Perrigrine Sessions (1814 - 1893) Profile

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Perrigrine Sessions

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, Page 313.

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

General Epistles Biographical Collection, CHL

Darwin Charles Richardson to Brigham Young

"Darwin Charles Richardson to Brigham Young", General Epistles Biographical Collection, CHL, March 3, 1851.

General Epistles Biographical Collection, CHL.

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City, Page 116.

Received into High Priest Quorum Nov. 19, 1843

Transcript for Nauvoo Restoration, comp., High Priests of Nauvoo and Early Salt Lake City, M251.33, p. 116, Church History Library

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City.

Historical Department journal history of the Church

Historical Department journal history of the Church, August 28, 1852, Page 5.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, April 10, 1843.

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

Millennial Star

Millennial Star, Vol. 15, Page 58-59.

On the 5th instant, the following Elders 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;

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

Millennial Star.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, March 18, 1886, Vol. 2, Page 87, Line 34.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, August 4, 1873, Vol. 2, Page 27, Line 1044.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, August 4, 1873, Vol. 1, Page 25, Line 1044.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, November 18, 1868, Vol. 1, Page 11, Line 442.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, March 18, 1886, Vol. 1, Page 80, Line 34.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Missionary reports, 1831-1900

Missionary reports, 1831-1900, August 13, 1886.

Missionary reports, 1831-1900, August 16, 1869.

Missionary reports, 1831-1900.

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, 977.343/N1 K29c

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, 977.343/N1 K29c, Page 17.

pg 17 #2 Harmon, Appleton M. seventy Washing and Anointing and Endowment: 16 Dec 1845 Appleton Milo Harmon in slg record.

Transcript for Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, 977.343/N1 K29c, p. 17, Family History Library

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, 977.343/N1 K29c.

Anderson, Washington F. to Editor

Anderson, Washington F. to Editor, August 12, 1857.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Bear River Ferry, August 12, 1857.</center>



Editor of the News,



Dear Sir—According to instructions received from brother Sessions, I proceed to make a brief summary of the most important incidents of our journey from Carson Valley to this place. On Wednesday July 15th, the California Company of S. D. S. emigrants under command of brother H. Thatcher and the Carson Valley Company met together at Eagle Valley and organized for the journey to Salt Lake City.



President Loveland of Carson Valley presided at the meeting, and P. G. Sessions was duly elected Captain of the Company; H. Thatcher Sargeant of the Guard; Theodore Curtis Chaplain, and W. F. Anderson Clerk.



Interesting and instructive remarks were made by President Loveland, Captain Sessions and others; after which the meeting adjourned and others; after which the meeting adjourned Sinedie.



The company consisted of 37 Men; 16 women; and 18 children, in all 65 souls; 17 wagons, 40 horses, and 32 mules.



On the following morning, July 16, after prayer by President Loveland, we commenced our journey zionward. Nothing of importance transpired before reaching the Humboldt. The Pah-Utah [Piute] Indians as a general thing were friendly and appeared favorably disposed.



On Wednesday 22nd, brother Mathew Thompson and sister Ellen Livingston enlivened the monotony of our travel with a marriage festival, the nuptial ceremony being performed by Elder Cook.



On the 23rd, we met Livingston and Kincaid's cattle train from Salt Lake City. Also some emigrants trains from Missouri. As the emigrants reported some trouble with the Indians, having killed 10 Indians a day or so before; it was deemed a necessary precausion to instigate a day Guard, both in front and rear of the wagons, and Brother A. B. Cherry was duly elected Captain of said Guard.



On the 28th, reached Stony Point on the Humboldt. McManus train from Missouri camped a mile above us, and one of their men named Waters, being mistaken for an Indian, received a gun-shot wound, supposed to be fatal, from one of their own guard.



On the 30th, we passed Gravelly Ford. Some 25 miles above we met a train from Missouri, who report that 3 men had been murdered by the Indians, near the eastern mouth of the canyon. Some men were dispatched from our camp, who, in company with some from the Missouri train, searched for and found the three bodies, concealed in the sage-brush in an adjoining canyon. They were shockingly mutilated and one of them scalped. Their names were ascertained to be John Stein, John Everheart, and John Lebaugh. We gave them a decent burial on the following morning, with prayer at the grave by Captain Sessions. At the head of the Humboldt, we heard of several other bodies having been found, among them one female. We reached Goose Creek on the 6th of August, and Raft River on the 8th. Since passing Gravelly Ford, the California emigration has averaged some 30 wagons[,] mostly families and immense herds of cattle.



was unfortunately marred by a division of sentiment in our midst, in relation to ourmode of travel. Several members of the company, brother Hunter, Baker, Curtis, sister Call and some packers, contrary to the counsel of Captain Sessions, left the train and travelled on. The Chaplain's place was supplied by brother Seconard [Leonard] Wines, who was unanimously <s>appointed</s> elected to fill that office.



On Wednesday 12th, reached Bear River Ferry and the settlements safely, feeling truly grateful to Almighty God for his protecting care and watchful providence over us during all our journey. While numbers of the Gentiles on our right hand and left, have been the victims of the of the Lamanites, we have been left unharmed and have reached our point of destination in safety and in health. For this we bless and magnify His glorious name humbly beseeching Him to enable us to show our thankfulness in a sincere obedience to His commandments and to the commands of His servants, whom He has placed in lawful authority over us, in this His last dispensation. Even so, Amen



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Respectfully yours, 
W. F. Anderson.</center>



 



List of the Names of the Male Members of the Company Spoken of Above.



