Friday 12th Arose early in the a.m. Took my luggage & went per railway to Liverpool accompanied by Brother J. Croft. Made our way to the Millennial Star Office where I saw Brother Calkin and I paid her 5-3 pounds for my passage & cooking utensils etc. Learned the elders were to go per ship Empire to sail on Tuesday for New York. From thence to Mrs. Powell's where we met with many of the elders. Brother Romney was there very sick. Spent the day (chiefly) at Brother Ward's-President of the Liverpool conference [-]. I done some writing viz letters one to Caroline. Attended the theater in the evening & saw the play called the "Flying Dutchman" followed by the pantomime. Slept at Mrs. Powell's with Brother J. Taylor & J. Croft.

Saturday 13th. Attended business with the office etc. Done some writing (letters). Slept with Taylor & Croft.

Sunday 14th. Attended two meeting in the Saints' meeting room. Many of the elders were present and address the meeting. Slept at Mrs. Powell's

Monday 15th. Took our luggage on board the Empire. I returned & slept at Mrs. Powell's.

Tuesday 16th. Went on board and were towed out [p.65] into the river & for the 1st time, I slept on shipboard.

Organization of our company; Jesse B. Hobson, Captain; Miles Romney, counselor & clerk; Thomas Bullock, Counselor; John W. Berry, Captain of guard. Each cabin containing 8 persons had one appointed as president to see that prayers were attended night & morning etc. Elder Miles Romney was our President and I was appointed cook(!!), with the promise to receive some enumeration for my labors. I was taken down with a very severe cold & sore throat which continued several days and I ultimately attained relief through placing cold, wet cloths round my neck.

Wednesday 17th. We lay in the river on account of a dense fog that prevailed. Elder James Stevens was my bed fellow. I began to be quite busy in marking tins etc. Our provisions were pretty good. [p.66]

Thursday 18th. Fine morning. The steamtug "Enterprise," came alongside and brought on board the government officers. We all passed the doctor. Some of the brethren from the office came on board and wished us God's speed & blessing. I done some writing (letters) and sent ashore. The crew were making every preparation to go to sea and on.

Friday 19. Fine a.m. good wind, the steamtug came along & about midday our gallant vessel was towed out to sea. We sailed at the rate of 8 or 10 knots per hour till [APPARENTLY A WORD IS MISSING].

Saturday 20th. At noon when we had run about 200 miles. By this time we had learned that our old barque was a good hand at rocking & rolling about. Some began to cast up their accounts & tell us the ship was made of "hoak" "hoak" [SIC] which was soon [p.67] testified to by many. Somewhat a change this evening from the 3 last which had been made quite lively by the lively sound of the fife & flageolet.

Sunday 21st. Rather a dull aspect and [-] little signs of its being the Sabbath. My mind was led back to old England and the many good times I had spent on the Lord's day and the society of those I had left. Not that I felt to regret. No, but to thank God that I was so far on my way to Zion's land. Wind not quite so favorable. I felt very sick and during the night I dreamed of Caroline - viz, that her relatives held out inducements for her to tarry in England and not to follow me but she refused their offers and to my satisfaction expressed a determination to come to Zion when she had the opportunity.

Monday 22nd. Near all sick. Winds adverse, [p.68] and we were obliged to sail some little north.

Tuesday 23rd. The sea by this time had become very rough and our pots, pans, & kettles were continually upsetting and like their owners rolling about the cabins. Almost everyone was helping to hold the ship still in order to keep themselves from falling but were not able to prevent the latter.

Wednesday 24th. We made but little or no headway on account of the heavy seas and gales of wind by which two sails were torn to shatters. The seas or waves rolled like mountains, and tossed our old washtub tremendously. Several were thrown out of their beds - the water gushed into our cabins - our luggage got wet - we had to empty our boxes and dry our clothes and upon the whole this is a faint specimen of a seafaring life, but I begin [p.69] to feel at home and did not mind the tossing about so much.

