Seth Millington Blair Sr. (1819 - 1875) Profile

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Seth Millington Blair

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Seth M. Blair papers, 1851-1868, Church History Library

Seth M. Blair papers, 1851-1868, Church History Library.

Seth Millington Blair Journal

Seth Millington Blair Journal, Page 23.

Seth Millington Blair Journal.

Edward Wallace East, Biographical information relating to Mormon pioneer overland travel database, 2003-2017

Edward Wallace East, Biographical information relating to Mormon pioneer overland travel database, 2003-2017.

Remeniscence by E. W. East



I was born in Henry County, Va., October 11, 1814...By this time I had the spirit of gathering and all seemed anxious to prepare for the long, arduous journey to Salt Lake. I felt that it was a great undertaking to start two thousand miles with ox team with such a helpless family. We hen had six children and four of the six were helpless, two little girls (twins), then but a little over one year old.



We left Port Sullivan, Texas, set out for Salt Lake on the 14th of March, 1855, thirty-seven in company, wagons heavily loaded with a considerable number of loose oxen and cows and about seventy head of horses. Had no rain to raise the rivers as had been predicted Elder Blair, forded the Brazos, Trinity and Red Rivers, it is extremely rare that either of those rivers can be forded in the spring season. Got along pretty well excepting some trouble with the Johnson family; had a very fatiguing trip, landed at Camp two miles from Atchison on the second day of June, remained in Camp twelve or fourteen days receiving a stock of goods purchased by Blair and Greer, fitting up wagons and etc. During our stay there were frequent cold rains, weather very disagreeable. Some of our company occasionally visited Mormon Grove and learned that the cholera was in the different comps and that several died each day. We set out for Salt Lake City about the 14th of June, having been organized under the direction of President Erastus Snow, Elder S.M. Blair was appointed to lead the Company. We had been joined at Atchison by some elders who had been on missions, who assisted as teamsters for their passage and also a number of families augmenting our company now to over one hundred with, I think, forty-six wagons. the cholera broke out in our Camp on the 18th, some twenty-three miles from Atchison. Brother M. R. Jones daughter was taken in the night and Brother Jones in the morning, and my children, William, over twelve years old, and Mary nearly five, were taken the same day. Brother Jones died first, sometime in the forenoon. Our little Mary who was a promising and lovely child, died about sun-down She sank away calmly and peacefully, as though she was going to a sweet sleep and was buried on the South side of the road before daylight, a rude board with the initials of her name was set at the head of her grave. Brother Jerry Sangford and wife both died during the night and the four were buried at this camp, on the hill some two hundred yards from the Creek on the West side of the road. On the next day Eliza Jost, Mary York, Susan Greer, Martha Allison, Sarah Jones, James Jones, and Elisabeth Langford died and were buried at the same place. On the following day which was the 22nd Sister Middlemas, Eliza Greer, and sister Priestly died and were buried together. On the same day sister Bagley, M.A. Jones, Julia A. Bagley, Fanny Phillips, Emma Middlemas and Hugh A. Phillips. On the 24th John Greer, N.H. Greer died and were buried a half-mile east of the big Nimeha (on the hill), James Rollins died on the next day, also Margaret Jones and William N. Middlemas on the same day on the West Side of the big Blue.



We camped at this place about noon to was and clean up until noon the next day, my son William, died at this camp and I have the date marked on my minutes on 27th. He had been hauled along for eight or nine days speechless the greatest portion of the time. He was buried in a rude box on the hill on the West side of Big Blue three-fourths of a mile from the place called Maryville. Eliza Wright died on Sunday, 1st of July;  our daughter Nancy, who had been speechless for several days died on the 4th of July at the second camp on the Little Blue or Sweet Water and was buried after two hours, being about seven years old. In consequence of the loss of so many, and those who survived being so worn-down by digging graves, burying the dead, and attending the sick, and his own feeble health, Brother Blair wrote and sent by express to Brother Andrews who presided at Mormon Grove for help, accordingly on Sunday night, 24th, Brother Stevenson with several men came up with our camp, Brother Stevenson having in consequence of Brother Blair's feeble and worn-down condition to take the Presidency of the company. On Saturday evening, the last day of June, on arriving at the camping ground late, it was announced that George Woods who had had the cholera was missing from the wagon. As soon as the camp was struck almost all of the company turned out to hunt and next morning our company assisted by another company which camped near-by resumed the search and continued it until about noon, but without finding the least trace of the lost man.



Many things occurred during the remainder of the journey that might be interesting to those who may see this sketch, but I cannot now recollect them in their order so as to detail them correctly. We landed in Salt Lake City, after an extremely arduous and fatiguing journey on the eleventh day of September.

Transcript for Edward Wallace East, Biographical information relating to Mormon pioneer overland travel database, 2003-2017

Emigrating journal

Emigrating journal, June 1855.

Transcript for Emigrating journal, 1855 June-September in Edward Stevenson collection, 1849-1922, 1-39

Emigrating journal.

