%ISOlat1.ent; %isolat2.ent; %isonum.ent; %isopub.ent; ]> Autobiography, 1854-1892: electronic resource Harris, George Henry Abbott, 1830-1919 Creation of machine readable transcription: McDonald, Denese; L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library Creation of digital images: Weber, Jeremy; L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library TEI markup: Hanson, Carrie; Williams, Brenya; L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library Library of Congress/Ameritech Electronic version TEI text ca. 1.12 Mb: images 12 Mb each in 394 files Utah Academic Library Consortium Provo, Ut. OTPhargeo1 T1

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 2002

Pioneer trails: Overland to Utah and the Pacific, 1847 to 1869

 This text created as part of the Library of Congress American Memory/Ameritech Project: Pioneer Trails: Overland to Utah and the Pacific, 1847 to 1869. Images of the manuscript have been included. Autobiography, 1854-1892 Harris, George Henry Abbott, 1830-1919 392 p. [Unpublished manuscript] [n.p.] [n.d.] Harold B. Lee Library call number MSS 415

Handwritten autobiography. The manuscript includes excerpts from diaries and copies of correspondence. The autobiography and letter copying were begun in the 1880s. Harris writes about his youth in England, his conversion to the Mormon Church in 1849, his immigration to the United States in 1851, and the overland journey to Utah in 1852. Harris describes traveling conditions, the nature of the trail, and his work as a teamster. Harris settled in Pleasant Grove, Utah where he married two polygamous wives. They divorced him in 1873. Harris moved to Salem, Idaho in 1888 and served as a Mormon bishop there. Included are minutes of Mormon Church meetings, minutes of the Salem Library Association, and patriarchal blessings of family members. Mormon pioneer, bishop, and merchant who settled in Utah and Idaho.

Prepared for the Library of Congress American Memory/Ameritech Project: Pioneer Trails: Overland to Utah and the Pacific, 1847 to 1869.

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 Library of Congress Subject Headings Genre Accession Number 1851-1884 English Harris, George Henry Abbott, 1830-1919--Diaries Mormon pioneers--Diaries Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--Bishops--Diaries Pleasant Grove (Utah) Salem (Idaho) Overland journeys to the Pacific Autobiographies Diaries Electronic books MSS 415 April 2002 Corrector Smith, Brenya Updated Header [1] [2]

Front Inside Cover

j g x Bot 11601160

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[3] Autobiography -ov.- George H.A. Harris Including Sketches -ov.- Predecessor's L. and Ilfracombe Devonshire . Vol. 1st. [4]
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[5] 1880 Monday November 6 [6] Mr 187 [7] "THE LITTLE IDA"-Drawn by Neil Mitchell .-[See Page 653.]

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GenealogyReligious life; Children; Death; Women; Diseases

The subject of this notice Mr. James Harris (My Father) was born April 26t[-] 1793 at Hayle (better known formerly as "Hayle Copperhouse" in the county of Cornwall , a place honorably distinguished in the annals of Methodism for the pure fervent, simple and unafected piety of the people, and their zeal & self denial in the cause of God. From his infancy he was ac- customed to the duties of the sanctu ary & the family altar - had the advantage of pious parental ex- ample - & his first religious impre sions were received in the sancti ty of a domestic circle, hallowed by the constant voice of prayer & praise.Nothing of a peculiar nature marked his early history. His days of childhood were pas sed amidst those infantile gambols & innocent recreations which usual ly characterise that period of hu- man life & have been immortal ized in story & in song.But at the age of seven, he had to suffer his first trial, & it was indeed a painful one; the ruthless hand of death deprived him of his natural guardeen, leaving his mother a widow, & 6 young children father- less.This stroke - almost over- whelming - was, however sanctified

