Diary, 1869-70

Journal of George B. Wallace, Born Feb. 16, 1817, Epsom, Merrimac County, New Hampshire

Sunday, Oct. 31, 1869. About 10:00 o'clock A.M., bid my family good bye, kissing them all and committing them to God, started in company with Elnathan Eldridge and his son Joseph, for Uinta Station to take the cars for the States to fill our mission that we had been set apart for.  Sunday night we stopped at Brother John Ellis' in Kays Ward.  The next morning drove on to Uinta and purchased our tickets for Omaha. 

Monday, Nov. 1. Started from Uinta at half past 2:00 P.M. for Omaha and New York, taking through tickets.  Cost of the ticket, $50.75.  Bishop John Sharp was at the depot and rendered efficient service to those who had not their names on the list sent from the President's office. There was 102 in all, 67 of that number were missionaries for the States.  We were in the emigration train.  Traveled all night.

Tuesday, Nov. 2.  At ten o-clock this morning, at the point of rocks, the engine had been detached from the cars containing the passengers, and when returning with cars of coal, it came with such force that it mashed the platform of the passenger cars to splinters and damaged freight cars, but strange to say, no one was seriously injured, although many were on the platform at the time.  It was sheer carelessness or willful wickedness.  The cars were chained together and we started on at noon.  

Wednesday, Nov. 3. Nothing of particular note has occurred this day.  The scenery over the Black Hills is beautiful.  The Bitter Creek country is full of coal. 

Thursday, Nov. 4. All of the freight cars are left and we are traveling with great speed to make up the lost time.  The officers are more gentlemanly.

Friday, Nov. 5. Arrived at Omaha 40 minutes past ten. Telegraphed to President Brigham Young of our safe arrival.  At five o'clock crossed the Missouri River on ferry boat and took the cars for Chicago. 

Saturday, Nov. 6, 1869. Breakfast at Davenport, Iowa, on the Mississippi River and crossed the river on a bridge to Rock Island and then to mainland.  At five P.M. arrived at the junction near Chicago, and as the cars came out of the city for Pittsburgh and New York, we went aboard about half past five.  Our company now was small, they having gone in different directions.  We have been on the express train from Omaha.  Traveled all night and reached Pittsburgh Sunday morning.

Sunday, Nov. 7. Traveled over the Alleghany mountains. The scenery was grand.  Arrived in New York at half past eleven, P.M. and put up at the   House. At this house you can have lodgings without board.  There is a restaurant in one part of the house.

Monday, Nov. 8.  At half past 12 left for Boston by the Shore Line and arrived in Boston at half past nine.  Went to the Quincy House, Brattle Street.

Tuesday, Nov. 9. After dinner parted with Bro. Eldridge and son.  They took cars for Cape Cod and I went to Cambridge Port to Mr. Pane's, Melissa's sister. Found them well.  Came back to Boston and left at five P.M. for Concord. Arrived in Concord at a quarter to nine and went to Reuben Make's, my brother-in-law, and stopped all night. His daughter, my niece was at Epsom.

Wednesday, Nov. 10. Went and saw Mary Wallace, my niece, the daughter of John Wallace.  She clerked in a dry goods store for Mr. Johnson.  Through her I learned where my daughter Sarah cousin Mary came to Mr. Lake's to see me.  Hannah came from Epsom by stage tired and sick.  We spent the evening conversing on celestial marriage. 

Thursday, Nov. 11. I came to Epsom by stage and went to my sister Mary Brown.  Found her and husband well and happy to see me.

Friday, Nov. 12.  I went to see my brother, John Wallace, and sister Rachel Sanders and her daughters Mary and Emily.  All well.  Sister Rachel felt lonely as she had lost her husband.

Sat.13, Sun.14, Mon.15, Tues.16, Wed.17, Nov. 1869.  I was among my relatives and friends and wrote letters home and sent to others.

Thur. 18. Thanksgiving Day at Sister Mary Brown's.  Rachel with us at dinner.  Toward evening Rachel went home and I went to John Wallace's.  Mary [his daughter] had come from Concord and we spent the evening together; they enquiring about our doctrines and faith and particularly about plural marriage.  Stopped all night at my Brother's.

Fri. 19.  Returned in the morning to Mr. Brown's and wrote to James, my son, and Melissa, my wife, and others.

Sat.20, Sun.21, Mon.22, Tues.23.  Was at Mr. Brown's house most of the time.  Went on Sunday to the Freewill Baptist's meeting.  Tuesday visited at Mary Brown's, my niece.

Wed. 24.  Went to Concord in the evening.  Went to the Eagle's Hall to hear Senator Patterson lecture abot his trip to California and Utah.  Many things he said about Utah was as false as hell.  One for instance: He said a clerk in one of the stores was requested to let the church dignitaries know who, of the Mormons, came to trade in the store, and he would not, and the next day he was found dead in the street with his throat cut, and no one took any notice of it.  And other lies as wicked and false.  When he was in Salt Lake City I was there, so I am satisfied he willfully lied. 

Thurs.25, Fri.26.  I remained in Concord.  S. Odeway just returned from his trip west to Utah and California.  He proffered me his house in Warne, warmed and lighted, if I will go their and preach. Mr. Odeway [or Odemay] is Sergeant at Arms at the House of Representatives.  He introduces me to Mr. Hill, one of the editors of the New Hampshire Patriot.  Mr. Hill proffered to give me the use of his paper if I wanted to lecture, to make it public.