Greer, Americus Vespuccius, [Diary], in Eliza M. Wakefield, comp., A Tribute to Thomas Lacy Greer [1953], [2]

Greer, Americus Vespuccius, [Diary], in Eliza M. Wakefield, comp., A Tribute to Thomas Lacy Greer [1953], [2].

My parents began to make preparations to go to Salt Lake City. Father and S[eth]. M. Blair were in partnership. Early in 1855 they sold land and other belongings and bought oxen, wagons and supplies for the trip across the plains. Father was born in Jasper County Georgia, and died in 1855 while going to Utah on the Old Mormon Trail, at Little Nemehaw Nebraska Territory. My little brother Ira Abney (Abner) fainted and died in the wagon. Father died in the night. Asiatic Cholera was the cause of their death. Nearly one third of the company died, in fact 51 including a lovely devoted cousin (T.D.) known since earliest recollections, about two years my junior (part of page missing) (Leroy Greer and Tom Irvin are both mentioned as nephews earlier in the history). Sad for the two nephews with this plague we had had we put four---away.	
We find a clipping from the St. Lewis Luminary of July 7, 1855, in a letter from Seth M. Blair, dated June 24th 1855 and written from Little Nemehaw Nebraska Territory. He states that cholera made its appearance in his company on the 17th, night and the first 36 hours they buried one or more every three hours---. It gradually abated until the 5th. day when Col. Nathaniel Hunt Greer died. Col. Greer is described as one of the most faithful brethren of the company. (From Journal History, by Earl E. Olsen Librarian).	
Carpenter and I worked hard, afterwards he pronounced a blessing upon my head. Many things I recollect distinctly."	
"That I would reach the valley...the destroyer shall not hinder you...you shall be the means of bringing many to the knowledge of the truth. (top of page missing)..The next day continued the search. We got 35 men to help us, they were from another Company. Elder S.M. Blair President of our Company sent back to Garden Grove to the authorities for help. Elder Edward Stephenson and several other Elders came to our assistance. This was in the month of June 1855. As soon or before we had recovered from the cholera, measles attacked us in a malignant form." end of quote. 150 pages missing covering a period of 40 years.	
Ann Terry Roberts Greer was now a widow, heartbroken with the loss of a husband and son besides many other loved ones who now lay buried along "Pioneer Trail," realizing she must assume new and difficult responsibilities, that faith, courage and determination were needed. She knew she was one among many who likewise must sacrifice much for the Gospel; and that only with the help of Him who never fails us, could she carry on and face the future undaunted.	
As soon as the sick were ready to travel, with the Help of her loyal sons, they began the onward trek to Salt Lake City. Their long t[r]ain of heavily laden wagons with 3 yoke of oxen to each wagon, and hundreds of fine horses and cattle being driven, must have attracted much attention when they arrived in Salt Lake City September 11, 1855.

Transcript for Greer, Americus Vespuccius, [Diary], in Eliza M. Wakefield, comp., A Tribute to Thomas Lacy Greer [1953], [2]

Martin Slack diary, 1851-1858, 25

Martin Slack diary, 1851-1858, 25.

THE TEXAS COMPANY OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS



Edward Stevenson was appointed Captain of the S[eth]. M[illington] Blair Company June 22, 1855. Many of the company were dying and Elder Blair asked to be released. (Written Verbatim)



June 11th, 1855. This afternoon I arrived at Atchinson 5 miles from Mormon grove with a company of Saints comprising souls mostly of the CHIMBORAZO Company that came with me over the sea from Liverpool “via Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and St. Louis, Mo.” My company has diminished from 532 souls to the present No. but thank God not by death as only two deaths of infants on the sea and one lad 8 years old who fell overboard in the Ohio River. I rec’d a note from Elder McGaw teams would be forth coming in the morning to remove us to camp Grand up to the Grove or farm therefore we put 20 wagons that I brought up from St. Louis and covered them in which we passed the night which seemed like Mormon Life. On the 12th we arrived near sunset at the Grove in a rainstorm nearly worn down with fatigue as our toils have been arduous; the cattle are the wildest I ever saw and most of the drivers equally wild being from the old country where men do not toil as here. Two wagons tipped over and one broke the tongue but no one hurt. Notwithstanding the scene of wagons, tents, farms, lowing of cattle and the busy scenes of the several companys preparing to Emigrate with the meeting of old and long parted friends seemed to Revive the Wearied Tabernacle. Here I remained in charge of my company assisting other companys. Pitching in the farm and company until the 23rd inst.



Bro. E[dward]. W[allace]. East, clerk of the company, gave a day by day account of the trip, only when he had sickness in his own family and was unable to write.



They arrived in Great Salt Lake City September 11th. There were 30 deaths in the camp from the time the company left Mormon Grove—29 died of cholera and one [William Mark Middlemass] (a little boy of Bro. [Edward] Middlemass) of cancer. Of the 29, 16 were of the Texas Company and 13 were of those that joined the company at Atchison.



