15th [February, 1855] Thursday. Spent the day in the same way until evening, then Elder Isaac Allred and I went to the station to meet the Saints. I met Elder James with the Bedford Saints as this is the day set for the Saints to come to sail on the ship Siddons. There is many come in. At that time I took lodgings with Elder Pace. [p. 24]

16th Friday. I spent the day with Elder Pace and Elder Allred.

17th Saturday. Spent the day with Elder Pace doing some business preparing for our journey and getting out tick [tickets] and I paid £4 lbs. to the office that I borrowed to get my clothes when when [SIC] I first came to England and then settled my bell for my lodging at the conference house £0.7[shillings].8[demies].

18th Sunday. Morning George D. Grant paid me £0.10[shillings] on account that [-] in well. At this time after breakfast I went to Elder Pace's lodgings and done some writings. Sister Mary Thorn is quite ill the rest of the Saints are well as far as I know.

19th Tuesday [Monday] Spent day the best I can preparing for the journey buying some things for comfort until 22nd Friday when we went on board the ship Siddons and left [-] docks and anchored in the river.

23rd Saturday. Passed the doctor. All in good spirits and general health. About 400 on board. [p. 25]

24th Sunday. Brother Franklin came on board and called the Saints together and gave them some general instructions, and dedicated them to the Lord and blessed them, and blessed and set apart Elder J. [John] S. Fulmer [Fullmer] to preside over the ship, and the Saints all rejoiced to see him, and he took me by the hand and blessed me and stepped off the ship which caused my heart to rejoice.

25th Monday. The ship's company was very busy taking on freight. The Saints in good spirits and helped, except one little child died that took cold in the train coming to Liverpool.

26th Tuesday. The steamer came and towed us out to sea. Very fair wind run about 8 knots per hour. At night some few was sick. Ship runs very steady.

28th Wednesday. Average about 8 knots. Sickness increasing fast. [p. 26]

29th Thursday. Headwind very rough. Such a scene of sickness I never see with men, women and children. My health is first rate except a cold. I have been enjoyed taking care of the sick all the time. This morning, we got the most of the sick up on deck, many had to be carried up and laid on the deck. It is a fine day, only windy. We had to force many out of their berths or they would lay and die. I have to cook and make beds, nurse the sick. It is now about 11 o'clock and the Saints are all in bed but myself and the watch ship running very steady. Elder [John] Fulmer, [James] Pace, and Alred [Isaac Allred] are all sick.

2nd Headwinds, sickness very severe. I spent my time wholly waiting upon the sick night and day and hardly gave myself time to eat or to sleep. We hold meetings morning and evening, we come together at night and agreed that we have been tossed about enough [p. 27] and agreed to unite on our voices and hearts together and call on the Lord for His mercy in turning away sickness and causing the winds to change and blow towards the promised land. And the Lord heard our prayers and the wind changed in our favor and the sickness abated. But during this day was worst of the night we were driven back and not forward and tossed about terribly, but the Saints had no fear. I watched the movements of the officers and crew and made my things all fast and told the Saints to do likewise. But they did not take the council and the charts and boxes and tinware and cooking utensils and slop pails began to tumble about soon after they were all in bed, and as my custom was to sit until the last, I was up and I walked the deck all night and kept things as well as I could, and cheered the Saints by telling them there was no danger, and comforting the sick, and the sea became so rough that we were rocked about very much.

After the storm was over, 3rd, Sunday, I still spent my time making gruel and taking care of the sick. Only had time get but little to eat for myself. About 10 in the morning I [-]. At 10 at night we [p. 28] we [SIC] had a fair wind and made good headway. We held 2 good meetings and administered the sacrament. The Saints are now mostly feeling cheerful and getting better fast. Elder Fulmer [John Fullmer], [James] Pace and Alred [Isaac Allred] are quite poorly but getting better. My health was never better only I take cold often, but it does not hurt me. I have not enjoyed myself better since I left home. I have had to lift several of the sisters in and out of bed and helped them to dress and undress as I would little children, and I believe I have the faith and confidence of all the Saints on board and I feel to thank and praise the Lord for his goodness unto me in giving me help.

4th. Sea rough and we are making but little headway. Sickness still [-] abating. Elder Fulmer [John Fullmer], [James] Pace and Alred [Isaac Allred] still bad. We are tossed about terribly but a little sail up. Sister Mary Thorn is very sick. We carried her on deck and she was kept too long and got cold and benumbed. We carried her down and she continued to get colder until she fainted and lay about an hour and a half before she came to. [p. 29] We rubbed her and bathed her feet in warm brine or sea water and got her to bed, and I took some cayenne pepper and vinegar and rubbed her feet and ankles and they got warm. I am still administering to the sick all I can. Went to my berth about 12.

