Thomas Stephen Williams (1826 - 1860) Profile

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Thomas Stephen Williams

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Andrew J. Shupe journal, 1838-1861, 124-31, 160

Andrew J. Shupe journal, 1838-1861, 124-31, 160.

Capt [James P.] Brown Said that he had got orders to march to Callifornia [California] and was to Start on the 25th of May So we was paid up to the first of <s>April</s> May we then left the barrax at Pueblo on the 24 of may we then traveled 2 days and camped for one day then I with 5 others men got permishion to go in Search of Some horses that had bin stolen from our company we was gone 4 days and met with the command at a place cald [called] rocky point which was on the 30 may



Monday the 31 I got leaf [leave] to hunt and kild one antelope and bought in to camp and in the evening went out agane and Shot a b[e]ar and crippled it and as it past another man he Shot it in the neck and kild it.



June the 12 the day I agane take up my pen to record Some of our travels on the 1 of June we was on the he[a]d of cherry creek and we traveled down it for 2 days on thursday, two men was put under guard and at the time we was to Start Capt. B cald to me to go with him after we had Started. he Stated to me that he intended to Shoot Som man that day and he wounted me to Sea that it was well don[.] but we traveld that day and came to the South fork of the Plat[te] and no man was Shot we then travel down the river 2 days and crossed over and traveld on til the 11th and after we had camped 4 men came to our camp they was from the church[.] the names of those men was A. Liman [Lyman], Woossey [Woolsey,] Stephens [Stevens] and Tibbets[.] they brought word to us from the church and from our families[.] I got a letter frome my wife Stating the deth of my farther and mother and also of John W[hitstein] Shupe[.] this news was mortifying to me



Sunday 13th we came 5 ms and camped and A. Liman [Lyman] preached to us and gave us good incuragement to go on to Callifornia



14th 11 men was detached to go to laramy [Laramie] in perSuit [pursuit] of Som Stolen horses



on the evening of the 15th 2 of those men returned to the camp with news that they had found Some of the horses in the posseshion of Some frenchman and they refused to gav them up.



16th this morning Capt. B. with about 50 men Started to tak the horses I was one of that number we went to the boat and the men gave up the horses without any difficulty.



Sunday 20th this day we le[…] and had preaching we had good advice given us.



26th this morning A liman [Lyman,] myself[,] R. Stephens T[homas] woolsey and I bough banan Started to go to the crossing of the plat[.] here we lernt that Some of our brothering had built a boat to cross in[.] We came to the ferry and we found Some of the brotherin [brethren.] they ware ferring emmagrants and blackSmithing they as well as our Selvs was rejorses to meet with each other.



28th This day 13 of us was detached to go with T[homas] S[tevens] Williams in per Suit of Some emmagrants that had traded with the frenchmen that had the Stole horse and had taken 2 of them on and also to overtake the pioneers with an express we Started with 10 days rashions under the command of Sargent Williams by order of Capt. Brown the property that was Stolen consisted of one mule that belonged to T. S. Williams the other was ahors that belonged to a man by the name of Wm. Terrel we traveld on to green river before we over took the pioneers which was on Sunday the [blank space] of July[.] they had crossed the river and camped about 2 miles be low the ferry[.] When we came to the river the pioneers met us and ferried us a cross the river we was then escorted to their camp with President B[righam]. Young at the hed of the escort and when we came into camp we was received with 3 cheers and a hosanah to God and the Lamb this was a Joyful meeting to me[.] we then traveld with the pioneers to fort bridger at this place we found the man that traded the mule and he Said that it had gone to Callifornia[.] he was arrested by Williams and he then gave a hors in the place of the mule <s>which</s> Williams let the president hav the hors and the President gave the hors back to the man at this place Williams with a part of his escort returned to mee the command my self and 5 others remaind with the pioneers.