One sick man wandered from camp and was never found.



Much time was spent in digging graves and selling possessions of the deceased



CADDIE L. WATSON 
TOQUERVILLE, UTAH

Transcript for Martin Slack diary, 1851-1858, 25

Peter O. Hansen diaries, circa 1850-1872

Peter O. Hansen diaries, circa 1850-1872, Page 121-124.

After a while Elder [Erick G.M.] Hogan arived with his little company and united with us. Some of the bretheren and sisters need to go off and earn some money. One Elder Milo Andrus came with a horse and buggy and took me up to the ferry 
<s xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">4</s>
 a few miles above w[h]ere we crossed over to Weston to visit Eilertsens branch. I found them doing well, and I visited them another time going on foot. <While here I had a good letter from Elder> Van Cott.
When the weather began to be hot Some drunken rowdies came t[w]o or three times to the camp in a rather insulting manner, over which I complained to the Sheriff Mr. Powers, who was a fine man and done what he could for us.
Finely some of the inhabitants began to think that they were in danger of taking the colerah [cholera] from us although we had no colerah in camp. Consequently a committy [committee] was sent to request us to move to a place 1 mile out. The committy said that we would do better to comply with the peoples request or we would be apt to be drove away. We would rather move off any hour to a better place, but we had not received our cattle yet. <s>Now</s> However now we had to hire somebody to move our wagons for us. Mr. Powers advised us to go to the Catholic mission for team. I walked out there but could not obtain any team. I then found a man who had a yoke of cattle and he moved all the wagons for a dollar a piece.
After moving the camp I went to Weston and was gone 4 days and on my return I found Colerah in the camp, and four had died. Then a brother Perry brought our cattle and ordres for me to move the camp up to Atchison; but many of the cattle were unbroke or mismatched and none of the brethren knew anything about driving ox team, hence we had to leave half of the camp and move on with one half first; and when I got back after the other half five more had been swept away by that dreadful disease. One of these was a sister of the venerable Lady Widerborg, a noble soul, the mother of three fine children. Another was &lt;our good&gt; Sister &lt;M[agdaline Christina]&gt; Lund whose one daughter Laura afterwards became a wife unto Elder Van Cott. And another was a brother Fred Franzen [Frandsen] who was a very good man and left a good wife [Jann Catrine or Catherine] who is still living. This was a dredful shock to my feelings.
One morning I got bid [bit] in my right hand by a Possom which made me unable to hold the whip that day until a Sister Sandersen brought me some oil that took the swelling off.
When we got to Mormon Grove, which was the name of the camp ground, we helped to make a farm for some who were to remain there for want of means.
Now, our number had become so small that we only amounted to 30 teams &lt;tens of wagons&gt; not enough for a company wherefore we were added to two other tens of english saints under Elder Jacob [Foutz] Secrist to &amp; as captain of fifty. &lt;Niels R[asmussen]. Beck &amp; Lars Kier [Kjar]&gt; And some of my company <s>had</s> &lt;did&gt; complain <s>of</s> of my being fretful and apt to scoaled [scold], and also that I had been too intimate with the <s>b</s> aforementioned young sisters he <s>.</s> deemed it best to relea<s>e</s>&lt;se&gt; me and let them have another one to lead them, and said: whom do you want? and <s>two</s> &lt;some&gt; of the Norvegians [Norwegians] of one Hogans countrimen spoke up for him, and he was voted in as Captain of the 1st ten of the danish devision. I then motioned that Elders [Johan] Eilertsen &amp; N[iels]. Peterson be captains of the other two tens, which <s>we</s> inquired for information and found that I had acted very imprudent by sleeping in the other tent as the same tent as the girl and exposing myself to suspicion. He rather excused my fretfulness by reason of trying circumstances and blamed my censors for finding fault with me for speaking against filthyness which was my duty, and chastened me before the whole camp for being so imprudent, yet he was more lenient than I deserved and I felt sorry of my folly and humbled myself before God &amp; my brethren; and I have many time since then felt thankful for not at that time being lead deeper into transgression and losing my standing in the church. <s>Nevertheless there are those yet who yet believe that I had committed</s> Bro. Prom had heard Beck say that they wouldn’t have Br H. to lead them over the plains, and considering all circumstances, he [blank space] motion was carried. Then a serge[a]nt of the guard was called for and I recommended Niels Beck, knowing that he had served in the Army and he was accepted 
Captain Secrist desired me to serve as an interpreter and as such he wished me to travel next to the last wagon of the english devision and this brought me ahead of capt [Erick G.M.] Hogan, and my accusers didn’t like the looks of it. By that time I had bought a light wagon for 45 dollars which I borrowed of br [Lars Peter] Lund the late widower, and br Niels Johansen let me have the use of a good yoke of oxen as he would rather be without them while traveling. Thus I was well off for conveyance yet I had to put up with bows which I made of a grape vine and being rather low made my carriage look rather humble.
&lt;We started on the 13 or 14 of June&gt; After traveling four days Sargent Beck told Cpt Secrist &lt;in German&gt; that he wished to be released for he felt as he had been whipped, and did not have the spirit of his calling wherefore the Captain called a council and had me voted in as Sargant of the guard. By this means I was practically <s>brought</s> restored to my lost position as a general servant to the people, and although they had rejected me that were glad to have me serve them, for they had already said that Hogan was not qualified for the task.
I must not forget that my young friend Hans Peterson was <s>say</s> called to assist me. No[a]h T[homas]. Guyman was the sargant of the guard of the whole camp.
About the time a good sister from Norway died yet with colerah [cholera].
