Spicer Wells Crandall (1822 - 1879) Profile

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

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Spicer Wells Crandall

birth-date-qualifier-birth

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971, 1852, Vol. 1, Part 1, Page 22.

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

European Mission

European Mission.

"Spicer Wells Crandall", General Epistles File, CHL

"Spicer Wells Crandall", General Epistles File, CHL.

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 192.

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

The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 15:32, 42

The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 15:32, 42.

Daniel Duncan McArthur Emigrating Company journal

Daniel Duncan McArthur Emigrating Company journal, May 1856.

Transcript for Daniel Duncan McArthur Emigrating Company journal, 1856 May-September

Daniel Duncan McArthur Emigrating Company journal.

Deseret News

Emigrants For Utah

"Emigrants For Utah", Deseret News, August 6, 1856.

EMIGRANTS FOR UTAH.



COMPANY WHICH LEFT FLORENCE, IOWA, JUNE 5TH. ELDER PHILEMON C. MERRILL, CAPTAIN. 
James Cooper, W. F. Fream, A. Maltha, E. Brunson wife and 2 children, George Russell; S. A. [Samuel A.] Woolley, L. H. Mausley [Louis Henry Mousley], F. Raymond, S. [Stephen] Golding, wife and 3 children, E. Steele, James Steele, H. M. Turner, wife and 2 children, A. J. Turner, J. W. Hammer, Jeter Clinton, B. P. Brown, Henry Eckells, wife and 2 children, Samuel Cursley and wife, Abraham Hayes, Charles Hammer, Frances Nash.



Elisha Edwards, David P. [Pinkney] Rainey and wife, Thomas Singleton, wife and 2 children, Archibald Kerr, wife and 2 children, McCaslin Frost and wife, Charles Singleton, William Maylett and wife, Samuel Rudd, Edward Rudd, Matthew Moore; William Sanders, wife and 3 children, George [Sloan] Bailey, wife and 3 children, William Smith, wife and 4 children, Joseph Clark, wife and 2 children, John [Henry] Craghead, wife and 5 children.



E. B. [Enoch Bartlett] Tripp, Phebe Weltan, Daniel Munns, wife and 3 children, John Simperley, wife and 4 children, Francis Miller, John Ashcroft, wife and 4 children, Samuel Philips [Phillips], Joseph Roe, Thomas H. [Huskinson] Giles, wife and 4 children, Thomas Rasband, wife and 2 children, William Giles, wife and 6 children, George Giles, wife and 1 child, Harriet Green, John Crook, George Spratley, James Haggard [Hoggard] , wife and 4 children, Ann Roe.



Francis A. [Almon] Brown, wife and 2 children, Augustus P. Canfield, Hannah H. Brown, Joel A. [Almon] Bascom, Lucina A. Burton, Henry I. Runnels, wife and 4 children, Colinan Toplin [Joplin] and wife, [Benjamin] F. Wood[w]ard, Susannah [Pilling] Laycock and 3 children, George and Eliza S. [Sophia Brown] Rust, M. C. Kinsman, Nancy Kilbreath and 1 child, Catherine Brown and 2 children, William Black, Frederick Spat and wire, Lawrence Fry, Samuel Vowels.



Edwin Whiting, Samuel Crain, wife and 5 children, Gilbert Avery, wife and 4 children, [Thomas] Jefferson Dimick, wife and 6 children, William G. Palmer, wife and 3 children, Joseph and Henry Field, William Nowell and wife, James McCloud, Jesse [Askew] Tye, John Burlston.



 



HANDCART COMPANY, E. ELLSWORTH, CAPTAIN. 
LEFT CAMP NEAR IOWA CITY, JUNE 9, 1856. 
Edmund Ellsworth, Thomas Fowler, Thomas Passey, Eliza Robinson, Mary Ann Bates, Mary Ann Meadows, Andrew Galloway, wife and child, David Bowen, William Harmon, Edward Frost, wife and 2 children; Elizabeth Franklin, Eleanor Hill, Sarah Ann Sprig, James Shinnsen [Sheen], and 12 children; Ann [Perkins] Price and 2 children, Eleanor Vaughan, Mary Mays [Mayo], Alexander Stevenson, wife and 7 children, George Clark [Clarke], wife and 3 children; Thomas Ivins, John Powell, wife and 6 children; Daniel Jones, wife and 6 children; Mary Ann Baker and 5 children; John Lloyd, wife and 6 children; Wm. Green.



