[NOTE: THE PAGES IN THIS JOURNAL ARE NUMBERED BACKWARDS AND REPRESENT BOTH SIDES OF THE PAGE THUS THEY DESCEND FROM PAGES 137-128]

At last the time came that I could go to Zion, at my leaving the land, the council and members of the branch present me with a testamoral, [PROBABLY, testimonial] to take with me to Zion.

I left Manchester for Liverpool on the 29th of March 1853. I arrived with my wife and 4 children and my brother Thomas and my wife's mother the same day. My brother Thomas returned to Manchester the same night. The ship not being ready for sail, I stayed with my family and wife's mother in Liverpool a week before the ship was ready for sail. In this time I was appointed to be Elder [Curtis E.] Bolton's second counselor over the Saints over the sea which was going in the ship I was going in. The name of the ship I was [on] is Camillus, [p.137]

Wednesday April 6th, 1853 We are well in health and spirits and in the afternoon of this day we moved out of dock into the basin. We also passed the doctor this afternoon, and are ready to go into the river in the morning.

Monday April 11th We are still in the basin, but all means is now being taken to go into the river in the morning. We are very well in health and spirits for which we feel to thank God.

Tuesday April 12th We this day entered the river about 12 a.m. with a good wind, but we anchored until the next morning. There was two marriages about 8 o'clock p.m.

Wednesday April 13th We this morning set sail about 7 a.m. with a good wind, so good that we passed Holyhead about 6 p.m. We all were seasick with some exceptions.

Thursday 14th We arose about 6 a.m. Fine morning, Irish coast in sight. Fair wind all day. Passed Cape Clear about 7 a.m. My wife very sick, my son a little better. We traveled about 250 miles in one day and 12 hours. The captain said it [is] good,

Friday 15th We arose about 6 a.m. fine morning, Ireland still in sight. Lost sight of it about 7 a.m. Calm wind all day. We had the first public meeting on deck. Elder Bolton, [John] Kelly and Newton addressed the meeting. We saw some sea pigs.

Saturday 16th We arose about 6 a.m. came on a stiff breeze.

Sunday 17th We arose about 6 a.m. Meeting began 3 p.m. Bread and wine administered to the Saints, after which the meeting was addressed by Elders Bolton, Kelly, and Newton [p.136]. We had a good time of it

Monday 18th We arose as usual with the exception of a few. I was very sick, rough wind all day.

Tuesday 19th We arose as usual Brother Bolton fell and hurt himself. This brought a sadness upon the Saints.

Wednesday 20th We arose as usual. Brother Wild's infant daughter about 5 weeks old died about past 2 a.m. Was committed to the deep about noon by third mate, stiff breeze.

Thursday 21st We arose as usual. Brother Bolton much better out on deck, seasickness on the decline.

Friday 22nd We arose as usual, fair wind. The health of the Saints much better.

Saturday 23rd We arose as usual, my health much better. Boxes removed all hands ordered to clean below deck. Council meeting at night two comp. [POSSIBLY, compartments] broke up to fill up the remainding six.

Sunday 24th We arose usual. Fine morning, we all still feel better. We began meeting about 11 a.m. on deck all at meeting and we had a good time of it. Brothers [Alfred] Lamb, [James] Willis, [William] Clayton, and [Curtis E.] Bolton addressed the meeting. We continued until 8 p.m.

Monday 25th We arose as usual in good health. The wind continued in our favor all day.

Tuesday 26th We arose as usual in moderate health. The wind in our favor.

Wednesday 27th We arose as usual, fair wind all day. I was taken bad in my bowels and I was bad all day.

Thursday 28th We arose usual, fair wind all day. Meeting on deck Brother Bolton addressed the meeting with a good spirit. [p.135]

Friday 29th We arose as usual I am in better health. Fair wind. Brother Fife cut my hair at 11 a.m. Good wind all day.

Saturday 30th We arose as usual, fair wind.

Sunday May 1st We arose usual, fine morning, in better health. A council meeting was held and it was stated that Captain Day was made mad because he was partly stopped at his evil doings. A meeting at half past 2 p.m. when Elders Newton, Kelly, and Bolton addressed the meeting which did good.

