. . . 15th. I spent the day making preparations for an early start to Liverpool. On themorrow homeward bound, Elders Tingy, Sharp, Butler arrived today from their separate districts. Also Elder Ostler and Kenneson lately arrived from Utah. I lodged with Elder Sharp at conference house. [p. 36]

16th. Elders William and George H. Butler, and myself, also a number of the Birmingham Saints took the 8:50 a.m. train to Liverpool on the London North Western line via Dudley Port, Stafford, and Crem. Several families of Saints joined us at Wolverhampton. We arrived in Lime Street Station, Liverpool about noon. I spent the remainder of the day directing the Saints looking at luggage etc. Took the 5 p.m. train at Lime Street Station to the Alexandria Docks. Spent the best part of the night in looking after luggage and locating the Saints on board of the steamship Nevada, lying in Alexandria Docks. Preparatory to leave for New York on the morrow, May 17. I was assigned to berth No. 31, there being two berths in the [p. 37] stateroom. The other berth was already occupied by a returning missionary, named Graini [George L. Graeni] from Switzerland, he having labored there during the past two years. His home is in Brigham City, Utah. Eight of us Utah elders took supper and occupied rooms on board ship. The ship moved out of the dock 10 p.m. and anchored in the Mersey.

17th. The doctor completed his examination 4 p.m., having spent about two hours in the operation. Two cases of contagious disease was detected and sent to the hospital in Liverpool. One, the small pox. The young woman having it was not even allowed to go below to get her clothes. She had, previous to this time, mixed freely with all classes, was not one of our people. [p. 38] President [Albert] Carrington came on board. Also the other Utah elders from 42 Islington and left us 4 p.m. in company with the doctor. That being the last trip the tender made from the docks to the Nevada. The tender is a little steamboat employed for the purpose of carrying passengers to and from ships anchored out in the river. At 7 p.m. the Nevada began to move out into the open sea bound for New York. The sea being calm and everything favorable for a pleasant voyage. We have completed our organization of our company. Elder Webb president, Abraham Cannon secretary, and Elder William Butler chaplain. The Saints numbered 389 souls with other steerage [p. 39] passengers and first & second cabin, making a total of 1000 souls, also a crew and other employees. Numbering the Utah elders returning home are as follows: William R. Webb, John Cooper, Abraham Cannon, W. G. Davies, George Butler, William Butler, Uriah Butt, R. [Rodney] Hillam, and Thomas R. James, John Alder, Carl Schramm, Uinch
Stauffer , George Grail [Graehi], Carl Schaeitter [Charles Schneitter], John McAllister.

18th. We passed Queenstown 1 p.m. Had no opportunity of sending letters. Took no mail on board from this point.

19th. Sea rough, the ship rolled considerable, nearly all seasick.

20th. Ship continued to roll and pitch. Elders all sick except John Cooper who was kept busy waiting upon others [p. 40] and about worn out. The ship made good time, the wind being in our favor.

21st, Sunday. Sea continued rough. Washing the deck occasionally. I felt somewhat better today and assisted in taking care of the sick. Also attending prayers with the Saints.

22nd. Seasickness abated very much today. Nearly all the Saints on deck except a very few who were too sick to leave their berths. I spent most of the day waiting on the sick. I having entirely recovered from seasickness. Elders [William] Webb, [Abram] Cannon, and [John] McAllister were able to be on deck today but not at the table, seasickness having affected them very much. They were among the worst on board to suffer from that complaint. [p. 41] The saints met in the steerage tonight and held a concert. We had a very agreeable time together until 10 p.m.

23rd. Sea calm, wind blowing gently in our favor . Saints all on deck with one or two exceptions. I assisted Elders [William] Webb and [Rodney] Hillim in administering the ordinance for the sick to a Scotch brother named [-], he being afflicted with inflammation of the lungs. I spent the day among the Saints, many of whom were from my old districts of travel both in Staffordshire and other counties around Birmingham, also from Herefordshire we had a very pleasant time chatting over scenes of the past and future prospects. [p. 42] We saw several icebergs today, we now being near the banks of Newfoundland, The saints met in the steerage after prayers at night and held a concert until 10 p.m. The ship now came to a standstill on account of very dense fog. We lay motionless during the night. The fog horn sounding at intervals of two minutes.