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3 to the survivors.The pious wi- dow had learnt who had said - "Thy Maker is they Husband" & "Leave thy fatherless children to me; I wil preserve them alive!" and was therefore, induced to confide in a gracious providence - to take a firmer hold of the way of life - & to live more for God & eternity In the exercise of a filial confi- dence, she was enabled to "rejoice even in tribulation;" the praises of God were constantly on her tongue & even while at her domestic duties her humble dwelling would echo with her clear, shril voice, war- bling her favorite stanza:- "Reign, true Messiah, reign! Thy kingdom shal remain shine When stars & sun no more shal Mysterious Deity Who ne'er began to be mine To sound thy endles praise be Such an example could not be without it's influence on her child- ren, & James early began to evid- ence a concern for his soul by a regular attendance on the public & private means of grace, & by a serious & devout demeanorAt the age of 20 he began to meet in class & formally identified him- self with the people of God. From that time he maintained his "pro- fession of faith without wavering"
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4 His religious experience was clear & definite; "He had tasted the wormwood & the gall" of re- pentance, & the sweetness of for- giving love;" & could point as wel to the season of his mourning for sin, as to the time when, & place where God spoke peace to his soul, & filled him with happiness in the Holy Ghost thro' believing During a life of painful vicis- situde he "kept the faith" main- tained a faithful adherance to the doctrine, government, & insti- tution of his own section of the Church; & amidst many faithless "Unmoved, unshaken, unseduced His loyalty he kept." When arrived at the age of 24 he left the parental roof, & in the hope that the change would conduce to his advantage cement in life, at the instance of maternal Aunt went to reside at Ilfracombe , in Devonshire , known at that time only as a fishing house on the shores of the Bristol channel, tho' it has since attained to some importance as a fashionable wat- ering place.Here he felt all the inconvenience, arrising from strange circumstances & as- sociations, which call for the ex- ercise of christian vigilance, whatch- fulness & prayer; Here also he for
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5 the 1st time experienced "a famine not of bread, but of the word of life" The Established church had lost "the spirit in the letter - the sub- stance in the shaddow;" & there was then but 1 disenting interest in the place - that of the independents, whom, tho' he loved as friends, he could not recognize as members of the family to which he belonged. Their theological views (at that per- iod especially) were so decidedly opposed to the apprehensions of truth which he had conceived, that he never seriously enter- tained the thought of uniting with them in church fellowship, altho' it is not improbable that such a step would have tended to his world- ly interest. Such matters, however never weighed with James Harris , where conscience, religion, & the devine honor were concerned. Having endured his spiritual privations for a while, he at leng- th (in conjunction with 1 or 2 others who were like minded) applied to the Methodist preacher resid- ing at Barnstaple (about 11 miles distant) who occassionally visit- ed the town, & preached to an increasing company the word of life, & shortly after this Il- fracombe was placed as a sta- tion on the circuit plan. A
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6 society was formed, of which Mr. Harris , & his truly amiable & exelent wife were 2 of the 1st members, & preaching was regularly established on the Lord's day, in a smal upper room, hired for that purpose. Al sacrifices which the day of eternity alone will declair, the little band cordially welcomed & hospitabl- ly entertained the messengers of truth.Never did a people more heartily or gratefully adapt the sentiment of the Profit. "How beau- tiful upon the mountains, are the feet of him that bringeth good ti- dings &c" "They heard the word with gladness" - it took root in "honest hearts" & its fruit became manifest to all around.Lo- cated at so great a distance from the circuit town, from whence they drew all their supplies from for the pulpit, & there being at that time but few laborers in the gospel vinyard, they were not unfrequent- ly left to their own resourses, to conduct public worship as best they could.But on such occas- sions their meetings were regularly held, & were "sanctified by the word of God & prayer"In the gift of pray er they exelled greatly, & the fre- quency with which it was brought into exercise gave them facilities of
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7 expression, origanility of conception, power, & effect, seldom equaled. After suffering for years the incon- venience of crowding together in a confined & ill-ventilated room (the best approach to which was thro' a butchers slaughter house) the heart of Mr Harris was cheered by in intimation from a pious gentle- man ( Wm Shippery Esqr) who had providentally called at his house, that he would give a sum suf- ficient to build a "Wesleyan chapel" The kind offer was thank fully ac- cepted, & in a short time the foun- dation stone was laid by the late Rev. John Smith , then travel- ling in the Barnstaple Circuits. Mr Harris was the builder; & Oh! how many fervent prayers did he present to God "while the temple was building" that his blessing might attend the work, & that his presence might beautify & his glory fil the house, consecra- ted to his worship, making it the birthplace of precious immortal souls. His whole soul seemed to be absorbed in the work, so that (as he once informed the writer of this notice,) when the 1st timbers had been set up to form the roof, he thought that in his ex- cessive joy the spirit would have burst its clay enshrinement and
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8 soared away to mansions of bliss At length the "top stone was bro't forth with shouting" the building with a school-room atached, also a dwelling house were completed and the former dedicated to the worship of God, in the summer of the year 1832.The sermon on the occassion were preached by the Rev. Iasiah Hill , who had been the instrument of the conversion of the gentleman by whose Christian liberality it had been errected. From this time a sphere of more extensive usefulness opened up be- fore Mr. Harris , who readily em- braced it. He had more than once essayed to preach the gospel, & his name had appeared on the local pre- cher's plan; his state of health, how- ever, & the imperative demands of a numerous family compeled him to relinquish a work in which his heart delighted. As a class leader He was energetic, faithful, affect- ionate and effective; As superintend of the Sabbath school, which grew & multiplied under his judicious man- agement, he was exceeding useful, & many of the children wil be the crown of his rejoicing in the day of Christ Jesus"The writer was prea ching at Ilfracombe , a short time since, & at the close of the public service a young man stood up &
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9 bore honorable testimony to the zeal & fidelity of Mr. Harris whose pious instructions (tho' for the time unhead ed) had followed him to the utmost verge of the green earth, & issued in his conversion to God; & now af- ter an absence of 71/2 years, he re- turned to his native town, and found his instructor silent in the grave, but his memory embalm- ed in the heart of the young. Mr Harris was also Chapel Stew ard, prayer leader &c. & in every department of trust & labor he was "found faithful" manifesting in each a zeal for God which, by the lapse of time, did not diminish or grow cold. He ever cherished a deep interest in the spiritual welfare of the sons of the ocean; whenever the "Bethel Flag" was hoisted he was found siting beneath its shade & always evinced a desire that the Methodist preachers should share with their brethren of other religious denominations the labor & reward of this "work of faith & love We now come to the closing scene of his useful life; & here we find him suported by the consolations & animated by the hopes inspired by that religion, which it had been his hapiness to enjoy, & study to recomend both by precept & examp- le for so many years. In the year
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10 1849 that fatal scourge, the Asia- tic cholera, swept thro' the land & scattered death & distruction in its train.It visited Ilfracombe & among its victims was James Harris , who is suposed to have taken the contagion while perform his duties as undertaker to some who fel under it's raviges. But the awful messenger did not find him unprepared. He had lived for years as a dying man; the wals of his clay tenement had been shak en by an asmatic affection, which had often aparantly bro't him to death's door; & now when surround- ed by instances of mortality; & the victim of a devasting pestilence were caried to the "house apointed by all living" the house of prayer was open & the voice of Mr Harris heard in solemn tones exclaiming, with pe- culiar emphasis as if ashured of his aproaching dissolution - "Who next may be summoned away My merciful God, is it I?" At length the King of Terrors enfold- ed him in his icy embrace; but Death had been despoiled of his sting he had a "hope as an anchor to his soul, sure & stedfast, entering with- in the vail," he had built upon the "sure foundation stone which God in Zion lays" & he now found it immovably secure" "I am upon the
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11 rock!" he triumphantly shouted "Give my love to my brother Joseph & tel him the Lord is with me! & of his children who were absent from him in various parts of the world, but were constantly present to his mind he said - "Tel my children to serve their father's God, & to meet me in heaven [-]" & thus tho' racked with strong pains, he expressed his con- fidence in God, & this warm in- terest in the spiritual wel-being of his kindred, til the "earthly house of his tabernacle" fel, & his happy spirit was "gathered to his fathers," to inherit its reward, on Monday the 24th of September 1849.[-] "He set as sets the morning star darkened west Which goes not down behind the sky Nor hides obscured amidst the tempess heaven But melts away into the light of His remains were intered in his vault in the Wesleyan Chapple yard on the Thursday following his decease, & the solemn occassion was improv- ed in the chaple adjoining on Sun- day the 30th by Mr Hilman, a resident local preacher. The fil- ial affection of his daughter, has er- rected a tablet to his memory (as wel as to that of her mother, who survived him but 7 month) over a- gainst the pew in which they were accustomed to worship. The above imperfect sketch is ren-
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12 dered as a last tribute to his mem- ory, by one who enjoyed his friend ship for 20 years, & sincerely la- mented the stroke which deprived his family of a parent - the church of an ornament - & himself of a friend. [8] Barnstaple J. J. K. This was printed in the (John James Knill) Christian Magizine page 421-424. J.J.K. truthful in many respects, was slightly in error in others My Dear Father was not buried on Thursday, he was buried on Tuesday. An ackount of the nature of the disease which took him off. (see Tom's letter page 15) My Dear Father desired his love to his Bro Joseph & to his children but his last words were "Tel my dear George I go unto my Father's & Grand- father's God" Being bab on the 6th Sept'r & getting a strong testi- mony I thought shure Father would beleive my testimony, So I wrote him a long letter & showed him how he had been worshiping a God without body parts or passions, while I had found a God of revelation, He showed the letter to the Rev. L. Beard & asked what he should say in reply. Beard said "dont an- swer it, make out as tho' u never received it or your son wil show the answer to some of ther Elders & they wil cut us up finely, hence it must have made some impression in the old man's mind.

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GenealogyReligious life; Death; Women; Diseases; Commerce

[9] 13 [10] (My Dear Mother) Eliza Rawlings (2nd) Born Feb 1st 1791 at Marigion Cornwall England . Maried Oct 22nd 1822 to James Harris of Hayle Copperhouse Cornwal Eng. She was of a meek and peaceful disposition, A dutiful Daughter, Affectionate Sister, Loving Wife, Fond Mother, An oblidging neighbor. She took greaat delight in the worship of her Heavenly Creator, & often would her sweet trebil voice be heard dispensing melody toward of praise. Her hospitable doors were ever open, her table spread, and the sofetest bed appropriated to the weary preacher of Methodism. Her industrious habits in the milinery line (as wel as her household duties) were very succesfully attended in pro- viding the many necessary articles al- ways wanted needed in a growing family. As a sample of my Dear Mother's feelings I copy from her Diary 1842 Aug 24 "My Dear dear ^ Son John Sharland Harris (my older Bro.) left us for Bristol bound him- self an apprentice on the 27th for 4 years for 35₤ on board the "Philaria" Schooner Captn Ed Levering . Sept 3rd sailed for Leghorn, thro' kind providence reached there in 21 days. O my bless- ed Redeemer bring them Home in safety and give them and us grateful hearts." (I beleive John was the 1st to leave the Home Circle) Aug 31 (same year) "Our much distressed Eldest Son Thomas Jas