Monday 2nd We arose as usual, fine morning. In better health and spirits. Brother J. [John] McKnight's wife was confined [UNCLEAR] of a fine daughter quarter past 9 p.m. attended by Sister [Elizabeth] Ralclif [Ratcliff] as midwife.

Tuesday 3rd We arose as usual, fine morning in good health and spirits. Meeting of all the brethren. Elders Clayton and Bolton give some good teaching which caused our hearts to rejoice. [p.134]

Thursday 5th We arose as usual, very feeble and weak through the heat. Dead sea all day, instead of going farther we are told we went back. Meeting on deck at 9 p.m.

Wednesday 4th We arose as usual in moderate health and spirit. A ship in sight was in 6 a.m. and she came to us to get some provision of us, which she did receive from us. She was bound for England, I sent a crip [UNCLEAR] of paper to Brother Thomas.

Friday 6th We arose as usual, a little wind but very little all day. Captain Day came up to our brethren and said he would give us three dollars rather three hundred dollars, if we would pray for wind to drive the ship 7 miles a hour. In a half a hour the wind drove the ship 4 miles a hour.

Saturday 7th We arose as usual, good wind. It is said that we are going this morning [p.134] 7 or 8 miles a hour, the Saints appeared to be in better spirits this day than they have been for some time.

Sunday 8th We arose as usual, fine morning. Good wind from 8 to 9 miles a hour. Health and spirits improved. Meeting on deck 3 p.m., bread and wine taken after which Presidents Bolton Kelly, and Newton give some instructions and which did good I believe.

Monday 9th We arose as usual, fine morning, good wind. It is said we are going 10 miles a hour, health and spirits improving Brother John McKnight's daughter blessed half past 9 p.m. by Elders Bolton and Clayton named Elizabeth Camillus.

Tuesday 10th We arose as usual, wet morning, good wind, quite a improvement in my health for which [I] thank my Heavenly Father.

Wednesday 11th We arose usual, fine morning, good wind. The Saints health and spirits plenty improved. My [-] felt better this day [UNCLEAR] than it has done since I have been on the sea. A ship in sight.

Thursday 12 We arose as usual, fine morning. There has been a good wind all night, and it continues this morning. The ship still in sight. Another in sight at past three p.m. American Walter Bolton and Captain Day in better graces.

Friday 13th We arose as usual, fine morning, good wind all night. Continued this day, many sick this morning. Flying fish get plentiful. Came on rain 8 p.m.

Saturday 14th We arose as usual, fine morning good wind, the ship in sight. Came on rain past 8 p.m.

Sunday 15th We arose as usual, fine morning good wind. Sister [Sarah] Bradshaw give birth to a fine son. Sister Ratclif [Ratcliff] as midwife. [p.133] Rain showers oft this day. Meeting 8 p.m. Elders Bolton, Clayton, Kelley, and Philips addressed the meeting.

Monday 16th We arose as usual, fine morning not much wind, very hot.

Tuesday 17th We arose as usual, fine morning almost dead sea. Saint Domingo in sight. Some as day came, a Sister [-] Brother B [UNCLEAR].

Wednesday 18th We arose ausual, no wind at all. St. Domingo still in sight, very hot, dead sea all day.

Thursday 19th We arose as usual, dead sea. St. Domingo still in sight, very hot. A marriage this day, Gorge Cooly to Ellen [-] by William Clayton and President Bolton. A meeting of all the captains and we said before them the need of a fast day and pray.

Friday 20th We arose as usual, fine morning a little wind. Lost sight of St. Domingo, seamen caught a dolphin 3 p.m.

Saturday 21st We arose as usual, fine morning, a good wind 6 miles a hour. St. Domingo in sight again, another ship in sight. I tasted of the dolphin. Very good wind. About 6 p.m. Haiti lost sight of.

Monday 23rd We arose as usual, fine morning, moderate wind. Jamaica in sight. 4 a.m. came on rain 6 p.m., a wind also which drove our ship on 10 miles a hour. Jamaica lost sight of.

