
on the 5 traveled 6 miles[.] Camped but ut Cole [coal], 	
 blacksmithed on the 6	
on the 7 smithed[.] traveled 2 miles in the evning	
on the 8 traveled 15 miles, to wagons brock down[.] forge put up &amp; Smithing don[.] left the right rode[.] was going back to the fort[.] good water short grass	
on the 9 traveled 15 miles	
on the 10 traveled 3 miles crost a hill 2 mile narly purpendicular 	
on the 11 traveled 18 miles	
on the 12 traveld 14 miles[.] broke 3 waggons	
on the 13 Smithed[.] camped near a stream 	
on the 14 held meeting in the evning[.] Mr [Joseph Albert] &amp; Mrs [Mary Ann] Strat[t]on and &amp; our selves took a walk in the woods 	
on the 15 Brother Benson &amp; Rockwell &amp; Burly reached us[.] thay left us &amp; went to see the other Compenys[.] we traveld 12 miles reached the Plat
on the 16 traveled 15 miles
on the 17 traveled 14 miles camped at the old fery[.] no grass
on the 18 layed in[.] camped till noon then traveled 7 miles crost the Plat
on the 19 left the River &amp; traveled 11 miles[.] no grass bad water[.] in the evning Brother Benson came back to our Camp &amp; brought tradings from the other camps[.] bought Cattle [illegible]
on the 21 Bro Pratt kild a Buffalow[.] traveld 13 miles[.] poor grass
on the 22 layed in camped […..] all the cattle sick som dide
on the morning of the 23 left before breckfast &amp; went till we found feed[.] traveld 11 miles, &amp; reached the Sweet water [Sweetwater River.] good grass &amp; seen the Sight of the western world, the Rock of indipendanc [Independence Rock] &amp; eny water of Saliratteris [salaterus] 
on the 24 past through the Devils gate[.] camped 7 miles this side of the gate[.] traveled 12 miles[.] good grass
on the 25 traveled 10 miles[.] camped on Sweet water[.] good grass
on the 26 intelagence from the [illegible] Camps wishing us to halt[.] traveled 21 miles Crost Sweet water 4 times
on the 27 traveled 10 miles[.] Camped on Sweet water 
on the 28 traveled 11 miles
on the 29 traveled 17 miles[.] in the e[ve]ning met with David Sessions[.] some grass
on the 30 traveled 10 &amp; camped
on the 31 traveled 7 miles &amp; camped without wood[,] water or grass or poor—
September the 1 1847 on the 1 traveled 10 miles Camped on the Sweet water[.] good grass	
the morning of the 2 Som Cattle missing detained us Som time[.] traveled 13 miles wich brought us to the Pasiphic [Pacific] Spring[.] Som grass[.] Indians visetted us of the Snake, thay are not as nobl thinking as the Sues [Siouxs] yet well [sentence unfinished]

Transcript for Sheets, Susanna Musser, Journal, in Elijah Funk Sheets, Journals, 1843-1904, vol. 1

Sheets, Susanna Musser, Journal, in Elijah Funk Sheets, Journals, 1843-1904.

Sheets, Susanna Musser, to Anna Bitner

Sheets, Susanna Musser, to Anna Bitner, June 11, 1847.

Camp for the Travalors Rest June the 11[,] 1847
Dear Mother
we left your Camp on the 6 and traveled 5 miles and then camped for the night, the next day we traveled within 8 miles of the Horn 
&lt;on&gt; the 9 &lt;then&gt; we reached the Horn and built a raft and 
on the 10 we Crost the other side[.] train is @ 3 wagons in Company with us and more Crosing every day; we have not seen any Indians as yet but we keep a guard out day &amp; night[.] the Horn is a long stream our folks is now bilding a bridrg [bridge] making fence &amp; burning Cole the fence is to keep the cattle in [-] after night; we expect to leave hear the 15th for the moutens [mountains.] we have had some very hard rain but our wagon was as drie as eny house[.] we are all well and doing as well as we can. Elijah sends his love to you; this Compeny is Orgonized that is we have Captins of tens &amp; of 50—
Elijah [Sheets] is Capton of ten Parly &amp; others Stratton is—Clunk [Clerk] of our ten I must stop.
yours with Respect
S[usanna]. Sheetz [Sheets]

Transcript for Sheets, Susanna Musser, to Anna Bitner, 11 June 1847, in Musser family, Letters 1847-1849; 1877

Sheets, Susanna Musser, to Anna Bitner.