5th, Tuesday. Sea very rough, ship tossed about terribly. Sick getting mostly. Spent the day as usual waiting on the sick. Elder [James] Pace, Fulmer [John Fullmer] and Alred [Isaac Allred] keep in their berths making but little headway.

6th, Wednesday. Sea getting rougher. The wind has blowed a gale all night so that I thought except the Lord was with us to save us we should go down. Blowed again all day, sails mostly reefed and we seemed at the mercy of the waves. We held our meeting as usual in the evening under the presiding of Elder William Smith who spoke to the Saints at considerable length, and called me to speak after some remarks upon the principle of faith and works. [p. 30] I gave the saints a sharp rebuke for their lightness and vanity and [-] zeal not according to knowledge. Elder [William] Smith got up and endorsed what I said and took part to himself. I told him that part belonged to me and I failed to humble myself. The Saints were all satisfied. We had a rough night.

7th, Thursday. Sickness mostly over. Little wind. Making but little headway. Wind rose at night. We made good speed. During the night I slept well [-].

8th, Friday. Fine day. Fair wind. Good headway. The saints sitting or laying on deck. Captain very kind also 2nd mate. Two brothers captain named John Taylor. We have a gentleman on board by the name of Molo, a Switzerland who has studied [-] who is very kind to the Saints and administers to the sick. He is very kind to Sister Mary Thorn who is very delicate in health. He administers mild medicine and fetches such things from the first cabin as she can eat such as chicken soup and and [SIC] chicken a cafies &c. He talks but little English. [p. 31] He can read some English and he is reading some of our works. A child got scalded bad on the head and face yesterday. We had but one birth and the child died.

10th. The winds is very unfavorable. Nothing memorable taking place only we are tossed to and fro and making no speed day after and driven off our course. The wind very unsteady and gale gale [SIC] after gale and but little or no sail out and it seems as if the elements were combined against us. The sea running mountains high and dashing over the bulwarks. Saints tumbling about in every direction. Boxes and water cans tumbling about from one side to the other. Together slop pales and night vessels then the water rose in upon us through the hatchways, Women and children screaming and climbing onto their berths. Everything in [p. 32] galley on [- -]. Wheat cakes, pies and puddings tumbling about baked and unbaked, some with sore heads and some with sore shins and so it went on from time to time. When we had [-] fair wind it was so stormy that we could not carry sail for about 3 weeks and on Saturday and Sunday the 24th and 25th we seemed to be forced although the sea was very rough, but we carried sail and made headway.

25th. Monday morning very little wind, making but little headway. The Saints keep up good spirits, but few sick. Water getting bad and scarce. My health is good and spirits good.

27th. Headwind, rough sea. Making no headway. In fine, on the 30th of March we were on the same latitude we were on the 23rd, having been tossed to and fro and gale after gale, and at one time these six sails blowed to pieces and some blowed away. Truly it was distressing too [p. 33] as the sea run mountains high and the ship fall and tumble about like a cork on the water. Sometimes shipping much water yet the Saints were calm and undisturbed. The 3rd mate say he never saw the sea so rough. Not much sickness. Weather cool and some rain and hail. We held an open council in the 2nd cabin . . . The wind now is favorable and the ship is making good headway. The captain of the ship whose name is John Taylor is very kind to the Saints and has rendered much kindness to the sick. He resides in Philadelphia. He is one of the proprietors of the ship. His brother, the 3rd mate, is a fine young man.

The wind continued favorable until the 5th. Very fine day and making about 4 knots per hour. Sea calm, Saints in good spirits. Sick generally getting better. [p. 34] It is difficult to get our cooking done as we are [-] for coal as our coal is nearly gone. I find it very hard to eat the sea biscuits as I only have 2 teeth to eat them with. I boil rice to last 2 or 3 days and eat it cold mostly as the flour that I get and give to Sister [Mary] Thorne [-] is and has been sick ever since we came on board but is much better. Our rations is per week 1 pound flour, 2 pounds rice, and 2 pounds oatmeal, and 2 pounds sea biscuit, 1 pound pork and 2 ounces of tea, and 3 pounds butter, and a half a pint vinegar. During our voyage together with salt, our provisions is very good especially the pork, rice and flour. Our water is sometimes not very good but we have no reason to find fault. Elders [John S.] Fullmer, Alred [Isaac Allred] and [James] Pace has recovered their health so as to be on duty or able to attend to their business.

April 6th. Fine morning, nearly a calm. Light breeze all day. Making about 4 knots per hour. Wind rises towards [-], very cold.

