1882-11-02-Abyssinia

Diaries of Charles F. Wilcox

Wilcox, Charles F. Diaries (Ms 188), bx. 13, bk. 3, pp. 139-44 and bk. 4, pp. 1-14, in Matthew and Claire Noall Papers. (University of Utah)

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Wed. Nov. 1st 1882. On board steam ship Abyssinia of the Guion Line. Dense fog. Fog horns blown every few moments. Council meeting held in cabin. Elders are instructed by President G. Stringfellow as to duties on landing at New York. I am appointed post master for the company. Sea smooth, vessel moves steadily along. Spend the day writing letters playing draught, read, converse on scripture & other matters.

Thurs. 2nd Sun shining brightly. Sea calm as a lake. Met the pilot in a small sail boat 160 miles from New York. Took him on board. [p.1] Reached Sandy Hook, 21 miles from New York, at 7 o'clock. Vessel moved on at one o'clock & daylight found us lying between Staten & Long Island. A good view is obtained of both islands as they are less than one mile apart. The scenery on both much resembles that of England.

Fri. 3rd 1882. Weather clear and cold. Vessel lies at quarantine. Dr. comes on board and inspects the steerage passengers. All but one family pass: they have measles and are to be detained at New York. Left ship at 10:00 a.m. having made the voyage in 13 days. [p.2]

Passed custom officers with little or no difficulty, although having to handle the luggage so many times made us all very tired. Luggage and passengers were taken on board tender & transferred to Castle Garden where all remained a few hours. I went up Broadway to General Post Office & purchased $7.00 worth of postage stamps & mailed upwards of 200 letters.

Returned to Castle Garden & arranged for the emigration of two boys. Our company was then ferried over the river to the Jersey side and by 7:30 we were comfortably seated on train ready to start on our overland trip a distance of 2,500. [p.3]

Had a few minutes chat with Brother James H. Hart, church emigration agent. Learned that President Albert Carrington was to return & his place filled by Apostle John Henry Smith; also learned that the Quorum of the Twelve had been filled by immediate revelation through President John Taylor. George Teasdale & Heber John Grant filling the vacancies. Started for home at 7:45, tired almost to death, the luggage having been handled three different times in one day.

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Letter from George Stringfellow and Charles B. Felt - November 3, 1882

Stringfellow, George and Felt, [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 44:47 (November 20, 1882) pp. 748-49.

New York, Nov. 3rd, 1882.President Albert Carrington.

Dear Brother, --

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Elders were appointed to attend to the purchasing of provisions, changing of money, transfer of baggage, etc. All have shown an interest in the welfare of the Saints, and have done all they could for their comfort.

The pilot came on board at 10 a.m., yesterday; we reached Sandy Hook at 7:15 p.m. same day, where we laid to until early this morning, when we moved on to quarantine, passing there at 7 a.m., and landing at about 10:30.

Brother [James H.] Hart came on board, and has worked indefatigably in order that we many leave here to-night, successfully too, for our train will leave for the West at 7:35 p.m.

With kind regards to all at "42," and praying the Lord's blessing upon all the elders under your charge in their labor of love, we are,

Your brethren in the gospel,

George Stringfellow, president,

Charles B. Felt, clerk.