1860-06-16-William Tapscott
A Compilation of General Voyage Notes
... On the 3rd of June, the smallpox showed itself among the emigrants, seven cases of this disease were reported, none of which, however, proved fatal. On Friday evening, June 15th, the ship arrived at the quarantine dock in New York harbor. The next day two doctors came on board and vaccinated, with but very few exceptions, all of the steerage passengers, a part of the cabin passengers, and the ship's crew. This was done to prevent a further outbreak of the disease, though all the sick had nearly recovered by this time. On the 20th, after being detained in quarantine five of six days, the passengers were landed at Castle Garden, New York. The smallpox cases had previously been taken ashore and placed in a hospital. On the 21st the emigrants left New York per steamboat 'Isaac Newton' and sailed up the Hudson River to Albany, where they arrived on the 22nd. ...
... Elder George Q. Cannon, who this year acted as Church emigration agent, made splendid arrangements for the journey across the plains. ...
A Short Sketch of Gottlieb Ence
Ence, Gottlieb. A short sketch of my life. 1840-1918 [LDS Church Archives, Ms 8658, pp. 8-9,10; Acc. #35318]. (CHL)
... One morning when we heard we were close to land everyones heart was gladdened with joy to behold the blessed land, houses, and trees again. I myself was very glad. I always said, "Let me take my chance on the land." When we got to New York in the Castle Garden, our baggage was all examined. On some things duty had to be paid on it. A few persons got the smallpox on the vessel which caused us a little trouble for us to get landed. I enjoyed a good meal of victuals in New York as I did not enjoy one good meal all the way crossing the sea. ...
Autobiography of Carl Johan Ellefsen Fjeld
Fjeld, Carl Johan Ellefsen, Autobiography, In A Brief History of the Fjeld-Fields Family, Comp. By Andrew Fjeld (Springville, Utah: Art City Publishing, 1946) pp. 17-20.
On June 14th at about 11:30 a.m., we sighted land, and about the same time a pilot came on board to guide our vessel into port. The next day a steamer hooked on to our vessel, and for two hundred dollars, pulled us into the New York harbor, and in the evening we were safely anchored within the bay. It was with a heart full of thanksgiving to my Heavenly Father for a safe journey over the ocean and a very peculiar feeling in my being, that I gazed upon the land of my future home.
On the 16th, the health officers came on board. The smallpox had broken out among us and we were detained in quarantine while the sick, twelve in number, were landed and taken to a hospital. Among the sick was Andrine Holmsen of Norway. All of us emigrants were vaccinated.
On the 17th, a little son of Christina Stauffer of Switzerland died. This was the first one who had died on the journey to be buried on land. All of the others were consigned to a watery grave to await the dawn of the resurrection.
On the 18th, another little Swiss boy died, named Aralie Reise. [POSSIBLY Reiser] The doctors came on board this day and examined us. They came on again on the 19th to see if any new [p.18] cases had developed. A little one-year-old Swiss girl died on this day; her father's name was [John] Keller.
On the 20th of June, 1860, a steamer and a tug came alongside of our ship and all of us emigrants, together with bag and baggage, were transferred to the steamer, and soon landed at Castle Garden. ...
... On the 21st our baggage was taken on the steamer "Isaac Newton" which was to take us to Albany, New York. During the day I went on a sight seeing trip around the city of New York and was very much struck by its beauty. I bought a pair of pants, a hat, two woolen shirts, and a handkerchief for myself, and a shawl for my wife. In the evening we went aboard the steamer. The next day we arrived at Albany where we boarded the train and traveled all night. ...
Autobiography of Heinrich Reiser
Reiser, Heinrich. Autobiography, (formerly in Msd 2050), pp. 4-7 (A) (Ms 8233)
... On the 14th of June the pilot came on board and was received with great rejoicing, for we were told that now we were not very far from the coast. He took the lead of the ship.
On the 15th of June a small boat came to tug ours to Staten Island.
On June the 16th the doctor came on board and all passengers had to go through a physical examination. As there were some cases of smallpox, it was decided that we all would have to be vaccinated. This was done and on the same day those who had the smallpox were taken to a hospital in New York; among them there were 6 Scandinavians and a Swiss by name of Johann Stucky [Stucki] from Bern.
