View source for 1848-07-06-Appleby Journal

:Source [http://etb.bensonfamily.org/histories/appleby.htm Appleby Journal Excerpts on ETB]


==Biography and Journal of William I. Appleby,==
:Elder in the Church of Latter Day Saints,
:Written by himself,
:Recklesstown, New Jersey, July 6th A.D. 1848
:LDS Archives MS 1401 FD. 1
:Excerpts Related to 1847–48 Mission with
:Ezra T. Benson (1811–1869)


25. Left Cincinnatti this morning about 11 o clock in the Steamer Pennsylvania for Wheeling Virginia where we arrived on friday morning following. There took our seats. Bro Benson & myself (Bro Snow having gone on to Pittsburgh thence by way of the Lakes to Batavia New York) in the State for Cumberland 130 miles distant where we arrived after a tiresome ride the following morning. Thence by Cars to Baltimore 180 miles, and thence By Cars to Philadelphia where we arrived on Sabbath morning following about 3 o clock. Addressed the Saints there on the Sabbath. On monday attended

[p.216]

1848

to some business matters in the City and arrived at Home N. Jersey on Tuesday evening February First [1848] (Br. Benson was going to New York) where I found my family well. Thanks, praise, and adoration be given to my Heavenly Father through Jesus my Rredeemer for this and all other blessings and mercies I enjoy, Amen.

Feby 4. [1848] Left home again this morning on business for the Church. went to New York, there met with Elder Benson, arranged our business, preached twice on the Sabbath there, had a good time of rejoicing with the Saints, and on Monday following proceeded on my way to  Boston (Br. Benson stopping at Fair Haven Connecticut) Lowell, Nashua to Peterborough in the State of New Hampshire, where I was taken sick, having contracted a very heavy cold, that appeared to settle in my lungs &c. In a few days however I recovered so as to pursue my Journey into Vermont, thence into New Hampshire again to Clermont over the mountains by day, and by night, in a Sleigh, Sometimes in a stage, weather extremely Cold, and returned to Boston again in about two weeks, having collected of the Saints in that time where I had traveled, Two hundred and Eighty Dollars clear of expenses for the relief of the Church in the west.

At Boston I met with Elders Benson (paid the means I had collected over to him) Little Snow Badlam &c. After going through the city of Boston for Several Days in company with Elder Badlam, soliciting aid and donations of the rich and influential of the city for the relief of the poor &c of the Church at Council Bluffs I left and went ot the city of Salam (Celebrated in History for the burning of witches &c) in company with Elder W. Pages to make some solicitations there.

[p.217]

1848

March 4. Elder Benson left Boston this afternoon for the State of Connecticut. I tarried in Boston to receive further donations, and attend to the affaris of the Church there in regards to our Mission. Our success in raising means has come up to near our expectations, or at least to mine! [Gives an account of a speech he gave on the state of the world.]

[p.218]

1848

[Continuation of the speech, then news of John Quincy Adam’s death on the 13th.] I left Boston this morning in the Cars, went to New Bedford, arrived there about 11 A.M. staid there until the following day, in the afternoon having received about seven dollars * [Footnote “*upwards of sixty dollars had been received there before by Elder Little &c.] donations for the benefit of the Church from New Bedford to Fall River where one gentelman Benjn Ruggles Esq owner of several large Manufacturing Establishments, presented me with five Dollars, Thence to Newport Rhode Island where I received some twelve dollars more. From thence I proceeded by Steamboat down the [Sound?] to

[p.219]

1848

New York, where I met with Elder Benson. Paid over to him the monies I had received, expenses excepted, and arrived at home New Jersey on Saturday Evening the 18th Inst. [March 1848]. Found my Mother quite unwell and some more of my family with Colds. But great reason of being thankful, it was as well with them, and no worse than I found them

21. I left home again and went to Philadelphia, met Br. Benson who had come on from New York. After assisting him in the city preparing to leave for the Camp. Filing some bills for Books &c for Prest. B. Young Stationery &c for Joseph Young & others, and having them neatly packed in a Box together with a lot of Carpenters tools, presented by our esteemed friend Col. T. S. Kane. to Prest. B. Young. heretofore refered to, and properly directed for St. Louis &c to be forwarded to the Camp. I returned home on monday evening the 27th Inst. [March 1848] Leaving Elder Benson in the City who expected to leave in a day or two for the West.