Arthur [Archer] Walters, wife and 5 children; John Devenoux [Devereaux], Thomas Richins, wife and child; Mary Ann Jones, Thos. [Thomas Bradford] Bourne, wife and 6 children; John Robinson, wife and 4 children; George Hanson, wife and child; James Birch, wife and 3 children; Absalam [Absalom] Frisby, Ann Ham, Hannah Baldwin, John Ash, Jr., wife and 2 children, Richard Preater [Preator], wife and 2 children; Hester [Esther] and Hannah Jones; Hannah [Chapman] Goodworth, and 4 persons; John Chapman, James Murray, Henry Moss, George Warding [Waring], George Williams, James Bowers, wife and 6 children.



Samuel Bond, wife and 2 children; Walter Sanders and 3 children; Eliza Jeffries, Richard Sheltar [Shelton], Joseph Argyle, wife and 6 children; William Pratt, wife and 4 children; William Morriss [Morris] and wife; James and Sabina Jones; Jas. [James] Bailey, wife and 5 children; C. H. Briggs [Charles H. Bridges], William Birch and wife; Elizabeth Walker, Abraham Hurst [Hunt] and wife; John Lee, wife and 6 children; Sarah and Joseph Ash; Jon Wellings [Job Welling], wife and child; John [Rowe] Moyle, wife and 5 children; John Bunney and wife; John Dunney [Doney] and wife; William Yeo, William Butler and wife; John Oakley, Robert Stodart [Stoddart], wife and 12 persons.



Elizabeth Taylor, Henry Walker and wife; John Kettle, wife and 6 children; Thomas Eldridge [Eldredge], wife and child; Joseph Rasdell and wife; Sarah Marshall and 6 children; Maria Good [Goode], John A. Phillips, George Nappriss [Neppress], John Lewis and child; Thomas and Benjamin Lloyd; John Henwood, Jane Lewis, Elizabeth Henwood, and 2 children; James [Constable] and Ann [Miller] Warner; Sarah T. [Sarah Jane] Miller, William Brough, Elizabeth and Emma Walker, James and Mary Commonder [Commander], Alice Brough.



 



HANDCART COMPANY, D. [DANIEL] D. McARTHUR, CAPTAIN. 
LEFT IOWA CITY CAMP, JUNE 11, 1856. 
Walter Grainger, wife and 5 children; William K. [Knox] Aitken and 2 children; Ellen Wandles; Ellen Wandles, jr.; Mary Mathierson [Mathieson]; Thomas Gallup [Gallop] and wife; James Reid, wife and 4 children; George Muir, wife and 2 children; John Frew, wife and 4 children; Alex. McDonald; Agnes Stewart and 3 children.



Hugh Clotworthy, wife and 4 children; Mary McGowan; Joseph McDougall [McDougal]; John McDonald; William Johnstone [Johnston]; wife and 4 children; John Bell, wife and 2 children; Elizabeth Shields; David Chambers, wife and son; A. M. [Anna M.] Randall and son; Elizabeth and Emma M. Burdett; William Hall; Samuel Hargraves, wife and 7 children; William Finlay [Findley], wife and child.



William Meikle, wife and 2 children; Mary Hay; Agnes [Adamson] Anderson, wife and 2 children; Richard Kennington, wife and 5 children; Mary Ann Bone; Robert Parker, wife and 4 children; Bedson Eardley and wife; Mary Bathgate and daughter; William Lawson; George Peacock; John Gray, wife and 4 children; James Crawford; Elizabeth [Cumming] Reed [Reid].



Elizabeth Twiddle [Tweddle]; Catherine Grainger; James Dechman [or Dickman]; John Dreany [or Dramey], wife and 2 children; Isabella Park; James Gardner, mother and 4 children; Neil P. [Peter] and Georgeina [Georgine Maria Keller] Ipson; Sarah Smart; Hannah Hodgetts; Peter and Elizabeth Richardson; George Johnstone [Johnston], wife and child; Janet Hardie, and 5 children; Andrew Smith; Anna Furer [Furrer]; Josephine Ludut [or Ludert] and child; Henry E. [Ebenezer] Bowring, wife and child.



William and Maria Wright; Rebecca [Wood] Sanderson and 2 children; William Hillhouse, wife and 8 children; Elizabeth Maxwell, and 5 children; Elizabeth Dorrech [Darragh]; Ellen Russell; Elizabeth Maxwell, Mary Gale; Patrick [Twiss] Birmingham, wife and 3 children; Thomas Lucas, wife and 3 children; William Lawrenson, wife and 2 children; Mary Baranigan [Brannigan]; Elizabeth Morehouse; William Heator [Heaton], wife and 2 children; John McClare [McCleve], wife and 7 children; Henrich Elliker, wife and 7 children; John Schies, and wife; Susannah Bruner; Ralph Ramsay, wife and child; Margaret Dowule [Downie].