Thursday 25th. Quite a change in the scenery, the winds had ceased and the sea become calm. Fine morning and it appeared as though we were floating in the center of a large basin. This day added much to the strength and enjoyment of all passengers. About 4 o'clock p.m. a fine breeze arose and our canvas was soon filled again so that we made pretty good headway. And enjoyed a good night's rest.

Friday 26th. Fine day, fair wind and our company in good spirits. Even made very pleasant with the songs of Zion. Our captain (J. [Jesse] B. Hobson) continued somewhat sick and indisposed.

Saturday 27th. Pretty good wind and we made considerable headway. We had a little meeting in the evening & our captain gave us some very good instruction. During the night a [p.70] heavy gale came on and blew off some canvas - the vessel rocked tremendous, our water cans were upset and a general disturbance occurred.

Sunday 28th. Fine morning. I made haste with my work, provided for my family of 8, 1st by frying them a good slice or two of bacon and baking a large pan of soaked biscuits, which gave pretty good satisfaction, after which a mess of potatoes & a pot of boiled rice met with a hearty reception and pretty well served for the day. When I had done my washing up I fixed myself and then done a little journalizing or rather some scribbling for writing I cannot call it on account of the continuous rocking of the ship. My health continued good & spirits also. I often had sweet reflections of the past & joyful hopes of the future, and therefore the days seemed to pass very swiftly & to a great extent pleasantly. Someone has just come down & says we are going at the rate of 9 knots per hour, and we expect [p.71] soon to come in sight of the banks of Newfoundland. The sweet songs of Zion are now being harmoniously sung by Brother [Ephraim] Thomkinson & others & I feel like putting by my pen and joining them.

Monday [March] 1st . Fine breeze, we made good headway and the day passed off pleasantly. Songs & hymns in the evening.* [* INDICATES NOTE AT BOTTOM OF PAGE WHICH STATES: Dreamed of Carry that the time had come I was going marry her on the (-)]

Tuesday 2nd . Very fine day, gentle breeze. All in good spirits and the time passed away very swiftly.

Wednesday 3. Pleasant morning, gentle breeze and very steady sailing. About 3 o'clock we saw (about 8 or 10 miles distance) the white canvas of a vessel for the 1st time since we left Liverpool. This day I made two large sea pies which very even good and gave great satisfaction for by this time our appetites had become quite keen and we [p.72] enjoyed our food first rate.

Thursday 4th . Fine morning, gentle breeze. All in good spirits and we run about 6 miles per hour. In the afternoon I commenced writing a letter to Caroline Smith.

Friday 5th . The morning fair and a good breeze so that by noon we were running 11 miles per hour. It was reported that several ice bergs were seen last night and that some little danger was apprehended. I done some little journalizing after I had washed up my pans, dishes &c. I continued my letter to Carry. The wind increased so little that by 7 o'clock p.m. we we [SIC] running at the rate of 13 miles per hour. This was about the best sailing day we have had. I retired rather early not feeling quite so well as usual. During the night I dreamed we were in New York, several days sooner then expected. I awoke & got up after which I again retired and dreamed I was in Utah. [p.73]

Saturday 6th . Stiff breeze rather squally. One of the masts was broken last evening by the wind. I felt first rate in health & spirits and after attending to my cooking etc. I done a little more writing. The wind was not quite so fair towards night. Pretty good night's rest.

Sunday 7th . Wind rather adverse and we laid to sometime. Very cold. Well, this is the Sabbath day but I see very little signs of the same. As to the crew and steerage passengers they are all the same dirty, working, swearing & cursing as usual and we believe in serving our God just the same on the sixth day as on the 7th. The calculations now made by Brother Bullock & others is we are 663 miles from New York. So far so good, the hand of providence has been over us for good all the way. Afternoon we saw the sea breaking over the Sable Islands and the captain [p.74] ordered the ship about & sailed in a southwest direction to avoid danger.

Monday 8th . Wind rather adverse and we made but little headway.

