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Routes of Steamers and Railroads to Florence, Nebraska, 1859. Christian Ybañez, ThinkSpatial, BYU Geography.

The land that boasts of liberty

You ne’er again may wish to see

While poor men toil to earn their bread

And rich men are much better fed.

And people boast of their great light

You see they are as dark as night

And from them you must make a start

To cross the plains with our hand carts.

—John D. T. McAllister, “The Hand Cart Song,” verse two

Historical Introduction

After a month of sailing across the North Atlantic, the William Tapscott docked at Castle Garden in the New York Harbor on May 13, 1859. “The voyage throughout was by far the most pleasant and agreeable one that I have ever realized during the whole of the many times I have crossed these waters, owing to the very pleasant weather and the exceeding good order, general good feeling, and harmony which prevailed throughout the entire voyage,” company president Robert F. Neslen rejoiced from American soil.[1] He further noted in his diary of their arrival: “On landing I was pleased to meet Elders George Q. Cannon and T. B. H. Stenhouse. The former had been sent on a mission in the interest of the emigration of the Saints from the United States and to assist in transporting the European Saints through the country on to the frontiers.”[2]

The previous September, President Brigham Young had called George Q. Cannon on a mission to the East Coast to favorably influence the national press towards the Latter-day Saints and to oversee Latter-day Saint overland emigration to Utah. Biographer Davis Bitton explains,

Cannon’s task was to have the vessels carrying Latter-day Saint immigrants met as they reached port in the United States. Correspondence from England notified him of the chartered vessels and their projected dates of arrival. He or one of his agents would assist the immigrants, still wobbly on their sea legs, onto trains that would carry them as far west as possible. . . . When they reached the end of the railroad line, other Church emigration agents met them and assisted in their preparations for the overland journey of some one thousand miles. Food had to be provided. Some kind of shelter was necessary.[3]

Between 1858 and 1860, Cannon, together with Horace S. Eldredge, Thomas B. H. Stenhouse, and other Church immigration agents, helped thousands of emigrants purchase their wagons and handcarts as well, beginning in 1859 in Florence, Nebraska Territory.[4]

A journalist for the New York Herald described meeting the Latter-day Saints after they disembarked from the William Tapscott at Castle Garden and shared his favorable impression of them: “Owing to their different tongues they had to hold separate meetings, so that the forenoon was mostly devoted to instructions about their journey Westward, and other small items about the corruption of Gotham [New York City], against which the faithful were duly warned. The emigrants generally looked very clean and comfortable. The Scandinavians, particularly, had the wholesomest look of fatherland upon their faces and on their backs. Chubby, healthy countenances and homespun will please their Utah brethren.” The Herald reporter continued to describe the journey ahead for these emigrants:

They seemed all very sociable, listened attentively to their instructors and carried out orders with something like military promptitude. It is intended that they will leave this evening for Albany and continue their route via [the Niagara Falls] Suspension Bridge, over the Great Western and Michigan Central route, and arrive at St. Joseph, Missouri, sometime towards the latter part of next week. There a steamer will be ready to receive them and take them to Florence, Nebraska Territory, their outfitting place. A large number of the present company will travel by ox teams, but there will also be a goodly number initiated into the mysteries of hand cartism. The latter class appeared in good spirits and entertained the notion that if they had not the advantages of ox teams and wagons they would be spared the trouble of guarding and watching the horned quadrupeds, which would bring the rich and the poor to something like about the same share of trouble, labor and vexations on the way.[5]

Cannon was responsible for suggesting this new sail and rail route (from New York City to Florence, Nebraska Territory) to Brigham Young in preparation for the summer of 1859 emigration season, which was followed by subsequent Latter-day Saint emigrants until 1866.[6]

Having nearly completed the sail portion of their “sail, rail, and trail” journey, these pioneers were about to begin their rail segments as they continued to travel westward to Zion. “Mormons, because they almost always traveled in ‘emigrant cars’—that is, the cheap cars rather than the first-class and ‘palace cars’—experienced most of the discomforts typical of mid-nineteenth-century railroading,” historian Stanley B. Kimball described. “Among the standard problems were crowding (up to eighty-four in each car), uncomfortable cars, poor heating, bad ventilation, dim lighting, marginal sanitary facilities, few if any sleeping arrangements, inadequate eating conveniences, and a lack of drinking water; loud noise, strong smells, jolting, shaking, vibration and fatigue.” To make matters worse, there was “an abundance of dirt, lice, soot, sparks, smoke, and fire; gamblers, thieves, tramps, drunks, marauding soldiers, impolite railroad personnel, and ‘mashers’ who tried to ‘take advantage’ of women; loss of luggage; plenty of snow and ice; and such other inconveniences as sickness, bad breaks, animals on the tracks, derailments, accidents, wrecks, delays,” as well as births and deaths in moving train cars.[7] Nevertheless, the sail and rail portions of their pioneer journey were the least physically demanding, as the William Tapscott immigrants would soon discover when their trail trek began in Florence, Nebraska Territory.

Source Note

Henry Hobbs, diary, CHL; Hans Olsen Magleby, diary, CHL; and Mathias Brock Nilsson, diary, CHL.

Document Transcripts

Friday, May 13, 1859

[Hobbs] Arrived in Castle Garden with our luggage.[8] Gave in our names and ages and whether married or single. There were lots of emigrants in the building and hundreds landing daily.[9] The major portion of them is Irish.[10] In the afternoon went for a walk up Broadway.[11] Saw a great many fine buildings and the people dressed very gay. Spirits[12] are cheap. Meat, butter, and cheese are also cheap. Slept as well as we could on the boards in Castle Garden. This building is round like a circus and is supposed to hold ten thousand. Boiling water and a bathing house is comfortable.