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"lived thare tell the 12th day of June then started for the Salt lake[.] we crosed the Missoury river on the 20th day of June 1852[.] arived in Salt Lake City about the last of September"

Transcript for Andrew J. Shupe journal, 1838-1861, 124-31, 160

"Goods for Salt Lake," The Mormon

"Goods for Salt Lake," The Mormon, September 8, 1855.

"Goods for Salt Lake," The Mormon.

Joel J. Terrell diary

Joel J. Terrell diary, July 1846.

. . . venison and on the 18th Capt. [James] Brown returned from Santafee [Santa Fe] with our money to this time weather changeable on the evening of the 24th I started to hard scrabble or white oake [Oak] creek nearing 30 mi &amp; with an attachment went to attach property[.] returned the 26th in the evening[.] all the detachments having started for Larimy [Fort Laramie] the day before I went up fountain kabacia 3 or 4 m, staid with Capt [Nelson] Higgins all night[.] overtook Co. next day som 36 ms from <s>kabacia</s> pueblow [Pueblo] 3 ms above crossing kabacia Co having got there the 26th[.] Staid heare till the morning of the 30th and pursuid our march 20 ms to Jimmys camp and encamped for the night. This evening we were visited with a cold rane with wind and some haile before we could pich our tenst [tents] which rendered it verry dissagreable



31st took up line of march some 18 ms to Stony point, encamped for the night this event in crosing the divide before we got here it hailed and rained verry hard which was verry bad on us and our anamils. this night I was officer of the gard and about 9 ocloc it so hard I got leave of our capt to relieve the garrd but being verry wet and cold I had verry little rest all night



June 1st took line of march some 15 ms to <s>Stony</s> &lt;Cherry crick [Creek]&gt; and encamped for the night This evening I picked a mess of greens made a churn staff and dasher and some of the boys killed a she bare of the black kind tolerable pork.



2nd we took up line some 15 ms down same creek and encamped for the night



3rd this morning we took up line some 16 or 17 ms and encamped on the s fork of the river Plat[te] for the night



4th we took up line of march 18 ms and after passing 2 forts luptons and some other encamped for the night peace off river



5th This day took march for crosing some ten ms crossed went down som six ms and encamped for a season[.] the bank of it at this place it is about 3 hundred yds wid[e] from 3 to 6 feet deepe



6th This day qu[i]te pleasant I washed 3 shirts and wamunes [women's] haversack and handkerchief[.] we are now in the fork of the plat[te] and Cash LaPoode [Cache La Poudre River] <s>at which we have</s>



7th this morning we took up line of march crosed cash Lapoode marched 15 ms and encamped for the night on drye creek or rathar [rather] for a season to water for our beef cattle



8th this S[ebert] d Shelton came with our beef cattle[.] I am now called to attend to the gard



9th this morning we marched up dry creek some 12 ms and are encamped for the nighit with orders to cook 2 days on the expectation of not having the privilege of wood



10th we took up line of march some 20 ms and encamped on a small creek the name of which I have not learned but from appearance I am pleased to call it little Sandy or cleare creek



11th this morning <s>shortly after</s> we took up march went to <s>20</s> &lt;18&gt; ms encamped in a bottom on a small branch of horse creek[.] this evening Amasa liman [Lyman,] woley[,] Tibbet and R Stevens came to our camp which gave som of us much satisfaction Others disstress of mind at any rate it gave us an other chance to part with one dollar more of our hard earnings it was joy and grief to me



12th we took up line of march 20 ms encamped for the night on an other branch of horse creek[.] this day shortly after we started we killed 2 bufalow [buffalo] in pretty good order



13th This morning marched 5 ms and encamped on horse creek till the morrow[.] this creek takes its name from the many heards of horses having ben seen and caught heare 3 ocloc this day the detachments being caled together[.] Elder Limon [Lyman] delivered a verry appropriate address in relation to our going to California and carry out the principles for which we inlisted in connection with which he also gave us some <s>varya</s> verry able council and instruction &amp;c which verry consoling he having done it with the spirrit of niceness