P[errigrine]. G. Sessions 
Charles [Carlos Lyon] Sessions 
Joseph [Wycoff] Thatcher 
John [Bethewel] Thatcher 
W[ashington] F. Anderson 
Levi Dorathy [Dougherty] 
Robert C. Sharkey 
Jesser Cherry 
R[asmus] M[ads] Englestad 
Albert Ninde 
Joel Loveland 
John Boss 
John A. Workan [Workman] 
Snell 
Jarvis Baker 
Theodore Curtis 
Mathew Thompson 
Hezekiah Thatcher 
George [Washington] Thatcher 
Washington [Bolivar] Rogers 
Oliver [Norton] Harmon 
James Bell 
A[aron] B[enjamin] Cherry 
Isaac Hunter 
Leonard Wines 
William Cook 
William Price 
William Jenny 
Cyrus &amp; George [Snell] 
Sinam [Simon] Baker 
Joseph Baker 
Oliver Heeler

Transcript for Anderson, Washington F. to Editor, 12 Aug. 1857, Bear River Ferry, in Historian's Office, History of the Church 1839-[ca. 1882], 414-18, 12 Aug. 1857

Anderson, Washington F. to Editor.

Davis County Clipper

Last of the Three Pioneers of Bountiful Passes Away - Crossed the Plains Six Times

"Last of the Three Pioneers of Bountiful Passes Away - Crossed the Plains Six Times", Davis County Clipper, June 8, 1893.

Descendants of First Settler Entertained

"Descendants of First Settler Entertained", Davis County Clipper, June 6, 1919.

Davis County Clipper.

Eldredge, Alma, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1911], 5-8

Eldredge, Alma, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1911], 5-8.

Great caution had to be used in handling the Stock on account of the vast amount of Buffalows Roaming in the country[.] On the 12 of June 1847 a Company of one hundred wagons were orgenized at Winter Quarters and Daniel Spencer was apppointed Captain and on the 13 Started west on the trail of the Pioneer company. After the train crossed Elk Horn River about 25 miles from Winter Quarters the Company halted for a couple of days for this purpose of completing the Organization[.] the main company was divided in to two Divisions and Ira Eldredge was appointed Captain of the first Division of 50 wagons and Perry Green [Perrigrine] Sessions, was appointed Captain of the Second Division of 50 wagons[.] then their were appointed Captains for each 10 wagons in order that all incidents and details could be looked after[.] they traveled with in a mile of each other[.] During the first 500 miles we were kept advised of the movements and condition of the Pioneer company by written information placed on Buffalow Skulls set up by the side of the Pioneer trail & by like means information of our proceedings were left for those who were to follow in days to come. 
On the 3 of September 1847 when we were crossing Big Sandy 16 miles <s>of</s> East of Green River we met President Brigham Young and a large number of other members of the Pioneer Company on their Return to Winter Quart[r]es &amp; with them a number of the Mormon Battallion Soldiers on their Return to their families and friends[.] We Learned from President Brigham Young that the Great-Salt-Lake Valley had been Selected for a Resting Place for the Saints 
On the 18 of September 1847 we camped at the West Base of the Big Mountain on the North Fork of Parley's Canyon[.] Ephrahem [Ephraim] Hanks a member of the Battallion who had returned from California by the way of the Great-Salt-Lake went with the Returning Pioneer Company, until He met Fathers Company &amp; he being a Single man and a Cousin of Fathers, took up his abode with Fathers family and returned to Great Salt Lake Valley. He told the People about the Great-Salt-Lake and the valley could be seen when we emerged from the mount of Emigration Canyon. On the East side of the Valley. 
The morning of the 19 of September 1847 Father arranged for me to go on a Poney with Cousin Eprhem [Ephraim] Hanks and thus procure an early Sight of the Great-Salt-Lake Valley. We reached the mouth of the Canyon about 10 oclock, when we reached the mouth of the Canyon we raised slightly to the north for about two hundred feet to raise out of the Ravine which continued West, and when we reached that point we could see a large portion of the Valley and also a large portion of the Great Lake at the Spot where we Stopped. Mr. Hanks said "Brothers here is the Spot where the Buggy in which President Young was ridding Stopped for him to look over the Valley and after he looked for a few minutes He said "This is the Place, drive on" and thus a decission [decision] was reached for the Saints to multiply and increase. 
 The Company emerged from the mouth of the Canyon about 4 oclock in the afternoon and passed down the Sloping Platteu [plateau] and camped near the Bank of a Small Stream Since named City Creek

Transcript for Eldredge, Alma, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1911], 5-8

Eldredge, Alma. Reminiscences and diary, 1857-1898, 17-21

Eldredge, Alma. Reminiscences and diary, 1857-1898, 17-21.

