Robert Caracticus Williams and Emma Nancy Hocken – Ruth White’s Grandparents
Emma Nancy Hocken was born on September 3, 1834, in
Lambeth, Surrey, England. Lambeth lies across the Lambreth
Bridge over the Thames River from Westminster, London. Her
family was wealthy, and she was dressed by servants. Emma
was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints and left behind a well off family for her new faith
in Utah. She married Robert Williams on February 24, 1854,
in Southwark, Saint Olave, Surrey, England. 2 Upon arriving
in America, they lived in St Louis, Missouri for
approximately six years. 1
Emma endured many hardships crossing the Great Mississippi
and westward across the plains. Her wagon train encountered
starvation at times and the constant fear of Indian attack.
The weather also played a role in their journey. Later in
life, when the family invited her to join them on a picnic
she declined by saying, “I swallowed enough dust crossing
the plains.”
Upon her arrival in Utah, she lived in Parley's Canyon in a
cabin at Little Dell. A possible picture of this home is
found on page 336 of Parley P. Pratt's autobiography and is
attached to this history. Robert, an infant son, swallowed a
roofing nail while living in that cabin. They had no candles
left, so they were unable to see their son’s passing, late
that night. Brigham Young had encouraged the Saints to feed
the Indians instead of fighting them. Emma was often
required to feed the Indians. As the Indians waited, she'd
give them half cooked bread in order to be rid of them as
soon as possible.
She moved from Little Dell to Salt Lake when her home on 200
West was completed and later to South Temple and “K” Street.
In the early days of Utah, the Church owned all possession;
the saints were to live the United Order and to share and
have all things in common. Food, clothes, and shelter were
to be distributed according to need and not want. When
Brigham Young moved Emma away from her home on 200 North and
200 West to South Temple, she became bitter and left the
church. 2
Beginning in 1855 and ending in 1876, Emma gave birth to ten
children. The first three were born in St. Louis, Missouri
and the others were born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Eliza, our
great-grandmother, was born in 1872 and was their eighth
child. 3 In 1876, Emma was forty-three years old when Alice,
her last child, was born. After this, Emma slept separately
from Robert.
She persuaded some of her children away from the LDS Church.
Marjorie White Thomsen remembers her as being stern but
kind. Emma had a cane chair and made sure Marjorie
understood that she was not to put her fingers into the
cane; unlike Marjorie’s cousin Shirley who had. Emma’s last
home was at 170 “L” Street in Salt Lake City. Her daughter
Nell lived at 183 L Street. Her daughter Nan sang in the
Mormon Tabernacle Choir and lived at 187 L Street. Emma died
from a stroke at the age of ninety on December 2, 1923, at
187 L Street. Her services were at Joseph Taylor Funeral
Home, across the street from Temple Square on North Temple.
Emma was buried in the Salt Lake Cemetery. 2
……………….
Robert Caracticus Williams was born on September 16, 1815,
and was baptized at St. Olaves, Southwark, Surrey, England,
a part of London. St Olave's was an ancient parish. The last
church of this name was erected in 1743 and was situated at
the south-end of London Bridge; it was closed in 1918 and
demolished in 1920-28. There is a memorial plaque on an
office building titled "St Olaf House" opposite the entrance
to London Bridge Station but no other trace survives. His
father was Robert Williams, and his mother was Mary Solumn.
Much of his history comes from his journal.
In 1819, his mother and his infant brother Ellis died from
tuberculosis; Robert was three. Robert remembered having the
servants take him to view his mother and brother, lying
together in one coffin; Robert climbed up on a chair to view
them. Research later showed that Ellis died seven months
before his mother’s death. Ellis may not have been buried in
the same coffin as Robert remembered. Mary was buried on
June 24, 1819, at Bunhill Fields, London at the age of
twenty-five.
For a while, Robert was placed in the care of a woman
outside their home. Later, his father married Mrs. Ann
Williams Blower, a wealthy barrister’s widow who may have
been his sister-in-law or his sister. His step-mother did
not enjoy children and treated Robert badly. Before turning
six, he was sent to a boarding school ran by Dr. Duncan.
Every Saturday, he walked two mile to enjoy Sundays with his
father.
At the age of six, he was sent to a boarding school located
in Cotherstone, Durham (located in Northeast England by the
Scottish border and four miles from the Barnard Castle). He
remained in Durham until he was thirteen years old.
During this period, he was not allowed to return home. Mr.
Smith headed this school and charged 59 pounds a year, that
was to include French and Latin and to make Robert fit for
the fashionable society. Unfortunately, the education was
poor. Even worse, the school master whipped the boys, kicked
the boys with his boot, slammed the boys against a tree, and
threw them in a troth of water and pumped water over their
heads until they promised not to make any mischief. In
addition, Robert and the other 140 boys were clothed in
rags, fed poorly, and had no fires in the winter. A visiting
Aunt of a fellow student fainted when she saw their
condition and immediately took her nephew away with her. The
bread was moldy; the milk was half water; and the
accommodations were rat invested. For stealing two potatoes
at the age of eight, he was flogged until blood flowed down
his legs; birch splinters were stuck in his buttocks after
the flogging. Any extra money or food sent from home was
withheld. All letters were edited by Mr. Smith to insure no
unsatisfactory information was released to parents. Robert
spoke of the thunder noise made by the River Tees, that
borders Yorkshire and Durham.
At the age of twelve, on a Thursday at 3:00 p.m., he and his
friend Bevely ran away from the boarding school. The first
night they stayed with a farmer who feed them breakfast and
gave them a loaf of bread for the road. The next day, they
were temporarily halted by a group of lead miners. They
slept in a field where they felt the good spirit of being
freeman. The next morning, a kind shepherd let them jump
onto his cart and gave them some ginger beer. To their
fright, up the road outside Stanhop came Mr. Smith galloping
down the road on his horse; they were unable to escape.
Smith took them to a tavern where he horse whipped Bevely.
The tavern owner had privately promised the boys to help
them back to London if they could ever escape again. They
temporarily escaped from the tavern but were captured again.
Back at the school, Smith chained them to their beds and
beat them again.
The people in the town of Cotherstone heard about the poor
conditions. Subsequently, the minister of that Parish paid
them a visit. Robert wrote that “We daird not open our
mouths to tell the truth for fear that when he was goan Mr.
Smith would beat us.” A Mr. Briton came to see his sons and
became aware of conditions. His report became well know.
This was the death blow to Smith’s school. The horrible
conditions were finally discovered. Six months later, Robert
was sent home. From Stanhop, they traveled on a wagon headed
to New Castle. From New Castle, they sailed for London.
Upon finding his father at St. John Street and Pentonville,
Islington, London, his father was shocked at his son’s
condition. Roberts head was hurting so bad that he cried,
and his father’s heart was nearly broken. The servants
prepared him tea and prepared his bed. On Sunday, his father
took him to church to hear the organ and to hear the
preaching, hoping this would soothe Robert. On Monday, his
stepmother took Robert to his father’s tailor for a new blue
suit.
Six months later, about 1828 to 1829, his stepmother went to
Mr. Green who introduced them to Captain Ball. Robert was
fourteen years old and was now headed to Jamaica in the West
Indies on a ship called Everthorp. If he liked the sea, he
was to attend a school at Commercial Road to learn
navigation. The ship crew loved him. He would often go down
below deck to pray. Captain Bell gave him Spanish money
called a bit or 12 ½ cents. Bell would not allow him to work
on Sundays. A Mr. Taylor flogged him one night; he wept, and
Taylor was immediately sorry. A favorite quote of Robert was
“Don’t give up the ship, stick to her while there is a plank
left”; this must have come from his experience sailing to
Jamaica. Upon returning home, he told his stepmother that he
did not like a sailor’s life, “The cursing and the
wickedness of sailors was abominable.”
He then attended day-school and was taught by Mr. Spranger
in London. After this schooling and at the age of fifteen,
he was sent to a Mr. Bancroft in Aylesbury in
Buchinghamshire to be indentured for what should have been
seven years as a tailor’s apprentice. He did not like
Bancroft. After three years, he returned to London in about
1833 at the age of eighteen and worked as a tailor for a Mr.
Stacy at the bottom of the Quadrant Regent Street, and
received free board. At the age of nineteen, he cut his
father a morning coat as a present. Upon presenting the
coat, his stepmother demanded that he immediately leave.