Sat. 27.  Came to Epsom.  I was long enough in Concord to learn somewhat the feelings of the people, and it is deep and bitter toward God's people, some exceptions, but when they have enquired and learned the truth, they nash their teeth in rage, and nothing but God can save us, but if He were not our Friend, they would not hate us. The whole face of nature looks as though there were a curse resting on it.  Apples wormy and    and dying.

Sun. 28.  At Sister Sanders'.  They have gone to meeting.  The weather is not very cold for the season.  It has rained a good deal last week.  Wrote to my wives.

Mon. 29.  I went to Newell Brown's and dined; then he took me in his carriage to Deerfield.  I went to the house of Uncle Griffin's.  Aunt is 84 years old, the only sister on my mother's side alive.  She is well and does her own work for herself, husband and son Thomas.  Her mind is as bright and strong as ever.  Her mother was 94 when she died.  Cousin Nathan Griffin carries on the farm.  I also visited Cousin George Page, about half of a mile distant.  His mother was with him.  She is my father's sister, the only one alive.  She is 81 years old, bright and smart.  I returned to Cousin Nathan Griffin's and stopped over night.

Tues. 30.  Rained very hard till ten.  I then left to go to Simeon Robertson's, south-east part of the town.  Stopped and dined with my Cousin Ann Ambrose; then went on to Mr. Robertson's.  He is a brother to sister Dudley of Willard City, Utah. They received me very kindly and was very pleased to hear from their sister and family.  Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Dudley's sister was there on a visit. She once was a member of our church and formerly knew me when I lived in Boston.  She was pleased to see me again.  They were full of enquiries and I had to answer and explain.

Wed. Dec. 1.  Went to Mr. Smith's in the afternoon and had a pleasant visit and stopped over night. 

Thur. 2.  Came back to Epsom but stopped at Cousin Eben. Ambrose's and dined and had an interesting talk with them on our religion.  His son, a young man about 27 years old, and his wife are Adventists. They were very much interested in my explanations of the scriptures. 

Fri. Dec. 3, 1869. I visited Cousin James Fogg.  He lives at Lord's [or Sord's] Mill, Epsom. His wife is an Adventist.  She was much interested in what I told her about the work of God.  Came back and stopped at Sister Brown's, after visiting Betsy Ham.  She is 84 years old, and the past summer would walk a mile and a half and spin five skeins of woolen yarn.  She is my Grandfather Wallace's sister's child.

Genealogy of my fathers:

My father, John Wallace, was the second son of George Wallace and Rachel Babb.  His elder brother, William Wallace, was a sea captain, and died at sea, leaving a wife and two sons, Jacob and Gilbert, and three daughters, Lavina, Clarissa and Sally.  Father's younger brother's name was Phillip.  He married Rachel Babb.  They had three sons and two daughters.  My father's sisters were four.  Three married and one, Dorothy, died when a young woman.  Margaret married John Stearns, Betsy married George Page and Sally married Enoch Fogg.

My grandfather was the son of Samuel Wallace and Margaret McClary.  He had two brothers [John and Ebenezer] John was killed on Bunker Hill. Ebenezer settled in Epsom and raised up a family of children.  One of his daughters [Jane] was wife to Governor David L. Morrill and one [Peggy] married a Critchet.  Grandfather had one sister that married Benjamin Ham and one married a McGaffey. My great-grand-father Wallace came from Rye, N.H. to Epsom.  Further I know not, but hope to obtain more.

My mother's maiden name was True, the daughter of Jacob and Abigail True.  She had one brother Ebenezer and four sisters.  Dorothy married my uncle William Wallace.  Sally married Timothy Griffin.  She is now living, 84 years old.  Ann married Jonathan Ambrose.  Lois married Enoch Perkins.

My grandfather's sister Margaret married Eliphalet Sanborn.  Another sister Jane married Captain James Gray.

Sat. Dec. 4, 1869. At Newell Brown's till after dinner. Then left to go to Sister Sanders. Called at John Wallace's and there met Belinda Pratt's brother, Josiah Mardin.  He lives at Newberry Port, Mass., but is here in Epsom on a visit. He is a handsome man for one of his age. He was most happy to hear from his sister.  I came to Sister Sanders and stopped.

Sun. 5.  Stopped at the house till after meeting and then went in to see Henry Sanborn.  Bore a faithful testimony of the truth of the work of God.  In the evening Jonathan Sanders came to see us.  He was an old school mate of mine.  He lives at Derry, N.H., keeps tavern.

Mon. 6.  Stormed and is very cold.

Tues. 7.  Windy and cold.  I am at Sister Sanders'.

Wed. 8.  Sister Sanders and I went to John Cottrell's and visited them.  Mrs. Cottrell is my niece, Mrs. Sanders' daughter.  I stopped all night.

Thur. 9.  Remained with them and in the evening spoke to a small congregation in the schoolhouse.

Fri. 10.  In the morning I left for Boston.  Arrived in Boston about one o'clock.  Went to the Post office.  Got letters from my wives and children.  They were well.  I then went to Cambridge Port to Charles M. Pains.  Found them all well.  Stopped all night.

Sat. 11.  Came back to Boston.  Went to see Wm. Whitier, publisher of the "Banner of Light". Had an interesting talk with him and the editor.  I then found Geo. A. Brown, brother to Newell Brown.  He was glad to see me.  He is a stove dealer.  Lives in Cambridge Port.  I went with him to his house and stopped till Monday.  Had a good visit and conversed much on our religion with him and his son George.