On the 17th a little boy of Brother Christian Staufer [Stauffer] from Bern died.
On the 18th my own boy Henri, 16 months and 2 days old passed away.
On the 19th the little boy of Johann Keller died. All three were buried in Staten Island. I felt very sorry over losing my boy, but was willing to recognize the hands of the Lord in it.
The same day the doctor came back, saying that in the afternoon we would be in New York; this however was not the case.
Early in the morning of the 20th a small steamboat arrived with the customs officials. We didn't have to open one single piece of our luggage. At two o'clock in the afternoon we were already at the Castle Garden. [p.5] My wife and I stayed over night at the Hotel Badischer Hof, where they used to charge 1 dollar per person, but I had to pay three dollars. We had to pay for every hundred weight excess of weight. Even if that was only a few pounds we were charge for another hundred weight. We left three Swiss families in New York.
On the 21st we went to Albany where we arrived in the morning of the 22nd. ...
Diary of Francis Astle
Astle, Francis. An Enduring Legacy Vol. 10 (SLC:DUP, 1987), pp.105-11.
Thursday, June 14--(35th day of sail) This morning is fine. The crew is very busy cleaning the deck and vessel. At twelve o'clock (noon) we are now at Long Island. We are told it is ninety-five miles from New York. Sailing gently along. We had a meeting on deck tonight at half past six o'clock. Elder Calkins addressed us for the first time on our voyage, giving counsel to those who intend to cross the plains this season; also to all the Saints on board the ship, to clean themselves and their berths, that we may not be detained in quarantine when the inspector comes on board.
Friday, June 15--(36th day) This also is a fine morning and we are sailing gently along. A steam tug hove in sight about ten o'clock. The captain of the ship Tapscott agreed with the captain of the tug to take us in for $200.00, and away we went and arrived a little before dark, or about seven and one-half o'clock. At night the doctor came on board and heard that the smallpox was in the ship and said that he would come again. In the morning bread was brought on board and sold for six cents a loaf--from one and one-half pounds to two pounds. [p.108]
Saturday, June 16--This morning is fine and the doctor came and examined all on board, said he would come again before long. Accordingly he came about dinnertime and said we must all be vaccinated, young and old. We went through the operation accordingly, and all who were inspected were sent to the hospital and there detained in quarantine to see if any more broke out. Another child died last night. It belonged to the Germans.
Sunday, June 17--This is a fine morning. Brothers Budge, Calkins, Williams and their families went ashore today. Brother Budge and family returned at six o'clock tonight. A meeting was held on deck addressed by Elder Budge.
Monday, June 18--This morning is very fine. The doctor came on board about ten o'clock and examined all. Again found no sick. Said we should be landed tomorrow. Another Scandinavian child died.
Tuesday, June 19--This is a very fine morning. The folks are up between three and four o'clock, packing up their things, ready for going up to New York this morning. The doctor came again, said we should be landed that day. The people were anxiously waiting to go ashore. Very few had anything to eat. We continued in suspense of going ashore all day. In the evening Brother Budge came on board and told us he had been very busy all the time making arrangements for our landing, but we could not land that night; but a steamer would be alongside the Tapscott by six o'clock in the morning to take us away.
He also said he had purchased some bread, butter, and eggs to be sold to the Saints on board, and that some gentlemen had given one sovereign worth of bread to be given to the people. Brother Budge also said that he and Brother Calkins and Williams had been exerting all their power to get us away, and that the doctor had done much to affect this object. I believe great praise is due to the doctor in this respect. Our beds being all packed, we got through the night as best we could.
Wednesday, June 20--This morning about seven o'clock a steamer came with a barge alongside the Tapscott and we all began to haul our luggage to the barge. The Saints got on the steamer and moved away to New York. Arrived safely about twelve o'clock at Castle Garden. There were at the Garden, Brother Croxall and brethren ready to receive us and give such instructions as were necessary for the present. Brother Croxall said he would see us again in the [p.109] morning and thought he should be able to send us all away by the next day. We had been six weeks and two days on the sea.