[Magleby] Up early. Made fires for the coffee. Later in the forenoon went on land by means of a little steamer and found rooms in the Hotel Castle Garden, where in fact all of us had lodgings. I stood guard during the night.

Saturday, May 14, 1859

[Hobbs] The New York Herald[13] contains our names, ages, trades, testimonial to Captain [James] Bell,[14] marriages on the ship, etc. Today our time is mostly occupied looking after our luggage. We embarked about six o’clock p.m. in the fine steam packet Sir Isaac Newton.[15] We had lots of spectators before we left. At seven o’clock [p.m.] we left for Albany,[16] a distance of 150 miles. Saw lots of fine buildings on the way.[17] Quite a number of the Saints were up all night.

[Magleby] Attended council meeting in the morning. During the day went into the city. In the afternoon I went back to the ship. In the afternoon I entered a steamer and sailed the whole night up a river to the city Albany, where I went on land in the morning.

Sunday, May 15, 1859

[Hobbs] Arrived Sunday the fifteenth at six a.m. Followed President [Robert] Neslen all through the town with some of our luggage. This was a sight I shall not soon forget, neither do I think that many of the people will who saw us. At twelve a.m. we left for Hamilton,[18] a distance of [blank].[19] I was appointed captain over forty-eight souls with instructions to let none in through our [railway] carriages but the guards. Fourteen carriages held our passengers and about four our luggage. As we passed through the different stations, we had thousands of spectators who said they could not tell our object for gathering. Those people had been apprised of our coming by telegraphic dispatches. Slept as well as we could on the boards.

[Magleby] We had to get wagons.[20] There was a number of the brethren and sisters that had breakfast. About noon we left there on the railroad.

Monday, May 16, 1859

[Hobbs] At a little before five a.m. we stayed for one hour at [blank]. Saw a lovely fall of water called Genesee.[21] At eleven a.m. we saw the falls of Niagara[22] one and a half [miles] from us. After crossing Suspension Bridge,[23] we were in upper Canada.[24] Some of the houses and gardens on this route are beautiful. Today it is raining and came through the top of our carriages, which makes it rather uncomfortable.

[Magleby] We reached the station where we changed cars and traveled therefrom the whole night.

Tuesday, May 17, 1859

[Hobbs] By five a.m. arrived at Windsor,[25] and in two hours we crossed over the [Detroit] river[26] to Detroit.[27] Here we had a large number of spectators. At twelve a.m. we left for Chicago,[28] a distance of [about 280 miles].

[Magleby] In the morning came to the city Windsor and went on a steamer and sailed up the [Detroit] river to the city of the same name [Detroit], and went on board the railway again.

Wednesday, May 18, 1859

[Hobbs] Attended to prayers as usual and arrived at Chicago in the state of Illinois at eight a.m. This is a fine city and contains about 130,000 inhabitants and is nearly surrounded with water. About one o’clock [p.m.] we left in a first-class [railway] carriage[29] for Quincy,[30] [a distance of] 269 miles.

[Magleby] Reached Chicago, where we again changed cars, left there during the afternoon, and traveled the whole night.

Thursday, May 19, 1859

[Hobbs] Arrived at Quincy at about seven o’clock [a.m.][31] Then went straight to the [steam] packet and rode about twenty miles up the Mississippi[32] to Hannibal.[33] Weather exceedingly warm. Some few had the diarrhea through drinking so much water. I am informed that Carthage[34] and Nauvoo[35] is only sixty miles from Quincy. We spent the day under cover. Cooked our food out of doors for the first time. In the evening went with a few of the boys for a swim in the Mississippi. There was a very rough crowd down at the station. Some were returned from Pike’s Peak [mines].[36] They were disappointed in getting gold. I hear that thousands more are returning. We slept in [railway] carriages. I was on guard till one o’clock [a.m.].

[Magleby] Thursday morning, we came to Quincy, where, after a little delay, we entered a steamer and sailed to the city Hannibal, about twenty-six English miles. There we went in the [railway] cars again but had to remain there quietly all night, since the track was so poor that we did not dare to travel in the dark.

Friday, May 20, 1859

[Hobbs] Left at eight a.m. for St. Joseph,[37] a distance of 207 miles.[38] Saw several slaves[39] on our way. We had some excellent singing in my [railway] carriage.

[Magleby] Left at eight o’clock [a.m.]. Traveled all day and the following night.

Saturday, May 21, 1859

[Hobbs] Arrived at St. Joseph by the dawning of day. Had twelve hours to rest. Saw lots of covered wagons with oxen going in different directions. Milk, meat, and bread is cheap at this place. At noon we gathered together and received instructions from Brothers [George] Cannon[40] and [Robert] Neslen in regard to our all going on board together. We were informed that a portion of us could go at once and the others stay three days, or if we liked to put up with the inconveniences, we could all go together. The matter was left with us, and we lifted our hands to heaven, stating at the same time that we would all go together. So after making a tour through the town, we went on board the fine [steam] packet St. Mary,[41] and at twelve p.m. we proceeded on our journey to Florence,[42] a distance of 250 miles. A strong guard was appointed to keep watch. I went on guard the first part of the night. Brother [Mark] Lindsey was captain of the guard the first part of the night. We had some rough customers to deal with, but all passed off well. St. Joseph is a flourishing town. Slaves are sold here.

[Magleby] We reached St. Joseph, where during the afternoon we went on board the steamer St. Mary; sailed the whole night.