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14 Harris left us for London , intending to improve in buisness (Joiner and Cabinet Maker) but not being able to get employment and not having money to bring him Home, was ob- lidged to enter in the Band (Sept. 10) of the 99th Regiment, sent on board the "Earl Grey" (12) and on the 18th left for Plymouth (25) on (my Dear Father went there to see him & purchase his time but did not succeed as they were under sailing orders) Oct 5th sailed for New Zealand. O my blessed Redeemer save his dear soul Oct 8th He was 18 years of age" My Dear Mother fretted a good deal over this scrape as she ab- hored the life of a soldier. She sank to the ground on 1st hearing the news & said she would sel her feather bed to release him. The money was borrowed from Cousin Rogers of London 25₤ & Thos James was released It cost 21₤ for his discharge & 4₤ for passage Home - After his release My Dear Mother would often take pleasure in singing "The Soldier's Year Upon the hill he turned, to take a last fond look. At the valley, and the village church, & the cottage by the brook He listened to the sounds so familiar to his ear And the Soldier leant upon his sword and wiped ^away a tear.
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15 Beside that Cottage porch, a girl was on her knees She held aloft a snowey scarf , which fluttered in the breeze; She breathed a prayer for him - a prayer he could not hear; But he paused to bless her as she knelt, and wiped away a tear. He turned & left the spot - O! do not deem him weak - For dauntless was the soldier's heart, tho' tears were on his cheek. Go watch the formast ranks, in dang- ers dark career, For sure the hand most daring there has wiped away a tear. I was the next to leave the parental roof in 1845, & in 1849 My older Bro. Abraham Sherland Aug 1st left Home for Ship Wilberforce for Upper Can- ada & found a plenty of work with his Mother's Bro. " Richard Uren Raw- lings : My Sister (The oldest of the family) also cleared out for Somerset- shire So my dear Mother mus have felt lonely "Bereft of all her children" Now came (if possible) a severer trial The loss of her dear Husband. I re- ceived the following. Ilfracrombe Sep. 24th 1849. Dear George On Behalf of your Dear Mother, I write U these few lines to inform U of the death of your Father this morning (Monday) at 8. O.clock. He was taken ill yesterday afternoon.
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[11] 16 He must be interred tomorrow. Sorry to say it is very bad here 2 or 3 a day last week. Your dear Mother is very much hurt, but I hope in a day or two, She wil come round again. I have written Thomas & desired him to come home di- rectly, to finish work your Father was doing at Bickles-comb. Beleive me to remain. Yours Truly. Walter Toms. I ar. 2 days after ^off the earth & was able to console her somewhat ^by letters but she fretted & never more was her dear voice heard in song. She gave way to incessant grief which caus- ed a strong inflamation of her wind- pipe & on the following April, My Sister advised me of the serious illness but even now she would try to bear up as the following "Her last letter to me will show" ^ March (Sund) 24th My dear dear Henry . your long story makes me very uneasy, 1st I thought dear John may be home and Left Liverpool be- fore you get there, then that would have teased you more than if you had not gone there at all, the next thing I feared you had not much naviga- tion on board. I have heard many say they did not like to trade to Liver- pool. I thought you would stay so long at Charlstown until the rough winds of march came on. We had 3 weeks very fine. On Friday it began to blow & still blows very hard, last night & to day has been snowing. this morning about 11 it was snowing & the sun shin- ing, the sun soon conquered & the snow
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17 disapeared. On Monday last we received a letter from Mrs Murry & a post office order ₤1 saying your Brothers vessel is not expected home for 4 months. She wil not send anymore money until after the next male. I hope my dear child you wil not trouble about sending me money, I hope to get on until I see you we must still hope all for the best. On Wednesday we had a letter from poor Thomas He said "Yesterday my dr Li presented a Bible to her dear child has from the hands of his dying mother It being his birth-day, also she sent me a sovering as a token of affection I think it a mark of love. We expect every post to hear of his heavy loss He appears quite overwhelmed, if he does not take refuge in Christ. I fear the world wil soon lead him captive & distroy him (His wife died Apr 9th a Newport Monmouthshire By Monday's post we sent to you at Charlstown that you might know about John, we expect you sailed before you got there it we received yours on Tuesday, I am thinking much about you this blow- ing wind, the Lord preserve you my dear child in peace and fill you with all his life & love, your sister's work appear coming in I may say increasing I have a few bonnets in the straw line I know you wil be happy to read, your dear Mother can stil block a bonnet. I have been very week & poorly but can do a little to the
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[12] 18 bonnet line every week, my throat is not well yet, & I have not been able to eat meat & things to strengthen, me which makes me apear week, your Sister wishes me to have advise I do not like the Doctors. She says she wil tell you all about it. I beg you wil be more of a Christian than to friten yourself when yesterday I eat a Leg of a Foul; today the other leg, I had a fine foul lenght yester- day, tomorrow I hope to enjoy another part, if you were here you should have 2 or 3 parts, your sister do not like this sort of meat, we cannot tell how we do not hear from Ab- raham , I hope you will not take cold for want of a trousers, you better get a pair if you are not likely to call in, Bless you my dear Henry beleive me as ever Your affectionate Mother E. H. Hearing that my mother was gradually sinking I left Dublin on the 24th of April 1850 & by way of Plymouth by Steamer, to Exeter by Stage Coach, to Bristol by Omnibus thence to Ilfra- combe on foot I ar. 27 & foun my beloved mother sitting in her last bed with arm open to welcome her dar- ling to her brest. She admonished me to reflect & ask devine assistance before I embraced any other religion but the one she had always enjoyed. She spoke with peculiar empha- sis, the fallen stranger, the one she
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19 in health had so often enjoyed in song. "Give me the wings of faith to rise Above this vale and see The saints above how great their joys How great their glories be. She passed quickly away at 17 m. past 12 on the 7th day of May 1850 surrounded by her beloved Sister Sarah Rawlings of Camborne , her daughter Christian- na Herven Her oldest Son Thomas James , & and her youngest darling G.H.A. . She was interred in the same grave with her beloved husband. Peace to their Ashes. There are words that speak of a quenchles love Which burns in the heart we cherish And accents that tel of a friendship that proved And wil never blight or perish. There are soft words murmured by deep dear lips For richer than any other But the sweatest word that the ear hath heard To the blessed name of "Mother" Oh! ma[-]ile word may it never die From the lips that love to speak it Nor melt away from the trusting heart That ever would break to keep it, Was their ever a name that lived like his Wil their ever be such another The angels have reared in Heaven a shrine For the holy name of mother. [13] Her last words to me was "Burry me in the same grave with my husband. I promised I would, lit- tle thinking ^of the obstacles to be overcome. 20 [14]

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GenealogyReligious life; Children; Death; Women; Diseases; Commerce; Food; Discipline; Mormons--religious life

21 Ilfracombe once a smal fishing port of the N. coast of Devonshire Eng . has now arrose to prominence thro' the indefatiguable zeal of its inhabitants in adding artificial beau- ties to its natural grand romantic & pictur- esque sceenery, It is about 225 mile from London from Bristol 20 from Swansen & 18 from- Lundy Island . It can boast of 3 Academies 3 Auctioneers 4 Boarding Houses 2 Booksellers 4 Grocers 5 Hotels. Capstone Hil & parade juts boldy into the Atlantic , which washes it on 3 sides. The Parade is one of the finest seaside walks in England. Paths, cut at great expense makes it easy of access. A band plays during the day. Highfield road runs parallel above, High Streeet from which a magnificient panoramic view of town is obtained also a long line of sea coast & a vast expanse of ocean. Hillsborough rising to the east of the Harbour, presents on the sea face a series of rocky clifs, surmounted by grassy slopes & uplands stretching to the hight of 447 feet, near the sumit are the remains of an ancient British fortification, & lower is a mod- ern battery, with a gun & mortar in pos- ition, for a week or two at midsumer, the Sun may be seen to rise from the sea & set in an ocean bed. Lantern Hill at the mouth of the harbour & on the sumit is a building now used in winter for a light, but formerly a chapel dedicated to St Nicolas, the patron saint of sailors. There are