Tuesday 9th . Very stormy - adverse wind & much rain - cleared up towards night & the sun went down clear which we considered indicated a fine day tomorrow.* [* INDICATES NOTE AT BOTTOM OF PAGE WHICH STATES: During the night I dreamed with Carry but thought it was but a dream"]

Wednesday 10th . Fine, keen, wind adverse full west continued so until night.

Thursday 11th. Awoke about 5 a.m. after which I fell into a doze and dreamed I went back to England because the wind was against us and I saw Cirry [PROBABLY, Carry] in reality according to what I dreamed on Monday night and asked her if she received the letter by the pilot to which she answered no. The weather cold & stormy, some snow. During the morning wind continued against us and we made but little [p.75] headway until the evening and during the night it was rather more favorable.

Friday 12th . Strong winds from the west, but we made some little progress.

Saturday 13th . Wind fair towards the evening and we made pretty good headway.* [*INDICATES NOTE AT BOTTOM OF PAGE WHICH STATES: Bro Binder made use of some very abrupt language & threats towards me which were uncalled for & unusual.]

Sunday 14th . Fine day almost a calm. This is the 4th Sunday we have spent on the sea. It is very pleasant I am doing some journalizing on the deck sitting in a boat by the side of the ship. The crew are very busy hauling up storage, &c, from below. Our company are all well except 2 or 3. We begin to wish for the earth or solid ground to tread upon & hope to see land soon. Towards evening the wind arose & blew pretty well.

Monday 15th . About 7 a.m. our attention was attracted by an eclipse of the sun which continued quite visible for about two hours. Gentle [p.76] breeze - fine day & very pleasant. Several vessels were seen during the day sailing to & fro.

Tuesday 16th . Fine & very pleasant day - gentle breeze, fair wind towards evening.

Wednesday 17th . Fine day - passed one vessel and about 2 o'clock came in sight of Long Island. Thus, after 27 days sailing on the deep waters I am permitted to behold the land of America even the land of Zion in the last days, this caused by heart to leap for joy & praise the God of Israel.

Thursday 18th . Fine morning, adverse wind, we came in sight of Long Island several times but were obliged to tack about considerably.

Friday 19th . About the time daylight made its appearance our ears were saluted by the sound of steamtug alongside & pilot on board. We were soon from cabins [p.77] and on deck when found the tug had left us because the captain of our vessel would not give $100 (one hundred dollars) to take us into harbor. The morning was very fine and everything bore a pleasant aspect even the angry waves of the sea seemed to smile and as they gently show their silvery teeth seemed to welcome us to the fine port of New York. By this time a steamtug was engaged & we were attached to it - and about 11 o'clock we hear the welcome sound of the cable chain running out and when I came on deck (for I had been very busy cooking our last potatoes, helping to eat them, & siding our good & chattels below) found our old Empire safely anchored in the Hudson River in front of the Castle Garden through which we all passed, after [p.78] getting our clearance from the ship etc. The harbor and view up the river bore a fine & magnificent appearance well fortified by the batteries containing large cannon &c our luggage all passed the custom examiners except the guns or rifles belonging to some of the elders which were detained for a further understanding. About the next thing we found ourselves comfortably seated in Walker's Hotel eating dinner which to my judgement tasted first rate & was duly appreciated by all. We received some instructions from our captain and after seeing my luggage all right I made my way. By invitation from Brother J. [James] Stevens (who accompanied to Williamsburg) and after calling at several of the Saints houses we met with a kind & hearty, at or by, Brother Christopher Woolman's, who gave up their bed for us to sleep in which we most assuredly did after 27 days tossing on the sea. Before we retired I made some inquiry relative to my Brother Ebenezer, who emigrated from England - and died at Brother Joseph Oxborrow's Nov. 3rd, 1855. I had no sooner done so then Brother W. [Woolman] brought out a pair of cotton braces and an overcoat which he had bought off Brother O. and he informed me they were my Brothers which I some recognized as I well remembered seeing them when in England. Considerable conversation etc. with a thankful heart to God, my Eternal Father, terminated the duties of the day.