Sunday, May 22, 1859

[Hobbs] Weather very warm. Many of the Saints were poorly, some with diarrhea, some from close confinement, etc. The captain had some berths fixed up for the women, which proved a blessing to some.

[Magleby] Was sailing on the Missouri River.[43]

Monday, May 23, 1859

[Hobbs] Weather not quite so warm. About two p.m. our [steam] packet stayed still on account of a headwind. Last night quite a number of the sisters went on the upper deck to sleep. Today several hats have blown overboard. In the night while I was on guard, I heard a row[44] and made for it; when I got there, I found the sailors arguing with some of the Danish [immigrants]. One threatened to use his knife. I immediately went for President [Robert] Neslen, and he came and spoke as one having authority. He said they could not come their Missouri tricks with us, and if they wanted a row, we were on hand. At one p.m. Frank Pittman took my place as captain of the guard.

[Magleby] The same. Fine weather, but in the afternoon, we had a storm so strong that the steamer had to anchor until the evening.

Tuesday, May 24, 1859

[Hobbs] Weather fine. Stopped a short time at Nebraska [City],[45] a flourishing town about [forty-one] miles from [Omaha]. Saw Iowa hills at the distance and much fine scenery. Yesterday a large stick of timber fell and struck Brother [George] Keaton on the head and bent him double. But I am thankful to say he is recovering today. The folks were short of bread, so we had to share the spoils.

[Magleby] Excellent weather. Continued our journey up the river.

Wednesday, May 25, 1859

[Hobbs] Got up early and was very cold from sleeping on the deck. At six a.m. we landed in Florence. Built a fire and got a good breakfast out of doors and felt to thank God for the peaceful asylum we had been brought to and for being surrounded with our friends. Soon after our arrival it came on to rain, so we pitched a tent to shelter the women while we loaded the Church wagons with our luggage. In the afternoon, made acquaintance with Christopher Sproat[46] and went with him, my wife [Jane Hobbs], and William Adams to Omaha,[47] six miles. Spent an hour with his wife and slept at their house. In the night there was a terrific storm of hail. I thought it would break through the roof of the house.

[Magleby] Early in the morning we reached Florence, where we went on land and received lodging in various houses in various parts of the city. During the night we had a storm with hail.

Thursday, May 26, 1859

[Hobbs] Quite stormy. Spent the forenoon in the town, saw five Indians, had some conversation with them, bought a waterproof blanket for four dollars [that was] worth five. Omaha is built near to the Missouri [River]. There are a few fine stores and tolerable plenty of work for those and others that reside there. In the afternoon left for Florence, six miles, arrived home but had some difficulty in procuring lodging. Went to bed cold and hungry.

[Magleby] Rainy weather. Together with some of the brethren went to the city Omaha, where we met a number of the brethren and sisters from Scandinavia. Bought some provisions and then went back to Florence. Slept well.

Friday, May 27, 1859

[Hobbs] Spent the day removing our luggage. The man threatened us considerable for going into his house and breaking open the door, etc. Today there was a meeting at the camp to call all the names over of those going by handcart, also to inform the Saints that they would have to pay some more money when they got to Zion [Utah], as what they had already paid was not sufficient to find them in provisions; the carts were to be sold and the oxen and wagons when we got to Zion, and if that did not meet the debt, we should pay the residual. We agreed with uplifted hands to do it, and Brother [George] Cannon said he would be glad if the Saints who had means would loan him some, or we would have to stay where we were.

[Magleby] Excellent weather. In the afternoon we had a meeting where instructions were given us. Brother Horace S. Eldredge[48] was present.

Saturday, May 28, 1859

[Hobbs] Weather fine and warm. Spent most of the day trying to get us a teamster. In the evening, Brother James Woods[49] has interceded for me and Sister [Maria] Hansen[50] and got us some flour, bacon, and sugar. Tonight I had some conversation with [Joseph] Young[51] and Horace [Eldridge].

[Magleby] I went on the wagon, after which I had a bath and helped Mary [Magleby] with the washing.

Sunday, May 29, 1859

[Hobbs] Left early in the morning and went three miles to the camp with a message from Brother [Horace] Eldridge, who superintends the emigration department. On our return had a swim. In the afternoon attended a big meeting at the storeroom, quite a number of strangers present. Brother [Robert] Neslen and [George] Rowley addressed the company on the first principles of the gospel.[52] Saw Brother [Henry Lovesy][53] and Sister [Eliza] Lovesy,[54] Harrold and wife Stevens and some others at meeting.

[Magleby] Arose well and happy. Went to meeting in the forenoon, where Brothers [Horace] Eldredge and [George] Cannon spoke to us. In the afternoon the Scandinavian Saints held a meeting, where some of them who live in Zion [Utah] were present. In the evening had prayer meeting in the house where we live. Slept well during the night.

Monday, May 30, 1859

[Hobbs] A very fine day. A meeting was held at camp at nine a.m. and another at four p.m. I was appointed captain[55] over the second company of handcarts, [Mark] Lindsey over the first, [Thomas] Maycock over the third, [William Scogings] over the fourth, and Brother George Rowley over the whole. Today two Indians came and laid down before our fire and asked for bread. I gave them some, but they threw it away. They were ugly men, well armed with lots of rings in their ears. In the afternoon went to tea with Brother Stevens and wife. They behaved well to us. They have a snug cottage and a nice garden. Plenty of wild plums grow close to them. They are raising a few squashes and melons. Today I earned ten cents for loading some bricks, gathered a fine lot of gooseberries,[56] wild ones, had a juvenile party at night where we lodge, Brother Frank Pitman and sisters present. Enjoyed ourselves well.