Sunday 22nd We arose as usual, fine morning, there has been a good wind all night. Cuba in sight 4 p.m. very hot all day. Received Lord's supper. Meeting addressed by Elders Bolton, Kelley, and Newton. Sister Kelley give birth to a fine son 3 p.m., a sister as midwife [p.132]

Tuesday 24th We arose as usual, fine morning but little wind. Lost sight of Cuba 7 a.m. Very hot, strong wind came on 9 p.m. Drove the ship for some time, more then 12 knots a hour. At our meeting the case of C. M. was brought forward.

Wednesday 25th We arose as usual, fine morning still a good wind. A west island in sight 4 a.m. We, Bolton, Kelley and Newton had meeting ourselves to receive this evening. The case of C. and M. was brought forth before the meeting again.

Thursday 26th We arose as usual, fine morning good wind. Our boxes removed and cleaned all through below deck, now in the Gulf [of Mexico]

Friday 27th We arose as usual, fine morning, very good wind. Cuba's last point sighted we lost sight of it [at] 4 p.m.

Saturday 28th - We arose as usual, fine morning little or no wind. Meeting began 3 p.m. The Lord's supper administered after which Elders Bolton, Kelley and Newton give some teachings. Then they give the meeting to the Saint(s), we had a good meeting.

Sunday 29th - We arose as usual, fine morning fair wind, moderate health. Brother Bradshaw's son was blessed by Bolton, Kelley, Newton.

Monday 30th We arose as usual, fine morning little or no wind. Meeting to bring between B. W. which was done, difference between B. C.

Tuesday 31st We arose as usual, fine morning, dead sea. President Bolton very bad in health and spirit.

Wednesday June 1st We arose as usual. Fine morning, fair wind. President Bolton very sick all day. [p.131] Meeting below, Elders Kelley and Newton give some good teachings and appointed 9 men as watchmen. When we arrived at New Orleans, we had a good meeting.

Thursday 2nd We arose as usual, fine morning, fair wind. President still very bad. We find ourselves at the bar. A pilot came on board half past 7 a.m. Steamboat came and tugged us to the bar.

Friday 3rd We arose as usual, fine morning. Brother Bolton is a little better. Two steamboats begin to take us over the bar half past 9 a.m. We arrived at Balize 11 a.m. and anchored until 3 p.m. when a steamboat came to tug us up the river.

Saturday 4th We arose 5 a.m. fine morning. Brother Bolton well, but weak. We are going on our way very well.

Sunday 5th We arose as usual, fine morning. We arrived at New Orleans 2 a.m. all safe. We are [in] good health. Stayed in Orleans all day, engaged a steamboat "Alex" Scott for Monday.

Monday 6th We arose as usual, fine morning in good health and spirits. Steamboat came half past 4 p.m. and got herself ready with we for sailing by 6 p.m.

Tuesday 7th We arose as usual, fine morning. Now on our way to Saint Louis.

Wednesday 13th We arose half past 4 a.m. Fine morning, in moderate health. We arrived in Saint Louis 9 a.m. I was in search for Brother Samuel about one hour and then I found him and his family all well in spirits and health. I got something to eat also. Brother Lamb with me, [p.130] after which Brother Samuel went with me to bring my wife and children. Also my wife's mother, which we did in a short time they being so willing, we got made glad with all things. We concluded to stop at brother's house all night.

Thursday 14th We arose past 5 a.m. Fine morning, in good health being refreshed at my brother's table. We bought some things. Mother Bruckburn [Black Burn] declined going any farther than Brother Samuel's. We got on board steamboat "P.McReen" 5 p.m. which took us up the river for Keokuk, myself, wife, and 4 children accompanied by my brother, Samuel.

Tuesday [Thursday] June 21st We left Keokuk this morning about 10 a.m. with our wagons and team in good health and spirits. Fine day.

Friday July 15th We arrived at Kanesville in good health and spirits.

Monday July 18th We left Kanesville for the ferry in good health and spirits . . .

Thursday [Wednesday] July 20th We crossed the river Missouri. [-] and Mary [-], very bad in health. . . .[p.129]

Sunday October 16th 1853 We arrived in the Valley of Great Salt Lake in good health excepting Mary [-] . We camp on Public Square for some days. . . [p.128]

BIB: Newton, James Lee. Journal. (MS 1995) pp. 128-137. (CHL)
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