Wednesday 16 - 8 a.m. came to office 42 Islington and at 10 came to Priney Pier and from here by the [-] came on board the Wisconsin to sail for America. Was engaged today in the business of the company getting both of the company &c. At 4:20 President Smith and brethren belonging to the office left the shop and at 5:30 we steamed slowly down the river passing the bar at the [-] was beautiful and brisk. Little if any seasickness on board. [p.50] At East India Dock [- - -] a.m. there was L. Bonder, M.H. Hardy, A.C. Fruler, J.D. Johnson and between had one of the best meetings we have at 12. I dined with Brother Hall, President Smith, W.L.B. at a.m. [- - -] we met several of his friends, again attended meeting. The [-] were [-] farewell many of them were in tears. I [-] returned to [- -] at 10.

Thursday 17 - A delightful morning. I arose early, called the Saints together in the a.m., gave them some instructions and had prayers. Wrote to President Smith, W.L.B., & Brother Ransom. 12:15, ships time, arrived at Queenstown and departed at one. Weather pleasant. Steamed along nicely on getting out to sea. Weather became a little rougher and some of the people were sick.

Friday 18 - Some little fog today. A good many of the company were seasick. With this exception all is well. P.M. those who were sick this morning most of them are better. Wind continued ahead. Still we are making good progress. Have steamed 287 miles today.

Saturday 19 - Arose early as usual. Ship still rolling badly, which continued all day. Shipping some water on the bow of the vessel also most of the company sick. Nothing of note occurred today. Prayer meeting morning and evening as usual. [p.51]

Sunday 20 - Wind still ahead and ship still rolling. Many of the company are still sick and not in condition to have meetings more than the usual prayer meetings evening. Many of the sick feel better. Sea not quite as rough. We are making good time.

Monday 21 - Had a good nights rest. Sea much smoother this morning. Most of the Saints up and able to attend to prayers this morning. Although the wind is still ahead, we are making excellent headway. All continue to improve. My own health good. I am able to be among the people all the time, extending aid to them.

Tuesday 22 - Weather much warmer than yesterday. Sea calmer. The health of the company much improved. Most of them are enjoying themselves on the deck. 6 p.m. we have had a fine, warm day. Wind blowing a little colder as night sets in. Saints had a little concert this evening.

Wednesday 23 - A beautiful morning. All going well. Company still improving in health. Weather much warmer. Had meeting this evening in the steerage, at which many of the elders spoke. All felt well. [p.52]

Thursday 24 - A fine morning. Very warm. Wind blowing from the southwest, continued all day. Increased in the evening so that the ship began to roll a good deal. A good and many of the company began again to feel sick.

Friday 25 - This is the roughest day we have had since our departure from Liverpool. Sea running pretty high and continued to increase during the day. At 3 p.m. an infant child, about three months old, (the grandchild of Brother [Peter] Romeril) died and was quietly buried in the ocean. At 5 p.m. Continued very rough tonight.

Saturday 26 - Very fine morning. Sea quite calm wind northwest. Quite cold. Most of the people feel better this morning. Continued fine all day until 7 p.m. Became a little foggy. The most of the company on deck today. We began to come into sight of shipping, &c. Foggy most of the night. [p.53]

Sunday 27 - A delightful morning. A pilot came on board at 6 a.m. In a short time came in sight of land. People all on deck full of excitement. 12 Dr. came on board. We passed Sandy Hook and landed in New York at Pier 46. At 3 p.m. W. [William] C. Staines was here waiting. I came with him to Stevens House and from here to Brooklyn and took tea with him at his boarding house & returned with M.H.H. to Stevens House.

Monday 28 - At 7, came on board the Wisconsin and commenced to make arrangements to have the company's baggage pass the inspector which we accomplished with but little difficulty and landed them all in Castle Garden. At 11 a.m. was busily engaged in making arrangements for getting onto the railroad on Tuesday. Stayed tonight again at the Stevens House.

Tuesday 29 - Early at Castle Garden, checking luggage, &c. 10 a.m. met Brother Tullege [Edward W. Tullidge] at Brother [William C.] Staines' office. He worked some items relating to a book he is writing entitled Utah & It's Founders. At 12 we met J.W. Young. Had quite a visit with him and lunched with him one p.m. and returned to Stevens House and from there to Castle Garden and from there we started on our journey to S[alt] Lake 5 p.m. & from Jersey City, New York in 5 cars. All well.

Wednesday 30 - Passed Harrisburg this morning when we changed cars. Everyone that we had started with and continued our journey passing the Alleghenys that is called the Horseshoe Bend, & arriving at Pittsburgh at 9 p.m. Here we were detained until 2 a.m.

July 1 - Wrote to Brother Staines, sent a telegram, left here in four cars. [p.54] Continued our journey without any interruption. This morning weather warm & rainy. Passed Columbus, Ohio into Indiana. Making very good time all day.

Friday 2 - Still continued our journey west, passing state line. Arriving at Burlington [Iowa] this a.m. Here we change cars again. Remained about half an hour. Came onto Ottumwa [Iowa] where we remained some time and obtained some supplies, &c. Rained very hard tonight. Some of the road had been washed away.

Saturday 3 - 3 a.m. Rained very hard all night. An empty freight car that by some means had been left on the track came in collision with the engine of our train, causing some damage, detaining us some two or three hours but no other damage. 11, arrived at Council Bluffs 12 Omaha. Obtained tickets for the company. Wrote Staines. Had baggage transferred and left at 6:15. All well. Rained hard tonight. [p.55]

Sunday 4 - 5 a.m. at Kearney. Pleasant morning passing up the Platte arriving at Platte City at 5 p.m. Company all well with one exception. A Swiss sister who had been suffering with her lungs for years. We administered to her. Held meetings in all the cars at 9. All the Saints feel well.

Monday 5 - A beautiful morning. Arrived at Sidney at 5 a.m. Went out with Elder Freeman & obtained some supplies. Remained here until 7:30 a.m. Continued our journey arriving at Cheyenne 3 p.m. From here I sent a telegram to President Young. Remained here until three-thirty. Passed Sherman at 7, arriving at Laramie at 9. Here we remained some two hours. The people were celebrating the 4th of July. Left here at 11 p.m.

Tuesday 6 - Very cold last night. Morning very fine. Sun shining out beautiful. Arrived at [UNCLEAR, POSSIBLY Como] 5. Remained here some little time. Fort Steele at 9 & Rawlins at 11 a.m., Green River at 11 p.m. The day has been very fine.

Wednesday 7 - Continued without interruption arriving at [Fort] Bridger at 5 and at Evanston 9 1/2. Remained here 40 minutes arriving at Echo at one p.m. Here I met my wife, Maud, daughters, Theresa & Florence & L.S.H. came from here by express to Ogden where I met some of the rest of my family & many friends who had chartered a car and come here to greet me. Left the company here and came to Salt Lake at 8 p.m. where I met with family & friends. All well. Choir & band came to serenade. [p.56]

Thursday 8 - 7 a.m. returned to Ogden to bring the company to Salt Lake. Returned at 12 we all had luggage delivered A Company cared for. Come to my home in city at 2 p.m. Remained here until 5 and came with my boys to farm where I found my family well and remained here tonight. Had a good quiet rest which I so much needed . . . . [p.57]

BIB: Burton, Robert Taylor. Diary (Ms 1221), reel 1, bx. 1, fd. 7, vol. 13, pp. 50-57. (CHL).
(source abbreviations)