On the 12
th
 day of June 1847, a company of One Hundred Wagons was Organized at Winter Quarters, and Daniel Spencer was appointed Captain and on the 13
th
 Started west on the Trail of the Pioneer Company. After the Train crossed Elk Horn River, ab[o]ut 25 miles from Winter Quarters, the Company haulted [halted] for a couple of days, for the purpose of completing the Organization. The main Company was devided in to Two Devissions [divisions], and Ira Eldredge was appointed Captain & the first Devission of 50 Wagons and Perry Green [Perrigrine] Sessions was appointed Captain of the Second Devission [division] & 50 wagons. Then there were appointed Captains for each Ten Wagons, in order that all incidents and details could be looked after.
During the time the Companies were travelling through the Country occupied by the Sioux Indians, they traveled within a mile of each other in order to be better prepared for defence in case the trains Should be at&lt;t&gt;acked by the Indians. Great Caution had to be used in handling the stock on account of the vast amount of Buffalow roaming in the Country. For Miles and Miles the land would be dot[t]ed with those animals, as far as the eye could reach, and on the most distant Hills the animals would be constantly appearing and disappearing the entire days.
During the first 500 Miles we were kept advised of the moovements [movements] and Condition of the Pioneer Company by written information placed on Buffalow skulls sett up by the side of the Pioneer trail, and by like means information of our proceedings were left for those who were to follow in days to come.
On the 3rd of September, when crossing Big Sandy, 16 Miles East of Green River, we met President Brigham Young, and a large number of the other members of the Pioneer Company on their return to Winter Quarters, and there with them a number of the Mormon Battallion Soldiers on their return to their families and friends.
We learnt from President Young that the Great Salt Lake Valley had been Selected for a resting place for the Saints.
 On the 18th day of September 1847 we camped at the West Base of the Big Mountain, on the North Fork of Parl[e]y's Canyon, Epraham [Ephraim] Hanks a member of the Mormon Battallion, who had returned from California, by the way of the Great Salt Lake Valley, went East with the returning Pioneer Company, untill he met Father's Company, and he being a Single man, and a cousin of Father's, took up his abode with Father's Family and returned to Salt Lake Valley. He told the People about the Great Salt Lake Vall[e]y, and the Valley and the Great Salt Lake could be Seen when emerged from the Mouth of Emigration Canyon, on the East side of the Valley.
The Morning of the 19th the night hearders [herders] arranged with Mr. Hanks, to go on horse back with them and thus procure an early Sight of the Great Salt Lake Valley. As soon as the Train was ready to moove [move] this party Started on and I went with them on a Poney. We reached the Mouth of the Canyon about Ten Oclock, in the morning, when we emerged from the Mouth of the Canyon, we raesed [raised] slightley to the North for about two hundred feet, to raise out of the Revain [ravine] which continued west, and when we reached that point we could See a large portion of the valley, and also a large portion of the Lake. 
 At the Spoot [spot] where we Stoped Mr. Hanks, Said, Brethren, here is the Spot where the Buggy, in which President Young was riding Stoped for him to look over the Valley, and after he looked for a few moments, he said "This is the Place," drive on, and thus a decission was reached for the Saints to multiply and increase in.
My curiosity was grattified when I reached the elevated spot at the mouth of the Canyon, looked over the broad Space between the two ranges of the Mountains no Houses or Trees in Sight and the dark blue Salt Lake in the West 
The Company emerged from the Mouth of the Canyon, about Four Oclock this after noon, and passed down the sloping platteau and camped near the banks of a small Stream, Since named "City Creek["]

Transcript for Eldredge, Alma. Reminiscences and diary, 1857-1898, 17-21

Historical Department journal history of the Church, June 21, 1847, Page 6.

James Smithies diary, 1846-1859, 3A-6A, 6B-19A

James Smithies diary, 1846-1859, 3A-6A, 6B-19A.

Transcript for James Smithies diary, 1846-1859, 3A-6A, 6B-19A

Lambson, Alfred Boaz, [Letter], in Donnette Smith Kesler, Reminiscences by Donnette Smith Kesler: The Wife of Alonzo Pratt Kesler, [1952], 102-5