24th. The ship was put in motion at day break, 5 a.m. The fog continues. We moved along slowly without having any sails up. Some icebergs in view this morning. The fog cleared off during the day. We moved along smoothly. Had some singing on deck. Held meeting in the steerage at night, after which the cabin passengers were all invited to attend a concert [p. 43] held in the saloon, the cabin passengers only taking part in the proceedings. The program consisted of songs, recitations, music on piano & flute. Elders [Rodney] Hillim, [John] Cooper, also a brother named [George] Green, took part in the singing. At the close the plate was passed around and a collection taken in behalf of the widow & orphan fund, amounted to over [-] shillings. The ships purser took change.

25th. The Saints nearly all on deck during the day. Held meeting in the steerage at night, after which, the Saints met together and enjoyed themselves singing and reciting.

26th. Raining. A six-month old child belonging to a Swiss sister died this [p. 44] morning and was deposited in the sea. Also a child in steerage, not of our people. These are the first deaths that has occurred during our voyage. The rain ceased and the sun shone beautifully after about 10 a.m. We were met by a pilot from New York, during the afternoon, when about 300 miles from New York, who came on board and took charge of the ship. We held meetings in the steerage at night. A good spirit prevailed, after which we had a very pleasant time walking the deck, the moon shining beautiful.

27th. We came in sight of land during the forepart of the day. The sea being calm, we had a very pleasant time and seen some beautiful sights along the coast, also both sides of the harbor. [p. 45] We passed the doctor while in the river then moved in to Alexandria docks. Brother James H. Hart came on board about 8 p.m. and gave us instructions in regards to passing the custom officers on the morrow and proceeding on our journey westward. Myself, in company with, President [William] Webb, Elders [John] McAllister and Grahi [George Graehi] accompanied Brother [James] Hart to his boarding house in New York after which we took a stroll through the city. Many of the main streets were lighted up with electric light, also some large buildings. We returned to the ship and lodged in our state rooms as usual.

28th, Sunday. We passed the customs officers, then proceeded to Castle Garden by steamboat and from thence to the depot of [p. 46] New York Lake Erie & Eastern Railroad. Took train for the west and started 7:35 p.m. by way of Buffalo & Detroit.

29th, Monday. Arrived at Buffalo toward sundown, changed cars to Detroit.

30th, Tuesday. Arrived at Detroit during the forepart of the day. Crossed the ferry to the Michigan Central Railroad Depot and took train on that line to Chicago. Arrived 6 p.m. then took train by the Chicago Northwestern to Council Bluffs by way of Cedar Rapids, Grand Junction, Maple River and Logan .

June 1st, Thursday . Arrived at Council Bluffs. 5 p.m. changed cars to the Union Pacific and started 7 p.m. Remained at Omaha 3 hours then started west. Several of our company afflicted with measles. [p. 47]

June 2nd, Friday. Several of our company left us at Cheyenne for Colorado via Denver. We crossed the North Platte today.

June 3rd, Saturday. An old man named Mills died today, aged 82. We took him along to Peterson the [-] to his son. [-] is Living at that place. We arrived at Evanston in the afternoon and at Echo about dusk. Several of our company left us at these places, they having friends who met them and took them to their homes. We arrived in Ogden about midnight. Our child died of measles during the afternoon, named Parsons, and was brought along to Salt Lake City. Many of the Saints left us at Ogden and went with friends who came to meet them. [p. 48]
June 4, Sunday. I took breakfast with a family named Hill living in Ogden. They were very pleased to see me. I had baptized them at Wolverhampton the fore part of April last, 2 weeks previous to their leaving England. Several of my old acquaintances living in Ogden came to see me. And gave me a warm reception. Some of the Saints from Salt Lake City joined us this morning and accompanied us by the 10 a.m. train.
We arrived in Salt Lake City about noon and found the depot crowded with friends and old acquaintances. After giving the necessary instructions to the Saints in regard to getting their luggage on the morrow, I went to the Sugar House [-] with [-] Clark and my [p. 49] sister Fanny and spent the afternoon. My neighbor [-] Drage called for me in the evening and took me home to my old residence on Cottonwood. I found my family all well and quite agreeable that I should remain with them. My children—9 in number—all looked well and were well pleased to see Father home again. Many of my old acquaintances came to see me during the evening and bid me a hearty welcome home. . . . [p. 50]

BIB: Davis, William G. Diary (Ms 1689), fd. 2, vol. 3, pp. 36-50. (CHL)
(source abbreviations)