Robert headed to Manchester, England. In Manchester, he
mentioned that “I was not very good myself but very bad,
knowing the evil of this wicked world.” One evening he was
“attracted to good people” that he thought were Quakers but
learned that they were Mormons. He loved being in their
company. He listened to the LDS missionaries and was
converted. On October 31, 1839, he was twenty-four and was
baptized by Joseph Fielding and confirmed a member by Joseph
Fielding and William Clayton. On July 6, 1840, he was
ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood and the office of Priest
by Brigham Young, Willard Richards, Heber C. Kimball, and
Wilford Woodruff.8 Brigham Young wrote in his journal on
December 6, 1840, “With Elder Heber C Kimball and Roberts
Williams I attended service at St. Paul’s Cathedral this
morning.”7 He was set apart as a missionary by Brigham Young
and began preaching the restored gospel in Manchester. James
Sherlock Cantwell, who was born in Dublin Ireland, heard
Robert’s message and was baptized in 1842.10 Robert fell ill
in Manchester; William Clayton wrote to his father and
suggested that he come to see Robert for the last time. His
father sent Clayton 8 pounds to care for Robert. In 1841,
Robert was ordained an Elder while in London. In London, he
converted five individuals to the LDS Church.
He later went on to Bedford to preach as a missionary.
Wilford Woodruff mentioned that “The church at Bedford was
represented by Priest Robert Williams, containing 42
members, one priest, seven removed, and two dead.” These
minutes were of the first London conference, held at the
Academy, 57 King’s Square, Goswell Road, February 14, 1841.6
In Bedford, he met Ann Dunham Smith. They were married on
April 5, 1841; Ann’s mother died shortly before they were
married. In 1841, they left Liverpool and sailed to New
Orleans on the ship Chaos. They stayed in New Orleans for
several weeks. Because of Ann’s beauty, many were interested
in her. A rich man tried to lure Ann away from Robert;
Robert became so angry that he hit his cane against the
pavement and broke it. Ann remained true to Robert. Robert
became very sick, and his friends thought he was going to
die. After recovering, he sold his gold watch for $30.00 and
paid $18.00 to travel up the Mississippi River in a steam
boat.
The young couple arrived in Nauvoo, Illinois in March 1842
and slept the first night with a Brother Cook. The Saints
had just arrived after being forced out of their homes in
Jackson County, Missouri, and Nauvoo was just starting to be
built. Their first home was a dug out in Nauvoo, and Robert
mentioned that “Horses have better places to stable in than
we, the bleak winds blew in the openings…Ann cursed the men
that brought her here…it certainly was not fit for the
poor.” Because of conditions, Ann was in such despair one
night and walked the street of Nauvoo to find comfort. In a
dug-out with a dirt floor and sticks and mud for a ceiling,
Alfred Ellis was born on June 29, 1842, during a tremendous
lightening and thunder display. In Nauvoo, money was short,
and Robert worked hard. One day, he earned a chicken but
gave it to a neighbor who was hungrier. He began building
their first home. It was to be twelve feet by ten feet and
was located on the north corner of Sister Chase’s lot (later
described as being located northwest of the temple, 3
blocks, third brick house behind Steving Markhams, below the
Nauvoo Temple, perhaps Block 60, Lot 3). The home was
completed in October 1842. Robert described the home as
follows: “we had no glas in the windows no Door’s made or in
but sheets put up to the windows no seling and only a few
boards Down for our flour the Bllek winds would wistle again
in the House and the sheet flap against the side of the
window casing we had no lath nor Plastering above and when
winter came on us sudden we had to huddle together to keep
each othe warm with our little babe in the middle…we woke up
to snow in our home…. Ann was happy to have a place to call
our own.”
Robert worked in the stone quarry to help build the Nauvoo
temple and did tailoring to earn a living. He went to St
Louis to earn extra money as a tailor. He prospered and
traded coats for glass for the windows, boards for the
floors, plaster for the walls, furniture, and a cow shed and
finally for a cow. Robert worked on the roads to pay his
property taxes. With Ann sewing at his side, and the baby
Alfred Ellis in his bed, they would read their scriptures
and enjoyed domestic tranquility.
As the Nauvoo Temple was nearing completion, Robert wrote of
listening to Joseph Smith, Jr. in the temple. Robert donated
his cow to help finance the construction of the temple; the
meat from the cow was used to feed the temple workers. He
received his washing and anointings on February 2, 1846, in
the Nauvoo Temple. He attended General Conference in April
of 1844; he found the Indians in attendance to be
interesting, and he thought Joseph Smith’s sermon was the
best he had ever heard. A few months passed, he wrote
several rambling pages about the martyrdom in June of 1844
of Joseph Smith in the Carthage Jail and discourses of the
greatness of Joseph Smith. On the day of the martyrdom,
Robert was in St Louis.
On September 6, 1844, Robert wrote a letter from St Louis to
Brigham Young in Nauvoo. This letter is an addendum to this
history.
Robert was called to the Third Quorum of Seventy in Nauvoo
at the general conference held in October 1844. He was
ordained on September 24, 1844, at the Seventies Hall in
Nauvoo. He wrote about Governor Ford extermination order
that the saints were to leave or to be burnt out of their
homes. He mentioned being in Macedonia to protect those
saints, helping them pack up their belonging, and seeing a
band of men coming to burn down the Mormon homes. From
Macedonia he wrote a letter to Ann in Nauvoo saying, “I hope
my little boy is well I pray for you my Dear That the Lord
may give you his Spirit to comfort you under your
afflictions when I am absent I feel myself lost without your
company.”
Because of religion persecution and with the threat of being
burned out of his home in Nauvoo, he and his family moved to
St. Louis where he opened a tailor shop. A rock was thrown
thru his window in St Louis, religious persecution
continued. A group of saints had taken temporary shelter in
St Louis, waiting to go to the mountains. In St Louis,
Robert continued with his work as a Seventy, doing
missionary work.
On April 5, 1847, Brigham Young wrote a letter from Winter
Quarters to Nathaniel Felt who headed up the branch in St
Louis. The letter indicated that Brigham was soon to leave
Winter Quarters; Church history states that this was the day
that Brigham set off for the Rocky Mountains. This letter
indicated that Robert Williams was known and loved by
Brigham Young; Brigham acknowledged that Robert had caused
some problems including disorderly conduct, recommended
being soft with Robert, and indicated that disfellowship had
been considered. Robert’s journal is rambling and hard to
understand; it appears that he was charged with wife abuse.
Ann was staying with Alfred Smith, her brother; Robert
visited them; because of his conduct, the police were
called. Prior to the police being called, Ann Smith received
a priesthood blessing and was anointed with oil because she
was as “red as any coal of fire and had chest pains.” While
wife abuse is not acceptable, Robert’s abuse as a school boy
may have resurfaced. Indeed whatever the cause, Robert had
embarrassed the Church and ended up in jail in St Louis.
While serving his sentence in jail, Ann died in a hospital
on November 7, 1847, and later, his infant daughter Emma
died; both were buried in St. Louis. Many of the Saints died
from a flu epidemic that occurred in St Louis; Ann may have
died from this epidemic. While languishing in horrible
conditions in jail, all of Robert’s belongings were taken;
he was again penniless. Upon getting out of jail, he worked
at the Liberty Fire Company and at Stewart Company cleaning
carriages, served as night watchman, and helped serve
breakfast. He slept in a room in the fire engine house. A
Sister Spencer was now taking care of Alfred. Robert said “I
got on by faith.”
Throughout his journal, Robert appeared to have periods of
mental imbalance. Robert’s obituary notice in the Deseret
News reported that Robert had developed emotional problems
after being expelled from Nauvoo. Robert, his family, and
their neighbors were expelled by mobs who disliked Mormons
and who burned some of their homes down. Emotional problems
traveled with him to Salt Lake City.
Church Record indicated Robert was in Council Bluff in 1848.
He was dismayed by quarreling amount the people and returned
to St. Louis.5
Back in St. Louis, he had feelings of indignation towards
the United Stats and the wickedness of her citizens living
in St. Louis. In the winter of 1850, he took his quilt,
being his only possession, and traveled along the
Mississippi River to join the saints in either Kanesville or
Council Bluffs, Iowa, a journey of about 450 miles. He was
very cold; he felt that he “hadn’t a degree left in his
body.” As he crossed the Missouri River on a ferry, he was
all alone and “no person was assocated with me no doubt
thought I was derange.” In this cold and lonely condition,
he found shelter at Mr. Wyatt, up the river 40 miles. Mrs.