Smith, Jesse Nathaniel, Journal of Jesse Nathaniel Smith, the Life Story of a Mormon Pioneer, 1834-1906 [1953], 11-12

Smith, Jesse Nathaniel, Journal of Jesse Nathaniel Smith, the Life Story of a Mormon Pioneer, 1834-1906 [1953], 11-12.

From that time on I herded stock until the 9th of June, 1847, when we started for the mountains, the Pioneer Company having started the previous April. The companies rende[z]voused at the Elk Horn, which stream was very high; the cattle swam over, the wagons being ferried on rafts. When we organized Perrigrene [Perrigrine] Sessions was our captain of fifty, though the company was known as Parley's Company. Parley P. Pratt and Jacob Weatherby started back to Winter Quarters on business with a pair of steers, a wagon and two women. They were unarmed, they were attacked by three Indians armed with rifles, in the struggle Weatherby was killed. His body was brought back and buried at the foot of the Liberty Pole, on the Elk Horn, which had been raised in camp.
The first day we reached the Platte. Here the bones of a man were found who had been killed by the Indians as supposed; he was thought to have been a mountaineer, as Indian traders and trappers were then called. I drove Uncle John's wagon—two yoke of oxen—occupied by himself and Aunt Clarissa. John L. Smith and wife, another wagon. Silas [Sanford Smith] drove Mother's [Mary Aikens Smith] wagon, and Thomas Callister with his wives, Caroline Smith and Helen M. Clark, made up our mess. Nothing of much note occurred until we reached the buffalo country when all was life and animation among the hunters. There was now no lack of buffa[l]o meat either dried or fresh. We kept on the trail of the Pioneers on the north bank of the Platte, some times leaving the river some miles, crossing streams and sand hills and passing long reaches without a single tree to relieve the sameness of the river valley. One day our train stopped over an hour to let a herd of buffalo cross the road. There was abundance of other game, one Isaac Brown of our fifty was an excellent hunter and kept the camp supplied with fresh antelope meat. I recollect one day that a large heavily loaded wagon ran over one of Bro. Pratt's little boys, about two years old; he took up the child and laid hands on him, and the child never complained, and soon was as well as before to all appearance.
We met the Pioneers on their return at a stream called "Little Sandy"; we had previously met some of the boys belonging to the Mormon Battalion on their way to Winter Quarters, or elsewhere, to join their families. Meeting was called and addressed by Pres. Young, and many others. Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor were censured about the organization of the traveling companies. Glowing descriptions were given of the valley of Great Salt Lake and surrounding country. Uncle John Smith was proposed to be president of the stake to be organized and the names of high councilors were suggested. George A. Smith seemed very healthy; he rode a little mule. He gave us some very attractive descriptions of the new land of promise. At the meeting Willard Richards announced that "they had found the place for the gathering of the saints," that they had laid off a city and named it "Great Salt Lake City, Great Basin, North America."
We stopped one day with the Pioneers and then resumed our journey, reaching Great Salt Lake Valley on the 25th of September, 1847.

Transcript for Smith, Jesse Nathaniel, Journal of Jesse Nathaniel Smith, the Life Story of a Mormon Pioneer, 1834-1906 [1953], 11-12

Smith, John Lyman, Autobiography and diaries 1846-1895

Smith, John Lyman, Autobiography and diaries 1846-1895, Vol. 1.