Saturday 20th . Arose about daylight. Took a view out of the window at the style and plan of building which differs much from that of the old country (England.) The houses [p.79] were built very slim & near all flat roofs as though they were only intended to stand for a few years. Visited some of the Saints in the neighborhood & made my way to Brother Joseph Oxborrows. Found Brother Joseph & wife at home, they bore a very pleasant appearance and after introducing myself we soon entered into conversation about my brother Ephraim of whom I was very anxious to hear. Brother Oxborrow spoke in very high terms of him and said he was well respected by all that become acquainted with him. As to the cause of his death he said he believed it to be the ship fever brought on by extra good living after a scarcity on shipboard and being exposed to the wet in his employment. The sum & substance of this I received and recorded at the time of his death and will not therefore say anymore at present as my time is so very limited. Thence to New York [p.80] to Walker's Hotel - met with the brethren. Received some instruction from Brother Stenhouse & our captain who were making arrangement for the brethren at the Saints houses. (I will here say I saw some of the Brethren whose names I will not mention acting in such a way as I had not expected to have seen, but so it is.) After council was over I returned with Brothers Stevens and Taylor to Williamsburg to Brother Woolman's where we tarried all night.

Sunday 21st . Morning rather wet. Changed my lining, put on my Sunday clothes & felt quite at home. Done some little journalizing etc. after which I accompanied Brothers Woolman, Stevens, Taylor & Stanerforth [George Staniforth], to sister [-] where we met with the Saints of the 7th Ward. Partook of the sacrament and had a good time together. Brother Richard Morris, formally from England, presided over [p.81] the ward and very kindly invited me & Brother Taylor to his house where we were kindly entertained & I made a favorable acquaintance with Brother Morris, wife & family. Returned to and spent the evening and slept at Brother Woolman's.

Monday 22nd . Arose early, done some writing & other business. Went over to New York to Walker's Hotel, thence to Brother Miles' & had some conversation relative to my brother Ebenezer and he informed me Brother Archer was in possession of his clothes and advised me to go & see him. I decided to do so and accordingly made my [way] to the railway station & took the cars to Yonkers all the way by the Hudson River which presented a very beautiful scenery thence to Brother Archer's, a distance of 3 miles from Yonkers. Found him in the employment of Wells & Provots. He was somewhat surprised and glad to see me after expecting so long. He had kept a many of my brother's [p.82] clothes which he handed over. I took a part of them & left the rest. Finding there were no conveyance to York, I tarried all night & was kindly entertained.

Tuesday 23rd . Left early in the a.m. by car for New York where I arrived safe & made my way to Brother Miles' where I met with Brother [William A.] Appleby who gave us some instruction in regard to proceeding on our journey and stated things looked rather gloomy at the point of outfit on the frontiers & that we must act according to circumstances. Thence to Williamsburg. Wrote to Carry and sent her 2 papers also, one to my mother, one to J. [James] Croft & one to William Smith of Bolton. Slept as before.

Wednesday 24th . Arose early and went with the brethren to the New York & Erie Railway Office. Saw them safe on the tugboat and then returned as I was requested to tarry until the morrow and assist the captain with the [p.83] luggage. I was busy all day making preparations to start tomorrow. Visited several of the Saints and slept at Brother Woolman's.

Thursday 25th . Took my leave of the good folks and made my way to the railway station where I met with several of my companions and we started off for the west about 8:30. We traveled to Dunkirk by Friday 26th. We arrived in Dunkirk about 2 o'clock were met by Mr. Wood who keep the Manchester & Leed's Hotel where we took some refreshment & learned that our bags stayed at the same place yesterday. We were not only refreshed but amused by a pet parrot that could talk very well & with many other things it told Brother Hobson to spit on the other side (of the stove). 6:20 we started again and traveled all night.

Saturday 27th . Arrived in Cleveland about 8 o'clock. Started again about [p.84] 9 and arrived in Toledo about 7 in the evening where we stayed until 3 o'clock next morning and then went on by the express train. The cars were much better then the former.