14th this morning a detachment of 11 being sent on to Laramy[.] I being one of that number to find some stolen horses[.] we traviled some 40 ms and lodged all night on a branch some 6 ms from Larimy



15th when we got in about 1-1/2 ms of there on a high hill we were meet by a war party of the Souix [Sioux] Indians who made a verry hostile apperarance being mou[n]ted on horseback well armed with bows arrows guns speers,etc. there was not fare [far] from 100 tha[t] seen us at a distance supposed us to have ben the Crow Indians with whom tha [they] were at war but finding the mistake tha all commenced shaking hands with us and you may depende tha went the whole hog as that tha gladly escorted us to Laramy[.] this evening we found some of the horses neare Larimy in the hands of some Frenchman who dwelt in lodgs[.] we sent our express back for more help and we lay under a tree this night



16th this day an additional attachment came to our assistance and we took what we could find and returned back a short distance to camp



17th we took up march crosed river by blocking wagons and went some 4 ms &amp; encamped for the night.



18th We marched 16 ms &amp; encamped for the night.



19th This day we traviled some 17 ms to willow branch &amp; encamped till munday.



20th This day Elder limon gave us all a good whipping at 2 ocloc and a great deal of good council in relation to the corse we should take



21st this day we marched 12 mi. crosed horse shue [Horseshoe] river little further &amp; encamped on a small streame for the night good water.



22 we took up march some 15 ms through or over the black hills crosing several pretty streems of water &amp; crosed a butiful streame of water to apearince an excelent mill privaledge[.] this streame is called by Indians Man I shall call it black creek from <s>its afte</s> its having its location through the black hills on which we encamped for the night.



23rd we took march over the black &amp; lead hills crosing some small streams principly dry crosed deer creek a pretty stream of water and encamped on its bank to waite for [Nelson] higgins detachment[.] this day we traviled 18 ms this day we kiled a grsley [grizley] &amp; one cub



24th Verry warme



25th We took up march traviled 18 ms[.] T[homas] Williams kills a first rate buffalo[.] we encamped on on mane plat at the mouth of big deer creek.



26th we marched 16 ms. &amp; encamped on the plat



27th this day we marched up to the ferry 4 ms[.] the pioneers established it[.] we encamped for a season to get blacksmthing done



28th This day 15 of us ware detaled to overtake the Pioneers &amp; we left long 10 o cloc a m[.] traviled some 18 ms and took a recess of an houre or 2 and some refreshment &amp; good springs heare[.] this day went some 31 ms to brackish water or purlash swamp



29th came 5 ms to willow springs this day went some 27 ms struck Sweete water [Sweetwater,] independent [Independence] rock[.] went 6 ms to Devils gate and stoped for the night



30th Took up march 30 ms up river to sweete and stoped for the night a greate deal of sand from ferry heare or to this place wood scarce but good water &amp; feede and rocky mountains on the right[.] this day indeede and a range of timber on the left on the left



July the first we took up march 32 ms to mountain springs and encamped for the night.



2nd we took up marched 40 ms and lade own ground this this day[.] we crosed the divide imediately on the west side of from Laramy [Laramie] said great divide 280ms[.] here we came to the green springs or pacific springs[.] the waters of which run into the greate pacific[.] this is a verry greate boiling spring surrounded by a qua[g]mire[.] water verry cold



&amp; same 32 ms[.] &lt;laid&gt; on the bank of a branch top big sandy[.] feed verry scarce



4th this day we went some 10 ms to ferry of green river the pioneers having moved some 2 ms below shortly after we got thare brigum [Brigham Young] and some of the 12 meet meet and ferryed us over and escorted down to there camp[.] we were received with three cheers of hosanna to god and the Lamb by Brigum and all the rest with amen &amp; amen



5th this day we marched 20 ms to a streem called blacks fork and encamped for the night. good feed heare[.] some brush for wood[.] this day traviled 18 ms and cared sd creek some 4 times[.] we crosed and encamped on it for the night.



