Ship: Horizon
Date of Departure: 25 May 1856 Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
LDS Immigrants: 856 Church Leader: Edward Martin
Date of Arrival: 30 Jun 1856 Port of Arrival: Boston, Massachussettes
Source(s): BMR, pp. 151-188 (FHL #025,691)
“DEPARTURES. — The Ship Horizon, Captain Reed, sailed from Liverpool for Boston, May 25, 1856, with 856 souls of the Saints on board, under the presidency of Elders Edward Martin, Jesse Haven, and George P. Waugh.
The following Elders who have held responsible positions in this country, also sailed on this ship — Elders T. B. Broderick and John Toone from Utah — the latter retires from his labors on account of ill health — John Jaques, Robert Holt, Thomas Ord, James Stones, Henry Squires, and Robert Evans were presidents of conferences. . . .”
Ship: Horizon
Date of Departure: 25 May 1856 Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
LDS Immigrants: 856 Church Leader: Edward Martin
Date of Arrival: 30 Jun 1856 Port of Arrival: Boston, Massachussettes
Source(s): BMR, pp. 151-188 (FHL #025,691)
“DEPARTURES. — The Ship Horizon, Captain Reed, sailed from Liverpool for Boston, May 25, 1856, with 856 souls of the Saints on board, under the presidency of Elders Edward Martin, Jesse Haven, and George P. Waugh.
The following Elders who have held responsible positions in this country, also sailed on this ship — Elders T. B. Broderick and John Toone from Utah — the latter retires from his labors on account of ill health — John Jaques, Robert Holt, Thomas Ord, James Stones, Henry Squires, and Robert Evans were presidents of conferences. . . .”
“NINETY-SIXTH COMPANY. — Horizon, 856 Saints. On the twenty-fifth of May 1856, the ship Horizon, Captain Reed, sailed from Liverpool for Boston, with 856 Saints on board, under the presidency of Elders Edward Martin, Jesse Haven and George P. Waugh. The following elders, who had held responsible positions in the British Mission also sailed in this ship: Thomas B. Broderick and John Toone (both from Utah), John Jaques, Robert Holt, Thomas Ord, James Stones, Henry Squires and Robert Evans. Of the emigrants six hundred and thirty-five were P. [Perpetual] E. [Emigration] Fund emigrants and two hundred and twenty-one ordinary, including seven cabin passengers. Among the number were Samuel Pucell and family who had given the first sixpence to the Mormon elders when they first went to England in 1837.
On the thirtieth of June the steamer Huron towed the Horizon to Constitution wharf, at Boston, where the emigrants debarked. They then took cars for Iowa City, crossing the Hudson at Albany and passing through Buffalo on the fourth of July. The company arrived in Iowa City on the eighth of July. (Millennial Star, Vol. XVIII, pages 377, 542, 536, 554)”
“Sun 25. [May 1856] — The ship Horizon sailed from Liverpool with 856 Saints, under the direction of Edward Martin. The company arrived safely at Boston, and reached Iowa City by rail July 8th.”
Diary of Samuel Openshaw
May 23 – About two o’clock we were tugged out into the river. The rain poured down pretty freely.
May 24 – Continued in the river.
May 25 – Sunday. This morning about 10 o’clock the steamer came and tugged us away out of the river. Very calm.
May 26 – This morning the vessel began to rock and one might hear and see them. Heaving and fricking [UNCLEAR] at every part of the vessel. We were all very badly. This day father the best.
May 27 – The vessel continued rocking. We also very badly. Mother the worst. Towards evening a perfect calm. Nearly all well except mother. Came in sight of the Welsh Hills on the 25th. This evening are still in sight, having had nearly a head wind all the time.
May 28 – Beautiful morning. Still very calm. Mother a little better. Towards evening a low and fair wind.
May 29 – Fine summer morning, very calm and hot. Mother very weak. Towards evening she is rather worse. In sight land of the land of Murphies. This day the pilot left us.
May 30 – The same till evening when the wind arose in our favor a little.
May 31 – Gale of wind and one death; a sister from Manchester.
June 1 – Sunday morning. We have a good wind at ten o’clock. First rate meeting on deck and at three o’clock a brother died who came from the Kent Conferences.