Lambson, Alfred Boaz, [Letter], in Donnette Smith Kesler, Reminiscences by Donnette Smith Kesler: The Wife of Alonzo Pratt Kesler, [1952], 102-5.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Salt Lake City,Utah 			 April, 1897 </center>
Hon. O. S. Clawson
Prest. Semi-Centennial Celebration Com.
Dear Sir:—
I crossed the plains, from the Missouri River to this Valley in 1847. My family, who accompanied me, consisted of my wife, Melissa J. Lambson, daughter of Mark and Susannah Bigler, and our infant daughter Melissa J. who is now the wife of Bishop Albert W. Davis, of the firm of Davis, Howe and Co. of this city.
We left the camp, at Winter Quarters, on the Missouri River June 4th, and arrived in Salt Lake Valley Sept. 25, 1847.
We travelled in Capt. H. K. Fuller's ten, Perigrine Session's being the Captain of Fifty and Daniel Spencer the Captain of Hundred. I was the Blacksmith of Perigrine Session's Company of "Fifty", which really consisted of about Sixty Wagons.
I think I passed through most—if not all of the perplexing experiences, and trying circumstances incident to my occupation, throughout all that long, dreary and toilsome journey of three months and 21 days. I had provided myself with a bellows of my own make, improvised for the occasion, which I carried on a platform attached to the end-gate of my wagon. It was constructed out of a headless barrel, or bottomless tub, tapering from bottom to top, so that the whoops could be driven down from time to time to keep it air tight, with a wooden diaphragm and valve in the middle. To the top and bottom were attached leather or cow-hide expansions, with the necessary air valve, and bellow's handle and leather hose to be joined to the Tuyere and furnace for the blast. It was a complete success in every particular. Altho' in comparison with the improvements of these days, it might present a somewhat ungainly appearance. For small, incidental repairs, I would set my anvil on the ground, dig a pit by the side of it to a convenient depth, to stand in, put up my bellows and go to work in almost less time than it takes to tell it. For heavy work, tyre setting and the like, we would make an anvil block out of a tree stump, or the body of it prepared and set in the ground for the purpose. On one occasion with the organized help of the camp, and one or two skilled assistants, under my direction, we measured, cut, welded and set eighty-five tires in one day. This occurred a short distance west of old Fort Larimie [Laramie], before entering the Beach [Black] hills.
There is one incident which occurred near the Elk Horn River, that would make a thrilling though very brief chapter in the history of my life, and pioneer journey, to which I will allude, as I do not know that any record was ever made of it. I was in company with Jacob Weatherby travelling with an ox team and wagon from the Elk Horn toward Winter Quarters. When near the Papeo [Papillion Creek] we were attacked by Indians stripped to the bare skin, but armed with guns, while we were unarmed.
Before they could shoot I grappled with an antagonist and a death struggle ensued.
My companion was shot and killed by the savages, while I was miraculously delivered.
His body was taken back to the Elk Horn and buried near its banks. I reached the camp in safety tho' exhausted by excitement fatigue and hunger just before the report came to my wife, that I had been slain by Indians. At the moment however, this word came to her, I was asleep in the wagon under her care.

Transcript for Lambson, Alfred Boaz, [Letter], in Donnette Smith Kesler, Reminiscences by Donnette Smith Kesler: The Wife of Alonzo Pratt Kesler, [1952], 102-5

Lemon, Alexander Abraham, Autobiographical sketch 1902, 3-4

Lemon, Alexander Abraham, Autobiographical sketch 1902, 3-4.

<xhtml:p xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">. . . we drove up the river to winter quarters where we wintered till the spring of 47 when we joined the saints and moved to the Big [Elk] Horn river where we was organised into companies[.] we was Lot[t]ed to travel with the second fifty of the first Hundred. Perry Grin [Peregrine] Sessions being captain fifty when we got along on the North Platte we saw thousands of Buffalows day after day coming down to drink at the Platt[e] river. One time they came to drink they was so thick and we had to stop our train and camp for the day[.] they come to water in a sollid compact body for two miles back made a rumbling like thunder a moving Mass. We seen some bands of Indians and came near having a stampede once on the way while the cattle were in the correll one morning[.] all we could do to pacify the cattle seemed they had gone crazy[.] we got along very well till we had got between the Big and little mountain[.] one of the wagons broke down[.] we stoped and repaired it. Here the first fifty passed us went onto Salt Lake a head of us[.] the next day we got in about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. . . . </xhtml:p>

Transcript for Lemon, Alexander Abraham, Autobiographical sketch 1902, 3-4

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

Moesser, Joseph Hyrum, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1921], 2-3

Moesser, Joseph Hyrum, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1921], 2-3.

In 1847 we started West for the Salt Lake Valley.
Leaving Winterquarters we traveled about 125 miles to Loop Fork remaining there about three weeks, when we again took up the line of March Westward. I drove our team across to Salt Lake. My brother Henry [Moesser], next older, drove two yoke of oxen and a yoke of cows, for others and received 1 pound of flour per day and boarding himself, making a little over 100 pounds for his summer's work.	
Daniel Spencer was the captain of our company of 100 with Perrigrine Sessions Captain of 50.	
When we were near Grand Island about 235 miles from the Missouri River we saw the first buffalo. The first were seen about 6:30 a.m. being only three. Shortly after this a herd of about 75 were seen and later another herd still larger and our camp became all excited, the chase started and lasted from 1 to 4 p.m., and when all the hunters got in, it was found that 10 buffalo had been killed.	
June 6, 1847: Today we saw thousands of buffalo, also a band of 13 elk and many antelope.	
As we were nearing Chimney Rock, there was a large buffalo coming towards the wagon. Two of the men went out on horses and killed it, supplying the company with meat. When we came to the rock, we all went up to it and wrote our names on it. At one of the camps on the Platte River we heard a great rumbling noise, and looking up saw a large herd of buffalo coming directly towards our camp. They crossed the river opposite and turned to one side and went on without making any disturbance, and we felt the Lord had surely turned them aside as they rarely turn out of their course.	
 In traveling it was found that it would not do to travel single file, they then arranged to travel with the wagons three abreast, so if a herd of buffalo should come in contact with the train, they could not divide the camp.	
At another camp on the Platte river, a band of Indians, came into camp one morning, the men were cleaning their guns, when one was accidently discharged, shooting a woman, but not killing her, which caused great excitement among the Indians. For some time they were up in arms until they found what had happened. Then they quieted down and were very friendly.	
When crossing the river near Fort Bridger I walked in, driving the oxen when of a sudden, my feet were swept from under me. I caught hold of (Bills) the oxen bow and held on until we were through which saved my life, as I would surely have been drowned, had I not done so.	
In many places there was no wood, so we had to gather buffalo chips for a fire. The children would have their sacks ready when they stopped and each go for their share of the chips, and yet there was no quarreling about it.	
We arrived in Salt Lake Valley September 24, 1847.