Mon 9 About 3 oclock we Rolled up the hill & bid adue to the City of Winter Quarters, & Started for the west after receiving our certificate of father Morley that we had the Required 18 months Provisions[.] moove about 4 miles & camped near cutters Port 
Tues 10 Waiting for Dr. Richardson by his request[.] Good feed &amp; fine day[.] Rolled on 10 miles &amp; camped[.] Some distance to water &amp; no wood 
Wed 11 arrived at the Elk horn river about noon &amp; drove into the Line.
 12 Harnasing cattle[.] waiting for the artillery Co 
 16 Raised a Pole 50 ft high with a white flag as a signal of Peace to the Indians[.] comenced organizing the camp into hundreds &amp; fifties 
 18 A[lfred] B[oaz] Lambson &amp; Jacob Wetherby were attacted on the way from the horn to winter quarters by Indians[.] wether[by] was shot &amp; died Soon after[.] buried on the &lt;banks of&gt; horn[.] I went alone &amp; carried an express to winter quarters for Hosea Stout to come &amp; be capt of the artillery[.] he would not 
 22 Mooved to the Platt[e] 15 miles. found the Bones of a man killed by Indians 
23 15 miles &amp; crossed shell creek &amp; camped 4 miles from Loup fork 72 miles from winter quarters 
24 8 miles
25 15 miles[.] wood grass &amp; water plenty[.] heard [herd] the cattle evenings &amp; morning &amp; corrall them nights 
29 Passed the old Pawne[e] Village[.] I went into Some of the old huts which were left standing. they were all burned except 2 or 3 
1847
June They are built of Sticks &amp; poles covered with dirt[.] in circle 
 July 1st Searched out a ford &amp; Stuck Stakes to cross the Loup fork[.] I went a hinting [hunting.] Saw hundreds of antelope[.] they were very wild[.] Returned.
2 Doubled teams &amp; crosed the River[.] I waded it Some 5 or 6 times[.] Drove toward Grand Island 5 miles[.] camped with out water &amp; no wood. Rained for we were Verry dry.
 3 2 miles[.] cut hay &amp; strewed into a Slough to cross on[.] cattle drank verry heartily[.] water poor. Capt Sessions of our 50 killed an antelope[.] camped on Platt[e]. Bro. Snedaker &amp; Martin dewitt in wrestling last evening[.] Dewit got his arm broke 
 5 Started at 10 oc[.] 15 miles found a board with this Inscription
<blockquote>	(Apr 29) camp of Pioneers[.] Grasss Short but plenty[.] watch Indians[.] 217 miles to Winter Quarters[.] watch the trees near our encampment) The first traces of our Bretheren who have gone before.</blockquote>
 6 Good roads[.] crosed wood river. Dusty Roads 18 miles[.] Saw Elk &amp; antelope, &amp; Prarie dogs 
 7 Slight Showers of Rain[.] 17 miles[.] camped on Platt[e]
 8 Briged 2 Sloughs found 2 horses which Bro [Parley Parker] Pratt &amp; taylor caught[.] Saw the 1st herd of Buffalo[.] 14 miles 
9 1 Month to day Since we left Winter Quarters 262 miles &amp; have Traveled 17 Days During the month.
10 6 miles[.] Stoped to wash &amp; hunt Buffalo &amp; killed 3 &amp; 1 calf 
12 had Some Buffalo meat for Breakfast &amp; I think it verry Good[.] 14 miles on the banks of the Plat[te.] Level as far as the Eye can See 
 13 made 18 miles[.] the numerous Buffalo Trails makes it bad riding[.] 3 Buffalo killed 
1847
July 14 I went out with others after a band of 4 or 5 horses which was Reported to have been See[n] but could not find them[.] traveling over the land ri[d]ges short[.] very dry[.] Returned to camp in Evening very tired. 6 miles[.] Found another Memento of the Pioneers dated May 10 a Letter directed to Send Rich or any one in authority &amp;tc[.] no one Else.
 15 Mad[e] 15 miles[.] no wood but Dried Buffalo Dung[.] it makes a good fire 
 16 18 miles[.] Saw Many Buffalo[.] about 20 lame near Running over our camp in the Evening[.] one Killed &amp; brot into camp[.] I think we have seen 10,000 in a week 
 17 a heard [herd] of Buffalo crossed the River &lt;in the night&gt; making A Tremendous noise[.] we got up to see what was the matter 
 18 Lay by to wait for Bro Grants company[.] he having had a Stampede &amp; lost 40 head of Cattle 
 19 Mooved 10 miles for feed 
 21 Lay by 
22 Crossed some bad Sand hills[.] Kil 2 buffalo[.] Found another letter from Pioneers. Ind[ians] visited them[.] friendly 
 23 Indians visited us friendly[.] Some Trading done[.] they sung &amp; danced we fired the cannon and the Indians Run away[.] Some of the Squaws looked very tidy[.] Fair &amp; [sentence unfinished]
