1859-05-13-William Tapscott
A Compilation of General Voyage Notes
on the arrival of the company in New York, it was pronounced by doctors and government officers to be the best disciplined and most agreeable company that ever arrived at that port. Arriving safely in the New York harbor, the emigrants were landed in the Castle Gardens on Saturday, the fourteenth of May. On the same day, in the evening; most of them continued the journey by steamboat up the Hudson River to Albany, where they arrived the following morning. About fifty of the Saints who crossed the Atlantic in the William Tapscott stopped temporarily in New York and other parts of the United States. (Millennial Star, Vol. XXI, pp.286, 419; Morgenstjernen, Vol. III p.82)"
Autobiography of Lars Christian Pedersen
Pedersen, Lars Christian, 1839-1920. Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1919]. pp. 3-4. (CHL)
… Thus my time was spent every day until we landed in New York. But when the doctor came I was called to go with him as an interpreter among the Scandinavians.
On Thursday May the 12th we cast anchor in New York harbor at 7 p.m. and next morning landed in Castle Garden at New York where we stayed until Saturday the 14. In the afternoon when we started up the Hudson River on a steamboat to Albany where we arrived on the 15th.
Autobiography of Squire Thornton
Thornton, Squire. Autobiography (Mon A 1260) (Utah State Historical Society), pp. 2,4.
… we arrived at New York on the 11th of May 1859. My aunt Mary was along with me. We stayed at Castle Garden a few hours. Then we started through the states.
Journal of Fanny Fry Simmons
Simons, Fanny Fry, An Enduring Legacy Vol. 6 (Salt Lake City, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1983) pp. 185-89. (CHL)
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We were on the ocean a month and a day. I have not forgotten the time when we came into New York harbor; what a lovely sight it was. The boat came and towed us into the harbor and the inspection officers came on board and inspected us, and we landed the same day.
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And so we landed on the soil of America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. Oh, what a good feeling to be on hard ground once more! We landed at Castle Garden, a place of great renown to emigrants. We intended staying there all night with the Saints, but Brothers Eldridge and [George Q.] Cannon were there to receive us and bid us welcome to American soil. When they found that John and I were to stay in New York, they had a place among some of our people for us to stay. One of the brethren living in New York came and we went home with him and stayed there all night. They were kind and hospitable in their feelings toward us. I won't forget our walk from Castle Garden to the house. We walked like drunken people. John and Sarah could see how I was walking but could not see how they walked. John would correct my way and Sarah would correct John until we thought what was the trouble with us. This evening was the beginning of a great deal of trouble to me.
In the evening Brothers Eldridge and [George Q.] Cannon came to see John with a proposition from Brother Rowley. He wished John would use his influence with me to induce me to go with him to Utah; that he would like me to become his wife when we reached Zion. John told them that he thought it was useless because I had grown to dislike Rowley, and he did not wish to persuade me against my will and wishes [p.188] because, in a measure, he was responsible to Mother for the way he treated me. John took me aside and talked to me about it and tried to show me where he thought I would be better off, but I could not see it that way at all. Next morning John saw the brethren and told them I did not want to go. After a little while we met again, for they were all this time at work making preparations to move the company on through the States. Brother Eldridge said he did not like the idea of "leaving a single girl in New York open to the snares and temptations that are sure to be found in all large cities everywhere." He spoke very fatherly and kindly to us both and told us to think well. "It would be different if you could both be together all the time, but in your circumstances it is not possible." In fact, he said a great many true and good things that I do not remember now, but the substance of it as that he did not think it advisable for me to stay there now that the way had been opened for me to go.
