Embarked on board the American ship, Marshfield of Bath, U.S. with my wife and five children, lying in the Victoria Dock, Liverpool, on Friday, March 31, 1854.

Friday, March 31. Embarked, got luggage on board, took our berths, and slept on board. Found things strange, but made the best of it.

Saturday, April 1. Busied in arranging luggage and making the berth straight and comfortable.

Sunday, 2nd. Attended meeting on the quarter deck which was alternately addressed by President William Taylor, Elders [Gilbert] Lamoreaux and [Wilbert] Clements, by whom some excellent teachings were given for the subsequent and present circumstances of the Saints who composed the company on board the Marshfield. Preaching between decks in the evening Elders Bryson [Thomas Bryceson] and Labby [Phillip Labbey] occupied the time.

Monday, 3rd. On shore with my wife shopping.

Tuesday, 4th. Hauled out of the dock into the River Mersey.

Wednesday, 5th. The passengers underwent medical inspection, the results terminating in the rejection of Sister Jane Hunder, from the London Conference, on the grounds of her being a colored woman or the Negro race. It appears that New Orleans, the capital of the slave state, Louisiana, and that colored persons emigrating there are liable of being kidnaped on the plea of being runaway slaves.

Thursday, 6th. This morning, my brother, Elder William Fisher came on board, laden with presents of bread, oranges and a variety of other things. May the Lord bless him for all his kindnesses to me and mine.

Appointed counselor to President Taylor. Wrote my farewell letter to my brother William.

Friday, 7th. Still lying in the Mersey.

Saturday, 8th. All hands called up at past 5 a.m. Captain just came on board with orders for sailing. Saints passing general muster on deck, meantime between decks and ship generally rummaged to detect stowaways. None found. past 6 anchor weighed and ship underway in tow of a powerful steam tug. 8 o'clock had the pleasure of entertaining Elder Marsden to breakfast, who sailed out with us 20 miles and left with Elder [Gilbert] Lamoreaux. All well and in first rate spirits. We had a very pleasant day with little wind. Held meeting between decks in the evening. Elder Taylor preached an excellent discourse. Prayer and benediction by Elder Fisher.

Sunday, 9th. According to arrangement the sound of a trumpet at 6 a.m. was to be the signal for the Saints to rise. Attended to accordingly. Met to prayers at 7 a.m. Had a refreshing time. Holyhead seen in the after part of this day. Weather very fine, yet some of the Saints seasick. My family, thank God, quite well. Wind right ahead. Held meeting in the evening between decks. Elder Clements spoke beautifully on the gathering of Jews and Gentiles in the last days, followed by Elders [Thomas] Fisher and Bryson [Thomas Bryceson]. A good feeling prevailed. Much of the Spirit enjoyed. [p.1]

Monday, 10th. Weather fine. Ship going her course. Passed Holyhead during the night. Wind fair but light. Met to prayers at 7 a.m. Provisions for the week served out this day. Cloven foot discovered on board. It appears in accordance with arrangements authorized by the Emigrating commissioner that measures are used in lieu of weights in the distribution of some of the provisions which is necessary in order to facilitate the business.

Some of the mistrustful weighed their provisions and finding the legal measure did not exactly correspond with the weight gave way to a spirit of grumbling which was unfortunately fanned to quite a flame by one of the priesthood. Our president was much grieved at the circumstance. The principal offenders being summoned before our council. After a suitable admonition manifested contrition and all appeared to be well. Held testimonial meeting at night when a happy influence was enjoyed. All expressing sorrow for the sins of the day while the sacred influence of the Holy Spirit was shed abroad in our hearts.

Tuesday, 11th. In the Irish Channel. Wind fair. Prayers at 7 a.m. Much seasickness this day although weather very fine. Met to prayers at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, 12th. In the Irish Channel. Wind fair with fresh breeze. Prayers at 7 a.m. Commenced schools for the girls and boys. Enter western ocean. Many of the Saints so affected with seasickness as to be confined to their beds. My wife ill in bed. Prayers at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m. attended two marriages. Elder Taylor officiated for Elder [William] Pidcock and Hannah Blanch from the Newcastle Conference and Elder [Gilbert] Clements officiated for teacher John Taylor and Harriet Hadley from the Warwickshire.

Thursday, 13th. Strong breeze from the east. Heavy sea. Saints still very seasick. Prayer at 7 a.m. Ship rolled heavily all night. My wife still very ill. Prayers at 8 p.m.