Wyatt kindly feed him, and Mr. Wyatt shaved and cleaned him
up. As Robert ate for the first time in many days, all he
could do was to cry. Mr. Wyatt was so touched that he could
not eat. At bed time, Mr. Wyatt tucked the bed clothes
kindly around Robert. Saying goodbye to the Wyatts and
blessing them the next morning, he traveled 30 miles further
to Boonvill. A judge of that city saw Robert and said “I was
a deranged man.” Outside Boonvill, two blacks and two whites
presented a pistol to his bosom to rob him. “I opened my
bear bossom to them”, and Robert shouted out “I had rather
be dead.” He continued his walk thru the prairie and thru
the snow; he heard wolves howling. The prairie had no homes,
and he was alone. Robert felt an angel had protected him and
carried him along the way.
Robert finally reached Kanesville, Iowa (located just across
the Missouri River and east from Omaha). It was here that
the saints were gathering and preparing to continue their
trek to the Rocky Mountains. He lived in Kanesville thru the
spring of 1850. He got well after having a fever for five
weeks. He was reunited with his son Alfred. In Kanesville,
on May 29, 1850, Robert witnessed an affidavit transferring
a log building from John Heyes to Joseph Armstrong. While in
England, George D. Watts, a shoemaker from Preston, England,
and Robert served together as missionaries in Manchester,
England. Upon meeting Robert in Kainsville, Watts invited
Robert to join him and his wife on the trek to the Rocky
Mountains.
Robert’s journal notes that he left on June 1, 1850 for the
Rocky Mountains. Robert and Alfred, now eight years old,
walked all the way and slept on the ground thru hail, wind,
and rain. He mentioned walking for three hundred miles
without seeing a tree. Their only possession was their
buffalo rob; others better off gave Robert food. Robert’s
mental imbalance appeared to have given his fellow pioneers
some challenges. He became agitated one night and wanted to
walk the rest of the way to Salt Lake by himself. Brother
Brown, the head of the wagon team, talked him into staying
with the group. The trip thru the mountains was difficult,
causing the wagons to break and slowing travel. Robert
arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake on September 9,
1850, according to Robert’s journal. 1
Robert’s memory of dates was bad. Church records show Robert
and Alfred joining the John Brown Company, third Company of
ten, departing Kainsville on July 7, 1851 and arriving in
Salt Lake Valley on September 28 and 29, 1851. Company
records have 50 wagons in the company when it began its
journey from the outfitting post at Kanesville, Iowa
(present day Council Bluffs). This was a Perpetual
Emigration Fund Company; the Church paid for their
immigration and over time they were expected to pay the
Church back. The company included George and Mary Watts;
folks mentioned in Robert’s diary. The day to day activities
of this company are attached. 4
After arriving in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake,
Robert’s emotional health improved. On May 20, 1853, Brigham
Young appointed Robert to be a missionary in England. A
kindly Mormon (perhaps Sister Kepner) cared for his son, now
eleven years old, as Robert headed for England. He left
Great Salt Lake City on Wednesday, June 22, 1853 and
traveled 11 ¾ miles over the first mountain.9 In England, he
met Emma Ann Hocken. They were married on February 24, 1854,
in Saint Olave, Southwark, Surrey in the Church of England
as the law required. The couple returned to the United
States. Their first child was born on April 23, 1855 in St
Louis, where they lived for over five years. In St Louis,
three children were born and one died.
While living in St Louis, Robert continued his missionary
efforts. On January 9, 1861, an article in the St Louis
Republican said that Bob Williams was “a bush headed, insane
looking man with a red face, lame leg…On Sunday, he has been
accustomed to hold forth on a large rock in front of the
Court House, and dilate upon the glorious doctrines of the
Mormon Church.”
The family lived in St Louis until the spring of 1861 when
they set off for Salt Lake City. In the summer of 1861,
Robert experienced for the third time, the hard journey as
he walked all the way, and Eliza rode some of the way. He
wrote of his love of God’s creation, “We (Robert, Emma,
Robert Edward, and Annie) slept out most of the way with the
Star spangled-banner for our covering the canopy of Heaven
when we layd on our backs at Night we could see the
beautiful works of God even the works of his creation how
beautiful to breath through your lungs hear in thease wild
Plains wre the Deer the Buffalo and Antelope rome. Annie was
three and was sick with dysentery, and they thought they
would loose her. Church records do not mention Robert or
Emma coming in an organized company in 1861. Some of the
companies had no surviving records.
Upon arriving in Salt Lake, they temporarily lived on
Immigration Square and were pleased to have so many
acquaintances from the past to help them. On August 24,
1862, Brigham Young gave Robert boots, a hat, a coat vest,
and pants. They moved to a way station in Parleys Canyon at
Mountain Dale where toddler John died from swallowing a
shingle nail in 1864. He wrote about driving wolves away
from his home. A few he killed; their skins were tanned. He
captured foxes; their skins were made into “muffs.” He spoke
of having two cows. To Robert, the Wasatch Mountains
represented a defense from his past problems. In the
mountains, he worked hard to obtain timbers for his new
home. On July 22, 1864, he mentioned Brigham providing 100
pounds of flour, and Robert was grateful for his kindness.
They moved to a modest home on 200 North and 200 West. They
later moved to the northwest corner of South Temple and “K”
Street.
From 1864 thru 1865, Robert served his third mission in
England, causing him to have walked across the plains five
times by foot. 1
Early in his journal, Robert began to discuss polygamy. In
Nauvoo, Robert became aware of polygamy and mentioned that a
few of the Brethren were polygamist. The Book of Mormon
discusses that in most cases polygamy is prohibited; Robert
reviewed this in his journal, and expressed his discomfort
with polygamy. Later, he accepted the doctrine and supported
the Brethren in their teaching of polygamy. He remembered
that Abraham, Jacob, and David in the Old Testament were
polygamists. 1 Late in his life, he decided that he too
would practice polygamy. The Church required the first
wife’s approval of any additional wives. Robert breached the
subject with Emma and indicated he was interested in adding
a wife. Her response was “I will scald the two of you.” 2
Without his wife’s approval, his venture into polygamy was
never begun.
On July 4, 1870, he mentions “grafs hoppers come after
planting twice our lots and have Devoured all our potatoes;
and beens and corn and peas beautiful apple tress are all
left bear.” On the same day he listened to Brigham Young
speak at the tabernacle in Salt Lake. He toasts that “may
the wings of Liberty never loose a feather” and continued
with seventeen other items. On July 24, he attended a party
with the Mays, Pauls and Lusys. He attended the 20th Ward.
In August, Emma became bitter about being moved from one
home to another and left the Church. Its probable that
Robert’s emotional problems caused her problems, and she was
probably embarrassed by his actions. She had slowly
withdrawn from the Church and finally had had enough. 2 In
reading his journal, today’s reader could likewise have had
enough of Robert’s zealous piety, self righteousness, self
pity, and religious ramblings.
In his later years, Robert suffered from asthma, often
sleeping in a chair in order to breath. 2 He died in his
home from pneumonia on January 1, 1882. The Deseret News
(the newspaper owned by the LDS Church) had the following
obituary notice on January 4, 1882:
“Of Death of Robert Williams—On Sunday night, shortly before
eight o’clock, a well known and eccentric character departed
this life at his residence in the 21 Ward. The voice of
Robert Williams, who ringing tones have been so often heard
upon the streets of Salt Lake City, is not stilled in death.
The cause of his demise was pneumonia, combined with dropsy.
He joined the Church many years ago, in England, and
emigrated to Nauvoo. At that time his mind was, so we are
informed, well balanced, but those acquainted with him in
early times state that his mental equilibrium was disturbed
by troubles through which he passed during the time the
Saints were persecuted.
The funeral will be delayed until Thursday, when it is
expected that his son Robert, who has been in Montana for
some time, will reach home. He will be buried by the Church.
The whole community will remember Robert Williams with a
kindly feeling. “1
The earliest writing of Robert is a letter written from
Macedonia to Mary in Nauvoo. This letter is more coherent
than his later writings. The style of writing in his journal
is comparable with the Deseret News conclusion that Robert
may have been better balanced prior to the trials in Nauvoo.
Eliza Williams, Robert’s youngest daughter, spoke of his
gentleness, kindness, and sweetness. Eliza remembered
visiting with Brigham Young and sitting on Brigham’s lap, as
Robert was Brigham’s tailor. Emma, his wife, told Marjorie
White Thomsen that Robert was a kind man that she loved. 2
Robert called himself the “Lion of the Tribe of Juda.” 1 His
boyhood would have destroyed anyone but a lion. This lion
served his church faithfully; served three missions in
England, helped build the Nauvoo temple, and gave support to
the branch in St Louis. He endured many physical and
emotional hardships in traveling to his Zion. Similarly,
Joseph Smith, Jr. (the founder of the LDS Church) whose wife
was Emma left the Church and who had had enough; Robert had
his Emma who had had enough. In spite of his mental illness,
Robert was loved by his family, his prophet Brigham Young,
and Saints that share similar hardships.