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22 seats provided on the Lantern, afording a pleasant outlook over the entrance to the harbour & a view of all vessels passing in the Channel . Promenade Pier. An extensive jetty running out from the Harbour, affording landing stages at all tides This is a very pleasant prominade, the constant ar- rival & departure of steamers, yachts, pilot shifs & boats gives a living & view- ing interest to the scene, Tunnels & Bathing Beach. The Hills is pierced by tunels leading to seperate bathing beaches enclosed by high cliffs. One is reserved for Ladies with regular attendants & convenience for Bathers. [15]
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23 [16]
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24 Begoten & born in the usual man- ner, Gentle reader; I shal not tire U with particulars. Altho' it may not be amiss to mention, Dec. the 7th 1830 as the time; James & Eliza as the Parents; & the aformentioned lovely Ilfracombe as the location. But Scarcely had the creak of Dr. John Jones 's books died away ^on the morning air but my ven- erable Parents commenced sugesting a name for the new comer. "I shal call him George", said Dad. I shal never call him George said Mam: I shal cal him Henry. I shal never cal him Henry said the obdurate old man; & He kept his word. I was christened George, Henry, Abbott . & my Father never called me Henry. My mother never called me George. But on hearing either name especially about meal time, I was all attention. To return to the venerable Doctor He was a plesant Old gent had a peculiar way of placing the ^crook top of his cane in his mouth, when he received his fee of 1 guinea. I think that must have learnt me suckshon, & when I commenced it was hard to wean my- self from the delicious milky fluid In fact it took me 18 month to be tired of it. But being the youngest of 6. I may ^yet be pardoned. It would be more difficult, than interesting to tel of the number of fals that happened, while tutering my pedal extremities to sist the effects of Atraction of Grandfather [17]
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25 or how many times my dear ^old Mother would drop her work, to attend to my earnest intreaties; backed up with long winded exclamation; how she would kiss & rub the part, & soothe the little aching heart It reminds me of When I long for sainted memories, Like angel troops they come, If I fold my arms to ponder On the old, old home. The heart has many passages Thro' which the feelings roam, But its middle aisle is sacred To the old, old home. Where infancy was sheltered Like rose-buds from the blast Where boyhoods' breif elysuin In joyousness was passed; To that sweet spot forever, As to some halowed dome, Lifes pilgrim bends his vision - 'Tis his old, old home A Father sat, here proudly, By that hearthstone's rays, And told his children stories Of his early boyish days; And 2 soft eyes were beaming, From child to child 'twould roam; Thus the Mother counts her treasurs In that old, old home.
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26 The birthday gifts & festivals, The blessed vesper hymn -, "Some dear ones who was swelling it Is with the Seraphim". The fond "good nights" at bed time, How quickly sleep would come, And give us al a sweet rest In the old, old home. Among my earliest impresions was a se- vere cut I received from my cousin Tom (the same one who canceld the error by informing me by letter of the death of my father see page 15th) while standing at the front door scraper, being of cleanly habits) a sharp edged rock that was meant for his Bro hapened to strike me & cut both my lips completely thru this way  the blood streamed in torrents & my dear Mother hardly knew what to do first, but soon the blood was assuaged & stick- ing plaster aplied on both lips, the mark is stil quite visible when I shave, & more strange stil one of my children is marked the same way. I can also vividly remember walking under the table when my head would just touch the drawer, & in order to see what was on the table I had to chose a sailor's style & climb on a chair, & to see the goodies displayed in the shape of roast meat on potatoes with the ac- companing aple dumplins or figge pud- ding was to me the happiest sensa- tion of my childesh days -
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[18] 27 But we al have our ups & downs, I had my ups on the chairs & also my downs as I wil relate. My older Brothers Thomas James & John Sherland were very fond of swim- ing; there was a natural reservior composed of rocks like a basin (or boul as yankes say) At high tide this basin would fill & at low tide it would be aproachable, It went by the name of "Labourcher's pond" It was about 75 feet long & 60 feet wide & 8 or 10 feet deep. Here my Brothers used to rusticate, & here I used to toddle behind & see them exercise It was real fun to see them lash & splash in the water, turn sumersets, & other gymnasts, but when they undressed me against my wil, tied a garden line around my armpits, & (in spite of my ^ earnest protestations) launched me in the briny fluid I commenced to bawl as loud as I could call until my mouth was ful, & it seamed an hour before I got thro - one pulling & the other easing away the line. U bet I told my Mother & the little raskels were sent immediately to bed without their super, & threat ened with a sever castigation if ever they dared to do again that deed. - They would never let me go after- ward for telling, but I never forgot the sensation, It some times haunts me now, & I always dread the water & never willingly indulge beyond my depth in the liquid waves.
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28 I was very young when I went to Sabbath School. (My dear Father being Superintend for over 40 years) & cannot forget the assistance rendered at the anual aniversarys, in fact it was be- fore I could speak plain & when I was put upon a bench (or form) & the Minister would ask questions from the catechism It was a strange contrast between Question & Answers as follows From the Pulpit (with material power Where is God? From the Galery bench would come the lisping ans. Evidy where. What can God do? Whatever he will. and in after years when ol- der I would recite dialogues with my Bro Abraham Sherland (16 mo. older than myself) At one time He reci- ted "the Morning Star and I "The Evening Star. U Bet. I thought the Evening Star the best. I scarce ly missed a sabbath school for 7 years, only when I had the measles, smal pox, or inflamation of the bowels. & I pleded my way from the alphabet class to the 1st class as pupil, & then up to the 3rd class as precepter. My Bro Abraham (much smarter in learning) got to be secretary Him & I had the measles at the same time & afterward the smal pox. He caught the last from the Barbers Son when he went to get his hair cut, & was the second in town with that direful disease. But he had it very mild & my mother wishing
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[19] 29 me to have it while I was under her care, had me annocholated for fear I should not get it from him in the natural way, but sleeping with him I was took down, & broke out shortly after him & the greatest trouble with us was, We were kept in doors. Tho' we had a jolly time in a nice little carriage, on springs, large enough for 4 of us yet we felt like impris- ioned birds, & longed for the day of diliverance, which health soon brought. I was not so fortunate as to have a partner (only pain) in a serious attack of Inflama- tion in the bowels I must have been about 9 years old I had 3 attacts & was about being given over by Doct- ors & Friends having taken compound cammomile water & other strong drugs; I ceased to revive, & prepared for my latter end, In my ^ rest from exquisite mom- ments of pain I chose 6 of my fellow schollars to carry my remains to the grave, made them presents of my toys & repeated ^an old School motto "O God! thou art my salvation, In thee I wil put my trust. It was on a Saturday (Market day) A pedlar mistaking my Fathers Sign over the door "Harris Joiner, Cabinet maker, Glazer, Painter &c" & evidently the worse for liquor came in & asking for a quart of beer Mother said he had enough beer but if he would wait she would make him a strong hot cup of coffee -
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30 He readily assented & commenced to start up a tune, Mother bade him desist, when he asked what was the matter? Mother told him She had a boy up stares lying at death's door & was given over, He asked the nature of the disease, She told him Inflama- tion of the bowels Oh! he said I can cure that. I am a candy maker, & he droped about 15 drops of the "Oil of Pepermint which I drank & was immediately releived & was soon re- stored to health. I firmly beleive if it had not been for that pepermint I should have cheated my children of this journal. & have been a good lit- tle Angel winging thro' the air. The Inhebriate seemed to sober up right away, was thankful for his coffee, & left. Kind Reader let us have a change & readPoetry. In fortun's gardens grows a tree, And al would fain its fruit posses; Al' eagar watch it longingly, The fruit it bears is caled Success. The path to same is rough & steep, The tree itself with thorns is thick; Thro' tangled brushwood some must ^creep, Some climb it easy, gather quick. It blos'oms bright, it blos'oms fair, In briliant bloom the sight enthrals, Some fail to reach it, tho' they dare, Ful' ripe to some it easy fal's.
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31 At'racted by its golden hue, At'racted by its glow & glitter; Al' obstacles some strug'le thru; To find the fruit, alas, but bitter. But most who taste its fary flaver, And to their lips, it fondly press; Say nothing can surpas the savor, Of the freshly gathered fruit Succes'. At 10 year old I was duly admitted on trial in the Wesleyan Methodist Church & attended all meetings es- pecial'y prayer meetings, & love feasts Class meetings was also a special- ty, altho I did not enjoy it so wel for I had to tel how I felt, & altho I felt about much the same, I didnt like to say the same at every meet- ing, but pondering over my catechism I would try & get a change, so one even-ing I hapened to say "I felt that the Lord had given the Devil charge over me that he should try me but save my life". Dad thought that was awful & rebuking me in public, said God had given his Angels (not the Devil) charge over me & that I must pray without ceasing & give my heart to God. Now to look back, it reminds me of an anecdote, An old Deacon re- markable for his self esteam was going his rounds at class meeting, when coming to an aged old lady who al- ways had something extra to say, ask- ed "Wel nanny how do U feel to night?
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32 The old lady with eyes turned he'aven ward uttered with unuasual emphasis "Oh I feel! I feel! that if I had but one more feather stuck in the wing of my hope, I could fly away & be with the saviour. The old Class leader smart- ing under this high flown sentiment cried out "O Lord stick in the feather". Now there seemed to me so much samenes's and so little progression. It was al "Come to Jesus" "Give your heart to God" Beleive on the Lord Jesus Christ & U shal be saved. The thief on the cross was applaud- ed, & his salvation sure in the 11th Law. I had serious thoughts of leaving my conversion until the latter part of my life, especially when I saw so little advancement in the Christian Faith. And I was were I could see a little hypocracy, The ministers al- ways made our home their quarters & with a great majority (I wil say not all) the diference between. In the pul- pit with long sanctimoneus look & behind the scenes was quite different visible. At day school I made slow progress on account of the inability of the Teacher Mr Jenkins (a Miller by profession) & my utter carelesnes'. I was a good reader & could recite a number of chapters from the Bible, but I cared little about Arithmetic, or Spel- ing; & Tables I totally ignored ; And the English style of reckoning I thought was deuced hard, (up hil buizness.)
