Friday, 21st - 29 years ago this day I left the spirit world and to celebrate the same I went on board the ship Enoch Train about 9 a.m., a first rate ship of about tons burden [-]. Rich, commander, to take my departure from the land of my birth to the land of Zion that I may prepare for a more permanent existence upon the earth hereafter. May the Lord help me. About 11 we went out into the river to our moorings.[p. 17]

Saturday, 22nd - Stayed at our moorings in the river Mersey.

Sunday, 23rd - Weighed anchor about 8 a.m. Wind north northeast. Weather fair. Was towed down the river by the steamtug "Independence." About 9 a.m. a muster took place to seek for stowaways. While the inspection was going on a steamer came alongside with a Mr. Hodgetts and some detective officers to search the ship for the former's family. Mrs. Hodgetts did not wish to go back, although Mr. H. [Hodges] promised to sell his property, and go to Zion with them. But by the persuasion of Elder Wheelock, [James] Ferguson, and others she was persuaded to do so, taking with her 2 girls and a boy and left 2 girls to proceed on their journey. After this things were settled we all passed the inspection with our tickets.* [AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE THERE IS A NOTE, MARKED BY AN ASTERISK. IT READS: A letter of appointment from F. D. Richards was read nominating Elder James Ferguson president.] We reached Holyhead about 7 p.m. when Elder Wheelock & others left [p. 18] the ship to return in the steamtug. The band playing a lively tune and all joining in giving 3 cheers.

Monday, 24th - All the Saints were called on deck for the purpose of organizing the ship's company into wards, 5 in number. Elder Ellsworth and [Daniel D.] McArthur was appointed counselors to President J. [James] Ferguson and Elder McAllister as captain of the guard. The guard stood to their post at every avenue, 3 hours, then others were appointed to succeed them. The next 3...so on till the Saints were called up by the sound of the horn about 5 or 6 a.m. in the morning. We were also called to prayers about 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

We enjoyed ourselves first rate and a general good feeling prevailed. The first 8 or 9 days we had a good wind, after which we had to encounter head winds and squalls [p. 19] about 12 to 15 days, consequently did not make much progress during the time of course. We had plenty of rolling about, upsetting of dishes &c in the galley and being difficult to stand. Sometimes some were sent sprawling across the deck or thrown down, which very near brought about broken legs but thank God no one was seriously injured and only turned out to merriment on the part of the Saints. When weather would permit we kept on deck as much as possible. All kinds of games were resorted to keep us in lively exercise during the day. The band frequently playing and the brethren & sisters collecting together, singing or dancing, made the time pass away agreeable, so that those who were sick got on deck as soon as they could to join in the sport. We felt to rejoice in the Lord and thank him for his [p. 20] goodness. We had very little sickness except seasickness. Several births and 2 deaths, 1 child and an aged sister (Devereux) from the Hertfordshire Conference. She died April 1st. She was afflicted with asthma. It appears she had the desires of her heart. She did not seem to think of reaching the valley herself but wished to see her family on the way, and then the Lord's will be done. On the 2nd her body was committed to the deep. The captain as a token of respect caused the flag to be hoisted upon the occasion, which is not customary, only when an officer is buried. He did the same at the burial of the infant. Meeting upon deck were called by permission from Captain Rich and instructive discourses and good counsel upon cleanliness &c &c were delivered by our leaders which caused the Saints to [p. 21] rejoice and proved interesting to the captain and others of the officers who attended every meeting they could.

On the 6th of April a conference was held. The Saints agreed by vote to sustain the authorities of the Church in all the world with Brigham Young as Prophet, Seer, & Revelator. Also to uphold and sustain one another. Thus we were blessed and felt to praise God for a spirit of oneness. Also that we had such good men to lead us. We know they are men of God by their fruits. Brother Crandall was rather ill the former part of the voyage but soon recovered. Brother Leonard, Ellsworth, & many others spent much of the time in administering to the sick. I enjoyed good health till the last 8 or 10 days of the voyage when I was troubled with continued purging, cold, &c and continued unwell until we landed. [p. 22]

Tuesday, 29th We arrived in Quarantine in Massachusetts Bay near Boston and cast anchor. Were inspected by the U.S. Officers.

Wednesday, 30th Went into dock to prevent anyone from being lost. It was unanimously agreed to appoint brethren to go into the city to buy any necessary thing the Saints wished to obtain and none but them except upon special business were permitted to go. Many of the natives flocked to the ship to have a peek at the Mormons and their wives. Upon our arrival the band saluted them with "Yankee Doodle." The people of Boston entertained very peculiar notions respecting us as a people and it is thought our visit there will have a good effect in removing a little prejudice from the minds of some. It was acknowledged that a more respectable class of emigrants had not made their [p. 23] appearance in Boston. Previous to landing a few days, Elder [James] Ferguson wrote a letter to the captain in behalf of the Saints expressing their thanks to him for his kindness to us during the voyage wishing him success in his future career. As soon as Elder F. [Ferguson] presented it and it was read, in return the captain presented him with one he had wrote 10 days previous, (he had taken that early opportunity thinking he may not be able to do it as it was likely he would be busy when we came near land) expressing his satisfaction with the company and thanked them for the cleanliness and good order observed. He said he never crossed the sea with a class of emigrants before. Before starting he did not like the idea of going with us and was afraid to employ any of [p. 24] our brethren on board, but however he took one on and afterwards wished all the crew had been of our class. This testimony together with the testimonies of the inspectors and other visitors in regard to our conduct may cause many to think a little better of us than they have done.