Thursday, June 21--This morning Brother Croxall and the brethren made their appearance among us and began to give counsel to the Saints. He gave me and my family counsel to go to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and accordingly we set off in a steamer about five o'clock p.m. for that place and arrived there about four o'clock next morning. ...
Diary of Niels Christian Christensen
Christiansen, Niels Christian, Diary, IN Manuscript History of the Scandinavian Mission, May 2, 1860, p. 3-8 (LR 9332, ser. 2, reel 6). (CHL).
... Thursday, June 14 - The weather was fair. In the morning we saw land on the leeward and at 11 a.m. we took pilot on board.
Friday, June 15 - The weather was good but too little wind to make much progress. A tender met us at 10 o'clock a.m. which brought us to the place of quarantine where anchor was cast in the evening. Sailing along the land on our right caused much rejoicing among the passengers. It was the shores of Long Island.
Saturday, June 16 - The weather was beautiful. Three doctors came on board and all passengers were vaccinated which had not formerly [p.6] had undergone that operation. A child among the Swiss emigrants died during the night.
Sunday, June 17 - The weather was fine. The child which had died during the previous night was taken on shore and buried. Three doctors came on board during the day to ascertain the condition on board. Another child among the Swiss emigrants died in the night.
Monday, June 18 - In the morning several doctors came on board. The child which died the previous night was brought on shore and buried in the afternoon.
Tuesday, June 19 - The morning was foggy. A shower accompanied by thunder and lighting visited us in the forenoon. The rain was also heavy. Another child belonging to the Swiss emigrants died in the forenoon. A new case of smallpox was discovered and we were not permitted to land.
Wednesday, June 20 - A tender came out to us which took us on board and brought us to Castle Garden, New York where we landed at 1:15 p.m. Here we found some preparations made for our reception and we were pleased to find ourselves possessed with more room than we had enjoyed on board for so many weeks.
Thursday, June 21 - The weather was fine. Our baggage was weighed and we were brought on board a steamer "Isaac Newton"and about noon we commenced our voyage up the Hudson River and arrived at Albany at 9 o'clock in the evening. ...
Journals of Charles F. Jones
Jones, Charles F. Journals (Ms 1679), vol. 2 p.194, vol. 3 pp. 1-4. (CHL)
... A steam tug came out and met us on the 15th of June for the assistance of which the Captain Bell agreed to pay $200. We passed the doctor on the 16th but in consequence of some few having small pox we were detained in quarantine at Staten Island. My child, Amy, grew worse. In [p. 2] consequence of which Mr. Walker (doctor) ordered me and family to go to Staten Island to see if a change of air would do her good. We put up at Mr. Wilkes Hotel but she continued in spite of every exertion on our part to go worse and on the 21st of June we had to move her and ourselves to New York where we took steamer, the "Isaac Newton," for Albany.
At 3 a.m. of the morning of the 22nd of June my child, Amy Elizabeth, died on board the above named boat and in consequence of arrangements having been made with the railway company to start the Saints by train at 12 a.m. on this day I was made the painful necessity of leaving my child in the hands [p. 3] of an undertaker in Albany and the president of the New York Branch, Brother Crocksal, to inter her very much to the grief of myself and dear wife.
We then continued our journey by train and steamboat and arrived in Florence on the evening of the 30th of June. ...
Letter from Thomas Williams - June 11, 1860
Williams, Thomas, The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 22:29 (July 21, 1860) pp. 459- 460 (CHL)
... The small pox made its appearance [p. 459] among the Scandinavian Saints on Sunday, the 3rd of June. There have been nine cases up to the present time. I sincerely trust it will not spread further among the company. I feel satisfied that the Lord has heard and answered the prayers of his people, and that the disease has been checked to a wonderful extent. Those who took the disease are now doing well, and will in the course of a day or so be entirely out of danger.
I presume we shall be detained at New York a day or so; I hope no longer, as our time is precious.
The Saints, as a general thing, have enjoyed good health, with the exception of a little inconvenience from sea sickness, and have manifested a desire to keep the commandments of God.