Mon. 13.  Came back to Boston.  Found some of my old friends and in the afternoon went to the "Banner of Light" office and heard what the Meadiana had to say.  What I saw and heard convinced me in what I had heard of them before.  Went and saw Dan Bickford and then came down to Lynn to see Dr. S. L. Sprague, one of the missionaries.  I went to the Lynn Hotel and then went and found him at his sisters.  He was not well, but glad to see me.  He informed me that R. L. Burton and B. Young Jr. had been to Boston and Salem.

Tues. Dec. 14, 1869. I went to Salem and found Elder Felt. Found him well and cheerful.  He had preached last Sunday to well filled house. My brother John Wallace's daughter was at Salem in the normal school.  I found her boarding house and she was quite feeble.  Spent two hours with her conversing on the gospel.  I returned to Lynn and spent the evening with the Doctor and then went to the hotel to ledge.

Wed. 15.  Wrote to my wives Hannah and Martha, G. R. Sam and Martha, and sent seeds by mail - Sugar Maple, Beech and Ash.

Thur. 16.  Came to Boston.  Dr. Sprague came with me.  Stopped at Young's Hotel, Washington St.  In the afternoon went to the office of the Banner of Light to see and hear them perform and learn how they get their revelations.  In the evening went to the Boston Theater.  The building was beautiful but the play was mere nothing, or nearly so.

Fri. 17.  I found some of the old members of the church, Mrs. Whitney Teague and others.  Spent the evening at Teague's.  Susan Rider, an old Mormon, was there and was glad to see me.  She has faith in Mormonism.

Sat. 18.  Wrote to Elnathan Eldridge, William Nightengale and others.  Visited Orrin Sanders and had a pleasant talk with him, also Dan Bickford.

Sun. 19.  In the morning went to Rev. R. H. Neals meeting. Mr. Neal preached in the afternoon and evening went to the Infidel’s place of meeting and heard them wrangle. After meeting Prof. Howse came to my room.  He is a teacher of grammar and professes that he can teach any one as much grammar in seven hours as they can learn at the best grammar school.  I also met Mr. Montgomery Morrison of Farmington, Me., an old school mate of J. W. Cummings.  He now is at South Boston at the Bay State Iron Works. 

Mon. Dec. 20, 1869. I went to Charlestown to the house of sister Susan Ryder.  Stopped till after dinner and then went to Sommerville to see Mrs. Clary James mother, but did not see her, she being out of town with her daughter.                 Charlestown and in the evening in company with sister Ryder, went to Chelsea to see Mr. Wintworth and wife, they having formerly been baptized by the Josephites, but become disgusted with them. Spent a very pleasant evening with them and taught them the truths of heaven.

Tues. 21.  Went to see Dn Bickford at his store and talked with him about our religion, and in the afternoon went to the Banner of Light office, or to their circle room and saw some of their performances, and everything I saw convinced me in my faith.  In the evening Dr. Sprague and myself went to see Dr. Orrin Sanders and spent a pleasant evening with him.

Wed. 22.  Dr. Sprague left for North Hampton and I went to see Mrs. Martin, used to be Mrs. Whitney, a sister in our church.  She is a spiritual medium, and while I was there one spirit spoke through her professing to be Ex-President Lincoln. He talked a long time to me.  He said it was a disgrace to him to be President of the United States for no man could be president and be honest for the politicians were wicked and corrupt.  He said they poisoned President Harrison and if he had not been killed, they were to impeach him and had the articles drawn up when they killed him, and he said the North had more to do with the killing of him than the South. As regards our people, he said so many came to him with reports representing us to be so bad that he thought we were very bad and the plan was to exterminate us and I think the Indians, or the Indians were to be used to exterminate us, and which way I am not certain. But he says he has been out their and we are the best people there are.  He said Heber C. Kimball was standing at his right hand and wanted to speak to me and shake hands.  He said Mr. Kimball said one of our great men would soon die, and that before President Young, and said President Young would not live a great while.  I asked him who it would be, but he said I would know soon enough, and said when President Young was taken, a person who was in my mind would say it was his right to be president, but the church would not receive him, and there would be a division in the church.  He said he found things in the spirit world as he believed when he was here.  There was another spirit "professing" to be an Indian squaw. She said my wife Mary was there present but was very unhappy because she did not go with me.  Said she was not altogether to blame, but she wants me to forgive her and pray for her and she thinks she will be with me some time in the future as my wife.  She also said Nellie's [Sarah Ellen Wallace] little boy was with me, standing by my side, and was watching over me.  Also said the still-born babe of Martha's was a beautiful little boy.  Also a great deal more was said.  "Lincoln" when I asked him about Colfax said Colfax thought he knew more than Grant and was aspiring to be President, but never would be, and said there was a war near much worse than the one just past.  He appeared to be very dissatisfied with the government.  The Indian Chief that talked to me told me that Addis was at Kansas and I asked him where and he said at Lawrence and that he was all covered with black spots, which meant he was a bad man.  Said my daughter would get a bull from him and marry a better man.  He also told me my wife Mary was by me and asked him to ask me if I prayed for her.

Thur. 23.  I have a bad cold and remained at my hotel.  At three o'clock I went to the Banner of Light Office, or more properly circle room, to witness their performances, and every thing I saw confirms me in my religion.

Fri. 24.  I went and found some of the Joesphites.  One George Smith is their presiding elder, formerly from Maine.  He is an ignorant man and a blackguard.  In the afternoon I went to Charlestown to see Mr. Ryder and wife.  They believe the gospel.  I spent the evening with them. 

Sat. Dec. 25, 1869. This is Christmas day and a very dull one to me.  I have been to see John B. Teague.  He believes Mormonism the same as he did 26 years ago, but he has a miserable house and cannot control it.

