. . . Although the weather is very rough I paid 5 shillings, 4 demies to Burton from there to Manchester by coach, 10 shillings 6 pence and from there to Liverpool by rail 8 shillings 6 pence for me & wife & child, Mary Jane. [MARY JANE IS BOTH WIFE AND DAUGHTER'S NAME] Then went to the office & paid our passage money. In one day besides paying 2 shilling 6 demies for cabs to be removed from one station to the other, we traveled this day 70 miles. [p.25] I got our berth marked and we went before the doctor to be examined to ascertain if we are in good health which is the case with us at present so we have passed him.

Jan. 31-1849. This day we have bought a few necessary things. These last 2 nights we have been sleeping at Birtenhead but being overcharged we removed to aboard [p.26] and lodging house we are well accommodated here.

The ship will not sail so soon as we expected.

Feb. 5-1849—We have been detained these last five days in dock & river which has been very expensive to us, but we are as patient as can be expected. We came out of dock this morning and if it is fine we expect [p.27] to go sea in the morning.

Feb. 6 In the river yet wind is hard.

Feb. 7. This day at 15 minutes to 12 we sailed from Liverpool or rather we were towed out with a steamboat. The wind is contrary. A little before two o'clock another vessel run her jib boom into our rigging & broke their jib boom into pieces but did us little or [p.28] no injury. As night came on the wind arose & it blew hard all night which made our ship rock & roll tremendously and there was such a rattling among the bottles and tinware crashing, children crying. Amidst the confusion a young man, who was ill when we left Liverpool, died which made it awful indeed and to add to the scene [p.29] sometime during the night a cry of fire in in [SIC] the captain's cabin, whether it was true or not of this I am sure it caused much alarm among the passengers.

Feb. 8. This morning the wind shifted. We had fair wind this day and night run about 9 mile per hour the sailor say.

Feb. 9. Weather rough but a middling fair way. [p.30]

Feb. 10. This evening we had divine service, the sacrament was administered and several confirmations were celebrated. Also a marriage by the president of the ships company of emigrants. Elder Martin from Scotland is president, Elder Hawkins & Elder Booth are counselors.

Feb. 17. This day we had prayer meeting this morning. [p.31] Sacrament in the afternoon also a marriage ceremony. There was preaching at night by President Martin & Elders Hawkins & Booth. The weather is fine, wind generally fair but we encountered some dangers but we were ignorant of it at the time. On the 9th the ship was near running on some rocks which would have undoubtedly been attended with great fright, loss of property or life but the God of Abraham, Isaac [p.32] and Jacob delivered us from so great a danger and sent fine weather and fair wind after the first three days which continues to this day. Our vessel sails well & we anticipate a speedy passage across the great Atlantic Ocean.

Feb. 18-1849. We had a public meeting, another wedding took place.

Feb. 25. The weather rough, winds contrary the sea so boisterous we could not attend to public service but think we will have it tomorrow. [p.33]

Feb 26. Weather no better, heavy rain thunder & lightning.

Feb. 27. Much the same as yesterday-squally-wind variable.

Feb. 28. Weather better but the wind is against us but we still go slowly onward. The health is not so good there are so many with seasickness since the weather has been rough, but it is not so bad as it was at first sailing. [p.34]

Mar. 3-1849. This day the wind is very high it comes in squalls so much as to break some of the chains belonging to the rigging. We were in danger of having our bulwarks carried away.

Mar. 4. Weather too bad for us to administer the sacrament in the afternoon, but we had preaching at night by Elders [John] Booth & Hawkins.

Mar. 6. A heavy sea & contrary winds. [p.35] Some more chains broke. This morning there have been a few slight accidents. A seaman was hurt and three were scalded with hot water-these occurred at different times. We often held fellowship meeting at night when weather will permit, then the Lord doth bless his Saints & we sing and enjoy each other's company.

Mar. 10. The wind continues still ahead. The weather is somewhat better. [p.36] Mar.10 Sister Combes is delivered of a son this morning & is doing well with the child. The ship's captain desires it to be called after the ship's name Henry Ware. Things have gone on as well as can be expected among the emigrants considering there are some English, Irish, Scottish, & Manx. [INHABITANTS OF THE ISLE OF MAN] Some in the church & some not, all pressed together in a ship with laws imposed on us that we are not used to and strange food with other [p.37] circumstances that try our patience.

Mar. 11 Too stormy to attend sacrament today.

Mar. 12. The weather more favorable. The captain chief mate hoisted the flag in honor of the child Henry Ware.

Mar. 13. Almost a calm. The ship crowded with sail but we make little progress.

Mar. 14. A fine breeze we are in the trade winds. We have been in the latitude for the trade winds for some time but unaccountable [p.38] to this generation these winds do vary now.

Mar. 18. Fine weather & fair wind although light. We received the sacrament this day and the Saints bore testimony .

Mar. 21. We have good breeze & fair wind this week generally.

Mar. 22. We saw land today this is the first we saw since we left Great Britain, it is one of the West Indian Isles. I believe it is St. Domingo.

Mar, 23. We are sailing near land with fair [p.39] weather & good breeze

Mar. 24. We came in sight of the Isle of Cuba. Weather & wind good.