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33 After the old gentleman (Jenkins) had taken a big dose of medicine, He would leave the school tolerably early in the forenoon, & we would slide out & fasten the latch of the door of the room he oc- cupied, leaving a string tied to the wedge so as to draw it when we desired his presence; unfortunately or fortunately one day the string broke and it was near noon when one of us crawled on hands & knees so as not to be seen by him, & while he slept, withdrew the wedge. Of course none of us knew who done it but now as the old jent has got his angel plumage ^on & no fear of any of my readers ever seeing him.^to tell I wil acknowledge my- self in fault. The great Longfellow ^once said Saint Augustine ! wel hast thou said, That of our vices we can frame; A ladder, if we wil but tread - Beneath our feet each ded of shame. Al comon things, each days events That with the hour begin and end, Our pleasures, & our discontents ~~Are rounds, by which we may ascend. We have not wings, we cannot soar; But we have feet to scale & climb, By slow degrees, by more & more, -- The cloudy sumits of our time. The mighty pyramids of stone, That wedge like cleave the desert air; When nearer seen, & better known, ~~~Are but gigantic flights of stairs. The distant mountains that uproar, Their solid bastons to the skies; Are crossed by pathways, that appear, As we to higher levels rise.
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34 The heights by great men reached & kept, Where not obtained by sudden flight; But they, while their companions slept, ~~~~Where toiling upward in the night. Standing on what too long we bore, With shoulders bent & downcast eyes, We may discern - unseen before - A path to higher destinies.~~~~ When about 11 years of age My Father's Cousin John Rogers a Ship Broker (after^ward a large Ship owner) came down from London on a visit & asking about the children's school ing was informed about the Millars inca- pacity for teaching. He said send them to a better school & I will pay the bill - so Abraham & Self were brushed up shoes blacked & with our little green sacks to hold our books, were toted off to Belvedeer High School. A sharp eyed round faced, short nimble chap of the name of Howell was the Preceptor. We were introduced to about 40 sons of Doctors, Lawyers, Merchants, Clergymen; & being Sons of the Carpenter, we had de- decidely the disadvantage of respect, but we were numbered, My Bro 12 & self 13 and so commenced to study Reading, Writ- ing, Chemistry, Spelling, & Philosophy &c But above all we were taught good behavour, were never alowed to ad- dress our neighbor pupil only as Master Stoneham, Master Moon, or Master Jones Master . & when the mild but firm tone of the sound of No 13 please your lesson ^was heard I had to be all attention.
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35 I can never forget a mottoe I wrote at the quarter's end to show my advance- ment in penmanship "There cannot be a greater treachery, than first to raise a confidence; and then de- ceive it". Receiving donations of of farthings halfpennys & pennies, for re- citing at Sunday school I resolved to purchase a reference Bible which cost me 5 shilling or about a dollar & quarter; & 3 pence more to gild my name on the back. Then I must ask my preceptor Mr Howel to write my name inside which he done as fol- lows. George H. Harris Dec. 7th 1842. The autograph ^and Bible (1883). is stil with me. Traveling to school one morning, Mas- ter Moon invited us in to see his Ban- tams & gave me one of the eggs; I carefuly placed it in my sack along- side of my books, and carefully car- ried my sack along, but on reach- ing Mrs Jenkin's shop window, in which was displayed lots of cakes, candy, & plum pudding, curisoty for- ced me to count the pieces, one of the boys gave me a push, & I im- mediately unthinking, hit him over the hat with my sack; so on we trotted to school, my sack was hung in its appropriate place; & taking my seat began my writing lesson & then aritmetic. No 13 your lessons (was then heard) & leaving my desk, unhung my sack took out my books, when lo they were all glued together.
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36 The master asked how it happened? & I realy could not think - forgeting all about the Bantam egg - He toted me up stairs laid me on his knee & commenced to stripe my bretches pretty lively, than asked me a- gain how it happened - & for the life of me I could not think, & so I told him; & it was not until even- ning that when I foun the broken shel in my sack, that my rememberence was quickened. Then my master seemed sory that I had heard the patter of the whale bone, & had fearfully felt its effects. We remained at this school about 2 years going at 7 o'clock (breakfast from 1/2 past 8 to 1/2 past 9. dinner from 1/2 past 12 to 1/2 past 1 & evening release at 1/2 past 4 - We had to study our spelling & geography lessons at Home. My Bro Thomas was learn- ing my Father's trade, & John was already on the Sea; So when John came home to visit with blue jacket, white pants, straw hat; with a fathom of ribon over the left eye; & the money jingling in his pocket, I concluded to follow his example, & plow the raging main. So I was advized to study navigation, and as Prof. Dalley was the only one teach- ing; I was transfered to his school for that purpose, & was duly in- itiated in the rules of signs, tangents, lograthims, plane sailing, transverse sailing, mercatom sailing & finally could take a ship (in theory), to any
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37 part of the world in the shortest & best possible way. While studying navigation, a Captain's son sat op- posite me at the same table. I was dul in learning, but he was very much duller; he would pass over his slate, I would do his sum, then he would rub my figures out, & place his in position; & the French Prof. would never surmise. - This Son was afterward my Captain. Now I think its time for a verse Boyhood Il' sing U a lay of the early day, A song of the boyhood time; Of the bright days when we wished to be men ~Nor thoughts of what comes with prime. In the clear mil-brook, with a line & a hook, Enticing the minnows ashore; Or in a wild race, the buterflies chase, ~~~Or gather sweet flowers in store. 'Neath the beech tree's shade, we merrily played, Thus whiling the hours away; Til' the seting sun, bade us homeward run, ~~~~Ere the night closed into the day. When winter cold, cast snow on the mold, How cheerely passed the hours; As we swiftly glide, o'er the icy hil side; ~~~ Or rest in home's lone lighted bowers. This life ful of joy, had no bitter aloy, Ah! how little we knew it then; Or thought of the toil in life's battle broil ~~In the days when we wished to be men! J. E. W. Reader if this don't suit U read page 204 Vol 1st Utah Farmer or any other piece U like.
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38 As my Bro. John was in the foreign service, & seldom came home. My Parents decided to bind me an ap- prentice in a coaster: So Captain Richard Harding (A fine jolly fat old gentleman) one of the olden time), was called in to see their boy; His 1st remark was "Hes too smal" but thought if I could eat lots of beef & duf, I should soon grow. My Father mentioned that I had studied naviga- tion, but the old Tar remarked, He didnt care a damn for that, but if I'd be a good boy & learn He'd make a sailor of me. So on Feb. 5th 1844 ^(1846) I was bound Ap- prentice for 5 years on the following terms; I was to receive 5-6-7-8-9 ₤ (or ^35 ₤. for the 5 years) with board & medicine. She was a Schooner called, "The Try- phena" of Ilfracombe 130 Tons burthen, & I was soon dubed with ^curious title's Boy light that fire", put on the top-galant hal- liards, lower the flying jib, bear a hand, fetch my spy-glass &c. His son was mate, & it seemed to me, that he was unnecessarily mean to me, to repay me I supose for helping him in school, he must have been jealous of me, but the old Captain & the men were my firm friends. In the winter of 46 we laid up 2 months & I had nothing to do but see the schoon- er & get my meals. She was ballasted to lean to the Starboard, & never mis- sed only once; & then I got caught in
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39 a lie. I would go down & see her, then get my breakfast at the Captn's house. Every morning he would ask me, "Boy, how'es the ship? Al right Sir. I would say. How does she list? Starboard Sir, was the invar- able reply: but on this morning I had laid too long in bed at home, & went up to get my breakfast with- out seeing her, & got caught. He never forgot that, & told me of it the last thing I ever heard from him. We generally traded from Neath Glamorganshire, to Portneath, - in Cornwal - with coal, & then copper ore back to Neath. We also went to Haver-de-grass, Pool , Plymouth , Fal, mouth , St Ives , Hayle , Swansee, Milford Haven, Charlston Liver- pool, Runcorn , Whithaven, Annan, Isle of Man, Dublin , Corl., Water- ford , Cardif , Bristol , Gloster &c. We laid up 3 winters & then the Old Captain (who was as a Father to me) remained on shore, & his Son (The Idle navigator) took command & sail- ed the ship. During the summer of 49 we put into Combe, under stress of weather, & as usual I went to Sunday Eve. meeting. Rev. Saml Beard preached on the" Sheep & the Goats," & I felt that I was the only Goat in the chappel. After services, He came home with us, & asking me if I had found peace with God, I answered, I could not say that God
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40 had sealed his pardoning love upon my soul. He thought I had backslided from Methodism, & desired me to unite with them again, & not let my eyelids close until I tasted of his reedeeming love. We were to sail the next morning at 4 oclock, & I reasoned that I had better put off my praying until a more conven- ient opportunity, as I had not faith enough to begin then. At 3 oclock I turned out of my bed Mother got her darling's breakfast. I kissed my dear Father (not thinking it was the last time;) & soon we were going from Home at the rate of 7 knots per hour, It was the early part of August, & I took especial pains to attend my pray- ers, when oppertunity offered. Some times I would go to bed leaving the sailors playing cards, then when they would retire, & was asleep; I would arrise, put on my clothes, & pray in real earnest, that God would speak peace to my heart. yea sometimes I would pray the daylight in, but no change, I would think, now beleive that God has pardoned U. but a thought would arrise "That would not make it so". & I wanted to feel a tangable proof. It was in this state of mind in the latter part of August, we were at Cardif 2 mos. were helping unload Iron Ore, they were Welsh. At noon stopping for dinner they had a poor dinner, so
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41 I gave them ^each a piece of meat & a tin of soup - They looked grateful & said "God bless U." The words seamed to go thro' one, & I said "I wish he would" They said, "He shal make known to U the truths of the everlasting gospel." They told me I had been praying to the wrong God, one who had no ears, with- out a body or parts, & that the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob, had revealed his gospel, & called upon all to repent. We were interupted by a call to work at 1 oclock; but hearing that their was preaching 2 miles up the Canal that Eve. I determind to go. After supper while the Sail- ors were enjoying their beer, at the public house, on the warf; I slip- ed away to go to meeting. It was as dark as pitch, & I came near been drowned in the canal, so I had to return, & then on the spur of the moment I knelt be- fore the Lord & asked the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob, that our Craft may go to Newport the next trip as I wanted to know more of his work. The Idea I had was if we went to Newport, I should see Father Tobias Dalling , who was converted to Methodism, by my Father; & who afterward joined the Latter Day Saints , & was derided by my poor erring Father, as a fan- atic, & a fool. Reader beleive it if U wish. We went to Newport the next trip & the 1st time for 4 years -
