1858-05-17-New York Herald-Interment of a Mormon Elder in Cypress Hills Cemetery
Interment of a Mormon Elder in Cypress Hills Cemetery-—Funeral Ceremonies in Williamsburg
- New York Herald, 17 May 1858; col E
Interment of a Mormon Elder in Cypress Hills Cemetery—-Funeral Ceremonies in Williamsburg
The Mormons of New York and Williamsburg were yesterday, for the first time in their history, called to follow to the silent grave the mortal remains of one of the Utah missionaries. So seldom does the messenger of death visit the ranks of the elders while abroad on missionary duties, that the occurrence is regarded by the faithful as one of the very sore afflictions and trying visitations of Providence. Probably not more, so our reporter was informed, than half a score of Mormon missionaries ever died abroad, notwithstanding the large number that have been travelling in the nations.
The deceased elder, Samuel Francis Neslen, was a native of Lowstoft, Suffolk county, England. He embraced Mormonism there in 1852, and the following spring accompanied his father and family to Utah. He was soon ordained a member of the 39th Quorum of Seventies. In the summer of 1855 he was one of a number of elders who were sent as an escort to the Apostle Orson Hyde, when he went as Judge to Carson Valley. The deceased was one of the "boys" that could be counted on; accordingly he was appointed to return to Utah in the same capacity to the Apostle P. P. Pratt, on his return from his mission to Chili and California. In the fall of 1856 he received a mission to England. The first night they camped in the mountains he caught cold, which led to consumption and death. He arrived here from England in the beginning of March, with a small company of elders, who were returning for "the defence of Zion," but his health not permitting him to face the hardships and dangers of a trip to Utah he has since remained in Williamsburg.
At 11 o'clock yesterday morning the funeral cortege moved from the house where the elder died to Cypress Cemetery. Arrived there, a venerable gentleman called the Saints to order. A circle formed round the grave, and the assemblage sung a Mormon funeral hymn ending with--
- Vain are the trophies wealth can give,
- His mem'ry needs no sculptor's art;
- He's left a name--his virtues live,
- Like golden medals, in the heart.
A young man, one of the elders, gave a short address suited to the occasion, but thoroughly Mormon at that; speaking highly of the virtues of the deceased--of the esteem in which he was held by those who knew him, and of the glory of Mormonism.
A solemn prayer was offered by one of the Utah elders, in which "brother Brigham" was respectfully named as the object of particular solicitude in the present trying moment in the history of the church. Another hymn and a lengthy prayer by the brother of the deceased ended the ceremony.
The most noticeable peculiarity of the funeral yesterday was the enclosing of the coffin in a heavy pine box. On inquiry, our reporter learned that the remains of the deceased would have been taken to Utah but for the unsettled state of things in that Territory. The pine box is intended as a protection to the inside case while it is necessary to keep the body here; but on the return of gentle peace, the last wishes of the departed will be attended to, and his body will be transported to Zion, that in the morning of the resurrection he may rise in the midst of his family and friends.