Transcript for Moesser, Joseph Hyrum, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1921], 2-3

Owens, Lucretia Proctor Robison, [Reminiscences], in Roberta Flake Clayton, comp., Pioneer Women of Arizona, 451

Owens, Lucretia Proctor Robison, [Reminiscences], in Roberta Flake Clayton, comp., Pioneer Women of Arizona, 451.

Great Grandmother Robison, especially, was still anxious to gather with the saints in Zion, so with a feeling of reluctance on the part of most of the family, after ten years, they disposed of their property in Crete and started for Utah. One of Grandmother’s brothers, Alfred, refused to go with the family to Utah, so it was with sadness in their hearts they left him alone in Illinois.	
Grandmother Owens wrote about the trip as follows:
<blockquote>“Left Crete April 12, 1854. Started for Utah across the Plains with fourteen in family. With three ox teams and one horse team. We had no trouble in any way. No sickness or Indian trouble. Perigren [Perrigrine] Sessions was captain. We had fourteen wagons in the Company. There was no loss of cattle or teams. The Company laid over Sundays and generally held meetings. We arrived in Salt Lake City October 5, 1854, all well. We camped southeast of City. Father [Joseph Robison], Mother [Lucretia Hancock Robison] and brothers went into the City and paid tithing. President Young told Father to go settle in Fillmore, one hundred and fifty miles south. Father moved into Fillmore. The people were living in a fort, as the Indians were on the war path. Father bought a home, also bought wheat and built a granary.”</blockquote>

Transcript for Owens, Lucretia Proctor Robison, [Reminiscences], in Roberta Flake Clayton, comp., Pioneer Women of Arizona, 451

Perrigrine Sessions Emigrating Company, Journal

Perrigrine Sessions Emigrating Company, Journal, July 1857.

Thursday
, July 30th. Left camp at 7 a.m. travelled about 15 miles through the Rocky Canyon and nooned at the springs; in the afternoon drove 15 miles through the canyon and camped at the river, passed Gravelly Ford about 10:00 o’clock this morning. Some California emigrants inform us that three men, John Stein, John Everheart and John LeBaugh, have been murdered by the Indians. bodies were found this evening shockingly mutilated and concealed in the sagebrush by their murderers. Distance 30 miles.
Friday July 31st. This morning buried the bodies with prayer at the grave by Captain Sessions and left camp at half past seven; nooned in a canyon after about 15 miles drive, met several emigrant trains with large herds of cattle. In the afternoon made about 12 miles and camped about one-half mile from the river. Distance 27 miles.
Saturday August 1st. Left camp at 7 a.m. Travelled about 15 miles and nooned. In the afternoon made about 14 miles, crossed the North Fork of the Humboldt and camped about 4 miles therefrom, passed some 60 or 70 emigrant wagons on their way to California, driving large herds of cattle from Missouri and Arkansas. This evening after prayer it was decided by unanimous vote to hold meeting in the morning and travel in the afternoon. Distance 29 miles.
Sunday August 2nd. Held divine service this morning. Remarks by Elder Sessions, [Theodore] Curtis and others. Left camp at 12 N. and travelled about 15 miles[.] camped near Haws’ Bridge. Emigrants report several murders committed by the Indians on ahead. this evening after prayer the company voted unanimously to travel by the Goose Creek mountains instead of Haws’ cut off as had been proposed. Distance 15 miles
Monday 3rd. Left camp at 7 a.m. Traveled about 15 miles, crossed some of the head waters of the Humboldt, nooned and in the afternoon Travelled over very hilly roads and camped about 10 miles east of the wells, met some 30 emigrant wagons mostly from Mo. Distance 25 miles 
Tuesday 4th Left camp shortly after 7 drove about 16 miles and nooned, no water, but dug a well and got a small supply. small creek we afterwards ascertained to be about a mile distant. in the afternoon drove about 6 miles &amp; camped. distance 22 miles
Wednesday Aug 5. Left camp at 7 a.m. Travelled about 13 miles and nooned at some springs a few hundred yards to the left of the road, in the afternoon made about 3 miles and camped at a chalky spring instead of going on to Goose creek as first intended. some emigrants we met report that they had killed 5 indians who had shot their horses and stolen about 11 head of cattle. distance to day 16 miles.
Thursday Aug 6th. Left camp shortly after 5 a.m. passed Rock springs and Goose cr[eek] Cañon and camped about a mile from the mouth thereof, met many emigrants to day with wagons and immense herds of cattle mostly from Missouri. in the afternoon had lectures on polygamy by Bros Baker and Sessions. distance to day 20 miles.
Friday 7th. Left camp at 7. travelled about 14 miles and nooned on Goose creek. in the afternoon made 7 miles and camped near the summit of the Goose creek mountains, taking the cut off. grass and water first rate, and the road much better than the old road. Distc [Distance] 22 miles
Saturday Augt 8th. Left camp a little before 7. crossed the summit of the mountain, and after travelling 20 miles, nooned on the Raft river where the road crossed the river[.] in the afternoon made about 6 miles and camped. this evening after prayer the company voted unanimously to go to deep creek on the morrow. distance 26 miles.
Sunday 9th Held a testimony meeting this morning at 6 a.m. remarks by Bros. Price and others condemning the practice of swearing among the members of the company. well received. Left camp about 7. crossed Raft River twice, travelled about 13 miles and nooned on the right of the road at the first creek east of the Raft. in the afternoon drove to Deep creek. several animals giving out during the trip. arrived there after night. distance about 40 miles.
Monday 10th Left camp a little before 8 travelled about 12 miles and nooned at Hensley’s springs. Bro: Baker, Hunter, Sister Call and Theodore Curtis here left the company contrary to the counsel of the Captain. in the afternoon made 7 miles and camped on the hills near the road. bunch grass first rate, but no water. Leonard Wines was here duly elected chaplain of the company in place of bro: Curtis who had left. distance 19 miles.
Tuesday Aug 11. Left camp at Daylight. watered at Blue Springs, breakfasted about 2 miles beyond and camped on the Malade. Distc 30 miles
Wednesday 12. Left camp about 7. reached the ferry on Bear River and crossed by 11 a.m: travelled about 4 miles and nooned. Captain Sessions here gave leave to the company to disperse and travel as suited them best. on motion of bro: Wines a vote of thanks was tendered to bro: Sessions by the comp[an]y for the able and gentlemanly manner in which he had conducted us throughout the entire journey. Compy accordingly dispersed.