Sources:
1. The journal of Robert C. William is in the LDS Archives.
The faded writing in this journal is difficult to decipher.
Richard Arrington, Robert’s great-grandson, transcribed the
journal to allow it to be readable. Both a photo copy of the
journal and Arrington’s transcribed version are in the
possession of Richard Thomsen.
2. Verbal history from Marjorie June White Thomsen.
3. International Genealogy Index
4. LDS Church Archives
5. Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, Frank Esshom, Western
Epics, Inc, 1966, p 753.
6. Wilford Woodruff—His Life and Labors, by Matthias F.
Cowley, pg. 136-137.
7. Brigham Young History, MS 25:776.
8. Wilford Woodruff, Journal, July 6, 1840.
9. Matthias Cowley, auto, typescript, LDS Archives, Pg 12
10. Treasures of Pioneer History, Vol. 5, p.260.
Written by Richard W. Thomsen
Robert C Williams
Emma Hocken
“Lion of Juda” from Robert’s Journal
Motto and Motif by Robert: God Lights up the Sun from Robert’s Journal
Cotherstone in 1898 - Robert lived in Cother-stone from 1821 to 1827, where he attended boarding school.
Manchester Town Hall – In 1839, Robert joined the LDS Church in Manchester, where he lived for four years.
In 1843, Robert helped build the Nauvoo Temple. Robert and Ann lived in Nauvoo from 1842 to 1845.
In Bedford, Robert served his first mission, where he married Ann Smith in 1841.
St Louis, Missouri in 1855
Ann and daughter died in St Louis in 1847. Later, Robert and Emma lived here from 1855 to 1861.
In 1863 and 1864, the Williams family lived at Little Dell located in Parley’s Canyon. This may be a picture of where they lived.
Emma Hocken Williams – About 1917 Left to Right: Ruth Glass White, Emma Williams, Jack White and Laura (Lol) Glass Holman
Emma’s last home at 187 North L Street Picture taken in 2006
First Page of Robert’s Journal:
Letter written by Robert Williams in St Louis to Brigham Young in Nauvo
Journal History, 6 Sep 1844. Letter Robert Williams
Friday, Sept. 6. Elder Robert Williams wrote from St. Louis,
Missouri, as follows:
St. Louis, Sept. 6, 1844.
Dear Brother Young, president of-the Church with the rest of
the Twelve,
I sit down at this time, considering it a duty and delight
to communicate to you my desires as it regards this work, as
you are the shepherd of the sheep in the place of Brother
Joseph. I feel it my desire to be led by you and the rest of
the Twelve and your counselors, as I understand by the
reports that Bro. Rigdon with Amasa Lyman are coworkers with
you in the cause of our Redeemer, but some say that Sidney
Rigdon wants to take Brother Joseph's place in the
presidency, but you remember that when you preached on the
stand one year and a half ago, you said, you would step with
Brother Joseph, our beloved Prophet, and if we follow you
with the rest of the Twelve, you would bring us through the
gates of the Celestial City. I am determined to hang on to
your coats and keep step with you, for I have found you to
be worthy men. Men that I have loved and ever will love as
long as God gives me breath, so help me God to do it. I know
we are weak creatures and I am fearful in making rash
promises without the lord will assist me in performing it,
if it is good. The Lord brought me in this Church himself
five years ago. I came in for no other desire but to keep
His commandments and to listen to the counsel of my
authorities. This I love to do. When Brother Joseph Fielding
baptized me, I told him I was not worthy to belong to such a
good community of people, but the lord impressed upon my
mind that I must join them, and as I was baptized my mind
was opened to the things of this kingdom, the gatherings of
the House of Israel, and so I found that the doctrine was of
God and not of men. Through prayer and faith the lord has
given me his grace to hold on, and I am as firm at present
in the work as when I was baptized. I find if I mind my own
business and not look at others failings and speak of my
brother's failings to others, I shall get along and keep
myself upright before men. I find it as much as I can do to
watch my footsteps lest I shall slip, as you and Bro.
Kimball says: we must not look and weed our neighbor’s
garden when ours is as full of weeds as can be. I will stop
then and sanctify myself and put out of my heart those
little failing such as contention, strife, hatred, malice,
evil speaking and all these obnoxious weeds and leave room
for the good graces to spring up in my soul such as love,
mercy, good speaking, uphold my Brother through all his
travels, here below. Shall I speak evil of you my brother
and the rest of the Twelve and let all those vices dwell in
my heart and remain in the church to contaminate others and
cause you to bear the smart? God forbid! If we had been good
saints we should not have lost our beloved Brothers Joseph
and Hyrum of whom I have had sweet counsel. Shall I be one
to be disobedient and go contrary to your counsel and do
things that would inevitably draw the wrath of God on the
heads and have them taking from us? God forbid! May the Lord
give me strength to be humble and good. I have thought that
if we are not faithful that we shall lose you for you stand
just in as straight a place as the prophet to have the
arrows of the wicked one pointed at you. I love you and Bro.
Kimball and all the good Apostles. Brother Taylor, Bro.
Woodruff, though I have not been much in the other's company
as I should like to have been, the lord bless you and the
twelve and clothe you with mighty power that you all may
have the wisdom of Jehovah to counsel and order the affairs
of the Church that may bring in the rest of the saints. When
I see others in the church, great men, as I used to think
fall out from among us, I feel surprised that poor little me
should hold on. You used, in England, to counsel us to keep
humble and when I feel pride creep in. I think of your words
but I do desire to keep humble and meek for these are the
characters that shall inherit the earth and possess the rich
thing of Christ's kingdom. I shall ever praise the name of
the Lord and render them thanks that ever he sent you his
Apostles to England to tell us that the time had come for
the Lord to gather Israel that our bands were about to be
loosed and Israel go free; that have been led captive
through the nations of the Earth and the time has come that
the yoke and oppression shall be taken from the neck of our
fellow creatures the House of Israel. Did my brethren see
with the eyes that I see with and feel as I feel they would
never speak evil of you brethren but they would speak well
of you and love you. The Lord knows that I have never spoke
a word against any man. I have supported you and our Beloved
Brother Joseph in this city and I ever will as long as God
suffers me the gift of speech, the power of understanding
for it makes the very blood boil in my veins to defend
innocence and right. My fathers back were men of
righteousness for I have heard my own father say that the
cause of the poor and oppressed was in his father's heart. I
love righteousness and I hate iniquity. I want to live a
time longer for I can see the necessity of wanting to live
long, not that I love the laws of our earth but because I am
in a kingdom that is set up by the God of Heaven
[unreadable]I!1 judge the guilty and acquit the innocent,
that the power from above will rest on the men of God in
these last days as it did on the Apostles of old to discern
the thoughts and the hearts of men so we shall and must mind
what we say or do that my words may be few and what I say
may be seasoned with grace. May the Lord bless you Brother
Young and I hope you are in good health and your family.
Mine are well, thank the lord for he is the giver of every
good gift. I shall come up at conference in October and I am
working for my family and not forgetting the things of the
Lord. As it regards brother Small, he told us to chose a
fresh president and be called brethren together as he found
that many did not like the organization at first. You put
the question to Bro. Reid that whether the brethren elected
Brother Small to preside. Reid had a different understanding
after but they said that Brother Small called a few together
and did not let the people choose but took the chair and
said, that he was sent by Elder Geo. A. Smith, one of the
Twelve, to build up a church then when something existed
between Brother Hyrum Smith and Brother Reid said that he
was to go and see Bro. Small and tell him if he would send
him one kind word if would suffice. Reid said that it was
something about that Small was the instigation of a writ got
out against Hyrum. I have not ascertained whether it was so
or not and we wished him to send a letter to Hyrum Smith and
be reconciled but he wrote to Badlum to see Hyrum Smith and
the letter came down with Badlums name signed to it and not
Mr. Smith's. I will not say any more for I do not understand
the whole matter. I only give you these few lines to tell
you that Small has left us about 3 months ago and many after
him but they thought that Small was right, but a majority
remained and organized the branch according to the Book of
Doctrine and Covenants. They chose a chairman and secretary
and then the chairman put it to a vote to choose a president
and they chose Brother Riley from Birmingham to act
expecting that you would call thru as you came back and see
if you approved of it. Small the brethren together himself
but he got mad about something and threatened to take the
brethren by the collar and put them out, and, we thought it
was a bad spirit so we went to work like workmen and
gathered up the brethren that none be lost and we number
more now than before, 130 members for I am scribe and I know
those that went out with Bro. Small have joined us again
with the exception of one or two individuals and we are
getting on well. The saints are paying their tithing and
sisters paying their 52 cents and I know that the Lord is on
our side. I have five dollars on my table ready to take to
Reid this afternoon, as you see we are all doing as far as
we know best and if I have done wrong in writing you a small
detail about Bro. Small, forgive me, for I do not want to do
wrong and tell or write about such matters only I thought
between us both I would just tell you a little about it. The
way we have done has brought double the number together and
got more money for the cause. We have a large room, the Whig
Head Quarters on Third street. It will hold four times as
many as the room you were in; it is a very large room. I
only thought I would tell you this, for we read your letter
before the brethren, and they were much pleased that you
thought that the letter was sent from here. You wondered why
the president's name was not attached to it, it was a
mistake of the brethren, But Bro. Riley is overlooker of
this branch and I am secretary. If you want to see the
statement, it is written in a book. The minutes of the
meeting that Small called, that I think, it will satisfy
your superior judgment. Forgive all blunders, Reid will send
money up this week. I think that is 25 or 26 dollars
collected this little time. Adieu. This is from your brother
in the new and everlasting covenant,
Robert Williams.
