1858-03-19-Empire

Diary of James Lovett Bunting

Bunting, James Lovett. Diaries, (Ms 1945 1-4 - CHL), fd. 1, pp. 65-87,89-95,105

Friday 19th . About the time daylight made its appearance our ears were saluted by the sound of steamtug alongside & pilot on board. We were soon from cabins [p.77] and on deck when found the tug had left us because the captain of our vessel would not give $100 (one hundred dollars) to take us into harbor. The morning was very fine and everything bore a pleasant aspect even the angry waves of the sea seemed to smile and as they gently show their silvery teeth seemed to welcome us to the fine port of New York. By this time a steamtug was engaged & we were attached to it - and about 11 o'clock we hear the welcome sound of the cable chain running out and when I came on deck (for I had been very busy cooking our last potatoes, helping to eat them, & siding our good & chattels below) found our old Empire safely anchored in the Hudson River in front of the Castle Garden through which we all passed, after [p.78] getting our clearance from the ship etc. The harbor and view up the river bore a fine & magnificent appearance well fortified by the batteries containing large cannon &c our luggage all passed the custom examiners except the guns or rifles belonging to some of the elders which were detained for a further understanding. About the next thing we found ourselves comfortably seated in Walker's Hotel eating dinner which to my judgement tasted first rate & was duly appreciated by all. We received some instructions from our captain and after seeing my luggage all right I made my way. By invitation from Brother J. [James] Stevens (who accompanied to Williamsburg) and after calling at several of the Saints houses we met with a kind & hearty, at or by, Brother Christopher Woolman's, who gave up their bed for us to sleep in which we most assuredly did after 27 days tossing on the sea. Before we retired I made some inquiry relative to my Brother Ebenezer, who emigrated from England - and died at Brother Joseph Oxborrow's Nov. 3rd, 1855. I had no sooner done so then Brother W. [Woolman] brought out a pair of cotton braces and an overcoat which he had bought off Brother O. and he informed me they were my Brothers which I some recognized as I well remembered seeing them when in England. Considerable conversation etc. with a thankful heart to God, my Eternal Father, terminated the duties of the day.

Saturday 20th . Arose about daylight. Took a view out of the window at the style and plan of building which differs much from that of the old country (England.) The houses [p.79] were built very slim & near all flat roofs as though they were only intended to stand for a few years. Visited some of the Saints in the neighborhood & made my way to Brother Joseph Oxborrows. Found Brother Joseph & wife at home, they bore a very pleasant appearance and after introducing myself we soon entered into conversation about my brother Ephraim of whom I was very anxious to hear. Brother Oxborrow spoke in very high terms of him and said he was well respected by all that become acquainted with him. As to the cause of his death he said he believed it to be the ship fever brought on by extra good living after a scarcity on shipboard and being exposed to the wet in his employment. The sum & substance of this I received and recorded at the time of his death and will not therefore say anymore at present as my time is so very limited. Thence to New York [p.80] to Walker's Hotel - met with the brethren. Received some instruction from Brother Stenhouse & our captain who were making arrangement for the brethren at the Saints houses. (I will here say I saw some of the Brethren whose names I will not mention acting in such a way as I had not expected to have seen, but so it is.) After council was over I returned with Brothers Stevens and Taylor to Williamsburg to Brother Woolman's where we tarried all night.

Sunday 21st . Morning rather wet. Changed my lining, put on my Sunday clothes & felt quite at home. Done some little journalizing etc. after which I accompanied Brothers Woolman, Stevens, Taylor & Stanerforth [George Staniforth], to sister [-] where we met with the Saints of the 7th Ward. Partook of the sacrament and had a good time together. Brother Richard Morris, formally from England, presided over [p.81] the ward and very kindly invited me & Brother Taylor to his house where we were kindly entertained & I made a favorable acquaintance with Brother Morris, wife & family. Returned to and spent the evening and slept at Brother Woolman's.

Monday 22nd . Arose early, done some writing & other business. Went over to New York to Walker's Hotel, thence to Brother Miles' & had some conversation relative to my brother Ebenezer and he informed me Brother Archer was in possession of his clothes and advised me to go & see him. I decided to do so and accordingly made my [way] to the railway station & took the cars to Yonkers all the way by the Hudson River which presented a very beautiful scenery thence to Brother Archer's, a distance of 3 miles from Yonkers. Found him in the employment of Wells & Provots. He was somewhat surprised and glad to see me after expecting so long. He had kept a many of my brother's [p.82] clothes which he handed over. I took a part of them & left the rest. Finding there were no conveyance to York, I tarried all night & was kindly entertained.

Tuesday 23rd . Left early in the a.m. by car for New York where I arrived safe & made my way to Brother Miles' where I met with Brother [William A.] Appleby who gave us some instruction in regard to proceeding on our journey and stated things looked rather gloomy at the point of outfit on the frontiers & that we must act according to circumstances. Thence to Williamsburg. Wrote to Carry and sent her 2 papers also, one to my mother, one to J. [James] Croft & one to William Smith of Bolton. Slept as before.

Wednesday 24th . Arose early and went with the brethren to the New York & Erie Railway Office. Saw them safe on the tugboat and then returned as I was requested to tarry until the morrow and assist the captain with the [p.83] luggage. I was busy all day making preparations to start tomorrow. Visited several of the Saints and slept at Brother Woolman's.

Thursday 25th . Took my leave of the good folks and made my way to the railway station where I met with several of my companions and we started off for the west about 8:30.

History of Samuel Roskelley

Roskelley, Samuel. History, pp. 32-34. (CHL)

And at another time contrary winds drove us in sight of breakers of Sable Island, N. [New] York, but thru the mercies of our Heavenly Father we arrived at N. York, 19 March 1858, rejoicing in the privilege of setting our feet on the land of my adoption, on the road to the Zion of God after a passage of 28 days from Liverpool. We were advised to dispose of all boxes and put our luggage in carpet sacks so as to be light as possible to cross the plains with. Brother Geo. Taylor and I left a trunk with our best clothing and many things of value to me in charge of Bro. Stone and family at Williamsbury to be forwarded to me at Utah as soon as opportunity afforded, but after a lapse of 30 years I have never had the privilege of seeing anything I left in that trunk.

Wed. 24 March 1858, Took passage on board a freight train, arriving at Chicago, Ill., at 11 P.M. 27 March 1858

Journal of William Pace

Pace, William, 1806-1876. Journal, April 1856-April 1858.

Friday the 19th Morning fine. Sailing fine. In sight of the lighthouse at Sandy Hook. Passed up the river, the sight was grand. We passed the forts and the city on the Jersey side. We landed in New York at eleven o'clock A.M. Passed the custom house officers, then went to the Castle Gardens. Passed through there and then we all went to Walker's Hotel. . . .

Reminiscences of Thomas Bullock

Bullock, Thomas. [Reminiscences], Our Pioneer Heritage. Comp by Kate B. Carter, vol. 8. (Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1965), pp. 277-278.

After seeing Sable Island, headwinds prevailed, so that 13 days were occupied in reaching New York. Twenty-eight days was a remarkable short passage, for the elders on the "Underwriter" were 56 days crossing the Atlantic and a ship was towed up with us that had been 65 days coming from London. We were ahead of all the vessels that had left Liverpool 10 days previous to the Empire.

We arrived at New York about two weeks before we were expected by President Appleby, who was absent; hence we waited five days to see him, at his request, and to regain our private arms which had been unjustly seized by a Mr. Murphy, an officious searcher, who ought to be dismissed from service for his ignorance of his duty.

Having obtained emigration tickets, we were sent by the slow or goods train to Chicago