1865-05-31-Belle-Wood

Autobiographical Sketch of Merlin Eastham Kearl

Kearl, Merlin Eastham, [Autobiographical Sketch], Utah Pioneer Biographies, vol. 17, pp. 10-11. (CHL)

... We were four weeks on the water and landed in New York about a [-] after President Lincoln was killed. All the immigrants were unloaded at Castle Garden. We stayed there for two or three days and then started across the continent by rail. ...

Autobiography of Catherine Hagell Naisbitt

Naisbitt, Catherine Hagell [Autobiography], Our Pioneer Heritage, comp. by Kate B. Carter, vol. 10, (Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1967), pp. 110-12. (CHL)

...When we arrived in New York, word had been sent from Utah that no wagons would be sent from there as had been the custom in other years. Therefore, only those who had the means could go on. These gave their money to Brother Taylor, who had charge of the emigration and he was delegated to purchase oxen to take us on. Father had enough money to send one, though he did not have sufficient for the whole family. He was, therefore, advised to send me, which he decided to do. He had a wealthy brother in New Jersey who was willing to help him in any way, provided he would give up his religion and keep me with him. When he found Father would not do this, he refused to help in any way.

I never will forget the homesick feeling I experienced when they bade me goodbye. We were detained in Castle Garden ten days after this, and I can assure you if it had been possible I would have gone back. I did not know his address, however, so, heartsick and weary, I started with the company, feeling that I was leaving all worthwhile behind me. When we arrived at the frontier I found a letter from my uncle asking me to return to those poor motherless children. I was overjoyed at the prospect, but it seems I was destined to disappointment, for when I told the captain that I was going back with the missionaries who were going East from Utah, he said, "No, my girl, there is no going back in the Church." So once more I was headed toward Utah with no prospect of returning to my family in New Jersey. ...

Autobiography of Mary Ann Greenhalgh Mace

Mace, Mary Ann Greenhalgh, [Autobiography], Our Pioneer Heritage, comp. by Kate B. Carter, vol. 15, (Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1972), pp.125-127. (CHL)

...We landed at Castle Garden, New York, June 2, 1865, and found the county in deep mourning over the tragic death of Abraham Lincoln. Everywhere we saw soldiers who were returning home from the Civil War. I remember one troop carrying what remained of a huge American flag. The center had been taken out by a cannon ball, and soldiers were carrying it down the street by its corners. They looked ragged, tired and sick as they dragged themselves down the street to their quarters amid the sound of cheers and martial music.

My baby brother, who had been sick on voyage, died one month after we landed in New York and was buried in the Green Wood Cemetery. A short service was held at the grave. The undertaker's name was John Mace. Our family stayed in New York City until the middle of September, where my sister Sarah and I obtained work in a silk factory. We were dissatisfied here because Father could not find work and we did not like living in a city either, but we were obliged to stay until we could do better. In a short time we heard of a manufacturing town called Cohoes, which was eleven miles from Albany, so we moved there. Here we obtained a comfortable house in which to live, and secured work for us all; that was, for my sister Sarah, Father, and myself. It was while we were living here that I attended one quarter of night school, the only school I ever attended in my life. We lived here until July 10th or 12th, 1866, when Father decided to move west to Utah. When all was ready we sailed down the Hudson River for about three hundred miles from Albany to New York. Here we waited for more people whom we learned were also going to Utah. We were obliged to take a round about way to come west as a satisfactory agreement [p.126] could not be made with the company which had been handling the immigrant traffic.

Our route took us into Canada by way of the Great Lakes of Huron and Michigan, then to Chicago, from here to a place called Wyoming. ...

Autobiography of Robert Pixton

Pixton, Robert. Autobiography (Ms 5474 fd. 1), pp. 43-44. (CHL)

... On the 29th we saw land.

On the 30th we saw land in sight, Sandy Hook.

On the 31st the tug boat came for us and we dropped anchor at Castle Garden. At 11 o'clock Brother Taylor came on board to make arrangements to go on shore. The Saints had to do the best they could [p. 43] this night as they had destroyed their beds expecting to go on shore.

The next day the government officers came on board to inspect us. We all got landed with our luggage in Castle Garden expecting to take the cars next day, but the man that Brother Taylor made the contract with wanted to back out but after waiting 5 days we got started on the 4th of June and went to Williamsburg. On the 6th we took train for St. Joseph by Albany & Niagara Falls ...

Letter of William H. Shearman - June 17, 1865

Shearman, W.[William] H. et al. [Letter], Latter-day Saints ' Millennial Star 27:29 (July 22, 1865) pp. 461-63 (CHL)

Wyoming, N.T., June 17, 1865. President Wells.

Dear Brother,--As I informed you by previous letter, we anchored in New York Harbor on May 31st, and were landed at Castle Garden, with our luggage, on the following day. We experienced no difficulty in passing the doctor and custom house officers, who were very courteous and accommodating. Of course we did not fail to show our appreciation of their kindness in enabling us to pass our effects without going through all the tedious formalities of the custom house regulations. In consequence of unwillingness on the part of railway contractors to fulfil their engagements with Elder Thomas Taylor, we were detained in Castle Garden between five and six days. The weather was intensely hot, the Saints suffered much from various sources of annoyance, and disease made its appearance and began to spread rapidly. I am thankful, however, to be able to say that, by the blessing of the Lord, we escaped with the loss of but one child, who died of the croup. Under these circumstances Brother Taylor had no alterative but to take steps to obtain legal redress; which, when the contractors found he was determined to do, they concluded to fulfil their agreement.

We accordingly left New York for Albany, by the Hudson River Railroad at 8 p.m., on the 6th. ...

... I forgot to mention that while detained in New York, we had some excellent meetings at Williamsburg, in the Aldelphi Hall at which a great number of Saints from Castle Garden attended. By the liberality of Brother W. T. Godbie and the kindness of Elder T. Taylor and others, a very refreshing and substantial repast was provided for all had come from Castle Garden, consisting of rich sweet milk, new bread, and good fresh butter, spread in our liberal American style. The food was very acceptable, and refreshing to the bodies of the fatigued Saints, and the kindness that prompted the movement was still more grateful and invigorating to their spirits, as it showed an interest in their welfare and comfort, that can only be fully appreciated under such circumstances.

Brother Holman says he hopes to be able to get the last of the Saints off by the 10th or 15th of next month.

Ever praying for your welfare and [p.462] prosperity, as also for all the elders laboring under your watchcare, I remain your brother.

William H. Shearman

Reminiscences of Agnes C. Hefferan Richardson

Richardson, Agnes C. Hefferan. Hefferan story, pp. 10-12. (Ms 5815) (CHL)

... It was a happy day for all when the boat finally docked at Castle Garden. There we were all bathed and checked at the customs house. Brother Bird took we three girls and walked up Broadway in New York. We were thrilled at the sight. It was just at the close of the Civil War. There were soldiers stationed everywhere.

After we were cleared through the customs the family got onto a small steam engine and went up the Hudson River to the railroad. The day they transferred from the steamer to the train. Father helped check all his luggage. It was raining hard and very cold. He took a bad cold, it settled in his bowels and he never really recovered.

I do not remember a great deal about our trip across the continent, and Mother never told me anything about that part of the journey. ...