Still I hesitated to go. I did not wish to leave John, for I felt he was the best friend I had in America, and it seemed that I could not give him up and rely on myself alone. Then Brother [George Q.] Cannon talked to us very kindly, and I truly feel the deepest love and gratitude to those noble men of God for being so mindful of me, a poor humble English girl. Their counsel was good and well meant; I fully realized that at the time. It was not through their words that I hesitated, but it was our part of the program I feared. Finally Brother Rowley said that if I would consent to go with him he would pay all my expenses of the journey and he would try and be as a brother to me, and when I got to Utah I should be as free as now. That seemed to give me encouragement, so John and Sarah talked the matter over and finally John told me he thought that under the circumstances I should accept Rowley's offer. In the duty to my brother I must here state that he never through it all used anything but the utmost kindness toward me, and furthermore I know fully that John realized his position and relation toward me and he left it to me to decide for myself which I would do. He would be satisfied either way. I made up my mind to go and that evening started our journey to the States. (I should have said through the States.) Leaving my dear brother behind was another severe trial to me. It seemed that now I was entirely alone as far as help was concerned. . . . [p.189]
Journal of Henry Hobbs
Hobbs, Henry, 1835-1917. Journal, 1859 May-1860 Jul, pp. 13-65, 73-74, 89, 91-92. (CHL)
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Thursday the 12. The weather still favorable. Ship sailing about 7 knots an hour. At about [-] o'clock today the pilot came on board & reported that we were 35 miles from New York. This caused the hearts of the Saints to rejoice but oh how great was their joy when they saw the banks on either side covered with many beautiful building & trees. [p. 57] I shall not attempt to describe. Suffice to say they were exceeding glad. We passed by several lovely islands on our way up to New York. We were examined by the doctor & passed without any difficulty. About 5 p.m. we arrived at or opposite New York. We can see Castle Garden & it looks better than it was represented to be. The custom house officers came on board & said we would have to go to the Garden tonight, but Brother Neslen reasoned with them a little & got them persuaded to let us stay on board till the next day. We are informed that all the emigrant ships that has arrived have buried lots who have died with the smallpox & it is reported that several ships are prohibited from coming in to land their passengers on account of so many being bad with the smallpox & if this be true how thankful should we be for so prosperous a voyage & only one death. There is a Man-Of-War ship laying right on our left. Today [p. 58] we saw several fine steam boats. One was the "Metropplous," and another the "Commonwealth." Today lots of the Saints emptied their straw beds & will probably lay on the ticks tonight. Bread was brought on board at 6 pence for a very little loaf. Some exchanged peas & rice for a little bread. Brother Nelsin says one emigrant ship has been out 65 days & is now at Halifax & up till the last heard of her had died with smallpox & they were on short rations. Brothers Nelsin & Bond went onshore & returned with Brother Stenhouse, the steamship [-] is right before us. She is the one I understand that will carry our letters to England in a few days. The papers state that one of the judges in Utah is dismissed from office by P. Cummings.
13 of May. Arrived in Castle Garden with our luggage. Gave in our names & ages & weather married or single. There were lots of emigrants in the building & hundreds landing daily. The major portion of them are Irish. In the afternoon [p. 59] went for a walk up Broadway. Saw a great many fine buildings & the people dressed very gay. Spirits are cheap. Meat, butter & cheese are also cheap. Slept as well as we could on the boards in Castle Garden. This building is round like a circus & is supposed to hold 10 thousand. Boiling water & a bathing house is [-].
14th. The New York Herald contains our names & trades, testimonial to Captain Bell, marriages on the ship, & cetera. Today our time is mostly occupied looking after our luggage. We embarked about 6 o'clock p.m. in the fine steam packet "Sir Isaac Newton." We had lots of spectators before we left. At 7 o'clock we left for Albany a distance of 150 miles. Saw lots of fine buildings on the way. Quite a number of the Saints were up all night.
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Journal of John James Fry
Fry, John James. Journal 1849-1860, pp. 1-2. (CHL)
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12th. Fair wind arrived at New York in the afternoon. Ships company in high spirits - the whole of the Saints.
13th. Landed in Castle Garden, with Sarah and Fanny. Kindly received by Brother Bridge from England and kindly received and made welcome to all I needed.
14th. The Saints left for Florence. Sarah and Fanny gone with them and I left in New York. I felt to rejoice with the Lord to think so many of the Saints were gone to the place appointed for them. I praise his high and holy name.
May 1859
18th. Stopping at Brother Bridge' house. Money in my pocket $2.80.