Good Friday, 14th. Ship rolling heavily. Many of the Saints greatly afflicted with seasickness, several quite prostrated. Assisted to administer to some of the worst cases. Prayers at 7 a.m. Few attended on account of the violent seasickness. The beds and bedding and the sick got on deck for the purpose of airing. My wife and family quite well. This afternoon Sister [Susannah] Allsop was safely relieved of twins. One died in the birth. Mother and surviving child, a boy, doing well. (They are from the Manchester Conference.) Prayers at 8 p.m.

Saturday, 15th. Wind light, ship going 2 points from her course. Prayers at 7 a.m. Saints much alarmed throughout last night through the heavy rolling of the ship. Only a few cases of seasickness. Myself ill today, symptoms of my old complaint. Prayers at 8 p.m.

Easter Sunday, 16th. Morning fine wind. Ship going her course. Prayers at 7 a.m. The Saints with few exceptions all well and in good spirits. Myself, thank God, much better. Meeting between decks this evening addressed by Elders [William] Taylor, [Thomas] Fisher and [Gilbert] Clements. Several bore their testimony. Wind now blowing fresh.

Monday, 17th. Rain. Wind fresh. Prayers at 7 a.m. Fine on deck. At 10 a.m. provisions for the week served out this day. Prayers at 8 p.m. Wind freshened in the night to nearly a gale this morning.

Tuesday, 18th. Wind right ahead with rain. Ship close-hauled under close reefed top-sails. Heavy sea. Some of the Saints again very seasick. Prayers at 7 a.m. Scanty meeting. 10 a.m. weather fine. Wind abated. Ship rolling heavily. Hard work to keep our legs. Family all well except Sister [Jane] Fisher, who [p.2] is ill in bed. At noon wind fair, but light. Prayers at 8 p.m. Some comforting instructions given. The ship rolled heavily all night.

Wednesday, 19th. Wind fair, heavy sea. Many of the Saints much alarmed by the violent rolling of the ship. Prayers at 7 a.m. Meeting in the evening at 7. Elders Taylor and Clements gave some excellent instructions.

Thursday, 20th. Wind fair, heavy sea. Prayers at 7 a.m. Only a few cases of seasickness. Held a testimonial and prayer meeting at 8 p.m. Blowing hard during the night, with heavy rolling sea. Luggage breaking adrift in the berths. Saints much alarmed without real cause. My son William very ill.

Friday, 21st. Wind fair, strong breeze. Sea breaking over the weather side. Prayers at 7 a.m. Hard work to keep our equilibrium. Saints generally in good health and spirits. Held prayer and testimonial meeting at 8 p.m. Much of the holy spirit enjoyed, speaking in tongues, etc.

Saturday, 22nd. Wind fair, light breeze, sea much more smooth. Climate getting warmer and very pleasant on deck. Prayers at 7 a.m. Elder Fording deposed this day from his presiding over the 5th ward for cultivation and attempting to diffuse a rebellious influence among the Saints. Succeeded by Elder [Ebenezer] Gillis. My son, William, much better this morning. Myself and family, thank God, quite well. Seen from the ship this day a small whale and large shoal of porpoises and quite a number of what the seamen call Portuguese men of war, exciting much amusement among the Saints. Prayers and testimonial meeting at 8 p.m.

Sunday, 23rd. 2000 miles from Liverpool. Morning fine, wind aloft, light breeze. Prayers at 1/2 past 7 a.m. The weather is now exceedingly fine. Sort and genial. At 7 a.m. called to administer to our beloved president who was taken suddenly ill with violent cramps and pains in the stomach and bowels. Laid hands upon him with Elder Clements. Obtained speedy relief. Saints enjoyed the beautiful air on deck. All nearly convalescent and in first rate spirits. Short of preaching in the evening between decks. About 9 p.m. a large shark discovered playing around the ship. Died this night at 12 o'clock Orson William Nield [Neild], aged 5 months, whose parents are from the Oldham Branch, Manchester Conference.

Monday, 24th. Morning fine, wind fair. Prayers at 7 a.m. 20 minutes past 9 a.m. a wreck discovered. No signal being given, the captain did not bear down to her. Provisions for the week supplied. Prayers at 8 p.m.

Tuesday, 25th. Beautiful morning, wind fair but light. Sea smooth. Enter the trades. Steering sails set. Prayers at 7 a.m. Passengers' beds and bedding taken on deck to be aired. 11 a.m. breeze increases. Ship going 10 knots. Rain this afternoon. Prayers at 8 p.m. . . . [p.3] [HERE THE JOURNAL ABRUPTLY ENDS]

BIB: [Fisher family history] (Ms 1628), pp. 1-3. Typescript. (CHL)
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