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42 Eighteen-thirty was the time, When I first knew the Sun to shine; At least with eyes, as U now see, - Before that's 'rapt in mistery. I do not recaled my kin, For lots of them, I never seen; But I've been told I'd something more, (Of Aunts & Uncles) than a scene. Besides their Fathers, & their Mothers, And if I numerate the others; Of Cousins, 1st & 2nd too, Thats far too much for me to do. Our Fam-i-ly did number 8, James & Eliza they did mate; Those 2 produced Christianna Hervert , & Thomas James , He was the 1st, Born Son, Now John the Sailor ram, Then Elizabeth Parker , & Abraham ; Myself the runt, the last of al', Strange things did unto me befall. The 1st 8 years of my sojourn, I had no cause to cry or mourn; We played arround outside & in, And was quite innocent of sin. About this time, I went to School, I see Friend Jenkins, with his rule; His cane, & what he called custick, A string tied in the little nick. Sometimes Bob Fickel , & Bil Price , With me, would think it very nice, To split his cane, & break his string, Then wonder who could do that thing. The next school, I did go to then Was Belvideer, at No 10; Quite strict was he, (a little man). To better him, I hope U can. [20] Sent to Lizzy Glen
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43 Everything was ap-pro-po, Fun & frolic was no go; Our lessons, memory had to store, The name of "Howel" I adore. "Dally" was the next Preceptor, Navigation taught by lecture; And the practice of the art, Traced with pencil, on the ^a chart. I was ready then for Sea, My Mother said, "U must not B" Bound to go a foreign voyage You are so little of your age." So Captn Hardin , was called in, He seemed to be the very thing; Boys of his own, he said he had; And he would take care of the lad. February month, it was the 5th, In 46 I learnt to reef; & furl & splice & wash & cook, But scarcely ever took a book. U wouldn't have known me in n[-] blue, Jacket, & pants of lighter hue; With pumps & hat, & riband band, Streaming as tho' I held command. 4 years if I the right observe As cook & steward, I did serve, Now I began with a light heart, For to play a monkeys' part. Up one rope, & down the other; Then we'd spring, & catch another, Hand over hand, from end to end. We'ed brace the gard, & see &[-] spend. H. To be continued. [21] Now if U don't like this kind of Poetry, pray dont read it, but store up your mind with al the good things, & please forget the evil. H.
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44 I forgot to mention that early in 49, I studied over my little imperfections & follys; & decided to abandon the same, and as a help I wrote on a smal piece of paper, the date when I commenced to reform. It was April 6th 1849. I kept the paper in a conspicus place, in my portfolio; and would often refer to it. It was quite a help for a long time. On the 5th of Septr we arrived at Newport , Monmouthshire ^ in answer to prayer, and the Dalling Boys, John & Wm came on board as I had to watch the ship; they commenc- ed to preach Mormonism to me, & I tried my best to discus the point with them: but I made a most miserable failour of it, and was convinced that they had more truth than I had ever heard. I asked leave to go on shore the next Eve, went to meet ing, heard Elder Owen Harry preach, on Revelation, & was babtized after meeting, in the Canal, by Elder Tobias Dalling ; on the 6th day of Septr 1849. being then 18 year 9 months old. I was confirmed by Elder Dalling at his house. Next day we bade adieu to the Saints in Newport, & with a few Latter Day Saint Tracts; I com- menced to investigate Mormonism, more fully. My 1st impression was that my dear Father would hail the news with pleas- ure, & rejoice, so I wrote to him a long letter, telling him I had a testimony of the truth of Mormonism, & desiring him to investigate the passages of scripture I noted down. My Father read the letter & asking Rev. Saml Beard what he should say in reply? "Don't say a word,"
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45 (said he) "make out as tho' U never received it, or they wil print the answer & cut us up finely." Kind Reader turn to page 22 or 23, put on your specks, & if you cannot see the schooner Tryphenia in the offing, going up channel, she must be behind the hill, for she was there on Septr 26th bound for Cardif , steering East by North and going at the rate of 21/2 mile per hour, light breezes from the S. W; a boat approaches, comes alongside, a weather beaten tar springs on board, goes aft whispers in the Captains ear, comes to me hold's out his horny hand for a shake: a tear runs down his furrowed cheek he goes forward whispers to the sailors, on the forecastle deck; they all look at me. I goes up, says "hows the folks" he replies "Your Father was wel on Sunday", another tear rols down his weather bleached face, I ask again "how is he now". "dead," said the old Tar. I asked leave to go on shore to see my Mother, but the Captain could not spare me, so I went to the Helm, & cast my wistful eyes shoreward; could see the house I was born in, the present residence of my dear Mother; the place where my Father's body lay I asked my Heavenly Father, to let his kind spirit be a soothing influ- ence to the Widow's heart. At Car- dif I received letters which explained matters as beforementioned. I now began to search the scriptures , to prove the doctrines, I had embraced, and it
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46 seemed like a new book to me. I read Devine Authority, Remarkable Vissions, The Kingdom of God 4 parts, & was much con- firmed in the faith in answer to prayer. Time rools on, We did not lay up this winter, Some time in April 1850 at Dublin I received the following letter Ilfracombe April/50 My beloved boy, To day is Friday, the day U my dear wished us to send to U at Dublin; On the perusal of you last letter, I am almost led to anticipate U on your way home, My Dear our worthy mother is not better, but daily grows much worse, I tel U plainly how it is with her, her symptoms are bad, her weakness great, her cough has been bad, but for the past 24 hours, has been but little, this is what the Dr. told me, her cough would soon leave her, then she would soon sink. My dear, I should like you much to come home, and the truth is Dear Mother is constantly talking about U, but she has just told me, if you cannot wel leave, do not, she wil give U up, but to tel U plain, she wil not on any other terms. U are constantly on her tongue, if U can come do so, it wil be a sat- isfaction to all; but dear she wil not be very much longer, use your own mind, but if U come the quicker the better, yes the dear old Captn said he would do anything for U to come. He told my dear Mother herself so, she send for him & asked him. Dear Thomas
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47 come home on Monday, left again the next day by the Carnival, he could stay no longer; the same packet he left by, brought us dear Aunt S. Rawlings she is here intend to stay a fortnight It is kind & I feel greatly releived, som- one to speak to now, & act & do without prying into every thing; Aunt Harris left on wednesday evening, so U see Aunt S. & I are the only ones here now Oh may the God of all grace, grant that suport we require in this heavy time of need; we must thro'w our cares entirely on the protection of our heavenly Father; he wil take care of us, & keep us from harm. My Dear, I have waited to see if there was a letter from U this past, but finding none, I shal send this off; expect U soon. Aunt joins with dear Mother & me in love to U - your loving Sister, C.H. Harris . I immediatelly asked leave of absence, & an advance of money & in a half hour was on board a steam ship, bound for Plymouth ; she had a large number of Irish imigrants, for Austrailia , so many that there was hardly room e- nough to lay down to sleep. At Plymouth I took stage for Exeter , and then Omnibus for Barnstaple , ar. too late for the buss to Ilfracombe , I conculuded to foot it, & traveled the 10 miles, alone after night, the roads was good, but the tall trees on either side, made it very weird.
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48 I was going to see my dying Mother, so I could not be daunted. arriving at Ilfra- combe about 2 a.m. I took a short cut down a lane, along a terrace, & was soon at my mothers door. I knocked & who should ^be the first to hear me but my Mother, the door was unlocked by my Sister. I flew up stairs, & was enfold- ed in the arms of my beloved Mother; on the 27th day of April 1850. She lived a little more than a week, constantly admonishing me to make my religion a matter of prayer and not to be de- ceived by those who would say "Lo! here is Christ here is Christ," or "Lo there is Christ," But get a testimony for myself. She was so week I did not like to contra dict her on religious matters, knowing that there was a plan of redemption for those who were honest in their feelings toward their God. And she had bright prospect of a haven of rest. Hearing the death rattle in her throat I bent the knee & asked my Heavenly Father that she might pass off gently and at 17 min past 12 on Tuesday morn, May 7 1850. Her gentle spirit took its departure from this world of pain and woe. My mother's wish was to be buried in the grave with her husband. My Father being the builder of the Wesleyan Methodist Chappel, He selected a vault in the S. W. corner, the 1st one opened; in which my Uncle Thom- as Harris was buried Septr 7th 1834. My Father was buried in the same
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49 grave, but when I applied to the sexon to reopen the grave for my dear mother's remains he refused on account of my Father's death of Asiatic Colera. I said but little, but got one of the old supernumery tars, & in the dead of night I plied him with good brandy; & when he would fall down, I removed the dirt & then the large flat stones; & for the 1st time saw my Father's Coffin. We watched un- til day break, & for a wonder nothing was said. In the afternoon, my dear Mother's wish was granted & she was "laid in the same grave with her husband." [22] Backward turn backward, Oh! time in your flight Make me a child again, just for to night; Mother, come back from the echoless shore, Take me again to your heart as of yore; Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care, Smoth the few tangeld threads out of my hair; Over my shoulders your loving watch keep, Rock me to sleap Mother rock me to sleep. ChoClasped to your heart in a loving embrace, With your light curls just sweeping my face; Never hereafter to wake or to sleep, Rock me to sleep Mother, rock me to sleep. Over my heart in the days that are flown, No love like Mother's ^love ever was shown; No other friendship abide or endures, Faithful, unselfish & patient like yours; None like a Mother, can charm away pain, From the sick heart, & the over taxed brain; Slumbers stealithly o'er my lids creep, Rock me to sleep Mother, rock me to sleep. Chorus. [23] [24] 5) Come let your white hair just lighted with gold Fal' on your shoulders again as old Let it drop over my forhead to night Shading my faint eyes away from the light For with its sunny edged shadows once more Haply wil throng the sweet visions of yore. Lovingly, sofetly, its bright billows sweep Rock me to sleep Mother R. me to sleep 6) Mother dear Mother the years has been long Since I last listened to your lullaby song Sing then & unto my soul it shal' seem That al' these long years have been only a dream Clasped to your heart in a loving em-brace With your light curls just sweeping my face Never here after to wake or to weep Rock me to sleep Mother rock me to sleep [25] 2 Backward flow backward O tide of the years I'm weary of toil I'm weary of tears - Toil without recompence, tears al' in vain Take them & give me my childhood again - I have grown weary of dust & decay Weary of flinging my soul wealth away Weary of sowing for others to reap Rock me to sleep Mother - rock me to sleep. 3 Tired of the hollow, the base, the untru, Mother Oh Mother my heart calls for U Many a summer the grass has grown green Blossomed & faded, our faces between Yet with strong yearnings & passionate pain Long I to night for your presence again Come from the silence so long & so deep Rock me to sleep Mother rock me to sleep.
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[26] 50 Having been sugested for the Priest- hood at Herefordshire general confer- ence. C. H. Wheelock Presiding. I was ordained a Priest at Newport Dec 31 - 1850. by T Roberts , Wm Willis , and John W. Brown . My Bro John Sherland was at Valperaso Jan 28th 1850. & on April 9th 1850. Eliza Hill Harris , (wife of Thos James ,) died at Newport , leaving one Son called " Thomas Henry "