[Magleby] In Florence.

Tuesday, May 31, 1859

[Hobbs] Spent a portion of the day fixing up our handcarts.

[Magleby] In Florence.

Wednesday, June 1, 1859

[Hobbs] At home getting firing. Took some covers[57] for the brothers and sisters to make for the handcarts.

[Magleby] Still in Florence.

[Nilsson][58] We were now getting our wagons ready that were to accompany the handcart company. Our allotment was six wagons and twelve yokes of oxen. The four wagons were intended to carry our provisions for the handcart company and two wagons was for the captain [George Rowley] and his family.

Thursday, June 2, 1859

[Hobbs] Spent a portion of the day putting the screws in the carts to make the bows[59] fast. In the afternoon, Brother [George] Cannon organized another company, called the fourth company, and appointed Brother [William] Scoggins president over them; Brother Cannon said some men would do nothing but look after their dear wives, neither would they do anything unless it was to benefit themselves. He said he did not like such people, etc.

[Magleby] In the afternoon the handcart company had a prayer meeting, where we were organized. I was called to be first captain for the Scandinavians, J. Jensen[60] as the second, and Mathias Nilsson as the third. Instructions were given us.

[Nilsson] A meeting was held in camp, and we were now organized into companies of ten, namely four companies of English Saints and three companies of Scandinavian Saints. Elder Hans O. Magleby was captain of the first, John Jensen of the second, and I of the third company of emigrants. The captain of the whole company was George Rowley, an Englishman.

Friday, June 3, 1859

[Hobbs] Went out to camp three miles. Was treated kind by the two Sister Scots; they took some luggage through for me. Martin Harris’s[61] wife [Caroline Harris][62] gave me some milk. She has four children: one, a young woman about fifteen [Julia Harris],[63] a boy about twenty-five [Martin Harris Jr.],[64] and a little boy [Solomon Harris][65] and girl [Ida Harris].[66] They have a wagon and several oxen and are taken by the Church.

[Magleby] During the forenoon worked on the handcart, and during the afternoon had a meeting.

[Nilsson] We were busy fixing up our handcarts. We had sixty handcarts, each cart being supplied with three bows and a bed tick to cover the cart. It was intended that there should be four passengers to each cart. A man by the name of [Carl] Zitting and two women were assigned to my cart, but as Brother Zitting joined hands with a friend of his who had an independent company of their own, the two women and I were left to pull our cart alone. The women who traveled with me were Caroline Chappell [Woodward] (English) and Albertine [Josephine North] Berthelson (Swedish).

Saturday, June 4, 1859

[Hobbs] Gathered some greens for dinner. Saw lots of Indians. One or two came and got some of the cakes we were frying; today got a good wash from head to foot. Wrote to some length in my journal. Went several times after my provisions; got them a little after eleven p.m.

[Magleby] In the morning went to Omaha to buy some things, and during the afternoon received our cart and covered it.

[Nilsson] I was busy writing letters to Sweden, etc., and in the afternoon I accompanied some of the emigrants to Omaha to make purchases.

Sunday, June 5, 1859

[Hobbs] A meeting was held in the forenoon at camp. I met with Brother [George] Rowley and the handcart boys at the Philadelphia House. We agreed to have a meeting at my house in the evening. I was to put a flag up for a signal. In the afternoon there was a meeting at the camp, some hundreds of people present. Brother Edward Stevenson[67] was addressing the congregation when I went on the first principle. He said, concerning our persecutors, that when they could put out the sun, then there was some hopes of destroying Mormonism. Brother George Q. Cannon next addressed us and said no matter what circumstances we had to pass through, if we would be humble and faithful, we should always have a testimony and the influences of the Holy Spirit to comfort and buoy us up. But if we murmured and found fault, we would drive the good Spirit away and apostatize from the Church of Jesus Christ.

He said we were about to launch forth into a new world and that it was a new era in our history and would require lots of faith and perseverance. In speaking of men’s power and influence, he said many wicked men abused Brigham [Young][68] because of the control he had over the Saints, but that such persons would not think it dangerous if they had the same power and influence. In the evening he gave some instructions to the handcart company. He said he always felt well when he met with us and that he was making every preparation for our comfort and desired us to pray for him that he may be successful in getting things for our comfort and to pray for the oxen and wagons that they may last through. He said we would see the time that we would rejoice that ever we went with a handcart.

[Magleby] Fasted. Attended council meeting in the forenoon and meeting in the afternoon.

[Nilsson] We held a meeting in the camp in the forenoon. All the captains of tens were called together by Captain [George] Rowley to receive instructions as to how much luggage we were allowed to take with us in the handcarts. We had another meeting in the afternoon at which Brother [Thomas] Stenhouse and Robert F. Neslen addressed us and spoke particularly about being united as we traveled across the plains. At six o’clock p.m. we had still another meeting which was addressed by Elder George Q. Cannon and Captain Rowley who gave us timely advice in regard to the long overland journey before us.