Brigham Young’s Response to Robert Williams’ Question
D, Vol. 12, Pg.56, Brigham Young, June 16th, 1867 These
words --"If ye are not one ye are not mine"--are the words
of the Savior, through the prophet Joseph, and given to us.
This is a principle about which you have heard bro. Robert
Williams say a good deal in his way of talking. His mind is
like the minds of a great many, both in this Church and out
of it, with regards to temporal things. If they had the
privilege of dictating the affairs of this people, or of any
other, they would divide the substance of the rich among the
poor, and make all what they call equal. But the question
would arise with me at once, how long would they remain
equal? Make the rich and the poor of this community, or of
any other, equal by the distribution of their earthly
substance, and how long would it be before a certain portion
of them, would be calling upon the other portion, for
something with which to sustain themselves? The cry would
soon be--"I have no bread, no house, no team, no farm; I
have nothing." And in a very few years, at the most, large
properties would thus pass from the hands of such
individuals, and would be distributed among those who know
how to accumulate wealth and to preserve it when
accumulated. We should be one, there is no doubt of that,
but the very men and women who would take thee property of
the rich and dispose of it to their own advantage, would
spurn from their presence and disregard every word of
counsel given by those who know how to accumulate and
preserve, and they would say, "We know as much as you, and
we can dictate our own affairs." So they can, until they
make themselves poor and have to be helped by others.
Record of Captain John Brown's Company of Emigrating, Saints
from Council Bluffs to Great Salt Lake City, July 4th 1851.
Owing to the scattered condition of the Emigrants & the
tardiness in the hin[d]most ones in coming up all who were
at the ferry was crossed over & encamped on the Prairie two
miles West of old Winter Quarters, t here an organization of
what Saints were present took place, when being numbered it
was found enough were in camp to form three companies of
Ten[.] Preston Thomas was unanimously chosen Captain of the
first company of Ten.
Joseph Chatterly was chosen Capt of the Second Ten[.] George
D Watt Capt of the third, an Expression was then taken &
John Brown was unanimously sustained as Capt of the whole
company--& Preston Thomas Clerk
To day Alexander Robbins joined us with 10 more waggons and
thirteen men, in the afternoon a meeting was called for the
Purpose of taking into considerations the propensity of
approaching a committee of inspection who should examine the
waggons Teams & loads & report whether all were in a fitting
condition for crossing the Plains, this step was considered
& the men necessary as the season is now far advanced &
there b[e]in[g] a great probability of being overtaken by
the snows in the mountains, & to avoid which it was thought
wisdom not for the company to go too heavyly loaded that
they might make all possible speed, at this meeting seven
men were chosen as a committee, their names are as
follows--John Brown, Preston Thomas, Joseph Chatterly,
George D Watt, Alexander Robbins, Joel Terry, & John W.
Morton, The committee then immediately entered upon the
duties of their office, and after an examination of all the
waggons & Teams in camp, it was advisable for Alexander
Robbins to put off, part of his freight & he was counseled
to do so; he had seven waggons & it was thought if he would
put off five thousand pounds & send back one waggon, his
teams might be able to take the rest of his waggons &
freight through,
Saturday July 5th This morning according to the decision of
the committee of inspection, Alexander Robbins sent back and
stored at Ferryville with Messers Clark & Smith owners of
the Ferry 5000 lbs of freight & one waggon, & about 2 oclock
the camp was got in readyness & moved on to what is known as
the six mile grove from Old Winter Quarters,--on this mo[r]n
Alexander Robbins had the toungs [tongues] of two waggons
broken & George D Watt one,
SUNDAY 6 July This morning a complete organization of the
whole camp took place having be[e]n joined by six more
waggons which came by land from St Louis, Alexander Robbins
was chosen captain of the fourth company of Ten & Edward
Rushton Capt of the Fifth[.] before set[t]ing off this
morning a company of returning Oregon Emigrants came up &
informed us that whilst in camp on the Loup Fork of their
cattle stampeded & joined the herds of Buffalo, & they were
able to recover very few of them so the company was forced
to return, some of them who had Teams sufficient asked the
priviledge of joining us & going with us as far as Salt Lake
& winter there, we gave them the priviledge & 8 waggons with
8 men joined us, These were organized with our companies
giving two men to each waggon company of Ten except
Alexander Robbins Whose company already consisted of some
13, these raised the number in each ten too [to] 12 men,
making 60 men in camp, After making many other arrangements
the company was got in readyness & moved off about one
Oclock & traveled some 8 miles & camped on the Pra[i]rie
where we found good water but no wood,
Monday July 7th This morning the camp was got in readiness
at an early hour & after traveling some 4 miles camped to a
large Creek called Pappea, the bridge over this was much out
of order & we found much difficulty in crossing it but all
were over safely, The camp then moved on & camped at the Elk
Horn river on the old rout[e] up the Platte river, We were
induced to take this road from the information we obtained
from the Oregon Emigrants who joined us, [.] To day A
Robbins broke an axletree & did not reach camp with his
Waggons,
Tuesday July 7 Last evening some half breed Indians came to
our camp& claimed to own the boats at the Ferry over the Elk
Horn & a small creek a few miles further on, They demanded
25 cts per waggon for the use of their boats. This after
some consultation was paid & all the company except Br
Robbins' Ten were crossed over, swimming our stock, [blank
space] my
Wednesday July 8 This morning it was agreed that Captain
Brown should take some of the most efficient men & go back &
help br Robbins over the Ferry & Preston Thomas take charge
of the train & go on, Accordingly after traveling some 9
miles we camped on the Platt[e] river[.] at night br Brown
came into camp & informed us that br Robbins company had all
crossed over the Ferries & would join us To morrow--
Thursday July 9 The camp did not move today, but waited for
br Robbins who came up in the afternoon, We were also joined
today by four more waggons of Saints & four of Oregon
Emigrants.
Friday July 10 Our camp traveled today 13 1/4 miles, no
accident occurring the first since we started, we camped on
the Platte river opposite a small Island.
July 11th 1851 Today we traveled 14 3/4 miles & got into
camp in very good time, we camped on the south side of the
road with out wood, by the side of a small Lake,
Sunday 12 To day it was the intention of Brother Brown to
remain in camp & let the men & animals rest as it is the
Sabbath but being camped where there is no timber it was
motioned to move on to the next camping place[.] accordingly
the camp moved on 6 1/2 miles & camped by the Side of the
river Platte.
Monday 13 To day the camp was put in motion at an early hour
& all things moved on with excepting one waggon which was
broken[.] the road has be[e]n good & we have traveled 20�
miles, & camped by the side of Looking Glass creek,
Tuesday 14 To day the camp has moved on very well[.] the
weather for several days past has been ex[c]essively warm &
the cattle were allmost overcome with heat[.] the camp
traveled to day 16 miles & camped at fishing Creek[.] the
location of the old Paunee [Pawnee] Missionary station[.]
here we had to build a bridge & cut some oak timber for
spokes for waggons
<1851> Friday July 18 During the past three or four days we
have made but slow progress traveling[.] the weather has
been excessively warm & Dry untill night before last we had
a severe thunder Storm which made the roads very muddy, for
the past three or four days we have crossed several large
Creeks & two rivers[.] there we have forded Beaver river &
Cedar are the principal[.] as we came up the Loup Fork we
tried at the old Pionee ford to cross but was able the river
b[e]ing too deep.