DANIEL D. MC'ARTHUR, Captain. 
TRUMAN LEONARD,SPICER W. CRANDALL, Counselors.

Transcript for "Emigrants for Utah," Deseret News, 6 August 1856, 176

Deseret News.

Historical Department journal history of the Church

Daniel D. McArthur reminiscences

"Daniel D. McArthur reminiscences", CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, September 26, 1856, Page 2-6.

The following is a concise statement from the pen of Elder Daniel D. McArthur of the travels of the second handcart company across the plains, of which he was leader. The report was addressed to Elder Wilford Woodruff and dated Jan. 5, 1857:
On the 19th of May, our company, which had crossed the sea with us, were divided, by President Daniel Spencer, into two handcart companies, Brother Edmond Ellsworth to take charge of the first and I, Daniel D. McArthur, to take charge of the second company. Then every move was made to get our carts ready, which job was a tedious one, but by using all our efforts, the first company was enabled to start on the 9th of June, and the second on the 11th, about 11 o'clock. This second company numbered 222 souls and were bound for Florence, and from thence to the Valley, at which place (Florence) we arrived on the 8th of July, distance, 300 miles, or there abouts. 
We had the very best of good luck all the way, although the weather was very hot and sweltering, but let me tell you, the saints were not to be overcome. Our carts, when we started, were in an awful fix. They mowed &lt;moaned &gt; and growled, screeched and squealed, so that a person could hear them for miles. You may think this is stretching things a little too much, but it is a fact, and we had them to eternally patch, mornings, noons and nights. But by our industry we got them all along to Florence, and being obliged to stop at Florence some two weeks to get our outfit for the plains, I and my council, namely, Truman Leonard and Spencer [Spicer] Crandall, went to work and gave our carts a thorough repair throughout, and on the 24th of July, at 12 o'clock, we struck our tents and started for the plains, all in the best of spirits. Nothing but the very best of luck attended us continually. 
Our teams &lt;train&gt; consisted of 12 yoke of oxen, 4 wagons, and 48 carts; we also had 5 beef and 12 cows; flour, 55 lbs. per head, 100 lbs. rice, 550 lbs. sugar, 400 lbs. dried apples, 125 lbs. tea, and 200 lbs. salt for the company. On the 28th of August &lt;arrived&gt; at Laramie, and on the 2nd of September, we met the first provision wagons from the Valley. On Deer Creek &lt;we&gt; got 1000 lbs. of flour, which caused the hearts of the saints to be cheered up greatly. 
On the 14th we camped at Pacific Spring Creek, and there I took in 1000 lbs. of more flour, so as to be sure to have enough to do me until we got into the Valley, for I was told that that would be the last opportunity to get it. 
On the 20th we reached Fort Bridger, and on the 26th of September, we landed &lt;arrived&gt; in this Valley, with only the loss of 8 souls. 7 died, and one, a young man, age 20 years, we never could tell what did become of him. We brought in our 48 carts, 4 wagons, 12 yoke of oxen, save one, which we had left at Fort Bridger, 10 cows, (one cow died and one we left at Fort Bridger,) and the 5 beeves, we ate, of course. We laid still 5 Sundays and three week days all day, besides other short stops while traveling from &lt;the&gt; Missouri River here.
My company was divided into two divisions and Brother Truman Leonard was appointed captain over the first division and Brother Spencer [Spicer] Crandall over the second. We had six tents in each division and a president over each tent, who were strict in seeing that singing and prayer was attended to every morning and night, and that peace prevailed. I must say that a better set of saints to labor with I never saw. They all did the best they could to forward our journey. When we came to a stream, no matter how large it might be, the men would roll up their trousers and into it they would go, and the sisters would follow, if the men were smart enough to get ahead of them, which the men failed many times to do. If the water was high enough to wet the things on the carts, the men would get one before the cart and one behind it and lift it up slick and clean, and carry it across the stream.
I will state a couple of incidents that happened in one day, and one other circumstance that took place. On the 11th of August a man came to camp pretending to be starved nearly to death, and wished me to give him some provisions, for he had had nothing for many days but what he had hunted for. So I gave him bread and meat enough to last him some four or five days and he acted as though he had met with some friends in deed. He said, that he had been robbed by some Californians somewhere near Fort Bridger, with whom he was in company on their way to the States, and on the 16th, while crossing over some sand hills, Sister Mary Bathgate was &lt;badly&gt; bitten by a large rattlesnake, just above the ankle, on the back part of her leg. She was about a half a mile ahead of the camp at the time it happened, as she was the ring leader of the footmen or those who did not pull the handcarts. She was generally accompanied by Sister Isabella Park. They were both old women, over 60 years of age, and neither of them had road &lt;ridden&gt; one inch, since they had left Iowa camp ground. Sister Bathgate sent a little girl back to me as quickly as possible to have me and Brothers Leonard and Crandall come with all haste, and bring the oil with us, for she was bitten badly. As soon as we heard the news, we left all things, and, with the oil, we went post haste. When we got to her she was quite sick, but said that there was power in the Priesthood, and she knew it. So we took a pocket knife and cut the wound larger, squeezed out all the bad blood we could, and there was considerable, for she had forethought enough to tie her garter around her leg above the wound to stop the circulation of the blood. We then took and anointed her leg and head, and laid our hands on her in the name of Jesus and felt to rebuke the influence of the poison, and she felt full of faith. We then told her that she must get into the wagon, so she called witnesses to prove that she did not get into the wagon until she was compelled to by the cursed snake. We started on and traveled about two miles, when we stopped to take some refreshments. Sister Bathgate continued to be quite sick, but was full of faith, and after stopping one and a half hours we hitched up our teams. As the word was given for the teams to start, old Sister Isabella Park ran in before the wagon to see how her companion was. The driver, not seeing her, hallooed at his team and they being quick to mind, Sister Park could not get out of the way, and the fore wheel struck her and threw her down and passed over both her hips. Brother Leonard grabbed hold of her to pull her out of the way, before the hind wheel could catch her. He only got her out part way and the hind wheels passed over her ankles. We all thought that she would be all mashed to pieces, but to the joy of us all, there was not a bone broken, although the wagon had something like two tons burden on it, a load for 4 yoke of oxen. We went right to work and applied the same medicine to her that we did to the sister who was bitten by the rattlesnake, and although quite sore for a few days, Sister Park got better, so that she was on the tramp before we got into this Valley, and Sister Bathgate was right by her side, to cheer her up. Both were as smart as could be long before they got here, and this is what I call good luck, for I know that nothing but the power of God saved the two sisters and they traveled together, they rode together, and suffered together. Sister Bathgate has got married since she arrived in the Valley. 
While we were leading our handcart companies through the States and on the plains, we were called tyrants and slave drivers, and everything else that could be thought of, both by Gentiles and apostates.
<center>	Your humble servant in the Gospel of Christ, 		Daniel D. McArthur</center>