1850 May 1850 May 13, 1850

1850 May 13 Thos James left for Newport

May 14, 1850

" 14 Aunt Sarah Rawlings for Cam-born

May 21, 1850

" 21 The Tryphena ar. at I-Combe

May 25, 1850

" 25 Sailed for Cardiff

September 1850 September 7, 1850

Septr 7 Thos Henry Rawlings Captain of one of Rogers ships sailed from Bristol for New York .

September 26, 1850 Mormons--religious life

" 26 ^ 2 Fel in Ships hold 16 ft from the end of Jib-beam was much hurt but thro' anointing with oil & prayer, I soon recovered.

1851 February 1851 February 5, 1851

1851 Feb 5I received my indentures, having served 5 years as agreed. spent 2 weeks visiting my frien- ds at Ilfracombe , returned to

February 15, 1851 Mormons--religious life

" 15Newport; attended meeting, was blessed by Prest C H Wheelock: a- mong other things he said I should be succesful in turning some of ship mates from darkness to the light of the Gospel, & from the power of Sin & Satan unto God. This day I joined with 3 other english sailors the Iuna of Finland, Captn Granholm (His crew had left him) & he gave us extra wages, We sailed

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51 1851 for Gibralter , with a cargo of Feb 23 Coal, ar.

March 1851 March 5, 1851 Food; Commerce

Mar 5th discharged the coal on board the Gov. Hull. & took in ballast. We had to load our baskets with gravel about 50lb, then load our boat, (keeping her afloat the while) we waded thro the water, then get alongside our vessel & throw in with shovels, some of the best coffee I ever had was in Gibralter , at 1c/ pr glass. It was made after the Turkesh style 1 teaspoonful of white sugar, in a ^clean tumbler 2 of cream, then boiling coffee: It was simply rich. Oranges were very cheep 2c/ pr dozen. & wine 4c/ a pint. Sometimes I had to wait all day, at the warf for the Captain, to go on board.

March 6, 1851 Women

Mar 6 Thos Henry maried Mary Ann Birmingham . (his 1st love.) Thos Henry was 2 years old on the March 19t[-]/51

April 1851 April 19, 1851 Commerce

April 19 We sailed for Cadiz in Spain ar. the next day - employed taking out ballast & loading Salt for Wi- burgh Rusia Findland . At Cadiz water was sold in the market by the Spanish donas at 1 c/ pr glass -

June 1851 June 7, 1851

June 7 We left Cadiz . Wind W.N.W.