June 2 – Beautiful morning. Pretty fair wind. Mother does continue in a lingering state; is [has] had seasickness from May 26 till June 1. I may just take occasion to notice that we have had plenty of and good provisions all the time. Yea, we thought that if we had had some of the Saints with us, we could have supplied them with provisions, especially if we had the same means of cooking as at home. We have prayer meetings night and morning, besides testifying meetings. We are called from our beds at five in the morning by the sound of the cornet. Also invited at night to bed by ten by the same.
June 3 – Also a fine wind.
June 4 – Low breeze and calm sea, although the vessel rocked in the form of a cradle. Made little or no progress. Yea, I may say that many one has paid one-half penny for a less rock.
June 5 – Also calm and beautiful day. We promenaded on deck. The captain appears to be a kind hearted man. Also the crew and the mates are an agreeable company. The potatoes began to sprit and spoil. Therefore, this day we carried them all on deck to dry. Mother nearly well. Towards evening a side wind which helped us along pretty smartly. Saw several great fish play in the water.
June 6 – Heavy side winds so that the vessel rocked. I had seasickness again, mother also; she was in bed all day.
June 7 – Helped along with a smart breeze. Prepared our puddings for a Sunday’s dinner.
June 8 – Sunday. Stout wind. We passed a vessel on our left as quick as a man running passes one that is walking. At half past ten o’clock a meeting on deck. We enjoyed the spirit of good in our midst. In the afternoon church meeting in our several wards, felt happy, and sometimes imagined ourselves at home.
June 9 – Also a strong wind. I began to think that I should never get accustomed to rocking, as I was almost always sick. Mother also, and she was very low in spirits.
June 10 – Strong wind and a heavy sea. Beef has almost become a drug to us.
June 11 – Also rather rough.
June 12 – Fine sailing day with a side wind. Mother ate more this day than she has eaten for more than a week.[p.1]
June 13 – A fine and beautiful morning. Toward noon measly rain and a good sailing side wind about the banks of Newfoundland.
June 14 – Also a good side wind. As we go farther west days are shorter. Begins to be light about five in the morning and at eight in the evening dark (sun sets below the horizon). We have to cook none at Sundays. Consequently, we have to prepare Sunday’s dinner on Saturday.
June 15 – Sunday. Nice day. A meeting on deck as usual at half past ten o’clock. Mother rather stronger. Very foggy so that the watch had to stand on the starboard sounding the horn.
June 16 – The wind is from the same direction as yesterday. Also the weather and fog the same.
June 17 – Also a fine day but foggy. Betimes pretty fair and good wind, but they had to keep sounding, being on the banks of Newfoundland. We passed a vessel (ship) which started a week before us from Liverpool.
June 18 – This morning very foggy. Saw several flocks of wild ducks close by the vessel and some fishing boats. Towards afternoon we left the fog. In the evening little wind. Mary troubled with a headache.
June 19 – Beautiful, clear morning, but rather cold. Mother nearly well and soon would be if she could get something that she could eat. In the evening passed close by a sailing smack. They brought some codfish in their little boat to our captain.
June 20 – Fine day, hot sun, but a cold wind. Seven of the fish were distributed (divided) among the passengers. In the afternoon very foggy again.
June 21 – Strong head wind. We had to cross right and left and made little progress.
June 22 – Sunday. Still a strong head wind. Very clear. We had a meeting on deck as usual. Instructions were given to us by Elder Mortin [Martin] and other experienced brethren as regards going onshore — to be temperate in eat and to avoid drunkenness, as spirits were very cheap, it might lead us into an unwise course. Mother worse. We passed another vessel which started five days before us from Liverpool.
June 23 – Fair wind.
June 24 – Fair, but a cold wind. Passed along at a good speed. The fresh water began to stink.
June 25 – A perfect calm. Mother a little better again.
June 26 – Pretty fairish wind.
June 27 – Fine morning. An old Mr. Allen from Radcliff died about four o’clock this morning and found a watery grave about two hours afterwards.
June 28 – Beautiful day and a propitious wind brought us in sight of “Yankee Land” which is the first land that we have seen since we left sight of Ireland and truly it was beautiful. As we entered into the Bay of Boston to behold the rise and decline of hills beyond hills intersecting covered with green grass, cattle grazing, bedecked beautiful houses, rocks rising out of the water as if to resist the force of the waves. It was truly sublime to us to gaze upon it. Our hearts were cheered to behold our destined fort. We cast anchor about nine miles from the city of Boston. A pilot came on board.