The above council was held on the 17th and I am not sure but what we laid still two [or] three days on account of a sickness
On the 20 we travelled a few miles &amp; encamped within half a mile of Big Nemehaw, [Nemaha] and used the time for washing &amp; yoke making.
On the 21st &amp; 22d we travelled till an hour before sundown, and on the 23d we travelled and camped before sundown after crossing a rocky creek. At noon we cold and sorefooted at fire at 8:20; and at night we buried a dead man.
On Sunday 24th we laid by, and as it had become necessary to do something for to lighten some of the loads, those who were able were persuaded to take some freight at the note of $11 Dollars in cash per 100 lb. Some government teams past us. &lt;Some of&gt; our horses (7 head I think) got scared &amp; ran off, and the captain and some other 2 went in search of them but did not find them.
On Monday the 25 we travelled twelve miles and camped <s>on</s> &lt;beyond&gt; the Big Blue but the horses were not found. 
On the 26, we burried a little child which had died with the colerah [cholera] Also, a 3 year old girl of Niels Clemensen. Did not travel on account of the lost horses. The texian [Texan] company came on (under captain Zeth [Seth M.] Blair I think.) Also Bro Ballentine [Richard Ballantyne] with his company (I think)[.] Long horned cattle. Horses not found.
On the 28 we burried our last victim to the colerah Niels Mauritzen’s wife [Johanne] a good sister, and travelled 13 miles.
On the 29 We laid still waiting for our Captain and the two tens. <s>we done some [illegible]</s> Captain Secrist about the horses and he went off again.
On the 30th we travelled 10 miles. Met a fur train from fort Laramie[.] The horses came on, but the captain was sick with the colerah we were told.
On Sunday 1st of July we moved two miles to a running water and encamped near the Texas company. Afternoon Williams’s train came on. (I think it was bro. Thomas Williams’s, who was a merchant in S.L. City). Afterwards another fur train from fort Laramie came and encamped near by. A sick man was missing in Blair’s camp, and we made a general search for him but he was not found.
On Monday 2 &lt;towards noon&gt; they [the] two tens came on; and Bro Secrist died soon after. He had been severely attacked by the colerah while out days &amp; nights on horseback, hunting for the lost horses. We travelled some in the afternoon and encamped on the prairie.
On the 3d we traveled 15 miles and encamped on the Little Blue, and
on the 4th we laid still and Brother Stevenson being a tinner, had bought a lot of tin for to make up when he got home. Out of this he made a coffin for Br Secrist corpse in order to have it taken along to the home of the saints, but as he could not make it tight enough to keep the stench from leaking out, we laid still on Wednesday the 4th to burry him. We also burried a little boy. And now as Elder Dewel [Osmyn Deuel], the captain of the 1st ten had shown by his action that he t[h]ought it was his duty to lead the company in the dead Captain’s place, and bro [Noah Thomas] Guyman thought it was wrong, he called a counsil of us Elders from Zion, Dewel [Osmyn Deuel], [Erick] Hogan, [Peter] Hansen, [Charles] Smith &amp; himself, to be held off from camp. The result was that Guymon was sustained as the proper person to take charge of the company.
On Thursday 5 we traveled on and had a stampede in the english division caused by somebody kicking to an old stove pipe hat, and six wagons were turned over and an old lady got hurt; also an ox got hurt some. However we were thankful that this sometimes drea&lt;d&gt;ful occurence kept within so small limits.
On the 6 Some Cheyennes came to our camp. We traveled to where the road leaves Little Blue for 8 miles. There were many springs.
On the 7th we travelled on and camped where the road leaves that river for good and saw several Buffalos.
Sunday 8th We had a meeting in the morning and partook of the sacrament and traveled about 15 miles and camped on the prairie.
Monday 9 We traveled on to Platte river, 20 miles.
On the 10 We traveled passed Fort Kearney and encamped on the river bank of the [text missing] travelling 14 miles.
My diary do[es] not tell what was done on the 11, 12 &amp; 13 only that a buffalo was killed, which was dragged to the camp where the people were pleased to look at it before it was dressed and cut up.
On the 14 we travelled in the forenoon
On Sunday 15. We travelled in the afternoon. One Buffalo was killed. 
Nothing written for 4 days, only that we passed the Texas company on the 18th 
On the 20th we forded the South fork and encamped on the high land.
On the 21st We travelled to Ash hollow, went down through and camped on the flat below. I advised the people to go and gather currants &amp; cherries in the hollow
On Sunday 22d We travelled up the river. I confirmed a danish boy who had been baptized.
Now I have nothing to copy from for a while but I recollect &lt;of&gt; travelling very late one night &lt;of&gt; the feed being rather poor in the Black hills, and that we camped on Deer creek.
On the 18 August we burried a sister. Met with a company of six wagons from the Valley, as we still called it in those days. Most of the brethren in that company were mission[ar]ies for England, and they cheered us much with their good report and testimony. Six men on horse back past us westward with a drove of oxen.
On the 19th we travelled about 12 miles, crossed a muddy creek. Very hot.
Wednesday 20th We travelled whole day &amp; camped at a spring.
From here to Green river we were scarce ever free from the stench of dead cattle and at the poison springs many had died and 8 head laid in a double row as if they had been struck dead by a thunder bolt while hitched to the wagon.
A new route was found so that we avoided the Poison Spring, and as our cattle was getting very weak, we got along rather slow, and it was pretty hard getting over the Big Mountain.
In the evening of the 6 of Sept., we encamped in the Emigration Kanion [Canyon] and in the morning the emigrants washed themselves and put on clean clothes. I told them that they had better wait till we got into the city for we had a very dusty road before us, but they thought they would risk it.
On Friday the 7th we [......] drove down into the city and encamped on the Public Square west of Bro Kimball’s place...