Transcript for Perrigrine Sessions Emigrating Company, Journal, 1857 Jul-Aug

Perrigrine Sessions Emigrating Company, Journal.

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.

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

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.

Sessions, Patty Bartlett, History of Patty Bartlett Sessions, mother of Mormon midwifery, ed. Leroy W. Brown, 102-3

Sessions, Patty Bartlett, History of Patty Bartlett Sessions, mother of Mormon midwifery, ed. Leroy W. Brown, 102-3.

Monday 24
 
 Went to Wilkins to a party with E. Tripp and wife. 
August 1, 1854 I went with them to meet P.G. and Sylvia, Lucina and David and Carlos came down. Camped that night alone beyond the big mountain. I slept in an open wagon. 
Wednesday 2 Went on across Weber River seven miles to the north of Echo Canyon there we met them and a happy meeting it was. My son had been gone almost two years and been very sick most of the time and I had not seen my daughter for over seven years. We wept for joy and rejoiced exceedingly. We then came cross the river and camped. 
August 4, 1854 We camped between the mountains. P.G. called his company together and thanked them for their good conduct on the way and bore testimony to them of the truth of Mormonism. Some of them were gentiles. They gave him a vote of thanks as he was their Captain.

Transcript for Sessions, Patty Bartlett, History of Patty Bartlett Sessions, mother of Mormon midwifery, ed. Leroy W. Brown, 102-3

Sessions, Perrigrine, Reminiscences and diaries, 1839-1886

Sessions, Perrigrine, Reminiscences and diaries, 1839-1886, Vol. 5.

Tuesday 23 Started and crosed the river and camped at Old winter quarters all safe acrost and on our way in camp sixteen wagons 
 Wednesday 24 traveled to the Pafeo [Papillon Creek] and camped all well 
 Thursday 25 crosed the Elkhorn river and camped on a slue[.] Some thirty Indians about us to beg but no hostilities 
 Friday 26 camped on the Plat[te] river[.] a hevy raine storm and about forty Indians came and seamed quite hostile and stole eleven head of cattle in the night from a company clost to us 	 
 Saturday 27 Camped on a slue but saw no Indians 
 Sunday 28 made a long drive and crosed shell crick [creek] whare the Iindians had taken tole of many that had pased but they let us pass as we were a strong company[.] they stood back and let us pass[.] camped on the plat[te] river all well 
 Monday 29 arived to the loop [Loup] fork of the plat[te] river and camped on a slue below the fery. 
 Tuesday 30 Crosed all but one wagon and camped on the west bank and a tremendious shower of raine and one horse killed with lightning not far from our camp 
 Wednesday 31 all well[.] left camp at nine in the morning[.] made a good drive and camped on a slue[.] found ten head of cattle and took them along[.] some raine 
 Thursday June 1 all well[.] left camp in good season[.] made a good drive and camped on a slue 
 Friday 2 continued our journey up the loop [Loup] fork of the plat[te] and camped near the Old crosing made by the Saints in 47[.] here they woude leave the loop [Loup] fork 
 Saturday 3 pased through the sand hills and camped at too oclock on acount of the raine that fell all night in torrents[.] in the Morning the face of the earth covered with water[.] Here a company overtook us that had a fight with the Indians[.] too or three wounded and lost eleven horses but as yet the Lord has preserved out little traine 
 Sunday 4 traviled to Praire Crick [Creek] and found it too high to cross[.] camped all well and union prevailes in the camp[.] I am now in sight of a bout five hundred cattle and fifty wagons one of them had eleven ball holes in it made by the Indians 
 Monday 5 the stream had risen some five feet staid in camp all day one of the company killed a fine Deer 
 Tuedsay 6 crosed the stream and went on and camped on the west side at or near its head[.] all well 
 Wednesday 7 crosed Wood river too Tole Bridg and camped in the prarie and in the night the gard was alarmed by too men dresed like Indians &amp; no doubt intended to steale our horses[.] all the camped waked up and ordered to bee redy for a fite as we looked for white Indians as we knew they were after us 
 Thursday 8 about ten too men sean near the river too miles from the road[.] met one on horsback that looked very suspisous[.] camped on a slue near Elm crick [creek] and in the night too more men pased us at full speed about too in the morning 
 Saturday 9 Continued our journey to Buffalow Crick met five men on horseback that looked suspisious[.] camped e[a]rly to do some washing 
 Sunday 10 Staid in camp untill eleven and caled the camp together[.] had prayers and anumber expresed their fealings of thankfulness to God who had preserved us from thieves and robery and for our good health[.] crosed the crick[.] camped by a slue pased a new grave &lt;died&gt; too days before 
 Monday 11 all well camped near the sandy bluffs[.] my health very poor[.] a bad Diesee [disease] 
 Tuesday [12] all well[.] camped on a slue near too big springs[.] health poor not able to sit up more than half of the day