June 29 – Beautiful day, hot sun, wind different to what we have been accustomed to. As if we had come into a hot climate all at once. We passed the doctor in the forenoon. In the afternoon a meeting on deck. The captain gave us a short lecture as he said that he had heard the young sister saying that they would marry none but Mormons, and says he, “I will carry none but Mormons.”
June 30 – Very hot. Remained in the vessel while arrangements were made for us to go by rail.
July 1 – Prepared our luggage to go to the railway. Today’s newspaper states that yesterday it was from 96 to 100 degrees hot in the shade at four o’clock p.m.[p.2]
July 2 – We started on the Western Railway at twenty minutes to twelve and passed through a large extensive woodland country a distance at 200 miles, when the train stopped at one o’clock a.m. at a place called Greenbush, near the Albany River.
July 3 – We took our luggage from the train and placed them upon horse carts and the carts and all crossed the river in steamboats to Albany from whence we started for Buffalo. At one o’clock p.m. a distance of 350 miles passed through a most delightful country. Fruit trees and vines all along the side of the railway, but the fruit were not ripe except the raspberries and currants. They gave a most agreeable smell. There was here and there a house and then a group of houses, but not those miserable huts which are built in the midst of a howling wilderness which one might imagine are in the back settlements of America. But beautiful houses, as if they had a taste for finery.
July 4 – Beautiful and hot day. We have been going all the night and slept as best we could. Passed over the Genesee Falls, which is in the city of Rochester, and arrived at Buffalo at 11 o’clock a.m. A few kindled a fire and we boiled our kettles and got some coffee and then took our bundles into another train and started for Cleveland at 2 o’clock p.m., except about forty of the men who stayed behind to see after the luggage. Levi and I were among the number. We changed the luggage into another train of cars and then got something to eat and then took a view of the city of Buffalo. It is a very healthy place. Streets very wide, and telegraphic wires running to every part of the city. Some of the streets had trees on each side which are refreshing in the hot of the day. It stands upon the banks of Lake Erie. Being the Fourth of July, the city formed the same appearance as Dolton did when Sebastopol was taken, with flags on the houses and across the streets also shooting and fireworks. We left Buffalo about ten o’clock with the express for Cleveland, 180 miles, and arrived about six o’clock a.m.- about ten minutes after the rest.
July 5 – We then changed carriages and started for Toledo at nine o’clock a.m., a distance of 100 miles; arrived at Toledo three p.m. We then changed carriages and luggage and started for Chicago, 250 miles, at seven o’clock p.m.
July 6 – Sunday. Very hot till evening. At seven o’clock p.m. arrived at Chicago where we stayed all night. Chicago stands upon the banks of Lake Michigan. There a good deal of Dutch in this city.
July 7 – About five o’clock a.m. we started for Rock Island, 236 miles.
July 8 – Continued through a beautiful country. Arrived at Rock Island nine p.m. We stayed all night in the carriages close by the Mississippi.
July 10 – Beautiful day. Crossed the Mississippi to Davenport, from whence we started for Iowa City, except for about 30 of the men who stayed behind to look after the luggage. I was among the number. We placed the luggage upon horse teams and all crossed the river in steam boats. After we had arranged the luggage we washed ourselves, took refreshment and then went to fish in the river. We stayed all night in Davenport and slept in the first class carriages.
July 11 – We started for Iowa City at five o’clock a.m; found that the rest had gone to the campground. There was a thunderstorm in this city last night, but I heard nothing of it. In Davenport-we continued on the campground until the 25th when we made a short move just down the hill, more for our health than anything else.
July 26 – Sunday. We moved none today. We had a meeting in the afternoon, partook of the sacrament and heard address from the captains of hundreds.
July 27 – We made another short move across the river (creek).
July 28 – We still remained here; perhaps on account of some of the cattle being lost.
July 29 – Still on this place; about three miles from the city of Iowa. . . .[p.3]
. . . We continued to travel in this way, attended with various circumstances, until we arrived in the Valley, which was on the 30th of November, 1856. . . .[p.10]
BIB: Openshaw, Samuel. Diary, typescript (Ms 1515), pp. 1-3, 10. (HDA) Diary of Samuel Openshaw
May 23 – About two o’clock we were tugged out into the river. The rain poured down pretty freely.