Yesterday we camp to a small creek which we found much
difficulty in crossing[.] night came on before all the
waggons were crossed over & part were left, during the night
a tremendious [tremendous] Thunder-storm & much hail with it
& this morning the creek is out of its banks & the camp are
divided & the men are / engaged in building a bridge[.] the
howens [sic] is too high to do much at it,--
Saturday 19 Yesterday, the camp all having cross the Creek
mentione above was got in motion & traveled some six miles &
camped on the Banks of the Loup fork river, just at the old
ford through which we wish to pass[.] To day the whole camp
has remained still & the men have been engaged in searching
the river for a ford & repairing broken waggons & CC [etc],
in the afternoon the Captains all had a council meeting
during which it was motioned to keep keep the Sabbath
tomorrow have a prayer meeting & call on the Lord to aid us
in crossing the river & prosper us on our journey,
Sunday 20 To day the whole camp have be[e]n at rest[.] in
the afternoon a prayer meeting was held at which a good
Spirit prevaile & much good instruction was given[.] in the
evening it the camp attended the mournful duty of burying a
Sister her name was Esther Kempton only a few months from
England[.] she died of Disentery of which she was sick only
a few days, although her her health had be[e]n declining for
some considerable time,
Monday 21 To day by the blessings of the Almighty the whole
camp crossed the Loup Fork river with perfect safety with
the exception of a trifling accident or two. the fording was
rather deep though very good[.] after the camp was all
safely over the river all moved on five & 3/4 miles & camped
just where the road over rid[e]s the Bluffs,
Tuesday 22 To day the camp was put in motion at an early,
hour made 18 miles over a very deep sandy hilly road &
camped for the night on the banks of Pra[i]rie Creek,
Wednesday 23d This morning the camp took a very early start
& after crossing some very muddy Sloughs we came to Wood
river over which all the camp passed safely, except one of
Alexander Robbins waggons was upset in going into the ford &
after traveling about one mile one of his waggon wheels
broke down & the camp was stop[p]ed & went into Carel
[corral] on the bank of Wood river having traveled some 13
miles to day,
Thursday 24 To day we have traveled 14 miles[.] the road has
be[e]n splendid but the weather has be[e]n extremely warm &
several of the oxen have fainted from the heat &ct one or
two have died,
Friday July 25 Today the weather has be[e]n more mild & the
heat less oppressive & the camp got on well[.] traveled some
12 or 14 miles, [blank space]
Saturday 26 Today the camp took an early start[.] the day
was fine & not be[i]ng able to find a suitable camping place
were compelled to haul till near dark an[d] then camped by
the side of a slough to spend the Sabbath[.] rather a poor
chance for water & wood but splendid grass, traveled today
some 21 miles,
Sunday 27 To[day] all the camp have be[e]n at rest except
some of the men have been repairing waggons,
Monday 28 This morning the camp were aroused up very early &
a number of men were engaged in set[t]ing waggon tires as
this late very dry hot weather had made many of the waggon
wheels somewhat loose, 14 were set & the camp started at
about 9 Oclock, To day we have traveled through immense
herds of Buffalo[.] Thousands of Thousands were in seen
during the day[.] at night the grass was very short having
bin eaten off by them & we camped to the side of a Slough
which was all stir[r]ed up thick with mud but we were
force[d] to drink[.] Capt John Brown was sent on Ahead
before camping time to kill one for the camp[.] The camp
thus far traveled to day some 12 or 14 miles,
Tuesday 29 to day we have traveled some 14 miles & camped by
the side of the Platt[e] river[.] during the day we met some
three or four waggons from Salt Lake[.] the[y] gave us
information that two or three companies of Saints were met
this side Laraimie [Laramie], Elder Hyde with Judge Brocchus
& Albert Car[r]ington were rob[b]ed & strip[p]ed of all
their clothing[.] The Norh<t>ern rout[e] was represented as
be[i]ng some of it[.] very bad road Sand hills & bluffs,
Wednesday 30th This morning we took an early start as we
could under the circumstances, having had a severe Thunder
Storm in the whi<ch during the night> carried away some of
the covers of waggons tents & &tc some Horses & cattle
brokeloose [broke] Loose & a general Stampede seemed likely
to take place but all the stock b[e]ing tied up prevented
it, This evening as we were going into carel [corral]
another carel was in sight about two miles distant higher up
the river. Several of thier [their] men came down to us from
whom we learned they were a company of Fifty led by Morris
Phelps <Elder Shirtliff> they came by the northern rout[e] &
report that they had traveled over 400 miles part of the way
over a sandy desert, 40 miles in one place without water,
they confirm the repo<rt> of Elder Orson Hyde, Judge
Brocchus & others b[e]ing robbed by the Pawnee indians�Ofter
[After] we went into carel another company of Fifty under
Captain Shirtliff <M[orris] Phelps came down from the Bluffs
& camped above us[.] These companys together make a company
of 100 under Eli B Kelsy[.]
Thursday July 31 This morning the camp was got in motion
about 8 Oclock[.] at twelve a stop was <m>ade by the side of
the Platt[e] river with for dinner, with the two companies
ahead in full view after traveling some 20 miles, went into
carel on Skunk creek, Carrion creek,
Friday August 1 This morning we started early from camp &
coming up to Morris Phelps camp we had to stop for some half
hour or more untill thier whole camp could get off so as to
clear the road, to day we have traveled some 17 miles &
camped by the side of Carrion Creek with the other companies
in full view ahead, the forenoon of to day has been
extremely hot & the cattle have suffered much from it but
the afternoon has been cloudy & more moderate, We stop for
dinner at a splendid Spring of Cold water about 300 miles
from old Winter Quarters, .--
Saturday Aug 2 Today we have traveled 19 miles, an[d] passed
Morris Phelps camp in Corel [corral], one waggon wheel was
broken in crossing a bad creek, but did not detain the camp,
Today the camp passed the mouth of the South Fork of the
Platte on the opposite side of the river, camped on the bank
of the river a little below a small creek not far below the
North Bluff Fork, 317 miles from old Winter Quarters[.]
Sunday Aug 3 This day has been observed throughout the whole
camp as a day of rest, in the afternoon a meeting of the
whole camp was held, at which many good things were spoken &
a good Spirit prevailed & all seemed to be greatly
strengthened & all felt to express their gratitude to God
for the prosperity which has attended the camp on all the
journey thus far,--
Monday 4 Aug This morning the camp was got in motion at an
early hour[.] the North Bluff Fork of the Platt[e] was
crossed in the early part of the day. two series of bluffs
of soft sand which were very hard to draw over, one creek,
after traveling 15 miles camped at the foot of the Bluffs
near the river,--
Tuesday August 5 To day the camp have pas[s]ed over several
hard sand bluffs, today we have passed over a number or
small creeks [.] after traveling some 18 miles camped some
distance from the river,
Wednesday August 6 Today we have met a small company of
Calafornians [Californians] & others from Salt Lake[.] they
left the 15 July[.] all things prosperous. crops were good
[.] flour abundant & worth 4 or 5$ per hundred, the camp to
day traveled 19 miles mostly over a good road, many creeks
were crossed[.] camped at Wolf creek near its juncti<on>
with the Platte river,
Thursday Aug 7 This morning the whole camp took an early
start & ascended some very steep Bluffs of soft sand which
was very hard on teams[.] after they were passed over the
road was good the whole days journey[.] after traveling 19
1/4 miles camped on a small creek on the Platte opposite
Castlle [Castle] Bluffs, our camp was visited by Elder
Morris Phelps, whose camp is but a few miles behind ours,
also in the evening by Mr Monroe who is taking a train
through traveling on the South side of the Platte[.] he was
in search of some horses which had st[r]ayed from them,--
Friday Aug 8 Today the camp made 20 1/2 over a good road all
day[.] Phelps company traveling all day in sight[.] camped
on Crab creek, Today a Mr. Culns [Cullom] an Oregon Emigrant
who has bin traveling with us of late left us & went on to
stop at Fort Laramie,--
Saturday August 9 To day we traveled 16 miles[.] crossed one
set of very bad Bluffs, known as Bluffs ruins where we
halted for dinner--Elder Phelps company traveling all day in
sight[.] camped on the river Platte[.]
Sunday Aug 10 This day has been observed as a day of rest,--
Monday Aug 11 Took an early start this morning, crossed in
the afternoon of one set of low sandy Bluffs, road otherwise
good all day[.] turned off the road one mile & camped by the
side of the Platte [.] Traveled to day 19 miles[.]
