1862-06-01-John-J-Boyd

Autobiography of James Lindsay

Lindsay, James. Autobiography (Mss A-729, pp. 1-2) (Utah Historical Society)

... The ship docked at Castle Garden, and we were herded like sheep to street cars, and were put on the train. Talk about rough riding I don't think a trip down Lake Creek Canyon on a wagon load of wood was any worse. ...

Diary Extract of Joseph C. Rich

Rich, Joseph C., [Diary], IN Poulsen, Ezra J., Joseph C. Rich--Versatile Pioneer on the Mormon Frontier (Salt Lake City: Granite Publishing, 1958) pp. 147-52. (CHL)

... By May 27th, the John J. Boyd approached the Port of New York. The Latter-day Saints aboard, in spite of the sickness and death they had experienced, were in good spirits. Having been constantly encouraged by their leaders, under whose direction they had held daily religious services, they regarded [p. 151] their preservation to the goodness of God. They felt they had reason for complaint against the conduct of certain of the ship's officers and men; yet on the whole Captain Thomas had been just and kind; and they wanted to show their appreciation by presenting him with an expression of their feelings. Accordingly, they had their own leaders draw up and present the following memorial to Captain J. H. Thomas of the ship, John J. Boyd, under date of May 27, 1862.

"On our near approach to the Port of New York, we the undersigned on behalf of the Latter-day Saint passengers on the John J. Boyd from Liverpool cannot feel to bid adieu to Captain Thomas without paying him that token of respect and gratitude for the high and honorable bearing shown to us, and the vigilance for our rights and peace, and esteem for that manly conduct so prominent in a gentleman, in conjunction with his duties as our Captain the five weeks we have been entrusted to his care, and with the generous, free and lady-like affection earned by his lady to the wants of the weak, will have an impression on the minds of all, that cannot readily be effaced by time or events. We feel constrained to mention the high respect and kind protection extended during our religious services.

"And now as our travels may part us, we beg to express the satisfaction of our journey, and wish for him and his lady every gift that God can bestow in His infinite wisdom.

Signed,

James S. Brown, president

John Lindsay, counselor

Joseph C. Rich, counselor

William Fuller, clerk.

Joseph was met by his father at New York, and together they went to the Stevens House, where they registered, after which they took a stroll up Broadway to the St. Nicholas Hotel, where they met Governor Cummings, Brigham Young, Jr. and other friends from the west. Joseph and Brigham took a tour down to Barnum's Museum to see some of the curiosities. But Joseph's thoughts were turning toward home. When he returned to the Stevens House to sleep, he was eager to get started across his battle-scarred country toward his loved ones in Utah. . . . [p.152] ...

Diary/Autobiography of William Lindsay

Lindsay, William. Autobiography (Ms 1140) pp. 273-275, 288.

...all except one man & child that died & were buried at sea came safely to land at New York on the 4th of June. Captain Thomas seemed to be a very fine gentleman but 2 of the mates were very cruel and tyrannical with the ships crew & stowaways. We saw many fish of different kinds while crossing & nearly all had several sieges of seasickness. Very few escape this sickness. We were landed at Castle Garden, the emigrant home in New York and stayed there 2 days & nights. The sights were beautiful as we came into New York. But the men on guard had hard work to keep sharpers from getting among us emigrants. Leaving New York we were marched through the streets to where the horse cars took us to the Hudson River where we went on a steamboat up to Albany. ...

Journal of Joseph Coulson Rich

Rich, Joseph Coulson. Collection (Ms 4336), reel 1, rd. 2, vol. 4, (Part I) pp. 114-162 and fd. 3, vol. 4, (Part II) pp.1-23. (CHL)

... Saturday, May 31st - No land in sight as yet and the winds & waves are perfectly still. No. 9 pilot boat hailed us about noon & passed on. The captain's wife sent me the "New York World" from which I gleaned this information, viz.: that a company of soldiers were on their way from Benicia, California for Great Salt Lake. Many sails studding the horizon in different quarters. Three large screw steamers passed on our right, bound eastward. No. X pilot boat passed off our bows. The anchor dropped in the harbor sometime in the night.