Sun. 26.  Went to the Second Adventists meeting in the forenoon. They appear to be devoted in their worship.  In the afternoon I went to the Free Discussionists and listened to them contend with each other, and I think no good can come out of it.  After meeting I went to Charlestown to Mr. Ryder's and spent the evening with them, talking on the principles of our holy religion. They signified to me that they would want me to baptize them when I returned from New Hampshire.

Mon. 27.  Morning - finished a letter to my wives and mailed it. Settled up with my landlord and left Boston, 10:15 A.M. for New Hampshire by the way of Lawrence to find William Nightingale, but found he had gone to Providence, Rhode Island.  I then came on to Dery to Henry Sanders.  He lives about one mile from the station. His father and mother are living with him.  They were all well.  The old man is over 80 and is as spry as any young man.  I stopped over night with them and had a pleasant visit.

Tues. 28.  Left Derry at 2:00 o'clock.  Came on to Manchester.  Mr. Sanders came up with me.  Stopped there two hours.  While there I went to see Samuel D. Lord, a lawyer, and old school mate, and was introduced to a number of the legal fraternity.  They pitched into me on polygamy, but I silenced them.  Lord holds an office at Washington at the sitting of congress, but was at home spending the holidays.  He told me ____ was preparing a speech against our admission as a state.    He wants me to call on him at Washington.  I then came on to Epsom to John Cottrell's.  Found them well as usual and stopped over night.  In the same care from _____ Mrs. Baker and daughter, Mary's cousin, they stopped at Shortfalls.  Mrs. Baker was Thomas Critchet's daughter.  She is a widow of Dr. Baker.

Wed. 29.  At John Cottrell's.  William T. Sanders and wife came to visit them and I came over to my sister Sander's and stopped all night.

Thur. 30. Dec. 1869. Went over to Newell Brown's.  They are all well.  Had a letter from my James B. Wallace.

Fri. 31.  Gathered up maple and beech seed and sent them to my family.  Visited my niece Mary A. Brown.

Sat. 1. Jan. 1870. Came to my sister Rachel Sanders'.

Sun. 2.  Stormed all day and was very cold.

Mon. 3.  Went to see Samuel Cilley's family.  They treated me kindly.

Tues. 4.  John Cottrell and wife, and widow Swain and Mrs. Bickford was at their mothers, sister Rachel Sanders, on a visit and we spent a pleasant day together.

Wed. 5.  Sent oil-nuts and chestnuts and a letter to Geo. E. Wallace what to do with the seeds.  I went to Joseph Lawrence's and spent a few hours with him and his family.

Thur. 6.  Was at my sister Rachel Sanders'.  Received a letter from Melissa.

Fri. 7.  Wrote to Charles Payne at Boston and to Melissa and mailed them.

Sat. 8.  At my sister Rachel Sanders'.  It is a stormy day.

Sun. 9.  Went to the Baptist's meeting with my sister.  Got a letter from my daughter Martha.

Mon. 10.  Wrote to my daughter Nelly at Concord, N. H. and Martha and mailed them.  Then went in and spent a short time with Arthur Lock; then went to Jonathan Chesley's. Took tea and went to the school house to fill an appointment.  Spoke to an attentive audience for over one hour.  When I got through I gave liberty for any one to ask questions, but no one availed themselves of the offer.  I then told them if any one was opposed to plural marriage that the balance of the time I would meet them and discuss the principle, but none volunteered.  Then I set an evening to lecture on that principle, the following Thursday evening.  There was a good attendance and good attention.

Tues. 11.  Visited my niece, Mrs. Swain, in company with my sister Rachel and my niece Mrs. Bickford.  Mrs. Swain is a widow.  Her husband, George Swain, has been dead about eleven months.  We had a pleasant visit.

Wed. 12.  Went to John Wallace's and stopped over night.

Thur. 13.  Went to see Joseph Lawrence and his sister Abagail was with them.  I had not seen her for over thirty years.  In the evening I lectured in the school house on plural marriage.  I had good attendance and good order. 

Fri. 14.  I went to Bro. Newell Brown's and visited my cousin James Fogg and had a pleasant visit with them.

Sat. 15.  Was at Newell Brown's.

Sun. 16.  Bro. Brown and I went to Northwood to the Congregational Church to meeting.  I met with my cousin Enoch Fogg and his wife, and Aunt Rachel Wallace, also William Wallace and wife, also my step-mother.  I went to cousin Enoch Fogg's and stopped all night.  His wife is my cousin, Caroline Wallace.  They treated me with much respect.

Mon. 17.  Cousin Enoch put his horse on his sleigh and carried me to William Wallace's at Northwood Narrows, about two miles from his house.  William is the oldest son of Jacob Wallace, Jacob being my uncle William's son.  I had much talk with him and his wife on our religion.

Tues. 18.  Cousin William, after visiting his mother and brother with me, took me to Epsom to Bro. Brown's.

Wed. 19.  My niece Mary Brown took me to Pittsfield to Peter Hook's, my sister Dorothy's husband.  My sister has been dead for over twenty years.  He was married about two years after her death to a Miss Prescott of Epsom.  They both treated me very kindly and I had a pleasant visit with them. 

Thur. 20. Jan. 1870. I came back to Bro. Brown's in the afternoon, but before I came back I visited the principal places and men.