May 24 – Continued in the river.
May 25 – Sunday. This morning about 10 o’clock the steamer came and tugged us away out of the river. Very calm.
May 26 – This morning the vessel began to rock and one might hear and see them. Heaving and fricking [UNCLEAR] at every part of the vessel. We were all very badly. This day father the best.
May 27 – The vessel continued rocking. We also very badly. Mother the worst. Towards evening a perfect calm. Nearly all well except mother. Came in sight of the Welsh Hills on the 25th. This evening are still in sight, having had nearly a head wind all the time.
May 28 – Beautiful morning. Still very calm. Mother a little better. Towards evening a low and fair wind.
May 29 – Fine summer morning, very calm and hot. Mother very weak. Towards evening she is rather worse. In sight land of the land of Murphies. This day the pilot left us.
May 30 – The same till evening when the wind arose in our favor a little.
May 31 – Gale of wind and one death; a sister from Manchester.
June 1 – Sunday morning. We have a good wind at ten o’clock. First rate meeting on deck and at three o’clock a brother died who came from the Kent Conferences.
June 2 – Beautiful morning. Pretty fair wind. Mother does continue in a lingering state; is [has] had seasickness from May 26 till June 1. I may just take occasion to notice that we have had plenty of and good provisions all the time. Yea, we thought that if we had had some of the Saints with us, we could have supplied them with provisions, especially if we had the same means of cooking as at home. We have prayer meetings night and morning, besides testifying meetings. We are called from our beds at five in the morning by the sound of the cornet. Also invited at night to bed by ten by the same.
June 3 – Also a fine wind.
June 4 – Low breeze and calm sea, although the vessel rocked in the form of a cradle. Made little or no progress. Yea, I may say that many one has paid one-half penny for a less rock.
June 5 – Also calm and beautiful day. We promenaded on deck. The captain appears to be a kind hearted man. Also the crew and the mates are an agreeable company. The potatoes began to sprit and spoil. Therefore, this day we carried them all on deck to dry. Mother nearly well. Towards evening a side wind which helped us along pretty smartly. Saw several great fish play in the water.
June 6 – Heavy side winds so that the vessel rocked. I had seasickness again, mother also; she was in bed all day.
June 7 – Helped along with a smart breeze. Prepared our puddings for a Sunday’s dinner.
June 8 – Sunday. Stout wind. We passed a vessel on our left as quick as a man running passes one that is walking. At half past ten o’clock a meeting on deck. We enjoyed the spirit of good in our midst. In the afternoon church meeting in our several wards, felt happy, and sometimes imagined ourselves at home.
June 9 – Also a strong wind. I began to think that I should never get accustomed to rocking, as I was almost always sick. Mother also, and she was very low in spirits.
June 10 – Strong wind and a heavy sea. Beef has almost become a drug to us.
June 11 – Also rather rough.
June 12 – Fine sailing day with a side wind. Mother ate more this day than she has eaten for more than a week.[p.1]
June 13 – A fine and beautiful morning. Toward noon measly rain and a good sailing side wind about the banks of Newfoundland.
June 14 – Also a good side wind. As we go farther west days are shorter. Begins to be light about five in the morning and at eight in the evening dark (sun sets below the horizon). We have to cook none at Sundays. Consequently, we have to prepare Sunday’s dinner on Saturday.
June 15 – Sunday. Nice day. A meeting on deck as usual at half past ten o’clock. Mother rather stronger. Very foggy so that the watch had to stand on the starboard sounding the horn.
June 16 – The wind is from the same direction as yesterday. Also the weather and fog the same.
June 17 – Also a fine day but foggy. Betimes pretty fair and good wind, but they had to keep sounding, being on the banks of Newfoundland. We passed a vessel (ship) which started a week before us from Liverpool.
June 18 – This morning very foggy. Saw several flocks of wild ducks close by the vessel and some fishing boats. Towards afternoon we left the fog. In the evening little wind. Mary troubled with a headache.