Sunday, June 1st 1862 - Went on deck this morning and found to the delight of all that we were within sight of land, though some distance from New York. The anchor was raised early and we sped along with a gentle breeze. The scenery on either side was grand, the trees being fully leafed gave to the land a beautiful appearance. Passed the narrows about 8 a.m. and found to the gratification of all on board that [p.4] mammoth ship "Great Eastern" lay directly in our course just above the Batteries. We sailed within a few yards of her where we stopped a short time. She had started for England but met with some accident which was then detaining her. The doctor came on board soon to examine the passengers, not one was detained with sickness. The doctor speaking very creditably of our looks likewise the cleanly condition of the ship. Passed five French warships, two steamers, and three sailors which lay in North River. Anchored our ship about half a mile above them in same river. The first mate whose conduct throughout the voyage has been disgraceful was sent ashore by the captain. To our surprise about 10 a.m. Father O.E. Bates and John Lobin came on board. Father arrived on the 29th. They left about noon. I stayed on board overnight and with Brother Lindsay & Fuller collected money from the Saints to pay their passage to Florence amounting in all to some $5000 cash. A guard was kept on board during the night. [p.5]

Monday, June 2nd - The tug came alongside about 8 or 9 a.m. when the luggage was put on board under the sight of the customs house officers. The ship was then cleared and all hands got aboard the tug. Father & Brother Bates came aboard. We then bid adieu to the ship, John J. Boyd, after making her our home for forty days. Steamed up the river to Castle Garden where all hands with their luggage was landed. I went to the Mormon office where I found Brother G. [George Q.] Cannon and H.S. Eldridge to whom I delivered the money collected the night previous. Got dinner at at [SIC] a brother's nearby then went with Father to to [SIC] the Stevens House where I put up. Took a stroll up Broadway to the St. Nicholas Hotel. Saw Governor A. Cummings and found W.H. Hooper, and Brigham Young, Jr. at their room, also C.W. West. Brigham and I took a tour down to Barnum's museum. Saw some of the curiosities [p.6] in that noted place. Returned again to Castle Garden. Slept at the Stevens House.

Tuesday, June 3rd - Posted letters to Mother, J.D. Chaste, G.W. Grant, & W.S. Smith. Dined at Walker's Hotel with R.A. McBride. The company at Castle Garden got on the cars about five p.m. at the station, bottom of Chamber Street. For some cause or other we did not start till near 8 p.m. at which time we left New York on the Hudson River Railroad with J.S. Brown, R.A. McBride, G.J. Taylor, and Father. It rained very hard in the after part of the night. ...

Journal of Reuben A. McBride

McBride, Reuben A. Journal (Ms 8198), vol. 1, pp. 8-27, 39 (CHL)

... 31. Fair winds. Preparing for landing.

Sunday, June the 1/62. At daylight, came in sight [of] land at Sandy Hook. At 9 a.m. the doctor came on board. Passed up Hudson River past the "Great Eastern" steamship bound for England. At 10 a.m. cast anchor at the Castle Garden. Brothers Rich, Bates and others came on board.

2. At 12 all on board went to Castle Garden. After inspection of cargo, met T. Daniels and others. Stayed at Williams Hotel. [p. 21]

3. Took charge of the bills paid at Williams Hotel by the Saints. Paid all their bills. At 5:00 p.m. went with the Saints to the station and started up the Hudson River for Albany. Traveled all night. ...

Reminiscences and Journals of James Stevens Brown

Brown, James Stephens. Reminiscences and journals. (Ms 8444) pp.88-101. (CHL)

... June the 1 suffice it to say that light winds and calm prevailed and generally ahead, so that we made slow headway. All things passing off about after the usual style for such companies. Sometimes they felt first rate and then at other times rather dull. On the 31 May in the evening we sited Sandy Hook.

And June the 8 we cast anchor in the Bay of New York having had the measles and Whooping cough and 7 deaths on the passage; out of 700 sails [p. 99] in a short time after I received a letter from H.S. Eldreg [Eldredge] Church Emigration Agent instructing me to collect the railroad fare from the company, from New York to Florence, Nebraska Territory. This [-] I received an invitation from W. H. [UNCLEAR POSSIBLY, Hooper] for all the Utah elders and myself to put up at the Ater house at his expense.

I think there was all of asked myself of that favor. Next day the emigrants was landed at Castle Gardens and soon of via the Niagra Falls along the Lakes ...