June 20th. We arrived safely at quarantine on the evening of Friday, the 15th inst. The quarantine doctor came off and informed Captain Bell that, in consequence of the disease being on board, all the passengers would have to be vaccinated, although all the patients were about recovered. On Saturday, the 16th, two doctors came off and vaccinated (with but few exceptions), the whole of the steerage and a portion of the cabin passengers, also the ship's crew. The passengers were all landed with their baggage at Castle Gardens today, and will proceed on their journey West tomorrow evening. The brethren here - namely, brothers Croxhall, Miles, Taylor and Stones, have been exceedingly kind and attentive in making arrangements for this company, and the people feel to bless them for their solicitude for their welfare. I learn from brothers Croxhall and Miles that brother Cannon is still at Florence, and will receive us there. This, I can assure you, is gratifying to the Elders and Saints generally.
Captain Bell has also been very kind and liberal to the people, and has done all in his power to further their interests. He will call at the Office on his return to Liverpool, and I should much like you to make a further acquaintance with him.
I am thankful that the Lord has blessed me and my family with good health, and feel that his mercies will still be extended towards us. Sister W. joins me in affectionate remembrance to you and brothers Gates, Andrus, and Blackburn, - also to all of my old associates in the Office, the good folks in Liverpool, and the Saints generally. The Lord bless and prosper you!
Your friend and brother
Thomas Williams [p. 460]
Memories of George Isom
Isom, George. Memories, [LDS Church Archives, Ms 8620, reel 5, item #2, pp. 5-12,14; Acc. #35069. ALSO LDS Church Archives, Ms 8040 , pp. 9-18; Acc. #26732] (CHL).
... Notwithstanding the novelty of a sea voyage to one traveling over its bosom for the first time, we were very joyful when we beheld the low, misty outlines of Long Island.
But when upon reaching the quarantine grounds we were not permitted to go ashore on account of two or three Danish persons being sick with smallpox. We were much chagrined although we did not tire of looking upon the scenery upon either side of the river. The beautiful green sloping shore studded with suburban residences making a most enchanting scene to us voyagers.
The sick were removed to Blackwell, or Mare Island, situated between New York and Brooklyn on the East River, and were permitted to go ashore.
As we embarked so we disembarked, by means of a towboat. We landed at Castle Garden, a place prepared for the [p.8] reception of emigrants where they can remain a day of two until they find more suitable quarters. The most of our brethren being bound for Salt Lake City, continued their journey by rail. My father's family with others, some thirty or forty souls, whose destination was New York or some of its adjacent cities, there to locate for a while to obtain means to enable us to resume our journey, were kindly taken in charge by some of the brethren of the Williamsburg Branch, who assisted us in locating ourselves and also in finding employment and although strangers unto us they were brothers and sisters indeed.
My father, Brother Land, and myself, now being the working force of the family sought and soon found employment. I went to work the next week after our arrival, in a grocery store, but as the store did not close until nine or ten o'clock at night I concluded it would not suit me and so left at the end of three weeks. I next found employment, my brother Samuel also, at Stephen's Harness and Military Equipment Factory, New York. We crossed the East River generally at the ferry called Peck Slip night and morning, a very pleasant ride of about one and one-half miles. My father, after residing in Williamsburg a few months, moved to a little village called Astoria, further up the river about five miles as near as I remember and as we continued to work at the same place we now had a ride of about six miles night and morning upon the river. [p.9]
In the spring of 1862 my brother and sister, William and Mary, who had remained in England after our departure, arrived in good health and spirits. William had married previous to leaving England, wife's name Katherine Woolfe of Cheshire. They stopped with us a short time and then continued their journey to Salt Lake City.
I had now become accustomed to the use of the awl and needle and was enabled to earn good wages. We worked by the piece and when working upon good work, I sometimes made nine or ten dollars per week. Sam could earn six or more dollars. Although when working upon skate straps at one and one half cents per dozen, I could not earn more than seventy-five cents per day, but taking good and bad times together, we were enabled to lay by means to emigrate in the spring of 1862.
A few weeks previous to our moving from New York State my father again moved to Williamsburg and in the month of May left with the general emigration of Saints for Salt Lake City. We did not have much time to notice the scenery along the route for as soon as we reached the terminal of one railroad we were transferred to another until we reached the city of Chicago, Illinois. ...