Transcript for Sessions, Perrigrine, Reminiscences and diaries, 1839-1886, vol. 5

Sessions, Perrigrine, Reminiscences and diaries, 1839-1886.

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, 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.

Spencer, Daniel, Letter, Salt Lake City [Utah] to Brother Grove

Spencer, Daniel, Letter, Salt Lake City [Utah] to Brother Grove, October 1848.

Great Salt Lake Valley, Salt Lake City, Oct. 5, 1848
Brother Grove:
It having been some time since I have heard anything from you and having spent about one year in this valley I think that a few lines from me may be somewhat interesting. As you have probably heard from us since our departure from Nauvoo, I shall not be as particular as I otherwise should. I will say, however, that we started on the 14th day of February, 1846 from Nauvoo by compulsion as it were, <s>as it were</s>, as we had orders not to be seen at that place after the first of May following: The consequences of our staying if we had done so has been demonstrated by the conduct of the mobs toward our brethren who were not able to remove until that time. Immediately after we started from our homes, which were quite comfortable, the weather was quite cold and a heavy snow storm came on, th<s>at</s>&lt;e&gt; snow falling deep. We all had to camp out, some with, and some without tents, and having to cook in the rain and snow, and to lodge on the damp ground or in our wagons which leaked much. You will see that we were much exposed, in consequence of which Catharine, Orson's wife lost her life, as did Mary Spencer, and D. Hendrix' wife; many others suffering much then, and death and disease being fastened upon others which showed when we arrived at Council Bluffs, or what we called Winter Quarters, for our people died by hundreds during the next winter. When we left we had not time to dispose of our land or property, and as our means to start with was small, we concluded to return and dispose of our houses and land for something to aid us on our journey. Accordingly brother Hiram and Claudius went back to sell our farms and houses, and they succeeded in getting an offer for a small part of their value principally in cattle, and they some hundreds of miles from Nauvoo. They went in pursuit of them in the month<s>s</s> of July. They had about 100 head quite wild, and after they started them they found our enemies were determined to steal them. As you know, that brother Hiram is quite cautious and persevering, he attempted to escape them, and did so by driving night and day and misguiding those that pursued them in the way they were going. Thus by fatigue, and want of sleep, he lost his life; and Claudius' was despaired of for many days. Thus have many of our relatives suffered martyrdom by the hands of mobocrats who were sustained <s>by the hands of mobocrats who were sustained</s> by the authorities of the State in which it has been done. And for what? What has Hiram's or Orson's or Daniel Spencer's family done contrary to the laws of our country? Or what have we in any way upheld others in doing? I leave that question to you, who are well acquainted with us all, to answer. After suffering much we at length arrived at the Bluffs, where we spent the winter, spending most of our time in waiting upon the sick and dead. We lost some 30 or 40 head of cattle at this place by Indians and other causes. 
On the 18th of June, 1847, we started for the Rocky Mountains, in company with about 600 wagons, all that could fit out that season. Brother Hirams' family and our own had about 60 head of cattle and horses; 7 wagons with calculated provisions for one year. We took a westerly course up the Platte river, traveling on a level bottom from one to ten miles in width, plenty of feed, but little wood; and most of the country abounding in antelope and buffalo. The later quite numerous so much so, that many times the herds of them would extend farther than your eyes could behold. Being quite tame they served us for meat of the best kind. We continued up this river about 450 miles to what is called Fort John or Laramie on the Laramie river. Our travel was upon the northside of the Platte, being a new route most of the way and very good. After we arrived at the Fort we left the Platte and came into the mountainous country; feed and timber were scarce, as were also buffalo. We continued a westerly course until we arrived at what is called Fort Bridger, passing over the Rocky Mountains and deep ravines and canyons about 450 miles farther. This is an Indian trading house occupied by a man by the name of Bridger, who says he has been here about 18 years; has many Indians about him and pretends to have much power over them. From there we left what is called the California trail and bore more to the south, traveled about 100 miles and arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake all in good health and spirits. 
Having spent about four months on the way, arrived the 23rd September, not losing a hoof of cattle or horses during our journey; but this was not the case with many others; many cattle were lost on our journey. This valley is about 25 by 50 miles; climate last winter much like Massachusetts; the soil quite rich, as it is all made ground from the wash of the hills, which are quite high on all sides and covered with perpetual snow, it is extremely well watered with good water and plenty of mill sites. About two miles from this place is a warm spring bursting up from beneath a mountain, the water as warm as common dish water. About two miles from this Spring is another much hotter, so much so that a person cannot hold his finger in it longer than to count thirty, it means instant death for any live thing that gets into it. These waters are sulphuric and within a few rods of the hottest one there is a cold spring of beautiful cold water quite pleasant to drink. Twenty miles distant is a Salt lake which will yield about one gallon of salt to five of water. On its shores there is plenty of coarse salt, good for all purposes except table use; that we have to boil. The wild grass &lt;that grows&gt; here is rather coarse on the worst of the land, the upland more fine. It has been said by travelers that there never was rain in this valley, but since we have been here it has been tolerably plenty, but not so much so but that we have had to irrigate our land in order to raise our grain. Last winter our herds lived by running at large. Between our mountains in our canyons there is plenty of timber, stone etc. We have not been able as yet to find iron or coal, but we have found gold. We have raised about 100 bushels of wheat, and some 300 bushels of corn this season with other crops common to other countries sufficient for the inhabitants of the valley. The climate is very healthy, the most so of any I was ever in, not excepting old Massachusetts. We have all been well since we came here. Bro. Orson left us and his family for England in the fall of 1846. His family are here in good health. We are here surrounded by Indians, many of the tribes quite numerous and powerful, but all have called upon us, and we have smoked the pipe of peace with them, they expressing much pleasure in our homing here. The ground we occupy is disputed ground by them, but they all appear willing that we should remain here in peace. We have just received a visit from the Ute tribe, who brought about 500 horses for sale; many we purchased for one blanket, some for a gun a piece, &lt;they were&gt; very good horses. Last week a company of the Mormon Battalion arrived from California, who have discovered near Francisco bay a gold mine, from which they procured several thousand dollars in a few days; getting from $2 to $20.00, per day; common wages worth $50.00 per day. This mine is no doubt the richest in North America, or almost anywhere else, I have written but a small part of what I wish, but as my paper is all but occupied I must close by wishing you to write me on the receipt of this. Direct your letter to Great Salt Lake Valley, Salt Lake City, by way of Austin's Post Office, Atchison country near Hunsaker's Ferry, Missouri. If you have anything from Gunnison country since the death of Electa write us as we have nothing since. My best wishes to your wife and all the little ones. I should be pleased to see you at this place, but I do not expect it as you could not visit us at Nauvoo I shall not expect it here.				
(signed) 						Daniel Spencer.

