1863-05-29-John-J-Boyd

A Brief History Of Henry Peter Jacobs

Jacobs, Henry Peter. Brief History of Henry Peter Jacobs [by Pearl Jacobs Green], pp. 1,3-4, 6, IN Maxine L. Breinholt, Biographies (Ms 8691), reel 2. (CHL)

We were four weeks on the ocean and how glad we were when we saw New York. We were taken from the ship in rowboats to Castle Garden for inspection which took two days.

Now we had sad news. When mother went to the Branch President to get our money, he said he didn't have any for us. Father had given him enough money to get us to Utah. We weren't the only ones that had this happen to us, and when the authorities heard of this he was excommunicated. [p.3]

Some of the Saints were very kind to us and shared their sea biscuits with us but this didn't last very long, and by the time we reached Chicago we were pretty hungry.

Autobiography of Olaus Johnson

Johnson, Olaus, "Autobiography of Olaus Johnson," Chronicles of Courage, vol. 5 (Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1994) pp. 298-99. (CHL)

After twenty-nine days on the ocean we arrived in New York, May 29, 1863. All members had to remain on board until examined by the doctors to make sure no disease would be spread. This took considerable time. After being examined, we were transferred to a place called Castle Garden where we remained until evening. Here we were transferred by rail across the Hudson and further across the states.

Journal of Christen Christensen Olsen

Olsen, Christen "L" Christensen. Journal, pp. 7-9. (CHL)

We had plenty of fresh air all the way, but had to tack against the wind nearly all the way; nevertheless, we reached the Land of Joseph on May 29, and anchored just outside of New York that evening. What joyful feelings penetrated my bosom while viewing this land so blessed of the Lord, but which at this time is torn by a terrible civil war, on account of the misdeeds of its people. And these things will continue until the prophecies have been fulfilled, and the Saints will own and [-] [rule] the land in peace.

On June 1st we landed, and on the 3rd we left on the train, passing near to the city of Palmyra, the place where the Prophet Joseph first received revelation.

Letter Extract

"America [Letter Extract]," Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 25:26 (June 27, 1863) p. 411. (CHL)

America.--Since the letter from Elder Staines, of May 28, was in type, we have been favored by the receipt of another, dated the 4th instant, from which we make the following interesting extract:--

"The John J. Boyd arrived on Saturday, 30 ultimate, having had a prosperous voyage. The Saints were well and in good spirits; had four deaths on board--two old persons and two small children. One sister died on Saturday, after they arrived; she had recently been confined with a stillborn child. They all speak well of the brethren who had charge of them. They left for Florence at twelve midnight; I accompanied them as far as Albany, and returned yesterday. They left Albany on Tuesday, at seven p.m., all in good spirits. The two ships have arrived with the African Saints, all well. They went on with the companies. I was sorry to see so much luggage; 597 adult passengers in all, had 90,330 pounds of baggage! This was not weighed until we arrived at Albany. They did not land at the Garden [CASTLE GARDEN] until twelve a.m. on Monday and they were all at the depot at seven p.m., and had it not been for two luggage cars getting off the track we should have started at half-past seven.

The vessels came three days sooner than we expected, but all went off very satisfactory to all parties. . . . [p.411]

Letter from William W. Cluff - May 30, 1863

Cluff, William W. "America [Letter Extract]," Latter -day Saints' Millennial Star 25:27 (July 4, 1863) pp. 428-30. (CHL)

On board the John J. Boyd, May 30, 1863.

President Cannon.

Dear Brother,--Realizing that you are ever anxious to hear of the progress and welfare of the emigrating Saints, I hasten to report the safe arrival of the John J. Boyd, and give you a few items concerning our progress thus far.

We cast anchor in New York harbor at seven p.m., yesterday, having made the voyage in 29 days. We were much prospered and blessed of the Lord [p.428] while journeying on the mighty deep. ...

Sister Ann Jensen--the mother of the child whose death is mentioned in the previous part of the letter from Kallehave, Denmark, died on the evening of the 30th ultimate, from the effects of childbirth. The body was taken on shore and buried. We were landed at Castle Garden at two p.m., on Monday, June 1st, and the same evening at seven took the cars for Albany, at which place we arrived next day at [p.429] two p.m., and changed cars.

The Story of My Life of Mary Charlotte Jacobs Soffe

Soffe, Mary Charlotte Jacobs. The story of my life (Ms 5293), pp. 9-15, 19. (CHL)

... Before we left Malmo, my father had given the captain of the Mormon emigrants $30.00 to keep us going until we were settled, but when we arrived in New York this man denied that father had given him this money, and we underwent a great many hardships because of not having the money. ...

After we had been on the water about 25 days we saw the coast of Greenland. One day a small boat came out with a doctor on board to see if any of us were sick, but we were all well, and the next day when we landed in the harbor of New York a small boat came out to our vessel, then all of the sailors left the captain and threatened to kill him and also the Mate if they came ashore. Sometime before this the captain and the sailors had had some trouble while out to sea. We landed in the harbor on Thursday, but this trouble with the sailors and the Captain kept us on the ship until Monday, then a boat came and took us to Castle Garden, and that was my first glimpse of New York.

We only stayed in Castle Garden long enough to get our baggage through the custom house and on the train. Castle Garden did not appeal to me in the least. In the middle of the street I saw a dead cat and dog and filth and dirt existed everywhere. Nevertheless, we were all glad to be on land again. We were on the Atlantic one month and two days.

I remember the first night we were off the ship. I sat up all night drinking in fresh air, as it seemed wonderful to get off the ship with its stench and terrible odors.

After considerable trouble our president of the Mormon company obtained a ticket for us with eleven changes from [p. 11] New York to St. Joseph, Missouri.

Before leaving Sweden my father had given the captain of the Mormon emigrants $30.00 for mother to keep us going until we were settled, but when we arrived in New York this man denied that father had given him this money, and it was only the hand of fate that kept us from starving to death again. The emigrants gave us some of their sea cakes, and it was indeed hard on mother as she had a nursing baby.

When we arrived in Chicago we were nearly starved to death. Mother told the president if he did not give us money to buy food she would let people know he was letting us starve so he gave us one dollar. With this dollar I went to buy some bread, and on my way back from the store I met a lady with some bologna so I traded her two loaves of my bread for some of her meat. This was the first time I had ever eaten or seen white bread, as we had been used to dark bread in Sweden.