1855-05-22-Samuel Curling

Journals of Matthew Rowan

Source: Rowan, Matthew, 1827-. Journals, 1853-1855. [LDS Church Archives, Ms 6084 1, fd. 1, vol. 2; Acc. #9323] pp. 153-190.

Monday 21st. Many get up early this morning to see the land, as it was given out at day- break that such was to be seen but as the sun got up the land went down. What a disappointment! The morning was beautiful, and many vessels were to be seen. The wind was ahead of us in the morning. In the afternoon a pilot came on board and agreed with the captain to pilot us in to harbor for the regular pilot fare on the pilot ground although he was many miles on this side of it. [p. 185] The pilot boats with their pilots run far out on sea in opposition to each other in getting vessels. The evening was beautiful and many of the Saints get up upon deck and sang some of their Mormon songs in the true Mormon spirit. I attended my ward meeting. I examined some luggage that I had brought out of the railway luggage van at Liverpool for Sister Smith's it being addressed "Mrs. Smith passenger to Liverpool." It consisted of a good leather portmanteau, a little square box and another old worthless box, broken in the lid. They cautioned principally clothes and toys and school books for a young girl who as far as I could make out from letters in the same was at school at Liverpool. The name of her parents is seemingly, Anderson, St. James's Square, Hull. [p. 186] I did not know but the luggage belonged to some of us in company until we were near to America. Had I known at Liverpool I should have returned with it to the railway station. In a small "savings bank" in one of the boxes were three pieces of silver coin; one a shilling of George the 3rd's reign, dated 1816, and has a quite new appearance. Another is a French coin, stamped with the head of Napoleon, having on the head side "Napoleon Emperor," and on the other side "Empire Francois. A. 1811." and round the edge "Dieu Protage La France," it is a "2 Francs" piece. (The other was a "2 Francs" piece, date "1833" with the inscription "Louis Philippe I Rot Des Francois.")

Tuesday 22nd. 6 a.m. the land was sighted by a naked eye, and oh! how beautiful it did appear to the emigrant's eye. All were electrified by the cry of land. Lame, old, young, sick, and all ran [p. 187] up on deck to see it. It seemed like a fairyland. We first gazed upon what is called "Never Sink," then "Sandy Hook." then "Stratton Island," to the left, then we feasted our eyes upon the beauty of "Long Island." There we passed the doctor who is stationed there for the inspecting of passengers relative to the state of their health &c. The company all passed without any exception, save the child that had the smallpox, and that the captain contrived to put out of sight until the examination was over which did not last longer than 15 or 20 minutes. The doctor that came out with us the captain put out of sight so that he might not have need to sin his soul by telling a lie as to no disease being on board or from sinning still greater by telling the truth in the matter. Elder Willis acted the part of the doctor in his stead. All passed off well. [p. 188] The steamer towed us into the harbor by the afternoon, and all the way up the (Hudson) river we were annoyed by sharpers, alas thieves, who came out in small boats, and "climbed up (another way)" on to our vessel, and would be in but our guard kept them at bay and hunted out of the vessel any that chanced to get in. The captain engaged the steamer that towed us in for 75 dollars, which was only 100 dollars less than what the captain of the tug offered to tow us in for. There was plenty opposition in this by steamers. Yankee meets Yankee here. When landing at New York we were regularly beset by thieves, but the guard and the captain and crew kept them back and all the hatchway were guarded so that no stranger could possibly get down to our goods. Oh with what audacity and unconceived of impudence do the New York sharpers go about their cursed business. They are worse by far then their transatlantic brethren [p. 189] at the Liverpool Docks. They came in very "questionable shapes." Some of them are hung and hooped in chains and rings of gold. Mormonism can match them, however. The captain is eloquent in extolling our conduct and propriety on board to the pilot, doctor, excise officers, and reporters. He boasts that for goodness and healthiness, there never was a better ship load of people brought into port. He and the crew wish we had further to go with them. Our company has been so engaging, they express their regret to part from us. The captain gets us to sing to strange officials when they come aboard. Oh! he is big about his passengers. He was told at Liverpool what a life he would be led by our misconduct on board, during the voyage. This, he states, he is prepared to speak against. Our landing was reported in the New York papers today and our voyage and general conduct and appearance were commented upon. We were called cleanly and orderly and our order was recommended to other emigrants &c. [p. 190] [ABRUPT END OF THE JOURNEY ACCOUNT TO THE SALT LAKE VALLEY]

Letter from W. [William] Willes - May 20, 1855

Source: Willes, W. [William], [Letter], The Latter-day Saints Millennial Star 17:27 (July 7, 1855) pp. 423-24.