Transcript for Hansen, Peter Olsen, Journal [ca. 1876], 121-24

Peter O. Hansen diaries, circa 1850-1872.

Seth M. Blair papers, 1851-1868

Reminiscences and journals

"Reminiscences and journals", Seth M. Blair papers, 1851-1868.

Transcript for Blair, Seth Millington, Reminiscences and journals, 1851-1868, vol. 2, 104-34

Seth M. Blair papers, 1851-1868.

Seth M. Blair papers, 1851-1868, Reminiscence and journal, 1876, 1851-1868, 5-6

Seth M. Blair papers, 1851-1868, Reminiscence and journal, 1876, 1851-1868, 5-6.

On the 6th day of June 1850, we left Councill bluffs &amp; was 90 days.3. three months in Travelling to the Valley a midst Death &amp; disease for half the time &amp; distant. as the Cholera broke out in my Camp before I left Kanesville Iowa and we had the Cholera for the distance of 300 or 400 miles and traveled in the midst of it daily to all appearances[.] for there was many hundred familys journeying the Same way with us who had the Cholera in their midst and maney of the Saints fell yea and maney of the Gentiles allso[.] at Each Camping place, we had to mourn over the Tomb Stones or Graves of our bretheren &amp; friends. whitch on Such a journey was trying to us for our journey was long &amp; Tedious in the willderness[.] I brought through with a partner Thos. S. Williams Goods &amp; merchandize for Sale &amp; Some poor bretheren &amp; Sisters and I Seen a prophecy of Joseph Smith fullfilled on this Journey for he said the Missourian Mobbers bones Should bleach on the praires &amp; I saw them bleaching often times on our way

Transcript for Seth M. Blair papers, 1851-1868, Reminiscence and journal, 1876, 1851-1868, 5-6

Stevenson, Edward, Diary, in Edward Stevenson, Collection, 1849-1922, reel 1, fd. 2

Stevenson, Edward, Diary, in Edward Stevenson, Collection, 1849-1922, reel 1, fd. 2, Vol. 5.