Monday, June 6, 1859

[Hobbs] In the morning, by eight a.m., we were on the campground, got our carts ready, and went for our twenty pounds of luggage. Returned to camp soon after ten a.m. This gave us a bit of a taste of our journey. Spent some time in putting my handcart in rotation and getting the following names:

Henry Hobbs, Jane Hobbs, [Charles] William Mann,[69] Lavinia Mann,[70] first cart. John Smith,[71] Frances Smith,[72] Alexander Smith,[73] Martha McKay,[74] second cart. Mary McKay,[75] Ellen McKay,[76] Jane McKay,[77] Mary Kirkpatrick,[78] third cart. Esther McKay,[79] Fullerton Stewart,[80] John [Thornley][81] and Margaret Thornley,[82] fourth cart. William Wilde,[83] Eliza Wilde,[84] Mary Wilde,[85] sixth cart. Thomas Wilde,[86] Sarah Elizabeth Wilde,[87] Abraham Duffin,[88] Elizabeth Watson,[89] seventh cart. Ebenezer Beesley,[90] Sarah Beesley,[91] Clara Bartlett,[92] Catherine Fahy,[93] eighth cart. George Reid,[94] Sister [Ann] Hibbard,[95] Mary [Wilde] Snelgrove,[96] Sarah Wilde, fifth cart. Henry Wilde,[97] Mary [Elizabeth] Wilde,[98] Jane Wilde,[99] John Wilde,[100] William Adams, ninth cart. Martha [McKay] Smith,[101] second cart. In the afternoon wrote some receipts for Brother [George] Cannon. Tonight most of the brothers and sisters slept in camp for the first time.

[Magleby] Wheeled our handcart home, loaded it, and then traveled some distance from the city. Camped that night.

[Nilsson] We received our handcarts and the things we were to take with us consisting of a few cooking utensils, water can, a little bedding, etc. I only had a single blanket and a rug to lay under me. We had a tent for each ten persons or each company of ten. The English had four companies and were waiting for four cows to take along with them and as all the oxen were not yet ready the teamsters were busy training the oxen so as to be able to place them in yokes.

Tuesday, June 7, 1859

[Hobbs] At home all the forenoon writing for Brother [George] Cannon; in the afternoon went to camp and wrote the names of the Saints in my company. Slept in a wagon at night.

[Magleby] Some rain in the morning but very good weather during the day. Remained in camp. Worked to make up the list of the members of the company and to arrange all things within the company.

[Nilsson] [blank]

Wednesday, June 8, 1859

[Hobbs] Took the names and ages of my company. Assembled together while Elder [George] Cannon called over our names. At night we struck our tents and went into the valley a short distance from where we were. Today several young men arrived from the [Salt Lake] valley. They were well armed and looking healthy and strong. They report much snow in the mountains. A Danish family sold their [illegible] and wanted them back again. One or two of the wagons wanted repairing. These two circumstances probably prevent us going further at this time. Tonight three pounds of flour was served out to each individual to last eight days. Tonight I appointed seven or eight men to go on watch.

[Magleby] Good weather. In the afternoon had a meeting because of some brethren who were dissatisfied with their handcarts. Towards evening broke camp and moved on some distance. All well.

[Nilsson] [blank]

Notes

[1] Robert F. Neslen to Asa Calkin, May 13, 1859, reprinted as “Correspondence,” Millennial Star 21, no. 25 (June 18, 1859): 400.

[2] Robert F. Neslen, diary, May 14, 1859.

[3] Bitton, George Q. Cannon, 100.

[4] Woods, “Knights at Castle Garden,” 110–11.

[5] “Great Arrival of Mormons,” New York Herald, May 14, 1859, 2.

[6] Woods, “Knights at Castle Garden,” 110–11; and Woods, “Two Sides of a River,” 120–22.

[7] Kimball, “Sail and Rail Pioneers before 1869,” 30–31.

[8] Between 1858 and 1868, according to Don H. Smith, “Castle Garden, with its incomparable facilities, became the chosen point of entry for all of the Saints” emigrating from Europe. “Castle Garden,” 51. See also Woods, “Knights at Castle Garden.”

[9] “Most Mormon emigrants were more fortunate than their counterparts because the Mormons avoided much of the stress suffered by their countrymen who passed through the [Castle] Garden. The majority of Latter-day Saints were escorted by leaders who were Americans by birth or who had previously emigrated to the United States,” writes Don H. Smith. “The latest happenings, with regard to emigration matters, were printed in the Millennial Star and other publications that were available to them. They were also schooled ahead of time on the latest news that had arrived from America and were given detailed letters of instruction.” “Castle Garden,” 48.

[10] During the decade between 1845 and 1855, Ireland lost about a third of its population to famine, death, and transatlantic migration. Historian Kevin Kenny documents: “As many as seven million Irish men, women and children have crossed the Atlantic for North America since the foundation of the first English colonies there in the early seventeenth century. Almost five million of them went to the United States between 1820 and 1920 alone.” American Irish, xi.

[11] Broadway, which runs the length of Manhattan Island, is the oldest north-south street in New York City and was named for its breadth by British colonists. One nineteenth-century tourist described Broadway as follows: “This noble street may vie with any I ever saw, for its length and breadth, its handsome shops, neat awnings, excellent trottoir, and well-dressed pedestrians. It has not the crowded glitter of Bond-street equipages, nor the gorgeous, fronted palaces of Regent-street; but it is magnificent in its extent, and ornamented by several handsome buildings, some of them surrounded by grass and trees.” Trollope, Domestic Manners of the Americans, 269.

[12] Distilled alcoholic drinks with a high volume of alcohol.

[13] See “Great Arrival of Mormons,” quoted above. By the middle of the nineteenth century, the New York Herald was America’s most widely read daily newspaper. Crouthamel, Bennett’s “New York Herald.”

