William and his mother, Jane, arrived in New York on 6 July 1866 via the ship Arkwright. The British Mission Record (found in Mormon Migration) indicates they came from Scotland. Though William was only two, overland company records list him as head of household. His mother purchased 1 1/2 adult food rations for the overland journey. PEF records are under the name of the mother. The balance is also consistent with one adult and one small child traveling. Further research is needed to identify exactly who these individuals were. It is likely that Jane remarried and they both took on the name of the new husband. PEF records indicate they settled in Clarkston, in Cache County.