June 19 – Beautiful, clear morning, but rather cold. Mother nearly well and soon would be if she could get something that she could eat. In the evening passed close by a sailing smack. They brought some codfish in their little boat to our captain.
June 20 – Fine day, hot sun, but a cold wind. Seven of the fish were distributed (divided) among the passengers. In the afternoon very foggy again.
June 21 – Strong head wind. We had to cross right and left and made little progress.
June 22 – Sunday. Still a strong head wind. Very clear. We had a meeting on deck as usual. Instructions were given to us by Elder Mortin [Martin] and other experienced brethren as regards going onshore — to be temperate in eat and to avoid drunkenness, as spirits were very cheap, it might lead us into an unwise course. Mother worse. We passed another vessel which started five days before us from Liverpool.
June 23 – Fair wind.
June 24 – Fair, but a cold wind. Passed along at a good speed. The fresh water began to stink.
June 25 – A perfect calm. Mother a little better again.
June 26 – Pretty fairish wind.
June 27 – Fine morning. An old Mr. Allen from Radcliff died about four o’clock this morning and found a watery grave about two hours afterwards.
June 28 – Beautiful day and a propitious wind brought us in sight of “Yankee Land” which is the first land that we have seen since we left sight of Ireland and truly it was beautiful. As we entered into the Bay of Boston to behold the rise and decline of hills beyond hills intersecting covered with green grass, cattle grazing, bedecked beautiful houses, rocks rising out of the water as if to resist the force of the waves. It was truly sublime to us to gaze upon it. Our hearts were cheered to behold our destined fort. We cast anchor about nine miles from the city of Boston. A pilot came on board.
June 29 – Beautiful day, hot sun, wind different to what we have been accustomed to. As if we had come into a hot climate all at once. We passed the doctor in the forenoon. In the afternoon a meeting on deck. The captain gave us a short lecture as he said that he had heard the young sister saying that they would marry none but Mormons, and says he, “I will carry none but Mormons.”
June 30 – Very hot. Remained in the vessel while arrangements were made for us to go by rail.
July 1 – Prepared our luggage to go to the railway. Today’s newspaper states that yesterday it was from 96 to 100 degrees hot in the shade at four o’clock p.m.[p.2]
July 2 – We started on the Western Railway at twenty minutes to twelve and passed through a large extensive woodland country a distance at 200 miles, when the train stopped at one o’clock a.m. at a place called Greenbush, near the Albany River.
July 3 – We took our luggage from the train and placed them upon horse carts and the carts and all crossed the river in steamboats to Albany from whence we started for Buffalo. At one o’clock p.m. a distance of 350 miles passed through a most delightful country. Fruit trees and vines all along the side of the railway, but the fruit were not ripe except the raspberries and currants. They gave a most agreeable smell. There was here and there a house and then a group of houses, but not those miserable huts which are built in the midst of a howling wilderness which one might imagine are in the back settlements of America. But beautiful houses, as if they had a taste for finery.
July 4 – Beautiful and hot day. We have been going all the night and slept as best we could. Passed over the Genesee Falls, which is in the city of Rochester, and arrived at Buffalo at 11 o’clock a.m. A few kindled a fire and we boiled our kettles and got some coffee and then took our bundles into another train and started for Cleveland at 2 o’clock p.m., except about forty of the men who stayed behind to see after the luggage. Levi and I were among the number. We changed the luggage into another train of cars and then got something to eat and then took a view of the city of Buffalo. It is a very healthy place. Streets very wide, and telegraphic wires running to every part of the city. Some of the streets had trees on each side which are refreshing in the hot of the day. It stands upon the banks of Lake Erie. Being the Fourth of July, the city formed the same appearance as Dolton did when Sebastopol was taken, with flags on the houses and across the streets also shooting and fireworks. We left Buffalo about ten o’clock with the express for Cleveland, 180 miles, and arrived about six o’clock a.m.- about ten minutes after the rest.
July 5 – We then changed carriages and started for Toledo at nine o’clock a.m., a distance of 100 miles; arrived at Toledo three p.m. We then changed carriages and luggage and started for Chicago, 250 miles, at seven o’clock p.m.
July 6 – Sunday. Very hot till evening. At seven o’clock p.m. arrived at Chicago where we stayed all night. Chicago stands upon the banks of Lake Michigan. There a good deal of Dutch in this city.
