Son of William Dalley and Ann Davis

Married Sarah Ann Bishton, 17 Jul 1846, Parish Of Aston, Warwick, England; born 20 July 1827, died 1849 both Birmingham, Worcester, England.

Daughter - Ann Elizabeth Dalley, born 20 May 1847, died 29 October 1947, both Birmingham.

Married Emma Wright, 15 Aug 1850, Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa

Married Johanna Bolette Nielsen Bertelsen, 9 Oct 1856, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Married Petrine Nielsen Bertelsen, 9 Oct 1861, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

History - When James was 18 years old he heard missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He came home and told his mother he had found the true gospel. James and his whole family were baptized and became members. Five years after his baptism, James married a pretty girl named Sarah Ann Bishton. They had a little girl named Ann Elizabeth. They wanted to come to America, but Sarah's parents said she could only go to America when James found a house there for her to live in.

So, in 1848 James Dalley, age twenty five, went aboard the barque (ship) "Carnatic" with his mother and siblings. This vessel set sail from Liverpool, England bound for New Orleans. Each family was required to supply its own rations. Among other things that meant 250 gallons of water and 40 pounds of oatmeal each.

Soon after setting sail, the ship ran into a terrific storm in the Bay of Biscay. It was caught between two great rocks, nearly wrecking the small vessel. Captain Mackenzie ordered the hatches closed, greatly fearing for the safety of the ship and passengers. Apostle Franklin D. Richards called upon the Saints and all others to unite in prayer for safety. Even Captain Mackenzie prayed with the passengers. Almost immediately after the close of the prayer, the ship was felt to give a great lunge forward which caused all on board to think the end had come for them. In the lunge forward, the ship safely passed the great rocks without serious damage. The weather calmed, and the captain and crew piloted the ship to its final destination, New Orleans.

When James got to America, he got a letter with very sad news. His wife and little baby had died while he was gone. He then traveled to Iowa where he met and fell in love with Emma Wright.

Following church tenets, James became a polygamist. After marrying Emma Wright in 1852, he married Johanna Bolette or Lette Bertelsen in 1856, and Thrine, Lette's sister, in 1861. From the three wives, 44 children were born; 14 passed away and 30 grew to honorable man and womanhood.

Because Federal legislation was passed forbidding polygamy in 1882, and the Manifesto issued in 1890, polygamy was forbidden. From that time on, Grandfather lived with only one wife, Thrine, but he divided his property equally among all three families. Family members said he ruled his home in equity and love without contention. James died at 81 and is buried in Summit.

Age at departure: 29