June 11
th
 1855
This afternoon I arrived at Atchison 5 miles from Mormon Grove With A Company of Saints Compriseing Souls mostley of the Chimborazo Company that came With me over the sea from Liverpool via Philadelphia, Pittsburgh [Pittsburg], Penselvania [Pennsylvania] &amp; St. Louis, Mo. My company has deminished from 502 Souls to the Presant No. but thank god not by Death as onley two Deaths of infants on the sea &amp; one Lad 8 years old Who fell overboard in the Hoio Rover [Ohio River]—
I Recd A not[e] from Elder Mcgaw teams would be forth comeing in the morning to remove us to camp Ground up to the Grove or farm[.] therefore wee Put to gether 20 waggons that I brought up from St[.] Louis &amp; covered them in which wee passed the Nite which seemed like mormon Life—
on the 12th wee arrived Near Sunsest [sunset] at the Grove in A Rain storm[.] Nearly Worn Down with fateague as our toils have been ardious[.] the cattle are the wildest I Ever saw &amp; most of the Drivers Equaly Wild being from the old country whare oxen Do not toil as here[.] two wagons tip[p]ed over[.] one broke the tounge but not one tent—notwithstanding the scene of waggons tents form Lewing of cattle &amp; the buisy Scenes of the serveral companys Prepareing to Emigrate[.] with the meeting of old &amp; Long Parted friends seemed to Revive the Wearied Tabernacle. here I remained in charge of my compa[n]y assisting other compa[n]ys. Ditching in the farm &amp;c untill the 23d inst.
Sun 17 Preached from A carriage in the open air 
21st A compa[n]y of Elders arrived from the valley[.] Elder Hector Height Capt. 
23 attended A feast prepared by Elder Milo Andrews for the Elders on missions &amp; those on their Return saf[e]ly[.] time &amp; News from the valley held meeting[.] the following Letters. [....]
<center>Mormon Grove Camp of Isarel [Israel] June 22 1855</center>
Elder S.M. Blair[,] Captain Greer and all the Elders and Saints in the third Company of our Emigration, Greeting
Beloved Bretheren and Sisters it hath Pleased God our Eternal Father and his Servants to Place us over you for your Comfort and Salvation and having heard of your distressed Condition and of the Power of Death that has been in our midst we have felt Sincerly to Sympathise with you and to afford you that Succour which through Elder S. M. Blair you have desired at our hands 
The Holy Spirit manifests unto us that Disorder and the Spirit of Confusion prevails in your midst to a greater or less Extent and in order to Suppress this Destiny and the more Effectually to Secure your Salvation temporaly and Spiritualy we have appointed our well beloved and Faithfull Brother Elder Stevenson to come into your midst and to take the Entire Control and management of your Little Camp that Life and health and Salvation may Flow unto you and inasmuch as you will receive this our Brother to be your Captain and Guide and be directed by his Counsels the Power of the destroyer shall be stayed and your lives shall be preserved 
Bretheren and Sisters will you do this[.] iff so manifest it by raising the right hand and you shall be Blessed in the name of Jesus Christ Amen 
May Peace be with you all and the spirit of live return and Enter into your midst and into your Flesh and Marrow is the Ernest prayer of your Bretheren and Servants 
<center>Milo Andrews Richard Balantyne</center>
This Like many other calls in mormonism is on Short Notice &amp; by surprise—
I leave my Part of A team with Elder John B. Mabin former Book agent in London as wee were Prepareing to Emegrate to gether[.] arrangements are Entered into for Elder Mabin to draw Luggage to the amount of 7.00 lbs for the Church alsoe my trunk &amp; About 50 lbs Suggar. Sister Davis alsoe takes About 50 lbs of apples for me as my freight has not yet arrived &amp; the church is to Draw 8.00 lbs for me as they Leave Still Later. I Leave in the Hands of Elder James McGaw 94.55 Dollars to Pay for 4 Boxes of Com[m]on &amp; 2 of one cross tin Plate &amp; the Pay for the Extra one Hundred of Freight.
This had been one of the biusy Days with me as I have not only my own affairs to attend to but for my former Company as meny of them are fund passengers. Now I find in Parting with them their Kind feelings &amp; Wish to go With me Still further to t[h]eir home in Zion having taken the Parting hand with my Brethren &amp; freinds many of Whome Said you are entering uppon an ardious Duty[.] I took my exit at 9 O’Clock in the Evening taking 5 other Brethren in A Carriage to the assistance of my Distresed Brethren Who are Daily Dying with the Cholera[.] 72 miles[.] wee cross Walnut Creek &amp; after passing A few miles Camped in the open Peraire it being 2 O Clock in the morning of the 24th whare we Remained untill 4 O Clock to Rest &amp; let our horses feed uppon the Buitiful Grass which is Spontainous on those Perairies[.] Wee Passed on camping Rock Creek &amp; weigh other small streams[.] at 12 o clock while baiting the Horses I Wrote A Letter to my Dear family[.] Near sun Set wee took tea on the vermilion of our own cooking[.] this being the first food I have taken to Day as this is[..] Day Set apart for my compa[n]y to fast &amp; Pray Previous to my knowledge of Leaveing them &amp; I thought best to observe my covenant or vote in which I truely feel blest. wee have passed mutch Peraire With Scattering timber on the Streams which are Small. Thare are onley A few setlers. &amp; the Soil generaly good.
Near Sun Set wee set off Passing Thomas Williamses good train in charge of Peenneno Jackman[.] alsoe other good trains[.] Some for ft Carney [Kearney] 265 miles on our way also other for Ft. Larime [Laramie] About 600 miles up the Platte &amp; the former for Salt Lake[.] other trains have gone in advance both of goods &amp; Emigration of our Emigration[.] Capt Kinley of the first Company, Jacob Secchirst [Secrist] 2nd Compa[n]y &amp; S. M. Blair 3rd &amp; Richard Balentyne [Ballantyne] Capt of the fourth Compa[n]y which is to Start in A few Days. 
the 1st Compa[n]y moved out on the 1st of June[.] 2nd &amp; 3rd train followed—During this day many are the Reflections that have Revolved through my mind as wee have pased the grave of meny of the 3d Company Which is increaseing as wee approach the company having Just pased 3 persons Buried in one grave. wee continued in route untill one O’Clock whare wee overtook the Company in A confused State at Oak Point [.3] miles and haveing Just camped or on hitched [unhitched]

Transcript for Stevenson, Edward, Diary, in Edward Stevenson, Collection, 1849-1922, reel 1, fd. 2, vol. 5, 1-9

Stevenson, Edward, Diary, in Edward Stevenson, Collection, 1849-1922, reel 1, fd. 2.