Transcript for Spencer, Daniel, Letter, Salt Lake City [Utah] to Brother Grove, 1848 Oct. 5

Spencer, Daniel, Letter, Salt Lake City [Utah] to Brother Grove.

Terry, Thomas Searles, Autobiography [ca. 1856], 15-16

Terry, Thomas Searles, Autobiography [ca. 1856], 15-16.

We got ready to Start and our wagons left Winter quarters on the Ninth of June 1847[.] we traviled out 28 miles to the Elk Horn River, 
<s xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">we</s>
 here we waited till All of the wagons had come up.
on the Eighteenth of June, there was 656 wagons on the Ground, and was all Organized into Companys of tens, and tens into fiftys and fiftys into Hundreds[.] Our wagons was in the first ten and first fifty and the &lt;first&gt; Hundred, our fifty left next Morning for the Mountains in the command of Perrygreen [Perrigrine] Sessions and Elijah F[unk] Sheets Captain of the first ten And Daniel Spencer Captain of the hundred 
we left the Elk Horn River June 19, 1847[.] We were on the road three months and Six days, We was Pilgrims inceach [in search] of A Home, we was Banished by a ruthless Mob, who was Sancioned by the Authorites of our <s>Goverm</s> Goverment, from our homes and the land of our Birth to Seek an <s>Asyl</s> Asylum in the far distant West among Savages, and the wild Beast of the Mountains, but the noble Band of Pioneers who was lead [led] by President Brigham Young, who was the Prophet of God; They had Started in the Spring, we followed their trail as much as possible[.] it was Some times difficult to follow, as the heavy rains and the high Grass, had covered it all up, our journey was Toilsome And fetaugeing [fatiguing] yet we had Many Senes [Scenes] of Pleasure and of joye, while on the Plaines[.] I enjoyed myself first reat [rate], on the Plaines it was A new life to me, and which Suited well, I enjoyed good health, And the time pass a way Pleasant, 
After a journey of one Thousand and thirty Miles which took us three months and 6 days, we arrived on the 25th of September in the valley of the Great Salt Leake [Lake], where the Pioniers had Arrived on the 24th of July, 1847 and which place they had selected a home for the Saints,

Perrigrine Sessions

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