1862-06-25-William-Tapscott

"My First Mission" by Francis M. Lyman

Lyman, Francis M. "My First Mission," Contributor 17:9 (July 1896) pp. 529-31. (CHL)

... On our arrival at New York, in consequence of the enfeebled condition of President Gibson, the sole charge of the company was put into my hands from there to Florence, Nebraska, by Elders Horace S. Eldredge and Ormus E. Bates, who were in charge of emigration matters at New York City.

It required a constant and faithful watchcare on shipboard and crossing the continent to prevent corrupt, designing men, from imposing upon our pure and unsuspecting girls. We were also annoyed by foolish men within our own company, which inclined us to feel that the "white man is very unreliable."

While gathering moneys from the company in New York for their passages to Florence, someone picked Brother Phillips' pocket of thirty sovereigns, or $150 in gold, a most unfortunate occurrence for a poor people. We moved out of New York, by rail, Friday evening, June 27th. ...

Autobiography of Caroline E. W. W. Larrabee

Larrabee, Caroline E. W. W., [Autobiography], Our Pioneer Heritage, Comp. By Kate B. Carter, vol. 17 (Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1974) pp. 290-292. (CHL)

... but we got to New York all right. We stopped in a place called Castle Garden, it was a large building. I have read since that it had been built for an Opera House and used for that, and the great singer Jenny Lind sang there. We stayed a few days at Castle Garden then we got on the cars, and how hungry we were. We bought bread from men who came on the cars with bread to sell and it was like eating wind, there was nothing to it or substantial about it. How we did wish for some of the sea biscuits to fill up on. We rode on the cars a while then ...

Diary of William H. Freshwater

Freshwater, William H., Diary, Our Pioneer Heritage, comp. By Kate B. Carter, vol. 7 (Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1964) pp. 248-51. (L)

... 24th. Fair wind all morning. Only fifty more miles to New York. For the first time since we left Liverpool we heard thunder. At three o'clock the wind sprang up in the right direction and we soon left the fog behind us. We arrived in the mouth of the Hudson River at four o'clock and dropped anchor at five. This is a very beautiful port. Far excels Liverpool.

25th. We were all up at the first peep of day and anxiously awaiting the arrival of the examining doctor who came at 8 a.m. and pronounced us all well except two who remained on board the ship, the last we heard of them. The steam tug took us to Castle [p.249] Garden, the New York emigrant landing where one can stay for ten days only.

26th. Today is Father's birthday; he started in the new world in a new year to him. Uncle George, Father's brother, came to Castle Garden early and we were glad to see him. He came to this country last year. We hired a dray and took our trunks, etc., through New York and over the East River on a ferry boat to Brooklyn where George lived. We did not have much time with George for he left today on the 6 p.m. train to go west. We had to stay in New York because we didn't have sufficient means to come on to Utah this year. Father hired the same house that George left.

28th. We moved to 136 North 2nd Street, Williamsburg. We stayed there about a month then we moved to Conselea Street, Williamsburg, where we stayed eleven months until we left for Utah during which time Father worked for a plumber by the name of William Cozer of Williamsburg.

June 26, 1863. In company with my father, mother and sister, Valora, I left Williamsburg, New York with a company of Mormon emigrants for Great Salt Lake City, Utah. Just before we arrived in St. Joseph, Missouri, the rebels, or bushwhackers, fired two cannon balls through our train, one shot went through the passenger car exactly eight inches above the peoples' heads and the other through a baggage car destroying a great amount of baggage. ...

Journal of Thomas Memmott

Memmott, Thomas, Thomas Memmott Journal, vol. 1, ed. By H. Kirk Memmott (privately printed, 1976) pp. 40-48, 59. (CHL)

... Jun. 24. Light wind, three vessels in sight under full sail. Fifty-five miles from New York. We have 812 passengers on board.

Jun. 25. Land Oh! Land in sight about 6 a.m. The steam tug, "Henry Binden" at 7:30 took us in tow. About 10 o'clock a most beautiful sight--miles of land, green and nice, houses, dozens of vessels bound in and out. Several batteries at the entrance of the harbor, the scenery most splendid. Passed the doctor about 2 o'clock. I being the first passed, and thus being able to get below deck, collected my baggage together. One more night on shipboard.

Jun. 26. Passed the customs officers with but little trouble. A busy time assisting John Clarke, collecting fares from New York to Florence. Landed at Castle Garden. Strolled about New York. A very fine city, but everything looks nice to be on land again. The customs officers were very lenient with us, and someone through loosely talking about the matter was overheard, and caused the matter to be reported. The officers went "through" us again, and not feeling first rate did some damage. Slept with Brother Gibson at the [p.45] Steven's Hotel. Brother and Sister Clarke also staying there. No news from my wife or father.

Jun. 27. Busy getting luggage from the custom house, very hot weather. In company with Brother Clarke visited Brother Horace Eldridge, church emigration agent. Received a letter from Brother Sloan. A Brother Phillips had thirty pounds taken out of his pocket. The "Antarctic" with Saints on board arrived and emigrants landed today. They will go on with us. About 8 p.m. boarded the train at the Hudson River Depot, Chambers Street, drawn through the city by horses. Started west fairly about 10 p.m. ...

Letter from Isabelle Price Kunkel to her daughter

Kunkel, Isabelle Price Our Pioneer Heritage comp. By Kate B. Carter Vol. 7 (Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1964) pp. 260-63. (CHL)

... About the 24th of June we arrived in New York and bid farewell to kind Captain Bell.

The next year Captain Bell brought another shipload of Saints over, then was sent by the owner of the ship on a three years' cruise and somewhere in mid-ocean the William Tapscott caught fire and was burned to the water's edge. We heard that all on board perished but never knew for sure if it was true, but I would not wonder for in those days there was not so much traffic.

We stayed in New York one night and left for St. Joseph, Missouri; that was as far as the railroad went at that time. We arrived there on the 4th of July. ...