1862-06-12-Manchester

Autobiography of William H. Hill

Hill, William H. Autobiography (Ms 2586), pp. 4-9. (CHL)

... And at the close of six weeks and five days on the waters with very little sickness aside from seasickness and two births and one wedding, we were permitted to once more set our feet on land, and that the land of Zion. So feeling in our hearts truly thankful to our Heavenly Father for His preserving care that had been over us. We gathered up our belongings and went on shore to Castle Garden and there we had to wait some time for arrangements to be made for our transportations. So I began looking around expecting my brother to be there to meet me but all that day I looked for him but he never came and I did not know his address but I thought surely he would be here early in the morning. But morning came but no brother, and the afternoon came and still he did not come and I began to feel quite anxious. And watching the gateway, the main entrance from the city, about 5:00 in the evening I espied him coming toward the gate. I ran to meet him and we were soon embracing each other and the joy we felt in the meeting is indescribable and told me that he did not hear of the arrival of the vessel until 2 hours before as he lived in Brooklyn and had made all haste to come to me then. Indeed I thought my trouble was over. He also informed me that he had taken to himself a wife and that they and two friends that I knew were staying with him that they were all ready to go along with our company as soon as they were ready to start. The name of these two friends were Richard and Hester Vessop that belonged to our conference. The brother came out with my brother and the sister came out just before me and we had a fine time together going around seeing the sights of both Brooklyn and also New York until the proper arrangements were made for us to start on our journey. Then we all got aboard the train with all the Saints that crossed with me and quite a number from New York but nothing of importance occurred on the way until we were traveling through the state of Illinois. ...

Journal of John Daniel Thompson McAllister

McAllister, John Daniel Thomson. Journal (Ms 1257), reel 1, vol. 4, pp. 3-39, 72. (CHL)

... Wednesday, 11th. a.m. Land in sight early this morning. Past Shinycock Lighthouse. Just after the wind came out ahead of us. About 10:00 o'clock we took a pilot from number 8, ("Isaac West"), pilot boat. Wind ahead all day. Could not do much and continued so all night. Evening, held meeting between decks. [p.21]

Thursday, 12th of June. Wind still ahead. Saints commenced to prepare for shore. Towards night we made the highlands on the Jersey shore. The day was very fine. It feels a little like summer. At sundown we passed the quarantine officer and between 8 & 9 o'clock we cast anchor opposite Castle Garden.

Friday, 13th. a.m. Brother Horace S. Eldredge came on board. Brother Adams & I went ashore and took breakfast with him. Then we returned to the ship and continued passing the luggage and at noon all were comfortable quartered in Castle Gardens. p.m. Busy collecting fares &c. Evening Brother Adams & I went to Williamsburg. Stopped at Sister Greens. [p.22]

Saturday, 14th. Called at Sister [-] and Brother Nobles. Posted letters for President B. [Brigham] Young and my family. Went to Brother Eldrege's office & done some business. Went to Castle Garden, finished our reports for the Millennial Star. Made arrangements for starting. Was very busy all day. At 5 p.m. we went to the Hudson River Railroad Station and took a train for Albany where we arrived on Sunday morning about 6 o'clock. ...

Journal of John Henry Humphrey Barker

Barker, John Henry Humphrey. Journal. pp. 20-32, 34, 39. (CHL)

... 11. In sight of Long Island. Took a pilot on board. Got away again from land.

12. Very busy fixing things and preparing to land. 2nd mate ill-used a seaman for striking him. The seaman was tied up to the rigging by the thumbs. The passengers ordered him to be taken down. Still out of sight of land. Made land about 11 o'clock. We sailed right into the harbor. Had a fine view of New Jersey and the narrows and entering New York harbor at sunset on a calm evening. All things seemed combined to make it a most beautiful site. One not easily described. All passed the doctor. Anchored off Castle Garden. [p. 26]

13. Our things and us taken onto a lighter and landed in Castle Garden. Government Emigration Department on Old [-] or Circus. Tasted first bread on board. The lighter did not know when to stop in the depot. Had a good meal of bread, cheese and milk. Walked up Broadway with Susan and around New York.

14. Choir sang the officers a song before leaving the Garden for the railway which we did at 6 in the evening. Hudson River Railroad gave letters to the doctor of the Manchester for Mary, Susan's mother, &c.

15. Arrived in Albany early. ...

Letter from John Daniel Thompson McAllister - June 12, 1862

McAllister, John D. T. [Letter] Latter-day Saints Millennial Star 24:28 (July 12, 1862) pp.443-444. (CHL)

Ship Manchester, June 12, 1862.President Cannon.

Dear Brother,--We are pleased to report to you the safe arrival of the Manchester at New York, after a passage of 37 days, during which the Lord has been mindful of us as his Saints, and bestowed many blessings upon us. ...

... We passed Shinycock Lighthouse on Wednesday, the 11th, about 8 a.m., and took in pilot. Head winds kept us beating about until Thursday evening, when a freshet sprung up, enabling us to get to anchor opposite Castle Garden at 9 p.m.

Friday, 13th.

We landed at Castle Garden today, at which place Elders H.L. Eldredge and O. E. Bates met us.

Praying that God's blessing may rest upon you, and with kind remembrance to all associated with you, we remain yours truly in the gospel of Christ,

John D. T. Mcallister, Samuel L. Adams, Mark Barnes. George Reed, Clerk. P.S. - We start for Florence this afternoon.