Tuesday 12 This morning took early start[.] good road all
day. traveled 19 miles[.] turned of[f] the road a mile
camped on the banks of the Platte[.] passed to day Chimney
Rock south side the river--(great curiosity) Scotts bluffs
in full view some 9 miles a head, weather very dry[.] many
of the waggon wheels in camp get[t]ing loose[.] some of the
Mechanics proposing to set tire to night,--
Wednesday 13 To day the camp came 19 miles, passed Scotts
Bluffs south side the river, camped on the head of Spring
Creek,--
Thursday 14 To day the camp made some 17 miles[.] roads
mostly good, Phelps company still traveling in sight behind,
saw to day some Indians the first since starting on this
journey, Laramie Peak has be[e]n in full view all day,
Friday Aug 15 To day the camp made some 16 or 17 miles
crossed Raw Hide creek, a good part of the way has bin over
heavy sand,
Saturday Aug 16 This morning some six head of cattle were
missing & could no where be found & the camp was detained
untill afternoon when the Camp went on & the strays were fou<n>d
to have gone forward to where Elder Larain Babbit was in
camp & then they were found[.] passed to day Fort Larimie
[Laramie][.] traveled to day some 10 miles[.] The Camp has
now traveled 101 miles this week & for the last five <four>
weeks have made over one hundred miles each week[.]
Sunday Aug 17 To day is generaly a day of rest but having
camped last night where the Grass was very poor Captain
Brown thought it wisest to move up the Platte a few miles to
where good grass could be found[.] accordingly a move of
some 7 or 10 miles was made when by crossing the cattle over
the river some very good grass found. Some six or 8 miles
above Larimie [Laramie] Capt Brown crossed the Platte with
the whole Camp intending to go up the river road which
follows up on the South side,--
Monday Aug 18 This morning the Camp got a late start on
accou<nt> of the cattle b[e]ing some distance from camp on
the opposite side of the river, all day the road was hilly &
rocky & the company nesscarily [necessarily] had to move
slow at the several crossing time[s.] camping time no water
could be found so the camp had to go on [.] at length a good
spring with some grass was found but it was after 10 Oclock
at night before all the waggons were in camp, in fact all
did not get in for our two waggon wheels were broken during
the day & several others with them camped some six or 8
miles behind. To day Elder Phelps company as also one called
the Garden Grove company have been traveling in sight behind
ours, Traveled to day 23 miles[.]
Tuesday Aug 19[.] This morning a number of waggons were
found to be in a condition unfit for traveling so it was
thought best to remain in camp all day & set tire & remained
which was accordingly done & came to day 23 miles[.] in the
evening the cattle were driven two miles to where good grass
could be found, To day Harrison train passed whom we had
passed yesterday as also did Walton's & Phelp's,--
Wednesday Aug 20 This morning the camps were late in get[t]ing
off but had a good road most of the day traveling up what is
known as the river road, camped at night on the banks of the
Platte where we had the best Grass for our Stock since we
left Old Winter Quarters[.] made to day 18 miles,--
Thursday Aug 21 Had a good road to day[.] Soon after leaving
camp we crossed the Platte & traveled all day up the North
side & just at night recrossed the river & camped on its
banks, Forming our Corel [corral] alongside of Elder Phelps'
camp, traveled to day 20 miles,--
Friday Aug 22 This morning Captain Brown delayed his camp
until Phelps were all off which made it late before we go
off[.] had a good road traveled to 15 miles[.] camped on the
Banks of the Platte, Whilst the Train was b[e]ing delayed
this afternoon crossing a deep Gulch, one team belonging to
an Oregon Emigrant named Litell becoming frightened
Stampeded starting several others as they went, however the
teams were all soon fortunately stoped, but one woman Mrs
Litell was found to be badly bruised, she was hurt in
attempting to jump out of the waggon.
Saturday August 23 This day all things passed off well[.]
traveled some 18 or 20 miles to day[.] we passed the point
where the Old road is joined by the river road, had very
poor Grass for the Cattle, This week we have traveled a
little more than 100 miles,--
Sunday Aug 24 This has bin observed as a day of rest by the
Camp & in the afternoon a meeting was held when Preston
Thomas preached a faithful port Discourse upon the Gospel,--
Monday Aug 25 This morning the camp took an early start &
after traveling some 10 miles
caraled by the side of the Platte about noon[.] as many
waggons in camp wanted repairs it was thought had to do it
here as there is plenty of good stone coal in this vicinity
for this purpose [.] our waggon was sent across the river &
brought a load from a mine a little way up a small creek,
but when the smiths came to try the coal it was found not to
answer. the reason why was the men who were sent after it
gathered that which was near the surface of the rim which
had been exposed to the action of the weather heating to
freezing which injured its properties greatly[.] this was a
sad disappointment to the whole camp as most of the waggon
wheels in camp were in danger of falling to pieces from the
tire being loose[.] then it was intended to cut & weld but
where the coal was found not to answer the tires were taken
off & the wheels whooped & in this way the tires were made
sufficiently tight,--
Tuesday Aug 26 Last evening two men from Salt Lake came to
our camp one a brother Furguson & the a [other] Mr.
Holman[.] the[y] gave us much cheering intilignce
[intelligence] from which we gathered that the Lord
continued to bless his people in the Valeys of the
mountains[.] They gave us information from all the
emigrating companies who were ahead of us from which we
learned that Dissention had got in their camps & they was
all split up in small fractions & were traveling in this
manner, this gave us pain to hear for we know that the Lord
will not bless Saints who do so but his hand must be against
them & we fear evil will befall them,--
To day all the camp have be[e]n busy in repairs of waggons[.]
a small party who went out to the mountains on yesterday on
a hunting tour this ev[en]ing the party all came in laden
with the flesh of Buffalo & the Antelope,--
Wednesday Aug 27 To day the camp made some 14 miles & camped
some two miles below the upper crossing of the Platte where
we had tolerable good grass. Here we buried a Sister, who
Died in child bed her Name was Hannah [Henderson] Terry wife
of Joel Terry, & was buried in a rising spot of ground near
our camp on the south side of the road,
Thursday Aug 28 This morning after traveling some two miles
we forded the Platte river at the upper crossing & after
crossing took the left hand road that leads up the river
leaving the old Guide or Pioneer road to the right[.] After
traveling some 15 miles we camped on Mineral Spring Branch a
short distance above its junction with the Platte, To day we
met 80 warriors of the Snake Indians to gether with the
Agents of the government of the U. States on their way to
attend a treaty at Fort Larimie [Laramie] on the first of
September next,--
Friday August 29 This morning we took an early start, here
the road leaves the Platte river & goes west across ridges
till it strike[s] upon the Sweet Water river a distance of
some 40 miles[.] passed to day the celebrated Willow Springs
& camp on a small creek some half mile south of the road
where we had very little grass, some mountaineers 3 in
number camped with us, Traveled today 24 miles,--
Saturday August 30 Started soon this morning stop[p]ed to
noon on Grease Wood creek, camped in a good spot of Grass on
the Sweet Water some two miles below the ford traveled day
15 miles, the Sweet Water is pure clear Mountain stream,--
Sunday Aug 31 To day has be[e]n a day of rest to man &
beast, we had a meeting in the after at which Elder G D Watt
preached a good discourse upon the New Birth, others also
made some good remarks,--
Monday September 1fst This morning we took an early start,
many persons stoped a long to gather Saleratus as it is
abundant in Lakes near the road below Independence Rock
which we passed in the forenoon, a few miles from which we
forded the Sweet Water had a heavy sandy road a good part of
to day, Traveled some 15 miles & camped beside the river
where we had good grass,--
Tuesday AugSept 2d Today we have had a very heavy sandy road
& could find no camping place untill dark when we found a
little grass on the banks of the Sweet Water, traveled to
day 17 miles, during the day several of the cattle gave out
from the heavy roads, for already many are growing poor &
tire from the hard journey,--
Wednesday A September 3 Last night we camped just behind
Captain Phelps company & just in advance of Captain Walton's
so all day we have be[e]n crowded between the two trains, To
day we left the Sweet Water river & have traveling <over a>
heavy sandy rolling county, after traveling some 17 or 18
miles the camp turned off the road & struck the Sweet water
some three miles below the road & where we found most
splendid grass, it was however dark, before the camp got to
Corell & several oxen gave out & were left behind, also our
waggon axletree was broken[.] these however were sent back
for & were brought back & reached the camp about 11 oclock
at night,--
Thursday Sept 4 To day the camp have restend [rested] that
the Animals might have an opportunity to rest & enjoy the
good grass in this place & recruit [.] the men have be[e]n
repairing waggons & some fishing some hunting &tc[.]
Friday Sept 5 This morning the camp moved some 13 miles &
camped[.]