Sunday 28th . The country began to look very fertile & more pleasant. We enjoyed our ride and reached Chicago about 2 p.m. where we overtook the other company. This is quite a large fine town in the state of Illinois. The other company left about 8 p.m. for Burlington and we stayed overnight at the Rock Island Hotel kept by Mr. Don Allen.

Monday 29th . We obtained our luggage. I wrote two letters to England, one to my mother & father and the other to J. Croft & the Saints in Manchester. About 6:30 we again mounted the cars and traveled at a pretty good rate to Peoria where we arrived [p.85] about 6 a.m. and changed (Tuesday 30th.) cars and were honored by riding in the 1st class. The country looked very fertile & pleasant and somewhat desirable for situation. During our journeys we were obliged to be very cautious & reserve to each other. We could learn the spirit of the people to be very bitter against the Saints. Some in the cars were boasting of going to join the expedition and go up against the Saints. About 2 o'clock p.m. we arrived in Burlington, were ferried across the river by the steamtug and made our way to Brother Willingbeck's store. I was glad to see him & he in return to see me. We became acquainted in Liverpool. I went and stayed at his house and worked with him in his shop until Monday the 12th of April when I took leave of Brother W. and family (consisting of his sister & Necoliner & two daughters Mary & Magdleaner, [p.86] of whom I feel to speak in high terms & pray God to bless and reward them for their kindness to me) and left Burlington per steamboat. (I must here say that on account of such traveling I can't keep a daily journal at the same time. I am sorry to be under the necessity of so doing. I wrote to my mother & Caroline on Tuesday the 6th.

Monday 12th . Arose early in the morning. Made ready my luggage & about 10 o'clock left Burlington per steamboat in company with Elders Harvy Pace & J. [Jacob] Gibson. About 30 miles from Burlington is situated the City of Nauvoo on the east side of the river and although now destitute of those who once delighted in her welfare, it yet presents a fine view and is the finest place for situation I ever saw. The west end of the temple is yet standing and many of the [p.87] principle buildings. I might attempt to describe my feelings on this occasion but language would fail me in so doing. Made our bed on some bags of wheat and slept pretty well.

Tuesday 13th. Wrote a letter to the Bolton branch in England. We arrived in St. Louis about noon & made our way to the office No. 248 where we met with Brother Coward who took great interest in our welfare and obtained places for us to go and eat at. I went to Brother Goodmen's who wife Rachel was a daughter of once Brother John Guinness of Stockport, England. They both treated me very kindly and were glad to learn of their father. We had not conversed long before I found Sister Goodmen. was well acquainted with Caroline Smith & that they used to associate together. I slept with Harvy Pace on the floor in Brother Coward's room.

Wednesday 14th . Went & I took B- [CAPITAL PROBABLY MEANING: Breakfast] at Brother Gorden's. Returned to the office and wrote a letter to T.W. Kirby and one to Caroline for Sister Goodmen to enclose one for her father but she did not write that day and as I left on the morrow she asked me to leave the letter & she would post it, which I did. Went and took dinner at Sister Mitten's who emigrated from Rockdale to the states in the "George Washington" last year. I was happy to find all the family well. They treated me very kindly and were glad to see me. Slept as before.

Thursday 15th . Breakfasted at Brother Gorden's. Later which I looked some little through the town. [UNCLEAR] Learned from Brother Coward (who had made arrangements for us) we could proceed on our journey to Florence per the steamboat, "St. Mary," which would leave at 4 o'clock p.m. Accordingly we made ready and at the appointed time left St. Louis. We paid $4.00 for deck passage. [p.89] It was [a] rather rough fare but we made our bed on our boxes close by the side of Uncle Sam's wagons intended for Utah expedition. There were many on board. We run about 40 miles and then stopped for the night as it was very dangerous to travel in the night on account of the sandbars & many big logs of wood floating down the river.

Friday 16th . Fine day. I done some journalism.

Saturday 17th . Close air. We made our way to Jefferson City, (174 miles from St. Louis) & made up for the night which was very wet & stormy, thunder & lightning.

Sunday 18th . A.M. fine. Rain at noon. I spent the day chiefly in reading the Bible. Nothing in particular occurred.