Mar. 25. We continue to make good progress although in the afternoon the wind almost died away, it became calm. We had the sacrament & the elders gave us some good teaching. It was the best meeting we have had since leaving Liverpool.

Mar. 26. Hot weather, very little wind most of our provisions are exhausted and water [p.40] is scarce - indeed we are bearing it patiently in general - although there is some complaining - others finding fault with our president on board. I believe some will apostatize & one is cut off already.

Mar. 27. 1849 We saw the Island of Jamaica at no great distance.

Mar. 31. For some time now we have had fair wind and hot weather. Very hot. We can rest but little at night or day, but yet we are enjoying good health [p.41] for which I am thankful to God.

Apr. 1. 1849 We came in sight of a fine, low land. The land we saw before was generally mountainous. This is part of the Island of Cuba, a cape called Anthony. The weather still fair. We attended prayer meeting this morning as usual, we had sacrament in the afternoon. The ship's officers are not favorable to us but on the contrary. They disturb us in our meetings when [p.42] they have no occasion for it, but they enjoy doing it.

Apr. 2. We held a council meeting this evening & cut off three members for apostasy. I was witness against Thompson. He denied the work altogether that God had spoken to Joseph Smith. Said he is a mistaken man or an imposter and our church full of corruption & our preachers wolves in sheep's clothing. He said this in my hearing.

Apr. 3. We arrived in the Gulf of Mexico [p.43] with good breeze and fair weather. We expect to be in port some time this week.

Apr. 6. We have met with the steam tug this morning, it being Good Friday. After a passage of more than eight weeks we anchored in the Mississippi River while the steam tug fetched another vessel.

Apr. 7. This morning early. We weighed anchor and the steamer took us and another ship in tow. We have spent a good part of the morning paying & [p.44] receiving visits from our neighbors & Saints that sailed from Liverpool a week after us. They are a kind people. They gave us such provisions as we are short of. They gave their captain & officers a good name, but am sorry we cannot give ours the same but to the extreme contrary. We have plenty of objects to draw our attention as we pass on up the river, beautiful scenery on each side, the trees in lovely green & [p.45] the sweet song of the lovely birds pouring forth their melodious notes and occasionally a nice little cat by the water side with flocks of wild fowl which is gratifying to the eye & ear and our hearts are made glad indeed and our countenance gladden with delight. This afternoon our scene was changed. With regard to our new acquaintances, the sailors got drunk began to quarrel with each other & then some came on board our ship [p.46] to see our sailors but the officer would not allow them to stop so consequently a quarrel ensued between the sailors from the other ship & the captain & his three mates. Our captain shot one of them with a pistol but only wounded him in the arm. This stopped our visiting. The crew of the vessels seem to be a blood thirsty people.

Apr. 8. We arrived in New Orleans this morning. It being Easter Sunday. [p.47] Its been all a bustle this morning the people gong to market. Yes, there is a market every day - it begins soon after midnight if not before. I walked about the town an hour on two. I saw the most wicked abominable people I ever saw. I think Sunday seems to be their favorite day for gambling, dancing, drinking, fire works & I heard murder is no uncommon thing as these men carry knives, daggers, [p.48] or pistols and not only carry them but use them to fight with to kill each other. The inhabitants are a mixed race of French, Spaniards, Dutch, English, Irish, Scotch, blacks, and Indians but French & English are chiefly spoken. It is a lowland & unhealthy. Elder Scovil came on board to see the Saints and to give counsel to such as are willing to receive him as their [p.49] councillor. Elder Scovil is a good man one that is sent here by the authorities of the Church. The Saints generally (except a few apostates who chose their own boat) agreed to be led by the man who is here for that purpose. He has engaged the steam boat "The Great Turk" for us.

Apr. 12. This morning about 3 a.m. we started up the river for St. Louis.

Apr. 18. Nothing very particular happened on our way - the officers & [p.50] and captain were very kind to us. Two of ours sisters died coming up the river & one brother was missing. I have not learned what became of him.

Apr. 19. We arrived in St. Louis today. The Saints here who was lately from England entertained us well. I will speak particularly of Brother & Sister Crosland who are good kind people. they took us in - my wife [p.51] and child having been sick at the time & only for their kindness in administering to their wants in all probability they would have died.

Apr. 23. I came to the coal pits & got work. I bought a little wood house & brought my family into it. The place was called Dry Hill about 6 miles from St. Louis State of Missouri. I was not long satisfied with this place so in the course of the summer I removed to Gravious coal diggings. [p. 52]

May 12, 1850 At Gravious Mary Jane daughter of James & Martha Richards Hall was blessed by Elders Leithem & Baxter.

May 13-1850 at a meeting of the lesser priesthood I was appointed 1st councilor to the president of the lesser priesthood in the branch at Gravious. I was 2nd councilor previously but our president emigrated & it was necessary to make a little alterations. [p. 53] I continued in this office until 6th of April 1852 when I started with my wife & child with an ox team for the Great Salt Lake City. We arrived about the middle of August 1852. . . . [p. 54]

BIB: Hall, James R. Reminiscences and diary, pp. 25-54. (CHL)
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