Transcript for McArthur, Daniel D. Reminiscences, in Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 26 Sep. 1856, 3-6

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

Mary Ann Maughan autobiography, 1894-1898, Autobiography

Mary Ann Maughan autobiography, 1894-1898, Autobiography, Vol. 1,2.

Transcript for Mary Ann Maughan autobiography, 1894-1898, Autobiography volume 1, 1894 and Autobiography volume 2, 1894

Mary Ann Maughan autobiography, 1894-1898, Autobiography.

Millennial Star

Foreign Correspondence

Daniel Spencer letter to Franklin D. Richards, "Foreign Correspondence", Millennial Star, 18, August 2, 1856, Page 489.

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



President F. D. Richards.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

Millennial Star.

Smith, Andrew, Diaries, 1853-1856, fd. 2

Smith, Andrew, Diaries, 1853-1856, fd. 2.

I think this is the Journal of Brother Andrew Smith, formerly travelling Elder in Liverpool Conference, who came to Iowa City in my Company in 1856, and died on the plains in the Hand Cart Company led by Br. D[Daniel] D[uncan] McArthur[.] Bro. S[picer]. W[ells]. Crandall will know probably.
James Ferguson G. S. L. City 	Sept. 4. 1858
<center>Journalfor 1856</center>
. . . Monday June 8th The 1st division of the Handcart Company. Started under the Presidency of Elders E Ellsworth, Oakely &amp; Butler.

Transcript for Smith, Andrew, Diaries, 1853-1856, fd. 2

Warren Foote Emigrating Company Journal

Warren Foote Emigrating Company Journal, June 1850, Page 26.

Transcript for Warren Foote Emigrating Company Journal, 1850 June-September

Warren Foote Emigrating Company Journal.

Warren Foote, Autobiography and journal

Warren Foote, Autobiography and journal, May 1837.

Transcript for Warren Foote, Autobiography and journal, 1837 May-1879 December, 110-126

Warren Foote, Autobiography and journal.

William Woodward letter to Heber C. Kimball

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 



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



 



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



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



 



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

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

William Woodward letter to Heber C. Kimball.

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

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

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



Albert Jones, Dear Bro.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



We arrived in SL City Nov 9th.



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



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



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



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



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



Albert Jones, I think I saw you once in Franklin

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

Spicer Wells Crandall

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