[14] Robert F. Neslen and his fellow company leaders were so impressed by Captain James B. Bell of the William Tapscott that they drafted and presented him with a formal testimonial to his goodness and their gratitude, part of which follows:

We would humbly assure you that the pleasant and interesting time which we have spent aboard the William Tapscott will be long-remembered by us all, and mostly on account of the many kindnesses and favours which we have received from her worthy captain. . . . And, wherever our respective lots may be cast in the future, our minds will often revert to the present voyage and its happy associations; and our heartfelt prayers shall ascend to heaven for the richest blessings of our Father to be bestowed upon you, that your life may be long, prosperous, and happy.

“Correspondence,” 401. See also “Great Arrival of Mormons,” 2.

[15] One of the largest and most popular steam packets that ferried passengers up and down the Hudson River during the mid-nineteenth century. “Named for her builder, the Isaac Newton was built of wood and had one deck, a round tuck, and a billethead,” says Conway B. Sonne. “She had cylinders 8.5 feet in diameter with a 12-foot stroke that drove paddle wheels that were 39 feet high, having a surface dip that gave the craft a speed of about 20 miles per hour. She was owned by the New Jersey Steamboat Company.” Ships, Saints, and Mariners, 108–9. The steamer later caught fire and exploded at Fort Washington, New York, in December 1863.

[16] Albany is the capital city of New York, located on the western bank of the Hudson River about 145 miles north of New York City.

[17] The Hudson River begins in the Adirondack Mountains in eastern New York and flows south into the Upper New York Bay, with New York City at its mouth. The Latter-day Saints steamed north up the Hudson Valley, passing by massive estates of wealthy Americans. Eberlein and Hubbard, Historic Houses of the Hudson Valley.

[18] A town in New York about one hundred miles west of Albany.

[19] These immigrants rode the 1,780-mile-long railway from Albany, New York to Chicago, Illinois aboard the trains of the New York Central (NYC) Railroad, which was formed through a series of mergers in 1853. This was known as the Great Central Route, which linked the East Coast with the Midwest. Solomon and Schafer, New York Central Railroad.

[20] They needed these wagons to transport the Latter-day Saints’ baggage from the ship docks to the railroad station.

[21] The Genesee Falls (New York) are located on the Genesee River, which begins in northern Pennsylvania and flows into Lake Ontario near Rochester, New York.

[22] A group of celebrated waterfalls on the Niagara River, which flows from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. This river, including its falls, marks the border between the United States (New York State) and Canada (the province of Ontario). Goat Island divides the falls into the greater Horseshoe Falls and the lesser American Falls.

[23] The Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge spanned the Niagara River between 1855 and 1897 and was located about two and a half miles downstream from the famous Niagara Falls. This railway suspension bridge connected Niagara Falls, Ontario, to Niagara Falls, New York. “Thanks to its pioneering boldness” and its iconic location, this suspension bridge “became one of the most recognizable structures in America and an instant symbol of modern America.” Irwin, New Niagara, 44.

[24] A Canadian province (1791–1841) until it was reunited with Lower Canada to form what is now southern Ontario, Canada.

[25] A city in southeastern Ontario, Canada, located on the Detroit River across from Detroit, Michigan.

[26] A thirty-one-mile-long river in Ontario, Canada, and southeastern Michigan, which connects Lake Erie and Lake Saint Clair.

[27] A city in southeastern Michigan, located on the Detroit River.

[28] A port city on Lake Michigan located in northeastern Illinois.

[29] These Latter-day Saint immigrants traveled aboard the 288-mile-long Chicago, Burlington and Quincy (CB&Q) Railroad, which linked Chicago on Lake Michigan and Quincy on the Mississippi River—about fifteen hours of train travel. Between 1856 and 1858, most Latter-day Saint emigrants traveled aboard the Chicago and Rock Island (C&RI) Railroad to Iowa City, Iowa, where they were outfitted for their overland trek to Utah. But in 1859, when the Hannibal and Saint Joseph (H&StJ) Railroad finally reached Saint Joseph, Missouri, emigrants could arrive in Quincy by the CB&Q, sail by riverboat about sixteen miles downstream to Hannibal, Missouri, and then board the 207-mile-long H&StJ to cross the breadth of Missouri for Saint Joseph. This was then the westernmost railroad station in America, which put emigrants about 240 miles closer to Salt Lake City than their previous terminus in Iowa City. Kimball, “Sail and Rail Pioneers before 1869,” 21–23, 26.

[30] A city on the Mississippi River in western Illinois, forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. During the winter of 1839, the citizens of Quincy provided refuge for thousands of Latter-day Saints escaping the persecution in Missouri. Ralph M. McAffee, “Quincy, Illinois,” in Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History, 974–75.

[31] As they traveled westward, Latter-day Saint emigrants felt more welcome in Illinois than they did in neighboring Missouri. Historian Fred Woods explains that “the Quincy newspapers generally reflected a more broad-minded community [than Hannibal, Missouri]. Consequently, the passing Saints probably felt a bit more secure as they stopped on the Illinois western border before crossing the Mississippi River. Once the Mormons entered Missouri (usually at Hannibal), a heightened sense of tension and potential conflict arose, resulting in part from past and current Mormon events. The dark memories of the injustices incurred by the ‘extermination order’ were not yet dim in the minds of both Latter-day Saints and the inhabitants of northern Missouri, commencing in the Hannibal region.” “Two Sides of a River,” 128.

[32] The Mississippi River flows 2,340 miles from north-central Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana.

