May 4, 1860 my son George and myself left Harthill to go to Liverpool from where we will sail for America.

May 9, 1860 we left Liverpool for America on the ship Packet with William Fascott as Captain. With deep regret it is necessary to leave behind us Mother Archibald, Agnes and Jessie and Mary, trusting in God that we may meet again.

The price to America on the ship Packet was 4-60 pounds. For children under eight and over one year 3-60 pounds, for infants under one year 0-1-0 pounds.

We landed in New York June 21, 1860. We had a fine trip, there were one hundred and fifty on the ship.

We stopped in New York one night. We asked Mr. Calder what we should do to get work. Mr. Calder told us to go to the brethren who were appointed for that purpose as they had been searching for such information. We said we would take their advice and carry it out to the letter. Their counsel was that we should leave New York and go to Philadelphia.

In Philadelphia we were told we could get work in Ohio. It took nearly all our money to reach Ohio. When we reached Ohio I said to George. We can't go into the Inn because we have no money. We will look for a place to pray to our Father in Heaven.

Our Father in Heaven heard our prayers and we were delivered from our poverty. Brother John Johnson and his son who were in out company had money. The son came to us and said, you did not come into the Inn this morning did you? I said no, for you know we have no money.

While we were talking Mr. Johnson came along and began talking to us. He reached in his pocket and gave me a dollar. His son said, Is that all you have? Mr. Johnson gave me another dollar, then they took us into the Inn and paid our way.

When we got to where we had been told we would find work there was none because the water in the Ohio River had gone down, by this time my money was almost gone again.

While we were in this place a Mr. Walch came along and said he could give three of us work about ninety miles up the river. I told him my son George and myself would go, but that he would have to pay our fare up there because we had no money. Mr. Walsh said he would have to pay our fare up there because we had no money. Mr. Walsh said he would pay our fare. We started for Fredrickson at 6 o'clock at night [p.7] and got there at 11 o'clock the next day.

The work lasted for only a few days, so we started down the river to find to find more work. George said to me, Father what shall we do? We must find work. I said to him, "Let us go to the top of that hill and look for a solitary place."

We went to the top of the hill and found a quiet place. Here we poured out our hearts to God in prayer. We felt peaceful then and quite sure the Lord would answer our prayers.

The next day was July 4, that day we met Robert Murray and David Kerr who took us to Pittsburgh. We arrived there at 9 o'clock in the morning. It was about 2 o'clock before we reached their home. Here we found their wives and children all well. We were very happy to be together again after being separated for eight long years.

July 18, 1860 I wrote to my wife and family and told them of the death of Robert Murry's child. Robert Murry and David Kerr lent me enough money to bring my wife and children to America. I sent the money to them at once.

August 24, 1860 I received a letter from my wife saying she had received the money. Also she told me of the death of John Orock, Bessie's husband. My wife said they could get some money from the company where John Orock worked but would not be able to get the money till spring, then they would come to America and bring Bessie and her two children with them.

As the Civil War was on, my son George and myself had some trouble getting up the Mississippi River. But July 4, 1861 I met my wife and children Agnes, Mary, Jessie, and Bessie with her two children at Florence after being parted from them for fourteen months.

We continued our journey across the plains in Captain Murdocks Company with ox teams. We arrived in Provo, September 15, 1861. . . . [p.8]

BIB: Archibald, Robert. Autobiography and journal (Ms 9850), pp. 7-8. (CHL)
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