Thus I have been preserved, protected and blessed of the Lord, and I feel to thank and praise his high and holy name for it, and for all I enjoy. We have raised altogether, Brs. Benson, Snow, Little, Badlam, Page & myself of the Saints and of others not members of the Church here in the Eastern States, for the benefit of the Church at Council Bluffs about fourteen or fifteen hundered Dollars * [Footnote: “*exclusive of expenses”] May the Lord reward all those who have administered to our wants in any way and praise be rendered to him for what we have received towards alleviating and relieving the wants of his suffering and afflicted people. Amen.

April 7 [1848] Since I arrived at home, I have been preparing my Garden, planting seeds &c some part of the time somewhat indisposed. Left home again this morning for Philadelphia, met Elder Badlam there, who had received about sixty dollars more of the Saints there, for to be forwarded to Elder Benson, who had left a few days before for St. Louis. The following morning I sent sixty Dollars by Adams & Co. Express to deposit with Mr. Beach New York to be telegraphed by him to Beach & Eddy of St. Louis Mo. for them to Credit Elder Benson with the same, according to his instructions previous to his leaving for the Camp.

. . .

[p.223]

1848

Lines to Sister Benson, on her husband, Elder E.T. Benson, Mission from the Camp at Council Bluffs, Iowa, to the Eastern States, to solicit means for the Emigration fo the Church, relief of the Poor, &c. By W.I.A. [William I. Appleby]                     

                                                                        Boston Mass January 1848.

1. Dear Sister in the Lord, I Join
With brother B. some lines to write
Our faith and spirits both combin’d
To pray for you, we both write

  2. I feel to realize your State:
When last I saw you from him part.
You calmly bowd unto your duty
But trickling tears bespoke your heart.

  3. He took your hand and bid adieu:
And with his brethren then did start
Our Journey far, for to pursue
As brethren of one mind and heart

  4. To make the wants of Zion known.
And raise some means--asuage her grief—
To stop her sighs, her tears and moans—
To aid the Camp and bring relief 

5. We laid our cause before the Lord
His spirit said you shall be bless’d:
Just persevere, Keep all my words:
And you shall meet with good success; 

6. And truly he has been our friend
And means are rolling in our hands,
We’ll fill our mission to the end.
And send the same to Zion’s land.

  7. Then rest in peace dear lady do
Until the mission he fulfils—
Then he’ll his way to camp pursue
And rest with you on Zion’s hills—

Lines composed and dedicated to E.T. Benson on board the Steamer Pennsylvania, Ohio River, Jany 1848, on the foregoing mission, by W.I.A. [William I. Appleby]

  1. Let God be praise’d while angels sing
And all the Saints adore
Myself my all on him I fling
I can do nothing more 

2. Thus by his grace I’ll persevere
In rolling on his cause.—
Until my days are ended here.
In keeping of his laws— 

3. Our trials here will soon be o’er
Then let us lift our voice—.
And raise the means he has in store.
And make the Saints rejoice.

[p.225]

. . .

20. [April 1848] Received a letter this morning from Elder Benson informing me that he arrived safe at St. Louis on the 7th Inst. and was going to leave again for the Camp at the Bluffs on the evening of 11th Having Chartered the Steamer “Mandan” About 200 Saints were on board, loaded with freight &c all well.

. . .

21. . . . I received a letter this morning from Mr. Lewis Beach N. Y. acknowledging the receipt of Sixty dollars for E.T. Benson from me—wrote to Elder Benson the same day.

[There references to other funds raised for the Saints after Elder Benson left.]


[[Category: William I. Appleby]]
[[Category: Journals]]
[[Category: New Jersey]]
[[Category: New York]]