7th. Fair wind. Making good headway. Saints in good spirits. [p. 35]

8th. Sunday. Wind continues favorable. Making about 10 knots per hour. Some sickness, mostly bowel complaint and had it not been for untiring exertions of the captain and presidency together with elders to keep the ship clean and see that every nuisance was removed immediately and the vessels all cleaned and scoured, no doubt we should have had a terrible time. But thanks [to] the Lord we are all alive and the sick are all doing well. I think I have preached to the Saints from once to 5 times a day ever since we have been on board. I still enjoy good health but am getting tired of the ship rations as the biscuit is so hard I cannot eat them, and the boiled rice I get tired of and it seems to me but little good, and to beg among the Saints I cannot and am not able to buy but as we are near land I make the best of it. I have not enjoyed myself as well since I went [to] England as on the ship Siddons for the same [p. 36] length of time. Peace and union seems to prevail generally. We have a mean, dishonest captain and his assistants which causes much dissatisfaction.

9th. Monday. Wind fair. Making good headway. Rained most of the past night. Sea runs very high today. All in good spirits, expecting to see land in a day or two. A birth on ship last night. Doing well. I sometimes feel cast down when I think I shall soon land among strangers far from home and no money, only to trust in God and the liberality of the people. Then I think all is right but to beg I cannot, as yet the Saints on board are mostly poor and rent by the fund [Perpetual Emigration Fund], and I feel to say, "Oh, Lord remember me [-] to thy multitude of mercies and blessings and [-] away did [-]." The days and nights pass away almost unnoticed and the time seems but a week or two since we left Liverpool and I feel almost as much at home [p. 37] as though I was on the land. As far as the seas are concerned I have been more cheerful and merry than usual for me ever since I have been on shipboard and all seems to be cheerful where I am and I think I have good feelings of all on board except a few mean dishonest ones that I have been at war with ever since I have been on board. All is peace and I feel well in body and spirit and feel truly thankful to the Lord for His goodness unto us.

10th. Tuesday morning. Very fine, pleasant breeze. All is peace. Ship rides very smooth and moderate. Some of the Saints is getting their breakfast. Some eating, some getting their water, some in bed. I am writing, laying on my belly at one of the skylights at the stern of the ship. The sick is getting better. All is as calm as a summer's morn. The peace and Spirit of God seems to pervade every breast. The day passed away agreeably.

11th. Wednesday. Wind favorable. [p. 38] Everything going on very well. The Saints improving in health. Spirits good. Plenty of provisions yet very [-] of the kind but many are getting tired of it. Our butter is all served out and mostly gone. Pork is all served out and flour moldy or all served. Coal very scarce for cooking, but we get along very well.

12th. Thursday. Wind favorable. Making good headway. All at peace. Very cheerful. Several ships in sight. My health is good except a cold, nothing accountable today.

13th. Friday. Fair wind running about 10 knots per hour. All cheerful. Great anxiety among the Saints to see land but none appears, yet we are standing still as if in almost a dead calm. About 11 o'clock the wind rose and we made good headway during the day until the latter part of the night.

14th. Lay [-]. Calm wind rose towards noon, made [p. 39] headway until the latter part of the night. Many ships in sight. Much anxiety but all cheerful. Sugar all served, plenty of water. One birth today. Sister [Ann] Church gave birth to a daughter and is doing very well. One child died on Thursday and buried in the sea.

15th, Sunday. Nearly at a stand, wind rather contrary. 15th Sunday. Little or no wind all day until four o'clock.

Monday 16th. Morning, a light breeze until towards noon then we came to a standstill. The weather very fine. Several ships in sight bound towards Liverpool. The sick rather better. We are expecting to get to the mouth of the river by tomorrow morning if the wind rises. It is now about 4 and it is almost a dead calm.

17th, Tuesday morning. We had a little wind in the night for about 4 hours. Calm [p. 40] in the morning. 10 o'clock, winds rise. We are running about 4 knots. Saints getting quite impatient, but in good spirits. I have the teeth ache by [-] in my head. Several fine schools of fish passing this morning. The anchor chain is up, the flag for a pilot is up and the saints rejoice. Sailors heaving the lead. 7 fathoms water. Ship turned about, made off. Sails shortened. Ship tacked every hour during the night. 14 brethren on duty as sailors. Sailors all asleep. Light breeze.

18th, Wednesday morning. Very calm. All looking very anxious for a pilot. Sister Mary Ann Thorn [Thorne] got caught by a rope around the ankle on deck last night and escaped remarkably from being thrown overboard and not very seriously injured. 10 o'clock, very foggy, ship laying nearly still. No prospect of a pilot until the fog goes off. Very warm pleasant morning. Sea smooth as the prairie. 11 o'clock. Fog dispersed. Flag hoisted again for a pilot. [p. 41] 12 o'clock. Pilot in sight. 1 o'clock pilot on board. Ship soon underway. Every countenance beamed with joy. Sailed into the river and cast anchor about 10 o'clock at night. Very quiet night.