[33] A city on the west bank of the Mississippi River in northeastern Missouri. Latter-day Saints did not feel the same welcome here that they had felt earlier in Quincy, as evidenced by the tone and content of the local Missouri press. According to Fred Woods, “In light of the prior Mormon-Missouri conflict, it is understandable that the Hannibal publications most often reported antagonistic and hostile accounts of the migrants. Apparently, Hannibal had earned an early reputation of being inhospitable to passing Latter-day Saint migrations that occurred during the Nauvoo period.” “Two Sides of a River,” 124–25.

[34] A city in western Missouri located 38 miles north-northeast of Quincy; it is notorious as the location of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in 1844.

[35] A city on the Mississippi River in western Illinois; formerly known as Commerce, Illinois. It was resettled by the Latter-day Saints under the direction of Joseph Smith in 1839. Its population swelled to about twenty thousand before “The City of Joseph” was abandoned in 1846, when Church members began their exodus to Utah after the murder of their prophet and patriarch. Donald Q. Cannon, “Nauvoo, Illinois,” Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History, 820–23.

[36] Regarding the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush of 1859, see historical introduction to chapter 4 herein.

[37] A city located on the east bank of the Missouri River in northwestern Missouri, fifty-five miles north-northwest of Kansas City.

[38] As previously noted, the company members were now crossing Missouri on the Hannibal and Saint Joseph (H&StJ) Railroad.

[39] According to the 1860 U.S. Census, Missouri had 114,900 slaves, who made up 9.7 percent of the state’s total population. Other southern states, including Mississippi and South Carolina, had enslaved more than half of their populations. Map Showing the Distribution of the Slave Population.

[40] George Quayle Cannon (1827–1901), FamilySearch–KWC8-VG3, was sent on a mission by the First Presidency as an emigration agent to the East Coast between 1858 and 1860. He was called as an Apostle in August 1860. See Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:42–51.

[41] A 295-ton, side-wheel paddle steamboat that was built in 1855 at St. Louis, Missouri. These immigrants rode the St. Mary up the Missouri River to Florence, Nebraska Territory, about 160 miles north, where they were outfitted with handcarts and wagons for their trek west. Kimball, “Sail and Rail Pioneers before 1869,” 27. According to maritime historian Conway Sonne, “The St. Mary was skippered by Captain M. Morrison and owned by J. M. Cabbell of Keokuk, Iowa. This steamboat, which hailed out of Keokuk, was built of wood with a cabin on her one deck and a plain head. In September of that year [1859] the vessel was snagged above St. Joseph and lost.” Ships, Saints, and Mariners, 175.

[42] Florence, originally named Winter Quarters, was located on the western bank of the Missouri River in Omaha, Nebraska; about 1,031 miles to Salt Lake City. It was established on the former Latter-day Saint settlement by James Mitchell and named in honor of his relative Florence Kilbourne. Clayton, Latter-day Saints’ Emigrants’ Guide, 41–42; Perkey, Nebraska Place Names, 63.

[43] The Missouri River is the main tributary of the Mississippi River and is North America’s longest river. It runs 2,464 miles from southwestern Montana into the Mississippi River in eastern Missouri, some ten miles north of St. Louis. Robert J. Loewenberg, “Missouri River,” in New Encyclopedia of the American West, 723–25.

[44] A boisterous quarrel or disturbance.

[45] A city located on the western bank of the Missouri River, forty-one miles south of Omaha in southeastern Nebraska.

[46] Christopher Sproat (1827–1885), FamilySearch–21TW-NY7, went overland to Utah in the Robert S. Neslen Wagon Company in 1859. “Latter Day Saints’ Immigration,” Deseret News, August 24, 1859, 197.

[47] A city on the western bank of the Missouri River in eastern Nebraska, fifteen miles north of the Missouri’s convergence with the Platte River.

[48] Horace Sunderlin Eldredge (1816–1888), FamilySearch–KWJZ-WJ8, went overland to Utah in the Horton D. Haight/Frederick Kesler Wagon Freight Train in 1859. See Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:196–97.

[49] James A. Woods Jr. (1838–1897), FamilySearch–KWN2-W8Y, went overland to Utah in the Robert S. Neslen Wagon Company in 1859.

[50] Likely Maren Karin Petersen Hansen (1827–1891), FamilySearch–KWJF-3M5. See “Appendix 2: Eighth Handcart Company Roster,” in this volume; hereafter Appendix 2.

[51] Likely Joseph Watson Young (1828–1873), FamilySearch–KWV3-3JF, went overland to Utah in the Horton D. Haight/Frederick Kesler Wagon Freight Train in 1859.

[52] This is likely referring to the principles outlined in the fourth article of faith: “We believe that these ordinance[s] are: 1st, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: 2d, Repentance: 3d, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins: 4th, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Pearl of Great Price, 55. The Articles of Faith, authored by Joseph Smith, were first printed in the Times and Seasons on March 1, 1842, in Nauvoo, Illinois. They were then printed in Pearl of Great Price (1851), which was canonized in 1880. See Welch and Whittaker, “‘We Believe. . . . ,’” 50–55.

[53] Henry Lovesy (1807–1881), FamilySearch–KWJ7-5MV, went overland to Utah in the Horton D. Haight/Frederick Kesler Wagon Freight Train in 1859.

[54] Eliza Welch Lovesy (1810–1880), FamilySearch–LBS2-VX1, went overland to Utah in the Horton D. Haight/Frederick Kesler Wagon Freight Train in 1859.

[55] Latter-day Saint wagon and handcart companies were led by a captain who oversaw scriptural “captains of ten,” the number of which depended on the company’s size. The Eighth Handcart Company, which started with about 260 members, had seven captains of ten, with about thirty-seven emigrants in each subcompany.

[56] The term gooseberry can refer to several species of tart berries.