 24 Pased Indian town which is on the oposite side of the River[.] they are anxious to Trade 
 25 Met Some men Returning from Pioneers[.] Received letters from them 
26 Traveled over Sand hills 20 miles 
 27 20 miles[.] Indians overtook us.
 28 Met 2 men on their way to the States from Oregon 
 29 20 miles[.] bad Roads &amp; feed 
 30 Bluffs on the South side of the River look like ancient ruins in view of Chimney Rock[.] it looks like the chimney of a furnace 
 31 16 miles[.] camped oposite Scots Bluffs 
1847
 Aug 1st I with Some others went over the River &amp; visited the Bluffs[.] Saw Laramie Peak 160 miles distant[.] killed 2 Mountain Sheep[.] did not get back untill midnight 
Mon 2nd 25 miles over Barren Plains covered with prickley Pears 
 5 araived at Lariamie [Laramie] &amp; crosed north fork of Platt[e.] old fort John is built of Sundried Bricks or adobies[.] it is falling into decay[.] the new fort is about 1/2 mile off[.] I did not visit it[.] it is Kept up by a few US Troops &amp; Some traders trapers &amp;tc[.] Saw an Indian that had been buried in a tree wrap[p]ed in his robe with his bow &amp; arrows. camped 4 miles above the old fort &amp; Stoped to it[.] Fine here[.] we Saw pine timber Just Entering upon the Black Hills[.] good feed &amp; wood plenty[.] Some Bears in the neighboorhood[.] I took half a day &amp; tried to get a shot at Some of them but could not 
16 Have got accrost the Black hills &amp; arived at the upper crossing of Platt[e] found a Bed of Stone coal[.] one of our oxen taken Sick &amp; Died in 15 minutes 
22 P P Pratt killed a Buffalo 
 24 Camped at Indapendence [Independence] Rock[.] 1 crossing of Sweet water &amp; good feed &amp; water 
 30 Some of the Return Pioneers camped near us[.] the Pioneers have laid out a city in Great Salt Lake valley 
 31 Crosed Rocky Ridge 10 miles. more Pioneers &amp; Some of the Mormon Battallion near us on their Return to Winter Quarters after their families 
 Sept 2 Traded a gun to the Shoshoni Indians for a horse[.] crossed the South Pass[.] camped at Pacific Spring[.] the water Runs to the Pacific ocean 
Sept[.] 4 met the Pioneer camp many of them Returning[.] Laid by[.] Met George A. &amp; had a long chat about the future home of the Saints[.] had a meeting 
 5 Parted with the 12 &amp; Pioneers &amp; continued our journey[.] camped on Little Sandy. 8 miles. 
 6th 17 miles[.] Big Sandy 
 7 Green River[.] here we find currants plenty in their prime. Picking berries washing hunting &amp;tc Resting teams 
 9 14 miles[.] Blacks Fork of Green river 
 10 7 miles to hams fork 
 13 Camped near Fort Bridger which is a Stockade fort containing about a Dozen log Rooms &amp; corall for cattle[.] Inhabited by Mountaineers French &amp; Indians 
 14 13 miles[.] 2 waggons Broke in the company 
 15 13 miles[.] camped with out water 
 16 found a good Spring 7 miles Bear River 
 17 heard from the valley[.] no news of Importance 
 18 3 Men from Pioneers[.] Report they have lost 50 horses by Indians 
 20 camped on Weber River 
 21 I turned my wagon over down a Bank about 8 ft caused by the Bank caveing off [.] My wife [Augusta Bowen Cleveland Smith] Just Saved herself by Jumping out on the off Side[.] it was about 10 oclock &amp; quite dark[.] went on about 1/2 mile &amp; left the waggon untill morning 
 22 Got the wagon up &amp; loaded Bows Broken off chain crushed &amp;tc 
 23 Ice an Inch thick. Bro Brinkerhoof [James Brinkerhoff] up set his waggon[.] went up a long mountain when on the Top got a view of a part of GSL valley[.] in going down the mountain Broke my waggon tongue[.] verry steep[.] mended wagon tongue &amp; Rolled on in the night[.] Getting to camp Ran the off wheels in to a hole in crossing a creek &amp; spilled all the things out[.] Augusta was riding in Fathers 
 24 Crossed the creek Several times[.] Broke an axletree of Fathers [John Smith's] waggon 
 Sept 25 doubled teams &amp; took a waggon up little Mt[.] camped on top of Mt &amp; Part at the Bottom[.] Bro O.V Spencer from the valley took the things out of the Broken wagon &amp; we Rolled into the valley[.] the view that greeted our Sight was truly pleasant[.] Salt Lake in the distance the Saints fort in the Bottom &amp; the prospect of Resting awhile from continual Travel