Fri. 21.  Came to my sister Rachel Sanders' and after tea came to my niece's in company with my sister.  My niece has married Horace Bickford, son of Samuel Bickford, and live on the old Bickford farm.            Ebenezer Wallace, son of Samuel and Margaret McClary, married Sarah McGaffey.  They had three sons and five daughters.  The names of the sons was John (he was married), Ebenezer and George died single. The girls were all married. Jane married David L. Morrill, who became Governor of New Hampshire.  Margaret married Thomas Critchet.  Hannah married Samuel Orr.  Sarah married Daniel Stevens.  Betsy married Moses Roberson. 

            George Wallace, son of Samuel and Margaret McClary married Rachel Babb.  They had three sons and four daughters.  William married Dorothy True.  John married Mary True, sister to Dorothy.  Phillip married Rachel Babb.  Sally married Enoch Fogg.  Betsy married Dudley Page.  Margaret married John Stearns.  Dorothy died when a young woman.

            John Wallace, son of Samuel and Margaret McClary, was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill and he died of his wounds.

Sat. 22.  At Mr. Bickford's all day, but very poor in health.

Sun. 23.  My health is better today.  I am at my niece's, Mrs. Bickford.  After meting came to my sister Rachel Sanders'. 

Mon. 24.  Visited Samuel Cilley's.

Tues. 25.  Wrote to N. H. Felt and Dr. Sprague.

Wed. 26.  At my sister Rachel Sanders'.  Newell Brown and wife came to visit them.  In the evening I in company with my sister and William T. Sanders and wife went to Henry Sanborn's to a social party.

Thur. 27.  Received a letter from my wife Melissa.  All well at home, except Loretta.

Fri. 28.  I, in company with my sister Rachel Sanders, went to Concord. Met Abby Wallace at Mr. Johnson's store where her sister Mary tends. She had just come up from West Newberry where she had been teaching school; it being the first time I had seen her since I came on here.  I am much pleased with her as well as her sister.  They are very excellent girls.  I went where my daughter boards but she was not at home.  After my sister Rachel started back to Epsom.  Abby and I went to East Concord to Soloman Sander's. They were glad to see Abby and me.

Sat. 29.  Was at Sanders all day conversing with them on the work of God.

Sun. 30.  Also at Sanders.  He went over to Concord Street and brought Mary over, and we had a pleasant visit together.  Mary stopped all night and returned the next morning.

Mon. 31.  Went to John Sanders' in company with Abby and Soloman and wife. We had a good visit there.  Abby and myself stopped all night.

Tues. 1. Feb. 1870. We came back to Soloman Sanders'. John's son brought us down. Stopped till after dinner; then Soloman put his horse on the sleigh and took us on to the city.  I went to Mrs. Raymond's where Nelly and her child boarded, but Nelly was out.  I returned in the evening and she soon came in, but was in trouble, having no work and out of money, and Mrs. Raymond out with her.  She has come to the place I expected she would when she and her husband was out with me at Salt Lake City.  I gave her money and comforted her as much as I could and stopped all night at Mrs. Raymond's.

Wed. 2.  Went out on the street and came back and dined with Mrs. Raymond.  After dinner carried Nelly's child to a boarding place she had engaged for her; after which Nelly went down to the depot with me.  On our way I called in and bid my niece Mary Wallace, good bye, and Nelly and I went down to the depot, I to take the cars for Epsom.  We both felt bad to part, yet as hard as it was, we had to do it.  Oh, my God, when will these heart aches cease to be, parting with dear loved ones.  I came on to Epsom and stopped at John Cottrell's. 

Thur. 3. Feb. 1870.  Met John Malvell at John Cottrell's.  He is an Englishman and a freewill Baptist preacher, a man with much confidence in himself.  I gave him some good counsel.  He left on the cars for Dover. I bade John and family good bye and walked out to Horace Bickford's and dined, and then went to John Wallace's and stopped all night. His daughter Abby came down from Concord on the cars at six o'clock.

Fri. 4.  John and I went to cousin Ebenezer Ambrose's, he being sick with a bad knee.  It swelled and broke, but he was getting better.  I, on our return, called on Betsy Ham, and then went to my sister Mary Brown's.

Sat. 5.  My sister Mary gave me five dollars.  After bidding her and Newell good bye, I came to Mary Elenor's and she took me to John Wallace's.  There we had to part and I take my farewell leave of John and family. I then came to my sister Rachel Sander's.  There were two letters from home, one from G. E. and one from Melissa.  My family was well when the letter was written, the 21st January.  I spent the night at my sister's, and

Sun. 6. all day till evening, and then went to Emily Bickford's and stopped all night.  In the evening went to meeting house - it was a union prayer meeting between two societies, conducted as usual by them. They wished to get up a revival. 

Mon. 7.  Bid my sister Rachel and daughter, and family, good bye and left for Boston.  Stopped at Nashua to see Mrs. Kimball, Belinda Pratt's sister.  She was cold and insulting and my stay was very short. Her feelings were very hostile on celestial marriage.  I wet to the depot and waited for the eight o'clock train and came on to Boston, and stopped at Young's hotel.

Tues. 8.  Visited Mrs. Payne at Cambridge Port.  In the evening was at Charlestown at Mr. Ryder's. When I returned, met with S. W. Richards.  He was stopping at the same hotel.  He came to Boston on Saturday evening.  I was much pleased to see him and he had papers from home.  I got a letter from home from Martha and Hannah.

Wed. 9.  Bro. Richards and myself visited Bunker Hill monument and the principal places of interest in Boston, and in the evening went to Saloway's Theater.  I wrote to Dr. Sprague and Elnathan Eldridge.