July 7 – About five o’clock a.m. we started for Rock Island, 236 miles.
July 8 – Continued through a beautiful country. Arrived at Rock Island nine p.m. We stayed all night in the carriages close by the Mississippi.
July 10 – Beautiful day. Crossed the Mississippi to Davenport, from whence we started for Iowa City, except for about 30 of the men who stayed behind to look after the luggage. I was among the number. We placed the luggage upon horse teams and all crossed the river in steam boats. After we had arranged the luggage we washed ourselves, took refreshment and then went to fish in the river. We stayed all night in Davenport and slept in the first class carriages.
July 11 – We started for Iowa City at five o’clock a.m; found that the rest had gone to the campground. There was a thunderstorm in this city last night, but I heard nothing of it. In Davenport-we continued on the campground until the 25th when we made a short move just down the hill, more for our health than anything else.
July 26 – Sunday. We moved none today. We had a meeting in the afternoon, partook of the sacrament and heard address from the captains of hundreds.
July 27 – We made another short move across the river (creek).
July 28 – We still remained here; perhaps on account of some of the cattle being lost.
July 29 – Still on this place; about three miles from the city of Iowa. . . .[p.3]
. . . We continued to travel in this way, attended with various circumstances, until we arrived in the Valley, which was on the 30th of November, 1856. . . .[p.10]
BIB: Openshaw, Samuel. Diary, typescript (Ms 1515), pp. 1-3, 10. (HDA)
Autobiography of Aaron Jackson
.
. . My mother afterward wrote an account of the trip and I will quote at length from her account:
We left Liverpool on the sailing ship Horizon, May 22, 1856. There were 700 persons on board. It took until June 30th, six weeks, to get to Boston. On the way across the Atlantic there was a near panic on board one day when the sailors were working on the sails and an officer gave the order, “hoist higher.” An excitable passenger thought the man had yelled, ‘fire’ and the passengers got panicky.
We reached Iowa City by train, July 8th. We had expected to find our handcarts all ready for us but instead we had to delay two or three weeks to make them. Instead of iron axles they were poorly constructed of wood. The boxes were of leather.
There were two companies organized containing 556 persons, 146 handcarts, seven wagons, six mules and horses, fifty milch cows and beef animals. There was one wagon with goods for the Latter-day Saint church at Salt Lake City. To each of the two companies was apportioned a mule team and two wagons hauled by oxen to carry tents, stores, etc.
On July 15th the company left Iowa City for Florence, Neb., 277 miles away. At Florence the two companies were consolidated. Edward Martin was made captain and Daniel Tyler his aide. On August 25th we broke camp. . . [p. 2]
. . . We reached Salt Lake, Sunday, November 30th. . . . [p. 7]
BIB: Jackson, Aaron [Autobiography], Utah Pioneer Biographies, vol. 15, pp. 2, 7 (FHL) Autobiography of Aaron Jackson
. .
. My mother afterward wrote an account of the trip and I will quote at length from her account:
We left Liverpool on the sailing ship Horizon, May 22, 1856. There were 700 persons on board. It took until June 30th, six weeks, to get to Boston. On the way across the Atlantic there was a near panic on board one day when the sailors were working on the sails and an officer gave the order, “hoist higher.” An excitable passenger thought the man had yelled, ‘fire’ and the passengers got panicky.
We reached Iowa City by train, July 8th. We had expected to find our handcarts all ready for us but instead we had to delay two or three weeks to make them. Instead of iron axles they were poorly constructed of wood. The boxes were of leather.
There were two companies organized containing 556 persons, 146 handcarts, seven wagons, six mules and horses, fifty milch cows and beef animals. There was one wagon with goods for the Latter-day Saint church at Salt Lake City. To each of the two companies was apportioned a mule team and two wagons hauled by oxen to carry tents, stores, etc.
On July 15th the company left Iowa City for Florence, Neb., 277 miles away. At Florence the two companies were consolidated. Edward Martin was made captain and Daniel Tyler his aide. On August 25th we broke camp. . . [p. 2]
. . . We reached Salt Lake, Sunday, November 30th. . . . [p. 7]
BIB: Jackson, Aaron [Autobiography], Utah Pioneer Biographies, vol. 15, pp. 2, 7 (FHL)
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