Monday 19th . Wind ahead, our boat got aground and it was with a deal of pulling & swearing we got off again. Nothing [p.90] more occurred in particular more then at night our old boat, stuck in the mud again, and we had fully learned by this time that our pilot was not the best hand at his business and that our boat was a very slow going one. However, I slept pretty well & enjoyed the voyage quite as well as I expected.

Tuesday 20th . Very cold until even, then pleasant.

Wednesday 21st. Fine morning and quite warm. About noon we arrived at Leavenworth City, [Kansas] where we had a salute by the firing of a small cannon from the "Menihaha" steamboat on which were some of the Utah expedition. This place seemed all alive with the same.

Thursday 22nd . Strong south wind and as the boat had to put 2 passengers ashore at Rushville, [Missouri] she could not get off again although several attempts were made. Some [time] after the "Menihaha" & the [p.91] came along and both ran ashore a little ahead of us. This took place about 10 o'clock a.m. and we lay here until 5 p.m. when the wind ceased and we got off.

Friday 23rd . Rather cold. The river began to get narrow and the scenery more pleasant.

Saturday 24th . Fine morning. We landed to take on firewood where I saw for the 1st time saw [SIC] several Indians and learned one of their headmen or chief had lately been shot by a white settler. I also saw at a distance the corpse of the Buffalo chief sit up on a scaffold. This is their method of burial or disposing of the dead. We arrived at Nebraska City late at night where the storage for the Utah expedition was landed and we were hustled out of our blankets to make way for the men to get out [of] the wagons.

Sunday 25th . Cold, some little rain during [p.92] the day. I learned a report was in the papers that an engagement had taken place with the Mormons & the U.S. troops and that the latter were totally defeated with a loss of 550 men killed and 73 wounded. It also said Colonel Johnston was among the latter and that Mormons took 800 head of cattle but they furnished the remaining part of the troops with sufficient to take them to Fort Bridger. About 5 o'clock we arrived at the Bluffs [Iowa] and came in sight of Omaha State-house but were not able to get there that night.

Monday 26th . About 6 o'clock a.m. we arrived at Omaha, met with the Brother Thomases encamped by the river with whom we took some breakfast and as they were going to the new [-] at Genoa they agreed to take our luggage to Florence. So I started off walking with my comrade [p.93] & Harvy Pace made our way to A.C. Piper's store where we met with several of our company who arrived Friday last. I was soon informed that some sister had been inquiring for me and was directed by Brother Muir to a small mud wall cottage about one mile distance from the town where to my surprise as well as joy & satisfaction I met with Brother & Sister Howlett from Great Melton, Norfolk, England who were exceedingly glad to see [me] and treated me with the greatest of kindness during my stay in Florence. In the afternoon I was taken to the house of Brother Birds, from Norfolk where I became more fully acquainted with his wife (Elizabeth Thurtle) who left the old Country in the spring of '56 at the time I went to labor in the North Walsham District. She had got one fine daughter about 14 months old. She was very glad to see me and made me welcome to the best her house would afford. [p.94] Brother B. was gone out to the new settlement at Ginoria [POSSIBLY, Genoa] to make a farm &c. I slept at Brother Howletts until Saturday the time I left Florence.

Tuesday 27th . Went to A.C. Piper's store became acquainted with him and others of the elders I had not seen who had been laboring in the U.S. Took my luggage to Sister Bird's and done some little shoemaking for the brethren.

Wednesday 28th. Working at Sis. Bird's.

Thursday 29th. Working at Sister Bird's.

Friday 30th. The teams came in and it was decided that we should leave tomorrow, Joseph W. Young came in to give instruction and it had been decided that Brother John Berry should be our captain across the plains. . . . [p.95]

. . . Tuesday [June] 29th. 8 a.m. we left & arrived in the City about noon. . . . [p.105]

BIB: Bunting, James Lovett. Diaries, (Ms 1945 1-4), fd. 1, pp. 65-87,89-95,105; [Acc. #28434] (CHL)
(source abbreviations)