Saturday Sept 6 This morning the camp move at a late hour
having had poor grass last night & some animals are fast
falling off & becoming weaker & weaker eve<r>y day[.] after
traveling some 13 miles we camped on the Sweet water jus[t]
below where the road leav[e]s the river for some 15 miles
[.] here we have very poor grass,--
Sunday Sept 7 To day Captain Brown discerning the grass
insufficient for the animals moved the
camp 13 1/4 miles & camped on a small fork of the Sweet
Water where we had p no grass at all,-
Monday Sept 8 to day the camp did not all get off untill
nearly noon as many of the cattle were not to be found there
b[e]ing no feed on the creek where we were camped[.] they
had strayed off & gone down 3 or 4 miles on to another creek
called Strawberry where they had some pretty good feed,
after all were found the camp traveled down 6 or 7 miles &
caped just where the road joins the Sweet water[.] met to[o]
Dr Bernhisel Delegate to Congress from Utahs Ter[ritory] 8
days from Salt Lake City,--
Tuesday Sept 9 To day we left the Sweet water, crossed
through the South Pass of the Rocky mountains & camped on
Pacific creek after traveling some 18 miles[.] died to day
one ox,--
Wednesday 11 [10] September, yesterday Alexander Robbins
broke the axletree of one of his waggons & as the train was
late in get[t]ing <in> one of his waggon wheels was broken &
the company was delayed to day in repairing them however the
rest has be[e]n good for our cattle,--
Thursday September 11 To day we took a new road leaving the
old road to the right & going down Pacific creek & after
traveling some 16 miles camped where we had very poor
grass,--
Friday September 12 To day we have had a heavy sandy road
through a bottom[.] after traveling some 16 miles we camped
on big Sandy where we had very poor grass[.]
Saturday September 13 This morning the camp were late in
giting under way taking a direct course for the old Guide
road which we struck after traveling some four miles, then
we good road[.] traveled 18 miles[.] got into camp about
dark on big Sandy where we had tolerable grass[.]
Sunday 14 Today we have remained in camp & rested our
animals & held a meeting, at which Captain John Brown
preached a faithful discourse upon the Kingdom of God, he
was followed by Elder Thomas Margetts who made some good
remarks,
Monday September 15 Today, after traveling some six miles
the camp reached Green river without difficulty & after
traveling some 13 miles camped & found good grass by going
some 2 1/2 miles down green river below where the road
leaves the river,--
Tuesday September 16 To day we got a late start[.] traveled
16 12 miles & camped on Blacks fork of Green river where we
had good grass, To day we met one waggon from Salt Lake city
going to meet Al[l]red's company,--
Wednesday September 17 This morning we took an early
Start[.] crossed Ham's fork & after traveling some 16 miles
camped on Black's fork again where we had poor grass,
Alexander Robbins lost to day one ox,
Thursday September 18 To day we made a short days drive some
10 or 12 miles[.] camped on Blacks fork of Green river where
we had good grass[.]
Friday September 19 To day we traveled 16 miles passed Fort
Bridger[.] passed some very bad road one hill especial[l]y
the going of which was very bad,--
Saturday September 20 This morning we took a late start
traveled 11 miles[.] camped on the summit of the dividing
ridge between the waters of the Colora<do> river of the west
& those that run into the Great Basin, Our cattle we drove
off to a hollow some mile or two distant where we had
splendid grass & good Springs of water. passed us to day
Lyman Stoddard & several others from Al[l]red's camp, going
on ahead to Salt Lake,--
Sunday September 21 Last night it rained slowly most of the
night & this morning it was still raining but about 8 Oclock
it let up & the camp was put in motion[.] came over some
very bad road where we had to double teams, crossed Ravines
& crossed a little below the ford[.] traveled to day some 10
miles. crossed to day the rim of the great Basin.--
Monday September 22 This morning some of the cattle were
missing & could not be found & then as the ground upon which
the[y] were hunted was covered with a dense thicket of
willows, after a diligent search, the camp were all set in
motion except one company of Ten the Second Captain
Chatterly's[.] they were left searching for the lost cattle,
The camp after traveling some 9 miles camped on Yellow creek
where we had very good grass[.]
Tuesday September 23, As Brother Chatterley did not come up
last night it was resolved to send back Preston Thomas to
look after & help him up, & the camp go on some 5 miles, &
caral at Cach[e] Cave Springs & there await untill Brother
Chatterly should come up, all of which motion was put into
effect & at night, we had the gratification of all camping
together again,--
Wednesday Sept 24 This morning the camp took an early start
& all day traveled down a narrow rough Kanyon. Echo K
[Canyon] & after traveling some 16 miles camped in it where
we had very good grass by driving our cattle off on the side
of a mountain,--
Thursday Sept 25 To day we passed out of Echo Kenyon
[Canyon] over to Weber river & through a small creek where
we had good grass for camping, traveled to day 13 miles, met
Elder Orson Hyde together with several others at Weber river
bound for Kanesville, also several small parties going out
to meet their friends in the several companies behind us,--
Friday September 26 This we took an early start[.] traveled
some 10 miles[.] camped in Big Kenyon [Canyon] on Kenyon
[Canyon] creek where we had good grass[.] met to day Elder
Ezra T. Benson [,] Jedediah Grant & a number of others on
their way to Kanesville.
Saturday Sept 17 [27] To day we traveled over the big
mountain & camped on Browns Creek when we had most excelent
grass, To day we have had tremendious rough roads & at night
part of our company did not come up,--
Sunday Sept 28 This morning before leaving camp some of
Alexander Robbin's teamsters came into camp who had been
left behind yesterday & reported that one of his waggons was
broken near the top of the Big mountain & they were forced
to camp there & this morning a number of his cattle were
missing & they had come to our camp to see if they had come
to our camps, To day we met a number of brethren going out
to meet their friends in Al[l]red's[,] Cordons, & Pratt's
company�Captain Brown resolved to move the camp forward
which was accordingly done & after traveling some 8 or 9
miles came to the mouth of the Kenyon [Canyon] which opens
immediately into the Val[l]ey of the Great Salt Lake [.]
Third Company of Ten
George D Watt Capt, Age 39[,] 12 Oxen, 1 Cow, 2 Waggons, 1
Dog
Mary Watt, Age 40
G. D. Watt Jun, 9 Years
Mary Ann Brown, 59 Years
Jane Brown, 22 Years
Samuel Patterson, 35 Years
Robert Williams, 35 Years
Alford [Williams], 9 Years
Thomas Margetts Sen, Age 31[,] 6 Oxen, 1 Cow, 1 Waggon
Susanna [Margetts], 28 Years
Ann [Margetts], 4 Years
Thomas [Margetts] Jr., 2 Years
Lorenzo Erastus Margetts, 9 mos.
Esther Kimpton [Kempton], 50 Yr[.] Esther Kimpton Died July
20th 1851 buried in a large mound near the ford of the Loup
Fork[.]
Benjamin Votaw, 25 Yr
Joseph Allen [Allan], 30 Yr[,] 6 Oxen, 2 Cows, 3 Waggons, 0
Buggies, 4 Dogs
Lallah [Zillah Allan], 26 Yr
Charles E. [Allan], 4 Yr
Joseph W. [Allan], 2 mos
John Yardly, 35 yrs
Mary [Yardly], 27 yrs
Joel Terry, 39 yrs[,], 6 Oxen, 1 Cow, 3 Horses, 3 Waggons, 1
Buggy, 1 Dog
Mariah [Terry], 33 yrs
Jane [Terry], 16 yrs
Wm [Terry], 9 yrs
John Terry], 3 yrs
Joel T. [Terry], 10 yrs
Omnah [Terry], 39 yrs
Amandah [Terry], 18 yrs
Sabila [Savilla Terry], 16 yrs
Ruby [Terry], 13 yrs
Tabotha [Terry], 11 yrs
Lucinday [Lucinda] Terry, 9 years
James Terry, 3 years
Mary Child, 36 years[,] 4 Oxen, 2 Cows, 2 Horses, 2 Waggons
Seth Child, 15 years
Amanda Child, 12 years
Joel Child, 11 years
Jason Child, 9 years
Mary A Child, 2 years
Mary Ann Simmons, 23 years
John Lynden, 20 years
The following are Oregon emigrants [with the Third Company
of Ten]
Edmund Judkins, 23 years
Adam Meek, 48 years
Sophrona Meek, 35 years
Sidney Meek, 18 years
Rachel Meek, 16 years
John Meek, 13 years
Robert Meek, Ae 5 years
Amos Andrus [Andrews], 41 years
Remember to excuse the pioneers’ spelling. Their writing is
before dictionaries became widely available and before
spelling became standardized.
The Pioneer Route walked five times by Robert Williams.