Thursday, May 1st Our boxes passed the inspector and was sent to the Railway Station.

Friday, 2nd This morning being very wet collections were taken up to hire omnibuses to convey us all to the station. We then went to [-] about one hundred miles by rail, thence by steam packet to New York where we arrived about 8 the next morning.

Saturday, 3rd Stayed at New York. None were allowed to go into the city without permission. This night we slept in a steam packet.

Sunday 4th Started by steam packet [p. 25] "New Haven" to go to Piermont to take the train for Dunkirk. Piermont is 25 miles up the Hudson River. The scenery of this river is delightful and cannot fail to attract the attention of the traveler. Saw all towns & hamlets on either side and stately villa residences together with the luxuriant landscape rendered the scenery delightful. We arrived at Piermont about dusk. After our luggage was made all right we all took our seats and started on our journey by rail up the side of the River Delaware.

Monday, 5th - We leave the Delaware and pass alongside the Susquehanna and then up the side of the Cherning River.

Tuesday, 6th - Early this morning we passed the river Genesee and traveled alongside the Allegheny a few miles. Arrived at Dunkirk 4:50 p.m. It is situated on [p. 26] the [-] side of Lake Erie. As soon as it was possible we were in our cars for Cleveland and arrived there next morning about 7 o'clock.

Wednesday 7th After our luggage was recovered we again went on our journey and arrived at Toledo about 5 p.m. when we changed again and pursed our journey to Chicago at which place we arrived about 9 p.m. No place of shelter could be got so we got permission to sleep in the cars.

Thursday, 8th - Elders Ferguson and McAllister and a part of our company went on to Rock Island about 2 p.m. leaving those of us who were left to follow about 11 p.m. Accordingly we started by 11 a.m. on train and arrived at Rock Island about 8 next morning.

Friday 9th When we arrived at Rock Island we were informed that the railway bridge [p. 27] was burnt. Consequently we could not cross the Mississippi River for Davenport but that we should stay till Monday before we could go on our journey. A place was taken for us to shelter in. It was a large stone house opposite the ferry. During our stay here guards were posted at the doors to prevent the intrusion of strangers who came out of curiosity or mischief to visit us. The people here seemed rather opposed to us but all passed off pretty well.

Monday 12th Part of our company crossed the river & took train in the morning for Iowa and those of us who remained crossed at 1 p.m. and took train at 2. We were detained upon the road 1 hour as a part of the road was blocked up. We arrived at Iowa City about 9 p.m. met the other part of our company at the railroad storehouse at which place we sheltered till [-]. [p. 28] It was very rough traveling upon the railways in this country. It is nothing strange to be knocked out of your seat and frequently to pass heaps of cars and engines all smashed up by collision or otherwise. Luckily when we [were] traveling about 2000 miles to escape without any serious accident. We ascribe our deliverance to God our Father & thank him for his goodness to us while traveling in sea and land. The road from Devon Point to Iowa is awful. As it was in England they would not allow carts with lumbers to pass along to say nothing of human beings the rails are laid quite crooked.

Wednesday 14th A great part of the luggage was forwarded to the camping ground about 2 miles from the city, after which all the Saints went up. I went up during the afternoon by [p. 29] order of President Ferguson but had occasion to go back to the station. Night came on, also a heavy storm with it. So that those of us who were late got a good drenching, and not being able to see where to step we got well covered with mud up to our knees. When we got to the camp I could not find my clothes to change but after a while I found my bed clothes, in a temporary shed in which the joiners where a great number slept. The tents not being all up. Our campo was pleasantly situated on an eminence over looking a small valley surrounded by gentile rising hills on which were several good farms from which plenty of good milk could be obtained. About a week after we arrived we were visited by a heavy thunder. One tent was blown down. The one I was in being in a hollow was ankle deep with [p. 30] water. It being night a quite dark we had on other light to guide us then the lightning's glare by which we contrives to take a part of our clothes to the shed to keep them dry , also to find a place of refuge. But soon the rain stopped and we removed our tent to another and better place but part of the bed clothes being wet. Some of us took shelter in our neighbors tents. During our stay here we held meetings twice every Sunday. Many strangers attended these meetings and listened attentively. Many were from the city and some came 10 to 20 miles to see us. Some few were baptized.

Monday June 8th. This 1st division of the Handcart Company. Started under the presidency of Elders E. [Edmund] Ellsworth, [-], & Butler. [p. 31]

BIB: Smith, Andrew. Diaries (Ms 1394), fd. 2. pp.17-31 (CHL)
(source abbreviations)