1840-07-20-Britannia
Autobiographical sketch of Hugh Moon
Source: Moon, Hugh. Autobiographical sketch (formerly in Msd 2050), pp. 2-3. (CHL) (Ms 11392)
July 17th - We cast anchor in sight of New York City. We stopped in the river two days; then came to the city, stayed in the city eight days. I took a bad cold in the banks of Newfoundland, the glands of both of my ears full. I could neither sleep, eat, speak, nor drink anything. They carried me to Brother Addison Everett's room. William W. Rust gave me some medicine which opened my throat; Sister Everatt nursed me with all the care of a mother till I could be moved again.
July 28th - We took steamboat for Philadelphia, sailed 2 hours and 15 minutes; then took railway 2 hours 22 minutes, then steamboat again, reached Philadelphia at 3 o'clock.
Letter of John Moon - July 22, 1840
Source: Allen, James B., ed., "'We had a Very Hard Voyage for the Season': John Moon's Account of the First Emigrant Company of British Saints," BYU Studies 17:3 (Spring 1977), pp. 340-341.
New York, July 22, [1840].
I feel myself glad to find my feet upon the Land of Joseph after so long and tedious a journey; we have had a very long voyage but quite as short as any ship on the sea at the same time. Many ships which sailed before us was not come in when we was set at liberty, the captain said we had a very hard voyage for the season. Started from Liverpool on the 6th of June.
With you getting wisdom and patience for when men begin to gather the corn they thresh it; and so it is with the Saints when they begin to gather they get thrashed and all the good will stand and the rotten will fall. I got up very early on Friday morning July 17th saw land at 4 o'clock. Tacked off until 2 in the afternoon when we saw land again. At 5 saw Long Island all covered with green trees and white houses such a beautiful sight I never saw. I did rejoice to behold the Land of Joseph; yea, I thought it did pay for all the hardships which I had gone through. Quarantine 3 days. If you [p.340] could come sometime from September to May you would not need. I got permission from the captain to go to New York on the Sabbath arrived about 1 o'clock p.m. It was with much trouble I found the Saints. I was at the meeting in the afternoon. I told them who I was and from whence I came and wither I was going. Their hearts was filled with joy and their eyes with tears. They received us with all the care possible. All the company got in on Monday the 20th of July. We have had much affliction tis true more than I can describe but after all I do not know that I ever heard one word of murmuring in all our afflictions. We have all got over safe and in a state of tolerable health. I feel glad that we have got so far on our journey. I feel somewhat sorry for all those who have to come after us but keep up your hearts and as your day is so shall your strength be. You must expect great tribulation in the way to Zion for those who John saw had come through much tribulation and I do not know anyway but one that leads to the kingdom of God. But I can say with truth that if things had been 10 times worse than they was I would just have gone right ahead through all.--We had 3 storms but the prophecy of Brother Kimball was fulfilled the winds and water was calmed by prayer and the power of God. In New York we can buy a large loaf for 6 pence sugar, 3-1/2 pence butter, 6 pence other things in like manner. Potatoes much like England in price and very good. Tea, coffee and spirits--very cheap. I have asked after Brother Garner but I can hear nothing of him . I have also asked after Brother Benbow but they have not seen him. There were ships that sailed 10 days before us and had not come in when we got to shore. One ship had been 90 days on the water. Many of her passengers was almost worn out and many dead. Sister Eaves was delivered of a male child on June 22nd. It died on the 27th and was buried on the 28th. Love to all. &c &c. John Moon [p.341]