Thur. 10.  Dr. Sprague came up from Lynna and we visited together, and went to Charlestown to My. Ryder's, and in the evening visited Cordef Grant.  Bro. Richards has gone to the Adams house as his wife's sister has come from Maine to see him.

Fri. 11.  Dr. Sprague has gone back to Lynn.  I went to Cambridge and visited Mr. Payne's family and bid them good bye.

Sat. 12.  I baptized Robert Ryder and his wife and wrote to my sisters Rachel Sanders, Mary Brown; also Mary Elenor Brown and John Wallace, and sent each my likeness.

Sun. 13.  Wrote to my son James and daughter Nelly and sent them my likeness.  Went to Charlestown to Bro. Ryder's and confirmed him and wife; also ordained him an elder and gave them much instruction.

Mon. 14.  Visited some of my friends and prepared to leave for Ohio to visit my son James.  Left on the afternoon train for New York, by the way of New Haven, Conn.  When we arrived at Stonington, took the steamer for New York, and arrived in New York about seven o'clock A.M.

Tues. 15.  After arriving, went to Fulton St. and stopped at a hotel.  After breakfast I went and found John Brown, at his place of business.  He was glad to see me.  In the afternoon I went to his house, 224 So. Third Avenue, but I felt I was not welcome and did not take off my overcoat; but in a short time Mr. Brown came home and would insist on my stopping after tea, which I did, and spent the evening with them.  They had company from Boston, and a bigoted, ignorant person that she was, yet thought she knew it all. 

Wed. 16. Feb. 1870. Searched for elders but found none. Left New York at half past twelve for Cincinnati by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. As regards the road from Baltimore to Cincinnati, and the cars, and its officers, it was the meanest I ever met with.  God deliver me from ever traveling on it again, unless differently managed. 

Thur. 17.  Traveled all day and about five o'clock reached Parkersburg on the Ohio River.  Waited about two hours and started on for Cincinnati.  Traveled all night.  It rained till past midnight very fast, then snowed till morning and turned very cold. Arrived in Cincinnati at seven o'clock Friday morning.  It was cold and very unpleasant. 

Fri. 18.  Took the cars for Milford, arriving at Milford about ten A.M.  About one hundred rods from the depot I found my son James B.  I had not seen him for eighteen years, when he was in his eleventh year. I, of course, did not know him, but he knew me and fell on my neck. I was delighted to see him.  He was at the distillery when I met him.  We then went to his house and he presented me to his wife and two daughters.  His wife is a plain, unassuming woman.  Her maiden name was Maria Newton Speidel.  Her father and mother live near, about one and one-half miles from her, on their farm.  He is a Pennsylvania German, a very good man, and a wealthy farmer.  Her mother's maiden name was Gatch.  They were old settlers here.  The Gatch family consisted of eight boys and two girls. Four boys live in this town.  They are respectable people, democrats in principle. I have visited them at their homes. The town is not pleasant, that is the business part.  There is one distill and one merchant, flour mill and a custom mill.  Mr. Speidel and his three sons and daughters have been to see me.

Sat. 19.  At James'.  It is very cold.  There has been a very bad and severe storm.  I have been all over the distillery.  Mr. Speidel keeps a large number of hogs on the slops, about 900.

Sun. 20.  Mr. Speidel's son came after us and we went to his father's and we spent the day in company with their relatives and had a very pleasant visit.  I explained some of the principles of our holy religion.

Mon. 21.  James' wife and two of her uncles went to Cincinnati, it being seventeen miles distance from here.  It is the coldest day that has been this winter.  As my son and I were walking in the street we met Elder Edward Stevenson from the valley.  He left twenty days after I left.  He was well and had been prospered on his mission and was visiting a brother of his who is living near.  We returned in the evening cold and tired.

Tues. 22.  Visited at Capt. Gatch's in company with his relatives and had a happy visit.  I explained much more of the principles of the gospel.

Wed. 23.  Visited John Gatch's, and there met with another brother of his, a very liberal minded man, and he had a large company of friends to dine with him.  I read the revelation on celestial marriage and explained it to them.  I went and stopped over night at Mr. Speidel's and had a long talk with the school teacher that boards with them.  His name is Stevens.

Thur. 24.  Came back to James' and went through the town to see what there was to be seen.  Went to the hall where they were preparing for a party, which came off in the evening. It was quite inferior to ours in the valley.  I was invited to go but declined.  James was one of the principal managers.

Fri. 25.  Received a letter from Nelly and answered it.  Wrote a letter to my family.

Sat. 26.  Visited the surrounding hill with James.  I do not discover any disposition in him or his wife to receive the gospel.  In the evening James got his appointment to gauge and measure the spirits distilled at Milford.  He can make about $150.00 per month.

Sun. 27.  Was at my son's all day.  Nothing special happened.

Mon. 28.  Went to Cincinnati with James and returned the same day.  James and myself had our likeness taken while there.

Tues. 1. Mar. 1870. Wrote to Abby Wallace and to George E. Wallace.

Wed. 2.  James gave a dinner to his friends and wife's relatives and they had a pleasant visit.  I spoke on the principles of the gospel of Christ.  I got a letter from George Stevenson and answered it.

Thur. 3.  Went to Mrs. Mary Gatch's in company with others to dine.  We had a pleasant visit and returned to James.  In the evening Brother Edward Stevenson came to see me and we arranged to go home together.  he had news later than any I had from the valley.