7th we took up line of march 17-3/4 miles to bridger after crossing the before mentioned black fork some 4 or 5 times and encamped for the night[.] black fork divides into various branches heare some 4 or 5 feede plenty heare



8th this morning frost this day the pioneers lay by to get something don this forest is in latitude 41-19-13 the earth heare is 6665 feete above the level of the great pacific.



9th this 6 of us started back to meete company.



10th 2 oclock this day got to the ferry &amp; encamped



11th 10 o clock Am Elder Brannan &amp; myself left to meet company



12th meet them 10 ms of green springs 100 ms from Bridger



17th after breakfast I left my mess because I was not able to please the mistress and I believe no boddy else could who wishes to do rite[.] from which time I eat nothing till evening except a few mouthfuls of dryed buffaloe



18th Nothing worth noting



19th This day we arived at fort brgger [Bridger] &amp; encamped for the night.



20th took up march 15 ms to a small &lt;branch&gt; of black fork and encamped for night.



21st we took up march through a verry mountainous &lt;shruby&gt; country pased through a long narrow valley or 2 and into an other to a firstrate spring in side of the bluff to left hand neare which we encamped for the night on a small stream of baer [bear] river



22nd. this morning we marched 16½ ms to the cave springs and encamped for the night good feede wood scarce land good pararie smooth some 47 mi from heare to bridger



23d this morning we took up march down same valley some 17 or 18 ms the first part of which was smothe [smooth] pararie &lt;well set in grass&gt; the balance rough s[c]rubby brushey &amp; rough[.] on the south the side a chane of high ball mountains <s>on the north high</s> and on the north of this narrow valley a chane also of high rocky mountains[.] a part of this valley is covered with gooseberrys[,] courents [currents.] read [red] and yellow and white thorne <s>scrubby oake</s> and willows[.] along this little branch we pased several good springs and encamped for the night amongst the willows[.] the mountains heare on either side are verry high



24th this morning we pased down this valley some 7 ms to wever [Weber] Creek and turned down it to the rite one mile or upwards NW co[u]rse and encampecd for the night[.] this valley upwards of 80 rods wide &amp; geese flew over this evening[.] we have quite a refreshing shower this evening



25th we lay by this day to rest our teams and do some washing[.] 3 pm Elder Limornon delivered a sermon in which he gave rich enstructions and counsel without favor or affections



26th we took up march some 15 ms after going down the stream some 2 ms crosed over to left kenyon [canyon] north southeast up an other and encamped for night.



Just this side of crosing hundreds of acres of firstrate farme land well watered springs plenty &amp;tc currents, goosberies &amp;tc in greate plenty &amp;tc &amp;tc black read [red] yellow &amp;tc



27th we took up march kenyan [Canyon] creek several ms &amp; after crossing it 10 times we left it and turned to rite, up a kenyan[,] up a gradual assent through grove of fur pine[,] small shugar [sugar,] and various kinds of under groth [undergrowth] the grove continues neare the summit[.] this mountain farom [from] said summit I had the most sublime the most commanding and the most glorious view my eyes ever beheld[.] I was filled with admiration and delite at the grand appearence of the towering mountains of Israel[.] from this summit pased down a kenyon of thick timber come to small branch <s>in</s> &amp; a short distance from summit went down into open valley and encamped for the night[.] this day some 15 ms

Transcript for Joel J. Terrell diary, 1846 July-1847 July

Joel J. Terrell diary.

Norma Baldwin Ricketts, The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996)

Norma Baldwin Ricketts, The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996), Page 23.

Norma Baldwin Ricketts, The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996).

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

"Thomas S. Williams, Esq," Frontier Guardian

"Thomas S. Williams, Esq," Frontier Guardian, October 3, 1851.

Thomas S. Williams, Esq.
	We understand that this gentleman who left the Missouri river, on, or about the 24th of July, for Great Salt Lake City, accomplished the trip in seventeen traveling days.

Thomas Stephen Williams

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