1840-10-12-North America

Diary of William Clayton

Source: Clayton, William Diary (Ms 2843 - CHL), pp. 73-96.

Sunday 11. This morning early we cast anchor and a little after 4 o'clock I went on deck and found that we were between two islands. We had a pleasant view of the sailors hospital and many beautiful white houses and fine trees. 'Twas indeed a pleasant sight. The doctor came on board about 8 o'clock and about the same time the child belonging to Brother [John] Parry from Herefordshire died. All the rest passed the doctor [p.82] without difficultly. The doctor ordered him to be sent on shore which was done in a small boat. Here I may say that we struck a sand bar last night and had it not been calm we might have gone to pieces. This was off Sandy Hook. After the boat returned the ship was turned land in a short time we was on our way for New York. Considering the wetness of the morning we had a very pleasant night of fowls and islands. After about an hours sail we arrived in New York exactly at a quarter before twelve. It was truly delightful to see the multitude of shipping in the harbor. There is no docks here but a very good harbor. The buildings look elegant. When our vessel came to harbor she pressed against a small schooner and struck at her bulwarks and broke some rigging. After the ship was made fast, Elder [Theodore] Turley and me and Joseph Jackson left the ship and set our feet on land exactly at 10 minutes past 12 o'clock. This was another treat to us to set our feet on terra firma although the streets was dirty in consequence of rain. In taking a slight glance I must confess I was delighted to see the superior neatness and tasty state of the buildings. Many painted white, others brick and some have the doors step painted yellow. We bought some large red apples for a cent each which was truly delicious. The streets are wide but not so well flagged and paved [as they] are in England. The first house we entered was Brother Delongs where we took dinner, from here we went to meeting at the Military Hall in the Bowery. The first thing that struck my attention was all the men and women I saw sitting cross legged and all the left leg over the right. Elder Adams preached on the principles of the gospel, after preaching we took bread and wine. We went to Elder Forsters and took tea with Brother Simmons. After tea Elder [Theodore] Turley went on business and I went to writing. We slept on board the ship. Many of the Saints went to meeting and was much pleased. We learn nothing of Brother Herline nor the other brethren who were turned back at Liverpool.

Monday 12. [p.83] This p.m. a lighter came to the ship side into which we put our luggage. We slept on board the North America again.

Tuesday 13. Having finished loading our luggage, those of the company who were present went on board a steamer the "Congress" and sailed to the Albany Basin. We bid adieu to the North America at 12 o'clock. The captain seemed very friendly and said he should wish to bring another company of us over. He inquired if we had a church in New York and where they met. Elder [Theodore] Turley introduced him to Elder Foster. I gave Elder Adams 25 letters for England for which I paid 25 cents. The agreement which Elder [Theodore] Turley made with the proprietors of the "Congress" was that we should sail this day but they have broke their bargain and Elder [Theodore] Turley is much troubled. We slept on board the "Congress." I feel struck to see the horses and carts even to see the light harness and small carts and light loads drawn by them. The Saints all ride. The fruit is quite delicious to English people. I sleep in best cabin.

Wednesday 14. About 9 o'clock this a.m., H.C. Greenholgh [Greenhalgh] died after being ill 8 or 9 days. The city coroner came and sat over him. I was one of the jurors. Verdict - died from unknown cause. A coffin was provided and he was taken into the city to be buried. At 5 o'clock p.m. we had a very beautiful sight of steam boats all left the harbor at once. It seemed as though the harbor was on a move. We left about 20 minutes after 5:00. The company is in good spirits. As we left New York we had a pleasant view of the north part of the city. The buildings chiefly white and very neat. The several stories towering towards the sky bore a majestic appearance. On one part there was a large lot of wood which we was told was provided for the folks against winter. We had not gone far before it began to grow dark and we could only discover by moonlight the [p.84] lofty rocks or earth since the river which is Hudson River specially west side which was indeed beautiful with here and there a beautiful white house scattered on the banks. Before we started from New York we learned that Mary Hingsland was arrived in New York and that Brother Herline and the other families was arrived. Someone went over to get them away with us but is found impossible. We left Brother Richard Bell at New York. He got work there and was likely to do well.

Boston Recorder

The packet ship North America, Capt. Lowber, which arrived in New York last week, brought in her steerage 200 passengers, the whole of whom were "Latter Day Saints," or Mormons, bound for the Mormon settlement at Quincy. The Liverpool Chronicle sttes that upwards of 2000 are in treaty to embark early next spring for the same locality. A great portion of those who sailed in the North America are members of the Total Abstinence Society, and are from Leicestershire and Herefordshire.

Repeated word-for-word in the Troy Daily Whig, the New-Yorker, the New York Evangelist, Boston Weekly Magazine, Christian Observer, Christian Register and Boston Observer, and the The Huntress.

New York Observer and Chronicle

More Mormons.—About 200 Mormons, or "Latter Day Saints," as they choose to be called, have recently arrived at this port from England. They are destined for the settlement at Quincy. The Liverpool Chronicle says that 2,000 are to embark for the same place in the spring. This sect will scarcely make any further progress by conversions in this country, the nature of the imposture having been most abundantly exposed, and the leaders demanded as refugee criminals. Their increase must be by imposition.

Niles' National Register

MORMONS. Latter day saints. The Liverpool Chronicle says:—"The New York packet ship North America, captain Lowbar, sailed on Tuesday week, with 19 cabin passengers and 200 in the steerage. The whole of the steerage passengers belong to a sect called "Latter Day Saints," and bound for Quincy, in the state of Michigan, on the borders of the Mississippi, where a settlement has been provided for them by one of their sect, who has purchased a large tract of land in Michigan. We understand that upwards of 2,000 are in treaty to embark early next spring for the same locality. A great portion of those who sailed in the North America or members of the total abstinence society, and are from Leicestershire and Herefordshire. They are shipped by the respectable house of Fitzhugh & Grimshaw, of this town.

Christian Secretary

About 200 "Latter Day Saints," or Mormons recently sailed from Liverpool for this country, intending to take up their residence in Michigan. Two thousand more are expected to follow in the Spring.

New York Evangelist

Two hundred Mormons came passengers to this port last week, from England, a great portion of whom are members of Temperance societies.