That year, 1856, I became of age, 21. The money I was to receive from
Heriots Hospital at this time was secured. I requested that it be used
to finance the emigration of a young lady I knew in Scotland. The rest
I turned over to the Perpetual Emigrating Fund.
Later I heard that MaryMathieson, the sister I expected from Scotland,
was on the way to Zion and I was on the lookout when any of the wagon
trains would arrive. It so happened that during her stay in Winter
Quarters she had been persuaded by their companions in travel, not to
forsake them, but to continue as she was and travel with them in the
noted HandCart companies that were then organizing for the trip across
the plains. Her fare, along with her luggage had been paid for to travel
in the wagon trains, but I not knowing of the change, expected her with
the wagons. I heard that she was traveling in the 2nd Hand Cart Company
in charge of Captain ————McArthur. It was due to arrive the latter
part of September. I met her on the campgroundbut did not recognize
her. Mysister, Mrs. Hatch, had reached her before I. I saw my sister
pointing in mydirection and supposed the girl with her was the one I
was looking for. After introductions and farewells were over she got
into the wagon and accompanied us to my sister's home.
We_gotquite intimate till it culminated in our marriage on the 4th of
November by Bishop Stoker of Bountiful. ‘Wethen moved to our home in
Lehi where I remained till the following fall.
In consequence of mywife crossing the plains with the hand carts, she
left the principal part of her clothing at Winter Quarters, to be sent
on with the wagons; getting a receipt for 90 lbs. weight. The wagons
were detained enroute and did not arrive till the fall of 1857. Notices
were sent out to those having luggage. Wemade a journey to the
City, expecting to get her luggage as per receipt. All that could be
found was a small bundle tied up in a skirt, about 10 lbs. instead of
the chest of clothing she had left. She was so disappointed and horrified
she fainted away. I had to carry her in myarms till I reached
a place where she could be cared for. She was in delicate health, so
after she regained consciousness, I had her conveyed to Bountiful,
and went directly to my sister Joanna Thompsons. There my wife was
prematurely confined of a baby girl, but whodied about 10 hours afterward.
She was born on the l0th of October, 1857. Her mother only
survived her 3 days, never having recovered from the shock caused by
l3
her disappointment. After the interment of mywife and child I returned,
sorrowful and lonely to my home in Lehi
That year, 1856, I became of age, 21. The money I was to receive from
Heriots Hospital at this time was secured. I requested that it be used
to finance the emigration of a young lady I knew in Scotland. The rest
I turned over to the Perpetual Emigrating Fund.
Later I heard that MaryMathieson, the sister I expected from Scotland,
was on the way to Zion and I was on the lookout when any of the wagon
trains would arrive. It so happened that during her stay in Winter
Quarters she had been persuaded by their companions in travel, not to
forsake them, but to continue as she was and travel with them in the
noted HandCart companies that were then organizing for the trip across
the plains. Her fare, along with her luggage had been paid for to travel
in the wagon trains, but I not knowing of the change, expected her with
the wagons. I heard that she was traveling in the 2nd Hand Cart Company
in charge of Captain ————McArthur. It was due to arrive the latter
part of September. I met her on the campgroundbut did not recognize
her. Mysister, Mrs. Hatch, had reached her before I. I saw my sister
pointing in mydirection and supposed the girl with her was the one I
was looking for. After introductions and farewells were over she got
into the wagon and accompanied us to my sister's home.
We_gotquite intimate till it culminated in our marriage on the 4th of
November by Bishop Stoker of Bountiful. ‘Wethen moved to our home in
Lehi where I remained till the following fall.
In consequence of mywife crossing the plains with the hand carts, she
left the principal part of her clothing at Winter Quarters, to be sent
on with the wagons; getting a receipt for 90 lbs. weight. The wagons
were detained enroute and did not arrive till the fall of 1857. Notices
were sent out to those having luggage. Wemade a journey to the
City, expecting to get her luggage as per receipt. All that could be
found was a small bundle tied up in a skirt, about 10 lbs. instead of
the chest of clothing she had left. She was so disappointed and horrified
she fainted away. I had to carry her in myarms till I reached
a place where she could be cared for. She was in delicate health, so
after she regained consciousness, I had her conveyed to Bountiful,
and went directly to my sister Joanna Thompsons. There my wife was
prematurely confined of a baby girl, but whodied about 10 hours afterward.
She was born on the l0th of October, 1857. Her mother only
survived her 3 days, never having recovered from the shock caused by
l3
her disappointment. After the interment of mywife and child I returned,
sorrowful and lonely to my home in Lehi
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