[57] To provide shade and protection from the elements, handcart pioneers often created fabric coverings for their handcart cargo boxes.

[58] Mathias Brock Nilsson (1829–1926), FamilySearch–KWVH-PBD. See Appendix 2.

[59] Pieces of wood bent into an arc. Pioneers used these bows to secure their fabric coverings to the handcarts.

[60] J. Jensen (unknown). See Appendix 2. I have been unable to verify Jensen’s first name other than his initial “J,” even though he is called John or Jens by others later.

[61] Martin Harris (1783–1875), FamilySearch–KWJY-S1F, was one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon and one of Joseph Smith’s early scribes in its translation process. He eventually traveled to Utah by railroad in 1870, where he was rebaptized into the Church. See Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:271–76.

[62] Caroline Young Harris (1816–1888), FamilySearch–KWJY-S1X, went overland to Utah in the Horton D. Haight/Frederick Kesler Freight Wagon Company in 1859.

[63] Julia Lacotha Harris (1842–1869), FamilySearch–K2X2-D31, went overland to Utah in the Horton D. Haight/Frederick Kesler Freight Wagon Company in 1859.

[64] Martin Harris Jr. (1838–1913), FamilySearch–KWDB-VP3, went overland to Utah in the Horton D. Haight/Frederick Kesler Freight Wagon Company in 1859.

[65] Solomon Webster Harris (1853–1919), FamilySearch–KWJG-K34, went overland to Utah in the Horton D. Haight/Frederick Kesler Freight Wagon Company in 1859.

[66] Ida May Harris (1856–1918), FamilySearch–KWVP-8C1, went overland to Utah in the Horton D. Haight/Frederick Kesler Freight Wagon Company in 1859.

[67] Edward Stevenson (1820–1897), FamilySearch–KWNJ-FXM, was the captain of the eponymous Edward Stevenson Wagon Company in 1859. See Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:214–16.

[68] Brigham Young (1801–1877), FamilySearch–KWJH-9QN, was ordained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1835 and as Church President in 1847. See Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:8–14.

[69] Charles William Mann (1839–1901), FamilySearch–KWCC-NLV. See Appendix 3.

[70] Lavinia Ann Smith Mann (1837–1901), FamilySearch–KWNT-2RB. See Appendix 3.

[71] John Young Smith (1833–1912), FamilySearch–KW6D-6MW. See Appendix 3.

[72] Frances McKay Smith (1832–1906), FamilySearch–KWJ4-VJ3. See Appendix 3.

[73] Alexander McKay Smith (1856–1918), FamilySearch–KWJD-9DC. See Appendix 3.

[74] Martha Blair McKay (1799–1869), FamilySearch–KWJ4-VJW. See Appendix 3.

[75] Mary McKay (1822–1909), FamilySearch–KWVZ-KRL. See Appendix 3.

[76] Ellen McKay (1828–1890), FamilySearch–KWJX-J76. See Appendix 3.

[77] Jane McKay (1837–1894), FamilySearch–KWNY-HST. See Appendix 3.

[78] Likely Mary Kirkpatrick (1836–?). See Appendix 2.

[79] Esther McKay (1842–1914), FamilySearch–KWJX-YX3. See Appendix 3.

[80] Fullerton Stewart (1808–?), FamilySearch–9SSK-GP7. See Appendix 3.

[81] John Thornley (1833–1886), FamilySearch–KWJF-4D3. See Appendix 3.

[82] Margaret Stringfellow Thornley (1833–1904), FamilySearch–KWJF-4D9. See Appendix 3.

[83] William Wilde Sr. (1807–1885), FamilySearch–KWJY-3JY. See Appendix 3.

[84] Eliza Jane Wilde (1839–1909), FamilySearch–KWJ8-G87. See Appendix 3.

[85] Mary Wilde (1844–1863), FamilySearch–LL97-5BZ. See Appendix 3.

[86] Thomas Wilde (1842–1925), FamilySearch–KWCK-Q7M. See Appendix 3.

[87] Sarah Elizabeth Wilde (1852–1889), FamilySearch–KWCX-HQK. See Appendix 3.

[88] Abraham Duffin (1811–1892), FamilySearch–KWVP-H1S. See Appendix 3.

[89] Elizabeth Watson (c. 1799–1859). See Appendix 3.

[90] Ebenezer Beesley (1840–1906), FamilySearch-KWXH-69V. See Appendix 3.

[91] Sarah Hancock Beesley (1840–1921), FamilySearch–KWJD-1RG. See Appendix 3.

[92] Clara Bartlett (1840–1927), FamilySearch–KWJX-18S. See Appendix 3.

[93] Catherine Fahy (1826–1897), FamilySearch–KWJ4-KYC. See Appendix 3.

[94] George Reid (c. 1840–?). See Appendix 3.

[95] Ann Hibbard (c. 1833–?). See Appendix 3.

[96] Mary Wilde Snelgrove (1804–1863), FamilySearch–LZZC-J6W. See Appendix 3.

[97] Henry Phillips Wilde (1832–1899), FamilySearch–KWNT-FQ3. See Appendix 3.

[98] Mary Elizabeth Wilde (1855–1899), FamilySearch–KWJ4-Q19. See Appendix 3.

[99] Jane Batchelor Wilde (1833–1891), FamilySearch–KWNT-FQ9. See Appendix 3.

[100] John Frederick Wilde (1853–1936), FamilySearch–KWZ9-MY5. See Appendix 3.

[101] Martha McKay Smith (1858–1929), FamilySearch–KWCL-39J. See Appendix 3.