Sylvester H. Earl autobiographical sketch

Sylvester H. Earl autobiographical sketch, Page 8.

I returned to St. Louis on a steamboat. Here I purchased a few goods for my family. I then went on a steamboat up the Missouri river as far as Atchison and here I fitted out for the plains. Our company was the third company Elder Blair being the captain, Elder Green and Myself were his councilors.We left the camp ground on the 13th of June[.] traveled two days when the cholera came in and took near one third of the camp. This was the greatest scene of sorrow that I have ever witnessed.
Edward Stevenson was appointed to take charge of the camp and Bro. Barlow took the place of Bro. Green. We had no bad luck on the way but the loss of one man, a gentile, a Mr. Wood from Texas.
I arrived in the valley on the 10th day of September 1855 being gone three years lacking five days. Found my family well during the time of my being in England.

Transcript for Earl, Sylvester Henry, Autobiographical sketch, 8

Sylvester H. Earl autobiographical sketch.

Sylvester H. Earl diary, 1852-1856

Sylvester H. Earl diary, 1852-1856, Page 6-8.

June 7th—Elders Snow and Spencer organized our company, being the third Sixty. Elder Seth M. Blair is our Captain. Elder East Church - - I was appointed counselor and also captain of one ten and also chaplin.



We started our camp on the 11th of June—traveled eight miles when we camped and staid until the 17th. This is a sickly place. Most of the camp left [t]his day but I had to stay until the next day, when I left with the remainder of the camp. When I got within about one mile of the camp, a messenger run to me stating that Brother Jones was taken the colary and wished me to hasten to his relief by administering the ordinance of the house of God to him, but having a very hard river to cross I was detained sometime. I found Bro. Jones cold and cramped. I called Brothers J[ohn]. M[e]yer, George E. Riser, and Oscar Tayler [Tyler] to my assistance, for they were men who had had their endowments. We approached the sick and dying for by this time four more were taken. But the spirit forbade me rebuking it at this time, yet I felt to pray the Almighty to stay the pleg [plague] if it be his well. Bro. Jones soon died and in the evening Sister Leungford [Langford] died. This night Bro.Easts child died also. Bro. Lankford [Langford] and some others on the 18th. We buried six persons. This is indeed a doalful time to us all.



This day we met the brotheren from the valley on missions. They were under Captain Hait. We started our camp—a number of the missionaries returned with us to where we nooned. Sister Eliza Poast [Jost] died this forenoon in the wagon. We buried her the same hour and did not stop the train. At noon we had a goodmeeting during which time several more died. We parted with the missionaries and hauled our dead until night, when a number more were dead. Some, however, were taken and when I administered to them they got well immediately. We continuedto travel a little every day and still bury the dead.



Sunday, the 15th, we camped on a small stream called the Hermileon where we buried Old Father [Nathaniel Hunt] Greer and several more died and were burried. I then spoke to Bro. Blair of the propriety of rebaptizing those who wished it and baptizing those that had not been baptized. Accordingly I went to the persons. We then traveled six miles. This evening Elder Stenson [Edward Stevenson] came to us from the Mormon Grove with some bretheren to help us. In the morning I called the Saints together. Captain Blair then red a letter from President Ballentine, stating that Bro. Stenson [Stevenson] was appointed to take charge of our company.



E. Stenson [Stevenson] then chose myself and Brother [James M.] Barlow to be his counselors. A man by the name of Wood from Texas got lost from the camp. He was ill with colery. The mules wandered all night with him lying helpless inthe carriage. We are still moving in the midst of death.



On Saturday, June the 30th, this same Wood got out of his carriage just at dusk and unknown to driver and left unaware near the camping place. We soon made a general hunt nearly all night and nearly all the next day but we found him not and with much sorrow pursued our journey without him.



Sunday, July 1st—the camp is in better health.



Sunday, July 8th, we got to Ft. Carney [Kearney] all in good health and spirits except a little difficulty between Brothers Middlemuss [Earl Middlemass] and Right [Thomas H. Wright] which we took into council and strove to settle.



Monday, 9th, we camp up the first camp under the care of Capt. Hincey. Found them all in good health and spirits. We held a council with them:



Elder Conud read some instruction from Erastus Snow—undecided to travel on the next day, and went accordingly.



Sunday, 15th, we got to the Cottonwood springs, about 80 miles from Carney [Kearney], all in good health. But still we persue our journey.