22nd. My first meeting with the Saints in the new world was on Sunday, the 15th in New York. Today at Williams Borough. The Saints all well, rejoicing in the work of the Lord.
24th. Rebaptized, confirmed 29th and appointed No. 3 district to teach. Bore testimony of the work of God.
25th. Attended meeting. Williams Bourgh received in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the branch of New York.
N.B. 23rd My first day's work at galvanizing iron. Wages $6 per week.
30th. Wages raised $6.75. Well and rejoicing in the work of God.
23 N.B. Received my first week's wages at the galvanizing works $6.75 for which I praise the Lord. . . .
August 18, 1859.
It was on the 23rd of July that I burned at the galvanizing works my two feet. The right foot was very bad, the other slightly. I'm getting well quick, still holding onto the work of the Lord, knowing it to be true.
Was able to get out of my room on the - -. Went to work on Sept. 26th. A piece of the bone of my second toe came out on Oct. 13th. Getting on well. I had taken two more pieces of bone out of my third toe on Nov. 30th.
December 31. It is with great pleasure I now look back and see what I have gone through by the help of the Lord and I thank his most high and holy name for preserving me to this present time. I am still rejoicing in the Latter-day work, knowing it to be the work of the Lord and I have had a great desire to go n and progress in the church and Kingdom of God in the forthcoming year and gather up to Zion for which I have set out for. I have $24 towards it. . . .[p. 2] [NO ACCOUNT OF ENTRANCE INTO SLC]
Reminiscences and diaries of Hans Olsen Magleby
Magleby, Hans Olsen. Reminiscences and diaries (Ms 1540), vol. 2, pp. 56-61, 70. Typescript, translated from Danish. (CHL)
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Thurs. 12th. This morning we saw the pilot from New York, and during the forenoon we [he] boarded the ship and made hurrahs from the passengers. After that a big hurrah for the captain because of his goodness and his willingness to serve us all. Shortly after this we saw land and joy was among us all, and be thy, Father, praised and honored for your guidance and mercy. That evening about 7:00 o'clock we anchored in New York. We each paid $14.00 for the trip over the continent.
Fri. 13th. Up early. Made fires for the coffee. Later in the forenoon went on land by means of a little steamer and found rooms in the Hotel Castle Garden, where in fact all of us had lodgings. I stood guard during the night.
Sat. 14th. Attended council meeting in the morning. During the day went into the city. In the afternoon I went back to the ship. In the afternoon I entered a steamer and sailed the whole night up a river to the city Albany, where I went on land in the morning.
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The Journals of Mark Lindsey
Lindsey, Mark. The Journals of Mark Lindsey: Mormon Missionary, Handcart Pioneer and Entrepreneur (1832-1900), ed. Donald B. Lindsey and Rosy Lindsey (privately printed, call # M270.1 L753L 2002?), [1859 William Tapscott], pp. 412-415.
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May 12 Was a terrible day and night. It seem as though everything was going down. Carried off the sails and [one] of the bulwarks was [-]. Elder R. Neslen was captain over the Saints. Prayers every night and morning. Preaching on Sundays. On the 5 a Scandinavian 1264 sister died and was thrown overboard. My wife is very sick. The fog bell is going night and day almost. 5 marriages 1265 took place.
May 13 All was up early, expecting to see land. Being wet and foggy 1266, met with a pilot steamboat 1267 which took us in. Oh, what delight once again to see land, 31 days. We landed at Castle Gardens, 13 of April. Stayed in New York a day, then took the train to St. Joseph, then steamboat 1268 'til we got the Council Bluffs.…
The Letters of an Apostate Mormon to His Son
Freece, Hans P. The Letters of an Apostate Mormon to His Son, pp. 21-22, 32
… But one day this man of God found it necessary to knock down one of the brethren because he insisted that the priest had falsely taken from him some of his emigration funds. The priest would take our money and buy our tickets and provide for our food, and I had heard many complaints to the effect that they were defrauding the believing followers. And such is life. But to be knocked down for asking justice, it meant for this brother that he lost his faith, and as soon as we landed in New York he went his way. For a Mormon priest to strike a brother was permissible, because he did it with authority from God. …