Transcript for Smith, John Lyman, Autobiography and diaries 1846-1895, vol. 1, 26-31

Smith, John Lyman, Autobiography and diaries 1846-1895.

Smith, John, Journal

Smith, John, Journal, February 1846, Page 40-52.

Transcript for Smith, John, Journal, 1846 Feb-1854 May, fd. 4, in Papers 1833-1854, 40-52

Smith, John, Journal.

Spencer, Daniel, Diaries 1845-1857

Spencer, Daniel, Diaries 1845-1857, Vol. 2.

Transcript for Spencer, Daniel, Diaries 1845-1857, vol. 2

Spencer, Daniel, Diaries 1845-1857.

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/chd/landing

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Burlington, Otsego, New York, United States

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Ordained an Elder by Oliver Cowdery

Ordained Elder

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Accompanied Oliver Cowdery and others

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Accompanied Sidney Rigdon and Leman Copley

<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/49.1?lang=eng#p0#0">D&amp;C 49:1</a> at Kirtland, Ohio

Called to Preach Gospel to the Shakers

Ordained High Priest by Lyman Wight

Ordained High Priest

Traveled with his brother, Orson Pratt

Journal History July 31, 1832

Assisted Joseph the Prophet

Clay, Missouri to Kirtland, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania

Worked with fellow Apostles

priesthoodQuorumWhenCalled

Ordained member of the Quorum of the Twelve by Joseph Smith, David Whitmer, and Oliver Cowdery

Ordained member of the Quorum of the Twelve

Published a book, "Voice of Warning"

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,and Great Britain

<a href="http://churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/124.129?lang=eng#p128#128">D&amp;C 124:129</a> at Nauvoo, Illinois

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Presided over British mission after Brigham Young left in 1841.

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Hannahette Snively

Elizabeth Brotherton

Mary Wood

Belinda Marden

Phoebe Elizabeth Soper

Sarah Houston

Martha Monks

Ann Agatha Walker

Parley Parker Pratt Jr.

Alma Pratt

Helaman Pratt

Nephi Pratt

Julia Houston Pratt

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Served in Chile and California.  Arrived in field Nov 1851. Arrived at home Oct, 18, 1852.

Parley Parker Pratt, Sr.

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