On Monday and Tuesday and Wensday we were detained on account of Bro. Stenson’s [Stevenson] having to go back some six miles for his coat. ..During this time. Brothers L. Blair and T. Geer being wagon master concluded to stay all day. This gave some dissatisfaction in the camp. In the evening Bro. Stenson and Myself held a private council and determined to set all right before we left. We then called a council meeting of the whole camp and we both spoke to the Saints and soon got a good spirit and in the evening we held a testamony meeting. Felt well.



Friday we crost the south fork of the Platt[e], had no bad luck.



Saturday we got to U.S.A. hollow, here we stayed until Sunday, 25, shoeing oxen, holding meeting, and fixing to go.



Monday, Tuesday, Wensday, and Thursday—the road is very sandy—teams failing.



Sunday, 29th, traveled 8 miles then camped on a nice place and had a good meeting.



Monday and Tuesday traveled hard, got to Ft. Laram[i]e.



Wednesday past Laram[i]e 10 miles, came to a small trading post. Here we bought 10 yoke of oxen at one hundred dollars, four yoke. This enabled us to go on our way more comfortable.



Sunday, the 5th of August, we are in the Black Hills about 50 miles from Ft. Laram[i]e, here we stay all day. Guarding not well done. E. Stenson [Stevenson], Elder Barlow and myself had a private council, agreed that Elder Mager be released from acting as assistant Sargent, with a vote of thanks, and that Bro. Bancroft take his place. We had a good meeting in the evening, all feel well.



Thursday, 9th, we got over the Black Hills, no wagons broke, one ox sick and left behind.



Friday, 10th we got over the Black Hills all in fine spirits.



Sunday, 12th, we got to the last crossing of the Platt[e].



We crossed and traveled up the river 13 miles. Left the river, camped on a small creek. The feelings of the camp hard towards E. Stenson for bad management, wishes expressed to divide the camp.



Monday, 14th, E. Stenson and myself went and held a private counsel, then called the officers of the camp and had a general counsel. The decision is to go on all together.



Wednesday, 15th, we are on the Sweetwater. This my birthday. I am now 40 years old, and now crossing the plains for the fifth time.



Sunday, 19th, we are laying by for the day. This week the feelings of the camp are all confusion and they have little or no regard for Brother Stenson [Stevenson]. Brother Bancroft feels dissatisfied and desires to be released from the office of assistant sargent; him and the captain had a dispute. Some hard words about fasting. Henry said his health was too pore to fast. Brother Stenson said if he had more faith in his dumplings than he had in his God then he might take them, for, said he, you have got a hard spirit. Henry said he has not, and so forth. Told them that they being the anointed of the Lord should not dispute before the Saints. At 10 a.m. we have a meeting, also in the evening—the feelings of the Saints bad towards Bro. Stenson [Stevenson].



Wednesday camped near the upper crossing of the Sweetwater.



Thursday, 22nd of Aug., we got to the Pacific Springs, Brother Greersten having got there some time before the balance of the company. They camped before Bro. Stenson [Stevenson] came up. This made him mad and he then said the camp should go on a five miles farther. This we done with much hard feeling in the camp against him for his unwise course and rough talk, which causes much unpleasant feelings. Brothers Stenson, Barlow, and myself then went into counsel by ourselves and we praid for power to control the camp and we felt well. We then tried Elder Larmont Bancroft for his rebellion and cut him off from the church.



On Monday, the 27th, we got to Greenriver [Green River].



28th—we held a counsel on other things.



29th—About 30 a.m. Elder Charles Basset came into our camp in good health and spirits. Gave us some good instructions. Report from the Saints in the rear is good. They staid five hours. We gave them food and changed and gave them three fresh mules. I sent some letters and went with them 3 miles on the way.



Sunday, 2nd—Elder Blair came to us from the valley and this morning Elder Stenson [Stevenson] started to the valley. But meeting Bro. Blair he concludes to stay. We are now camped at Ft. Bridger, which is now settled by the Saints. We then pursued our journey and when I got to Bear River I mashed my little finger very bad. Sunday, we are at the Weber. I now leave the Company and start for home in company with Brothers Johnson, Bancroft, and the two Sister Johnsons.



We arrived into the valley on the 10th of September, being 3 years lacking 5 days absent from my family and home. I find them all alive and well and all in fine spirits, and with joy to my soul I feel to thank the Lord for his parental care over me and my family while I was on my mission.

Transcript for Sylvester H. Earl diary, 1852-1856, 6-8

Sylvester H. Earl diary, 1852-1856.

William B. Wright collection, 1852-1951

William B. Wright collection, 1852-1951.

Transcript for William B. Wright collection, 1852-1951

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New London, Pike, Missouri, United States

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Seth Millington Blair Jr.

Cornelia Jane Espy

Ellen Cornelia Blair

Preston Alonzo Blair

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Logan, Cache, Utah Territory, United States

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Seth Millington Blair

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