This morning, Tuesday, 22nd May, 1855, at half-past five, we were in sight of the lighthouse and a tug ahead, on for New York. No deaths, no marriages; and I trust to have none to report on this voyage. If you had been here on board, I believe your counsels could not have been more faithfully carried out than they have been. The gifts have been manifested by several of the Saints at different times. Some of the sailors believe the gospel, and I believe are concluding to go to Utah with us.

The ship came to anchor at noon, and Elders J. B. Maiben and J. (Joseph) Booth were sent to the office of President Taylor, who was out of New York, with President Fullmer, at Philadelphia, which induced Elder Felt to send a telegraphic message. The ship passed the examining officer in first-rate style, all well. Several reporters came on board, and much admired our organization and fine order, and they said they would publish us in the papers.

The captain has acted in a way to call down the blessings of the whole Church; he spoke in the highest terms to all, of everything and everybody, and returned us in his list as "578 Saints" and he was pleased to say, "You are Saints, for you have acted like such in every way, and, of all passengers I never saw such, for you have been no trouble to me at all; more of a pleasure than a trouble."

Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, 28th May. I must now close. Since I wrote the above, we have sent our dear brethren, full of hope, to their various destinations.

Yesterday, the Perpetual Emigration Fund emigrants of the Samuel Curling went in the "Amazon," to St. Louis, with Elders Stevenson, Barlow, &c., and I am left here alone to await the arrival by boat and train of the independent passengers, and a few of the Perpetual Emigration Fund, who were too late for the boat from New York to Amboy, to meet the Philadelphia rail cars. From New York to Amboy by boat 1 1/2 hours; by boat again to Philadelphia 5 hours; washing our hands and face, and taking breakfast, and then off to this city; taking from Friday noon, to Sunday morning at daylight. �

Reminiscences and Journal of Matthew Rowan

Source: Rowan, Matthew, 1827-. Reminiscences and journal, 1853-1864. [LDS Church Archives, Ms 8230, pp. 55-56; Acc. #33375]

After being on the sea in fair winds, contrary winds, gales, and calm weather, we sighted land for the first time on the 22nd of May, about 6 o'clock a.m. We were towed into the New York harbor on Tuesday 22nd, and slept aboard that night.

On Wednesday the 23rd, John Taylor and others of the brethren missioned in New York, came on board our vessel today, and had those of us styled "Independents" separated from those called "Perpetual Emigrating Fund" passengers so as to have our business matters and expenses kept separate, etc., whereupon the "Independents" organized themselves into a company, John Robinson, president, Henry Maiben, clerk. We slept this night on board also.

On Thursday 24th a steamboat took our luggage from off the ship up to another wharf where it was put aboard another steamer to be taken to Amboy to be put on the cars for Pittsburgh. We slept in New York on board a "hotel" tonight in which from 5 to 10 beds were in one room. On Friday we were taken per steamer to Philadelphia, landing there at 8 p.m.

Reminiscences of William Willes

Source: Willes, William, 1814-1890. Journals and reminiscences, 1851-1885. [LDS Church Archives, Ms 1523, pp. 44-46; Acc. #18884].

Arrived at New York May 20th after a very splendid passage and were received by Elder John Taylor, who treated the leading elders to an oyster supper at Willis' restaurant.

Many compliments were lavished upon us through our being in such excellent conditions, by the press of the city — this being the first Mormon emigrating ship coming at this port. Our next move was on board a steamer to Amboy, and from there by rail through the Allegheny Mountains to Philadelphia,

THE MORMON IMMIGRATION

Source: "Mormon Immigration [news report]," Latter-day Saints Millennial Star 17:27 (July 7, 1855) pp. 421-22.

(From the "New York Tribune.")

The faithful of the fold of Latter-day Saints, whose poverty prevents their undertaking the journey, are forwarded at the expense of the "Perpetual Emigrating Fund." Wealthy men among the sect support this fund by their contributions, and those who are sent out at its expense mortgage a certain portion of the proceeds of their labor after arriving in the happy Valley to repay the cost-thus the fund is made perpetual. The season for emigrating is between November and April; this season the Liverpool agency have sent off over 3,600 immigrants, of whom above 1,100 were sent at the expense of the fund. Heretofore these immigrants have usually entered this country through the Southern ports, avoiding New York altogether; but it would seem that the aversion is wearing off. Yesterday the packet ship Samuel Curling brought to New York 570 of these immigrants, and the ship "William Stetson" is on the way hither with 293 more. We believe there are still other vessels now due here laden with Mormons.

As far as we could learn, comfort, cleanliness, good humor, and good health prevailed throughout the voyage. The Saints will set out for Utah by way of St. Louis as soon as possible. Wagons, teams, and tents are now waiting for them on the Missouri River, and they expect to reach the Promised Land in September or October next. . . . [p.422]