. . . I had a dream in which I saw myself on a ship-then somehow we changed and was riding in wagons without horses yet speeding swiftly along and finally I arrived in Salt Lake City. Now it must be understood that I had at that time seen neither oceans, ships nor railroads. And yet this was fulfilled years after.

It has been comforting to me since for I realized later that it was shown me by the spirit of promise.

In the year 1866 I did emigrate to Utah and I think I saw the place in reality as I saw it in my dream. We cross the ocean that year in a "sailing vessel" embarked at Hamburg, Germany and sailed direct to New York, took the railroad cars to Wyoming, and came from there with ox teams to Salt Lake. On account of the war, we was carried by rail to Montreal, Canada. One night the cars got on a tear some got off the track, and had it not been that "Our Heavenly Father" in whom we trusted held us as it were in his hand, something serious would have happened. As it was we escaped unhurt, only a few bumps as the cars jumped the track.

So also on the sea the hand of the Lord was made manifest for the ship was on fire at least 3 times, and not much damage was done and no panic, even all did not know of it until after. The ship was and old vessel not intended for passengers but had been used to carry cattle. How it came to be used to carry a cargo of human beings I know not, but it seemed that anything was good enough for Mormons.

On board the ship I met and married a young man named Jens Pedersen (James Peterson). He changed his name after coming here. He was an outcast from home, and lost a goodly inheritance because of his religion. He proved his love [p.6] for God and his work in preference to wealth. . . . [p.7]

BIB: Peterson, Ansine M., Journal (Man A 834), pp. 6-7, (Utah State Historical Society.)
(source abbreviations)