June 22, 1851

"22 (Sund.) Strong Breezes N.N.E. In double reefed Topsails Lat. by obs. 42° 5ʹ N., Long 11° 22ʹ W.

June 29, 1851

"29 (Sund.) Fresh Breezes S.S.E. Course E. by N. Lat by obs 48° 13 N. Long. 9° W at 7 A.M. sounded, no bottom at 130 fathom,

July 1851 July 1, 1851

July 1st Wind W.N.W. bowrs E.N.E. at 10 A.M. spoke a Scilly pilot boat. Lat 49° 20' Long 6° W at 4 P.M. sounded at 60 fathom [27] The Strait of Gibraltr from Cape Trafalgar on the N. to Cape Spar- ta on the S. is about 30 mils, it then narows to about 15 miles Gibralter is on the Spanish side & is the southermost point rise- ing abruptly from the sea is about 3 miles long & 1/2 m. wide The Rock has 3 points Waifs Craig on the N. 1439 ft high, It has upon its sumit a large canon that can comand a large distance shoreward. Centre Point is the signal station, from which the aproach of vesels are made known, to the people below by certain signals with bal's & flags of diferent colours to designate the nationality of the vesel aproaching. On this fortification there are about 1000 cavern, placed among the rock. It is considered the strongest Fort in Existence. A whole Army can be concealed in its various recesses. The Town is enclosed with a high stone wal' with gates that is closed from evening until morning. It has sustained 14 seiges, until the English posesion in 1779 after 3 years & 7 m., ^against the combined force of Spain & France & has held it since. [28] Home is the rainbow of life.

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[29] 52 Oase. dist run in 4 hrs 29 miles. Course E. by N. at 9 P.M. Lizard light bore N.W. by N. dist 20 miles at day- light made sail.

July 6, 1851

1851 July 6 (Sund) Light airs W Course E.N.E. at 8 P.M calm. Dover light bore N.W. by W dist 18 m.

July 12, 1851

"12 Fresh breeze W.N.W. with rain, wind veered to the south, & then west, at 2 P M made the land about Den- mark . Course N.E. by E.

July 13, 1851

"13 Begin with rain, & strong breezes; S.W. took in Top gallant sails, & double reefed topsails, wind veered round to W.N.W. Course S. by E. at 10 set stin- isails. At 4 P.M. Trendle Light Ship, bore N by W 1/4 W dist 4 m., Elsinore bore S 1/2 E. dist 96 m.

July 15, 1851

July 15 Wind W by S set stin sails, & at 2 P.M. took them in & droped anchor 6 mile below Elsinore, curent setting to the Northward.

July 18, 1851

"18 double reefed Topsails, Lifted Anchor & at 2 A.M. anchored abrest of Elsinore town. At noon went on shore, & was paid off I rec. 7 ₤100.

July 19, 1851

" 19 Proceeded to Copenhagen with Wm Sherman (after taking leave of Captn Granholm who gave me a book) by Steamer, ar at Bro Mal- ling s at 10 P.M. found Elder Geo. Parker Dyhes in bed. was received kindly, & slept there that night.

July 20, 1851

"20 Visited Bro Fosgreen & other Saints & put up at Bro Christansen 's,

July 21, 1851 Mormons--religious life

July 21 I bab. Wm Sherman in the sound

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53 It was a solemn sight; a smal party of about 20 sung, prayed; I then bab. Bro Wm & Rasmas Peterson bap 3 in dan- ish. the ful moon smiling upon the scene & the sound, clear & calm.

July 24, 1851 Mormons--religious life

1851 July 24 Bro Sherman was confirmed under the hands of Bro Fasgreen , Tompson , & Petersen at the same he was an- nointed for a sweling, in his hand, but soon recovered.

July 28, 1851

"28 Visited the "Kong's Park" in com- pany with the saints , viewed the great eclipse of the Sun, partook of refreshments in a summer house, & in the evening, attended babtism.

August 1851 August 2, 1851

Aug 2 Bro Sherman left for Elsinore

August 3, 1851 Mormons--religious life

"3 (Sund) Fast day, attended meeting at Christanhaven, Bro Fasgreen present. At noon Apostle Erastus Snow ar. from Hul . I dined with Him, Bro. Hansen , & Fasgreen, at Elder Peter- sens, Bread Baker. This week I had my likeness taken for the Danish Saints , as a memento of their kindness.

August 6, 1851 Commerce

Aug 6 Left Copenhagen pr. Steam- Ship Victoria for Hul. Bro. C. C. Christansen accompanied me on board, & then returned, we sailed at noon fare 2 ₤10 s. board pr day 3s. 6d. 9th we ar. at Hul at 2 P.M. saught lodgins at a sailor's boarding house ^on tick as my cash had run out.

August 10, 1851 Mormons--religious life

Aug 10 Sund. Attended meeting, bore my testimony. In the Eve listened to a discourse on present revelation, by Prest of the Hul branch, Allen. [30] Bro Knud Hansen Bruhm was very kind and attentive in escorting me arround to see the Saints & making 14 or 15 visits pr day & being oblidged to partake of refreshments at every call I was realy afraid of being foundered.

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[31] 54 1851 Was promised a berth. 14

August 15, 1851

Aug 15 Began to work on board the Brig Elvira of Liverpool . & had a months advance, paid up my board bill & purchased some stars.

August 16, 1851

" 16 Sailed for Riga in Rusia .

August 24, 1851

" 24 Passed off Copenhagen at 10 A.M Wind S.E. should like to have gone on shore

August 31, 1851

" 31 Ar. at Riga & proceeded over the bar, then up the river 8 mile.

September 1851 September 17, 1851 Food; Discipline

Septr 17 While loading flax a regiment of soldiers, passed over the bridge; & halted at the river bank to noon: each one drew out a piece of blk bread, about the size of my hand; sprinkled some coarse salt upon it, ate & drank out of the ^ dirty river. I gave one that was near the ves- sel a bone of beef, and the way the tears rooled down his cheeks, was a caution, to hardened sinners. 2 sailors one an American & the other an Englishman, got drunk & faught, they were put in jail & the next day harnesed to a rock ^wagon rock hauling like horses. The American ambasador immedia- telly released his man, but the poor Englishman was hauling rock when we left, waiting for red tape, to turn some other color. To day we sailed loaded with flax for Dundee in Scotland.

September 24, 1851

" 24 mailed a letter for Elder Dyhes at Elsinore.

October 1851 October 2, 1851

Oct 2nd In a heavy gale I was thrown over the wheel

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[32] 55 & broke my left collar bone at ^2 A M put in to Dundee the next same day, & went to the Hospital; had my collar bone set by a skilful little doctor, who said it would be better in 7 weeks. I gave him a foot plug of Tab.

October 3, 1851

Oct 3 The Crew were paid off making 1851 1 month 18 days. &

October 6, 1851 Commerce; Mormons--religious life; Diseases

on the 6th Saml Hannah , Richard Jackson , & Robt Bently . got berths in a bark, bound for the Rio grand . They beleived the gospel, but wanted to investigate further; before they got babtized. Were sorry to leave me behind cripled. Not being able to board in the Hos- pital, the Captn had to pay me ex- tra 3s 6d pr week for 6 weeks, besides my wages, & having a months ad- vance when in Hul al I had to receive was 2₤ 8s. So I found out Bro John Capley , File cut- ter, & lodged with them. He had a wife & daughter. On hearing them sing the Hym on page 349 L.D.S.H.B. The God that others worship is not the God for me; He has no parts nor body, & cannot hear nor see; But I've a God that reigns above - A God of power & of love - A god of revelation - oh, thats the God for me, Oh thats the God for me! Oh thats the God for me! A church without a Prophet is not the church for me, It has no head to lead it; in it I would not b. But Ive a church not made by man, Cut from the mountain without hand, A Church with gifts & blessings Oh, thats the church for me

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56 1851 [33] Oh thats the Church for me. Oh thats the Church for me. This seemed to create within me, more faith in the gift of healing, & I asked the Lord to increase my faith, then I longed for the arrival of Prest Mc Naughton of the Dundee Conference, & Prest Mathers of the Branch, ^&