Fri. 4.  Bro. Stevenson and myself visited through the distillery and then went to Mr. Speidel's and stopped for a short time. He left for Cincinnati, I agreeing to met him there tomorrow at eleven o'clock.  Mrs. Mary Gatch came to my son's and desired me to administer to her daughter as she could not talk.  I administered to her and promised her that the time would come that she would talk. The girl is bright but she can not articulate.  The doctors can not tell why or what is the matter.  This evening I have talked much with my son and his wife and prayed for him and hi.

Sat. 5.  I left for Cincinnati after taking farewell leave of my son and family and their friends, at the train of cars that came down at half past nine A.M.  Arrived at Cincinnati and met S. A. Woolley and John Thatcher, Bros. Park and Clark and Bro. Edward Stevenson.  We met at the Gibson house.  Wooley and Thatcher came down on the Columbus Railroad Friday night.  Clark and Porter came in from Joseph Stevens at Glendale. We were happy to meet each other. Woolley, Thatcher, Clark and Porter were going over into Kentucky for a few days and then we are to start west. At five o'clock Bro. Edward Stevenson and I left for Hamlington.  We arrived there about six.  Went to William Sterret's and found Bro. Thomas Naylor there.  He was well and happy.  Bro. William Sterret was not at his brother's.  They received us very kindly and entertained us very pleasantly.

Sun. 6.  Bro. Edward Stevenson had appointed a meeting for Sunday at eleven and one for the evening.  We went at eleven but only one man came.  We sat and talked one hour and then decided that we would not call any more meetings, but if there was any openings we would preach and if not we would return to our homes as soon as we could.  It snowed Saturday night about four inches and is cold and bad walking. Mr. Sterret and wife are believing.

Mon. 7.  Came to Glendale in company with Bro. Stevenson and went to the home of his brother Joseph.  They received us very kindly.  Glendale is a pleasant place, fifteen miles from Cincinnati.  Most of the people are those who do business in Cincinnati and retired from business.  Bro. Stevenson has gone to Cincinnati to finish up his trading and met Clark and Porter.  Joseph and myself went to the City Council in the evening and stopped till nine.

Tues. 8.  Nothing of interest occurred.  I remained at Joseph Sterret's.

Wed. 9.  Short time afternoon Bros. Stevenson, Porter, and Clark came out from Cincinnati and we agreed to leave tomorrow for Chicago.

Thur. 10.  At twelve o'clock I left Glendale for Cincinnati, and at two o'clock left Cincinnati for Chicago.  Traveled down the Ohio and the Big Miama.  Arrived in Indianapolis in the edge of the evening.  On my way to Cincinnati I met a liberal gentleman by the name of John M. Briggs and we spent the time from Cincinnati to Indianapolis very pleasantly.  Went on to Lafayette and changed cars.  Arrived in Chicago about seven A.M.  Went to the Allen house.  There I met S.A. Wooley and John Thatcher.  They just came in from Michigan.  Bro. Woolley had a telegram from his family of the death of his eldest son. He left at ten o'clock for the valley and Bro. Thatcher left with him.  Bros. Stevenson, Clark and Porter arrived in Chicago about the same time that I did. Clark went to Lockport to visit his brother.  Stevenson and Porter came to the Allen house and stopped.  We visited the principal places of interest and had talk with a member of _____.  I had an interesting talk with Mr. West, a relative of C. W. West.  He was at Utah a few days ago.  He and others intend to make a settlement in Colorado and want to purchase trees from Utah.  I gave him all the information I could about fruit trees and the culture of them.

Fri. 11. Mar. 1870. Left at 10:00 o'clock for Des Moines, it being a very stormy day and stormed all night.  At three in the morning we arrived at Des Moines, and went to Brother Ballengers.  They were glad to see us.  On the way Mr. Gardner, an old friends of J. E. Johnson, came on to the cars and came on to Des Moines.  I had some conversation with him, he being favorably disposed.  He was very much interested in Mr. Johnson's oldest daughter Mary.  She was one of his pupils when he taught school.  He is clerking for the Senate, now sitting here.

Sat. 12.  After breakfast we went to see Mr. Reece and wife and dined with them.  After dinner we went to see Evans Reece.  He has lost faith in the church to a greater measure, also his wife.  In the evening Brother Gallenger opened his house and we had a happy meeting, there being about twelve saints present.  Brother Stevenson and myself occupied most of the time, and there was a meeting appointed for next Sunday at 11:00 and in the evening.

Sun. 13.  We are at Brother Ballenger's.  It is a stormy day, one of the most stormy days of the season. The people do not recollect of ever having the like, this late in the season.  The train is stopped on the railroad, the wires are down and the mail is back.

Mon. 14.  Went about town and called on the editor at the register's office, and had an interesting talk with Mr. Mills, one of the editors and proprietor, about Utah and the Mormons.

Tues. 15.  Went out to visit Mrs. Hall, a widow, sister to Brother Ballenger.  Brother Ballenger and wife and others came out and we had a pleasant visit, and stopped all night, teaching them many truths of the gospel.

Wed. 16.  Came back to Brother Ballenger's and stopped a few minutes and then Brother Stevenson and myself started for Polk City to see C. W. Beeby and family.  We stopped at Brother Davis' four miles from there and got out supper and then went on to Brother Beeby's.  Arrived there at half past seven.  We found Israel Evans and Brother Murdock at Brother Beeby's, well and glad to see us, and also Brother Beeby's family.

