1847-08-10-Empire
Diary of Oliver Badman Huntington
Source: Huntington, Oliver Badman. Diary and reminiscences (Typescript) (Ms 1648-CHL), pp. 151- 54,157-61,163;
We were then getting near land at Nantucket the captain said. The wind being fair we sailed all day very well in a southwest course, and on Sunday just 12 o'clock we got a pilot, that morning from within 7 miles of New York. This was Sunday, August 8th and the morning was very foggy that we could hardly see a 100 rods from the ship, but it soon cleared up which showed us a great number of sails close and far around us. One ship from London a little damages in the same storm we in Thursday night before, another lay close to us with her fore and main masts carried away taking only the topgallant sails and royal gallant sails. About 3 o'clock the wind breezed up a little and continued to blow until 2 or 3 that night; but our pilot proved to be of a little consequence, for as soon as it came dark he was lost and did not know where to go.
About 12 o'clock the lead was thrown and the cry of only 5 fathoms brought the captain on deck, who when he came he told the pilot he was out of the road. Asked what two certain lights were that were to be seen. He did not know. the captain said he knew where he was better than the pilot; he took the command from the pilot, tacked ship to the southeast and run until he thought we were out of the way of land a little more where the water was 7 fathoms deep and there case anchor to wait the dawn of day, which when it came showed us to be about miles from land. The shores of New Jersey. Anchor was taken in and a gentle breeze wafted us in sight of Sandy Hook in about one hour which we passed within a quarter of a mile and 2 other ships between us and land.
We passed up the channel to the quarantine ground where we arrived about one o'clock. The Saints were overjoyed and delighted with the view of land and thought they never saw so beautiful a landscape either natural or pictorial.
We lay at Quarantine until Tuesday Aug. 10th during which time all the passengers went to the city on a steamboat, but our company. The day we stepped on shore was just 5 weeks from the day we left the English shore.
Wednesday 11th we left the ship and went to a boarding house, 338 Hudson Street.
The 12th I was taken a little unwell and was so 2 days. The weather was excessively warm and it had a very powerful effect on me and all the others. Elder Sirrine went to his wife in New Haven on Thursday and Elder Scovil went over on Long Island to clean up and get his things washed for it was very unhealthy in the city then. We found Elder Lyman Littlefield in New York on his way to England and whilst we were there. Brother David Holister from Philadelphia came there and he said he did not know what he came for, only he felt moved upon to come and he did.
Elder Littlefield had no money to get over the sea with and was working in a printing office to get means to perform his mission and he had that [p.161] night all his clothes stolen, so he was in a poor condition, but Brother Jacobs talked every comforting to him and said he should have means to go with etc.
We went downstairs to where Brother Hollister was and told him his case and asked him if he could do anything for him. He pulled out $10 and gave him. So there was enough to pay his passage over the sea and he only wanted some provisions. He said he would start the next week. Brother Crump and family of 6, went to Philadelphia Wednesday, the day after we got to land. Mr. Mortimer did not belong to the church, but left his things with us to go to a place we should go to, and he seemed every way a Mormon in mind. He left us at the ship to go and find a friend of his he knew in England. He came to our boarding house on Friday and took his things away. I know not where, but he went on his business, saying he thought he should be baptized sometime, and that he had heard great and good news coming over the sea and the hand of God sent him over there, for otherwise he should never have heard the gospel. There was [-] Sisters besides, and they all found employment soon. Now, I have given an account of all our company but Brother Robins who was going to the camp with Brother Scovil and also 2 of the Sisters.
Saturday August 14, Elder Jacobs and I paid $6.00 for our passage to Buffalo and started up the Hudson River at 7 o'clock p.m. on the steamboat "Oneida,"�
Letter from L. N. Scovil and M. Sirrine - August 12, 1847
Source: Scovil, Lucius N. and Sirrine, M., [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star. 9:18 (September 15, 1847), pp. 276-277.
338, Hudson Street, N. Y., August 12th, 1847.
� When we arrived here we met with Elder L. O. Littlefield, who is on a mission to Europe with documents from the Twelve, and he says too large for post, with many letters for different elders. I got two from my wife, one was directed to New York and the other to England. My family were all in good health, at present they are about 18 miles above Council Bluffs. My wife had been sick several months, and my three eldest children, but all have got well (I write this for the benefit of all those who may wish to know of their welfare, as it had been so long since I had heard from them.) Brother Littlefield tells me that your families are all well, and all the friends of the American Elders that are in camp. He says that peace and union prevails, but he will tell you all particulars when he arrives. He has been here but a short time, and had gone to work for means, but we told him that he must not stay to work, but go direct. He came this evening, and said he had no money, when we told him, if he made up his mind to go, that the Lord would put it into the heart of some person to furnish him, and before he left here, brother D. S. Hollister, who came from Philadelphia today, gave him ten dollars towards it, and now he says he will only work this week.
Brother Hollister says that the Saints are doing well in Philadelphia; he had heard from the west since brother L. O. Littlefield left, and says that Emma Smith is selling off her effects to go to the camp. Brother G. D. Grant is preaching in Missouri. Brother W. [William] W. Phelps is now in Boston, and expected here soon; he is making arrangements about a printing press; I expect to see him soon. There has been a great battle at the city of Mexico, which has surrendered to General Scott. It appears in the papers that Samuel Brannan is at Fort Hall, or was in June.
Brother Sirrine has gone to New Haven today, and left me to finish the letter. Brother Crump and family went to Philadelphia yesterday. There are thirteen of our company stopping at the above address--a transient boarding house and very cheap and good. Brother Jacob's health is quite good now; in fact, all of us are in good health and spirits. Brothers [Henry B.] Jacobs and Huntington will go on near Buffalo in a day or two, and I intend to go next week by Philadelphia, and make my way to the camp as soon as possible. My wife tells me that Brother Brigham told her that I should be at home this summer without fail. Probably Brother Phelps will write to you and tell you things that I cannot.
The Church in this place is rather at a low ebb, but we have roused them up, and the prospects are more favorable. Brother Miles, who went with a company last spring to St. Louis, has returned to Brooklyn, and but three of the company went forward to the camp, the rest remained at St. Louis, for the counsel was only for those to go forward that could provide for the expedition to the mountains. Brother Appleby is in Philadelphia, and Brother Hollister says that they have got all there back into the church that are good for anything who had previously heard Strang. Everything seems to be moving on well as regards the Church and the prosperity of the same. We shall probably write separate letters as soon as circumstances will permit.
Please give our best respects to enquiring friends, and may the God of peace be and abide with you, is the constant prayer of your fellow-laborers in the new and everlasting covenant. Yours, while eternal life remains, [p.277]
Lucius N. Scovil.M. Sirrine.