19th. Fine morning. Anchor raised. Fine breeze, wind and tide in favor. Saints rejoicing. Ship under good headway. 10 o'clock. Head wind. Narrow channel. Anchor cast. 2 o'clock steam tug came. 3 o'clock ship in tow underway. Great rejoicing. I have cold rice for breakfast and tea. Same for dinner without tea. The same for tea with tea and no sugar. Hard getting it down. 5 o'clock nearly all upon deck looking at the land and trees and ships. Fine afternoon. Night came on. Anchor cast for the night.

Friday morning, 20th. Underway in good time. Arrived in Philadelphia in the afternoon. We soon got a little refreshment & I walked out to see the city which decidedly the cleanest city I ever seen. Beautiful streets and buildings. Nothing that I have seen in England can compare with it for beauty. [p. 42]

I stayed in with the Saints nights and walked about the city more or less during Saturday.

Sunday, attend the Saints chapel. On Monday Elder John Taylor arrived from New York. Elder Clinton, Elder J. [John] S. Fullmer, Elder Alred [Isaac Allred], Elder J. [James] Pace were present. Elder Taylor and Elder Clinton addressed the Saints and made arrangement for those that were to stay in Philadelphia as far as they could to make them comfortable and obtain labor for them first rate. Spirit prevailed among the saints. They entered into covenant to assist each other until they all got employed. I took passage on Monday at 4 o'clock by steamer and railway for New York.

23rd, Monday. Arrived Tuesday morning at 6.

24th. Was taken with the diarrhea in the night. I stayed in New York until 4 [in the] evening and took steamer for Albany. Arrival at [-].

25th - 7 o'clock. Carried my trunk and [-] 2 miles although I was very weak. Then rode 2 miles in a wagon, and left my trunk at an Inn and walked to [p. 43] my brother-in-law, Joseph Philips. Being very weak took some [UNCLEAR, POSSIBLY callery] medicine ate a few nuts and went to bed, being no better had a poor night, considerable fever.

Wednesday, 26th. No better, took some pepper and milk. Eat a little. Spent the day the best I could. Little or no better. Slept on the sofa.

27th, Thursday. Feel a little better. Joseph coaxed me to stay in the buggy there until I took the train for Saratoga a.m. Sitting in the carriage writing, waiting for the train to start. I feel some better. 11 o'clock train started. I arrived in Saratoga safe. Got my trunk carried on a wagon to Dr. Edmunds in Greenfield and rode part of the way myself, distance of 4 miles. Was much fatigued and very weak. I arrived about 3 o'clock. Eat but little and a good nights rest. My bowel seems better sometimes and then no better. I was kindly received and everything that could be done for my comfort Edmunds was gone and did not return. . . . [p. 44]

[May 7th] . . . took train for Albany. Took steamer for New York to sail on. Start at 6 o'clock evening [p. 47] to Philadelphia. Here I am watching the hustle and confusion of the people and runners in every direction to deceive the innocent and lead them to certain places where they could take some advantage of them and I say whither myself O Lord when will the time come that man will cease to take the advantage of his fellow man and speak truth one to another. I can truly say I am sick of the hustle and confusion of the Gentile world and pray that God will soon deliver me and let me arrive at my peaceful home in the valley of the mountains where righteousness and virtue prevails. If ever I felt lonely it is at the present time. Nearly destitute of money and near 3,000 miles from my home, not knowing how I should get home only to trust in God and go as the way opens. Arrived in New York at 6 in the morning.

8th. Waited for the emigrant train until 4 p.m. I took the steamer for [p. 48] Philadelphia. When I arrived in Philadelphia I found the next ship had come in and the saints had gone on the day before. I gathered up my things and took the railway for Pittsburgh. There the saints had gone on by steamer for St. Louis the day previous. There took the packet Pennsylvania and passed the Washington City before they got to Cincinnati and when they came up I changed my luggage and went on board and the Saints. Took back passage under very unfavorable [-] circumstances but I was under the necessity for want of means. Elder N. J. Gruman had the care of the Saints on board the Washington. The passengers were mostly gentiles, old country people which made it worse. [ABRUPT END OF DIARY IMMIGRATION ACCOUNT.] [p. 49]

BIB: Deuel, Osmyn Merrit. Diary (Ms 9985), fd. 1 (mss.) pp.24-44, 47-49. (CHL).
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