Thur. 17.  Brother Evans and Murdock too the team we came up with and went down to Des Moines.  Brother Evans and Murdock came out from the valley last July on preaching missions.  They are to return when we go on the 25th from Omaha.  We went to see Brother George Saunders who married Brother Beeby's oldest daughter and lives the nearest neighbor.  He came from Ohio and his grandfather's name was John, and was born in Epsom, New Hampshire.  If he is correct, he is related to the Sanders now living in Epsom.  He is acquainted with my son James.  Became acquainted with him at Camp Denerson, Ohio, when he tended the drug store.

Fri. 18.  We went and spent a few hours at Abraham Davis' and then returned to Bro. Beeby's.  Davis professes to be a Mormon, but is not much of one.  His wife is a good Mormon.  We had supper at Bro. Geo. Danders' and came and stopped at Bro. Beeby's. Bro. Stevenson has too much gab for my taste.  I get tired of so much.

Sat. 19.  At eleven o'clock a few of the neighbors came in to Bro. Beeby's.  Bro. Stevenson spoke one hour.  I talked about twenty minutes.  After dinner we bid them good bye and Bro. Geo. Sanders took his team and brought us to Des Moines.  The road is very muddy, but not being thawed through, we got along very well.  When we got to Bro. Ballenger's we found Bros. Evans, Murdock, Clark and Porter, and learned that on Saturday Bros. Carter, Whitaker, Naylor and others had gone on to Omaha to wait there until the 25th Inst.

Sun. 20.  Visited around among the saints and wrote a letter to my son James.  Came to Daniel Reese's and stopped over night.  Mrs. Reese is the daughter of Sister Balis of Salt Lake City.  She has four sons and two daughters, bright, pretty children.  They want to sell and come out to the valley.

Mon. 21.  Bro. Stevenson and myself returned from Bro. Reese's to Bro. Ballenger's and in the evening Brother Reese and wife, sister _______ and son, Bro. Williams and wife, came to Bro. Ballenger's and we spent the evening in singing, prayer and speaking, till twelve o'clock.  We then went to bed and slept till half past two. We then got up and went to the depot. The train was one hour behind time, so that we had to wait.  Bros. Stevenson, Clark, Porter, Evans, Murdock and Hall were with me.  We met on the cars D. B. Huntington and wife, G. Grant, W. H. Lee and his brother and family, Wm. Bringhurst.  We traveled on together to Omaha, arriving at ten o'clock.

Tues. 2. Mar. 1870. Arrived at Omaha and then started and crossed the river.  When we got to the boat we met Wm Neal.  We all went to the St. Charles Hotel, and there met A. Farr, T. Ricks, J. Gleason, T. Naylor, W. W. Sterret and others, and the elders continued to come all day. The St. Charles Hotel is kept by Mr. Oakes.  After we had been there a short time a _______ came in with a high head, but left a little taken down.  He gave me his card and expressed himself well satisfied.  The weather is pleasant.  We are waiting for Burton to come over and make the necessary arrangements.  G. G. Snider and John Walker have come on. Snider had a letter from Burton concerning our emigration.

Wed. 23.  Bringhurst and Farr went to the superintendent and arranged for our passage. We are to pay $30.94, and we agreed to go for that by the emigration train.  Went to work to get ready to start at five P.M.  Bro. Baird came in from Alabama with a small company of twelve adults and three children, and it was fortunate for them for if they had been alone they would not have had money enough, but the fare being reduced $20.00 each, they had enough to take them through.  We got ready and started at half past five o'clock P.M. with the exception of Bro. Sterret and nephew.  They were not ready.  Bro. Sterret did that which I think was wrong.  He brought his nephew on with him, he not being a member of the church, and he, William, had no money to pay his or his Nephew's passage home from Omaha, and collect on the missionaries to help them.  There were 97 adults and six children in our company, thirty of them returning missionaries.

Thur. 24.  We are occupying three cars, or are in three cars, there being a few in one of the cars not saints.  We are traveling at the rate of twelve and one half miles per hour. The brethren are all well and hearty and happy, and the weather pleasant.

Fri. 25.  The same as Thursday, all well and happy.

Sat. 26.  The same as Friday - till evening, when we arrived at Sherman and passed Sherman, being 8232 feet above the level of the sea.  It required one extra engine to come the upward grade from Cheyenne.  Sherman is in the Black Hills.  From Sherman to Laramie it is down grade.  When at Sherman, the engine that brought us up was cast off and went on and when about seven miles it ran into a hand car and threw it off the track, and we came up to it and stopped.  After a delay of some two hours, we were helped back to Sherman and remained till Sunday morning, 10 o'clock.

Sun. 27.  At ten o'clock the track is clear.  The engine has come back damaged a good deal, and we started on again having been delayed fifteen hours.  Commenced raining and in the night it snowed and is very cold.  The wind blows very hard and I have taken cold.  We are weary, being crowded and cannot sleep much.

Mon. 28.  Not as cold as yesterday, yet pretty cold.  We are at Wanship, six o'clock P.M.  The train from the east is here taking their supper.  Joseph Rich and Wm. Bringhurst were aboard it.

Tues. 29.  At half past two A.M. we arrived in Ogden, all safe and remained on the cars till ten when we go aboard the cars of the Utah Central. At five minutes past twelve arrived in Salt Lake City.  Bros. T. Ricks and Arron Thatcher of Logan stopped in Ogden, also Bro. A. Farr, Ogden being his home.  At Farmington Bro. Clark and Gleason got off and at Centerville Bro. Porter , and at Bountiful Bishop _______.  W. H. Lee and his brother and wife and three children and his wife's brother, also Bro. Perkins, and the rest came on to Salt Lake City.  I found my family well and all of my friends, but I was pretty well tired out with a bad cold.

E-N-D