Part 1 1805 - 1831 Youth

Part 2 1831 - 1847 Army

Part 3 1847 Courtship & Marriage

Part 4 1847 - 1852 Marriage, Baptism and the End of a Career

Part 5 1853 - 1855 Isle of Malta mission

Part 6 1855 - Going to Zion

Part 7 1855 - 1857 Hard times

Part 8 1857 - 1860 (?) Johnson's army and back to Rush Valley

Part 9 1866 - 1867 Patriarchal blessings, Mission call and departure

Part 10 1867 Journey to the British mission

Part 11 1867 - Mission

Part 12 1868 - Mission

Part 13 1868 - Return Home

Part 14 1868 - 1888 Bishop, Storekeeper, and Iindians - oh my

Part 15 As seen by others

Part 16 1880 -1888 The culmination of a lifetime

Part 17 1888 -1891 Patriarch and Death

Part 18 Miscellaneous

The day of June 4, 1868, Sunday, dawned clear and fair, and was a very busy one for George. While at Bristol George received his release from his mission. He thought with sorrow of his parting with the faithful Saints of this far away land, of parting for ever with his failing brother and his dear sisters - but joy filled his very being at the thought of home, his beloved Hannah and his wonderful children.

He wound up his affairs, finished his reports, visited his friends and made a farewell call upon his sister Mary, and tried again to interest her in the church but failed in this final attempt.

The mail brought him a parting gift from his sister Charlotte, a pair of fine slippers worked by her own hands and an earnest request to be remembered in his prayers.

That day he was gladdened and saddened by a farewell letter, full of love and concern for George's present and eternal welfare from his brother William whose failing health and strength had the mark of death.

George felt sure this was his final farewell.

He packed --- closed up all business and handed the money and accounts of the conference to Elder Thomas H. Sibley and at 12 0'clock noon he put his box on board the steamer. At about 4 -P. M. on June 20, 1868, he left 7 Tower Hill to board the steamer.

The boat got under way about 6 O'clock and they had a fair passage until rounding St. Davies Head when they ran into rough, stormy weather, and he became very sea sick. After breasting the mountain high waves they made port at the Liverpool dock at 12 O'clock at night the 22 of June.

He spent the night at No. 59 Greatcross Hall Street. The next day he picked up his luggage and boarded the ship "Constitution".

This time the ship put out into the river at about 11 O'clock at night On the 24 of June the tug started them out but the wind was contrary and the ship beat about all night-not making any headway.

The morning of the twenty-fifth radiated lovely sunny weather but the contrary wind still prevailed all day and the waves of the Irish Sea buffeted the ship about.

Provisions were issued and he was appointed to preside over the number one young men's ward.

The air was full of tense excitement when five young boys were found stowed away on the ship. They were questioned. But no one was found who was responsible for them so they were loaded into one of the small boats and put ashore.

The winds held contrary throughout three days and nights but the good weather held. Finally the morning of the twenty-seventh brought a light wind from the southwest, the white sails stretched and filled with this spanking breeze and by afternoon all sight of land was left behind.

The favorable wind carried them on for days. They celebrated the Independence of the United States of America by firing some rockets followed by dancing and singing.

The monotony was broken July, the sixth by several schools of fish around the ship. One of the seamen harpooned one.

During the afternoon the wind freshened and came pounding against the ship and rain came in a deluge. The sea became very rough, the ship rode a swell only to be nearly swallowed when it rolled in the bottom of the trough, towered over on either side by giant waves. Many of the passengers were taken to their beds with sea sickness. Even a hardened sailor like George felt unwell.

But morning brought a fair breeze and clear weather which lasted twelve days. He enjoyed joining in the dances in the evenings. Often he was invited to eat at the Captain's table with other officers and the ship's doctor. On one such occasion, much to George's pleasure, the Captain showed them his charts and explained the navigation of the ship and other matters along with pursuing the journey. This was of great interest to George.

July twentieth was cold and foggy. At five-fifteen A. M. the ship passed an iceberg about ten miles to the south.

The twenty-first they spent on the banks of Newfoundland. They spoke with the crew on a fishing smack soon after dark. They were among fishing vessels all night.

Two whales passed the ship on the morning of July twenty-third, and the rail was crowded with curious spectators. George watched them dive and surface, spout and swim away with majestic ease.

During one of the rough storms, which dogged their path, everything on ship board not battened down was threshing about. Even the ship's slop pails were upset and their contents was flowing about the deck which made for some miserable hours for passengers and crew alike.

Finally the wind changed to the west and the spirits of all on board rose, especially when they passed a steamer from New York.

On August the third, 1868 when they approached the shores of America, the pilot came on board. On the morning of the fourth all the passengers started to prepare for going ashore. By evening they were in sight of land and the lighthouse was in plain view.

Six weeks out from England and a foggy morning, anchor was dropped at 9:30 A. M. Beds were thrown over together with all the old rubbish, dirt and a great many livestock.

On the morning of the sixth anchor was weighed and sail set to go up to New York. They were taken in hand by a steam tug and went up the river past the Fort, where they were branded by the health officers. Then went through inspection and up near Castle Gardens where anchor was dropped for the last time.

The next morning, August 7, 1868, he got his luggage up. Brother Stainer came aboard the ship with instructions relating to landing.

They landed at Castle Gardens at half past 8 a. m. Went through the custom offices, then up the river to the Railroad Station. There they had their luggage weighed and purchased their tickets. At 2 p.m. he was on a train of the Hudson River Line Railroad headed for Albany, which they reached on August 9th, changed cars and continued on.

He enjoyed the trip up the Hudson.

When he reached Rochester he went to see the Genessies Falls.

August tenth found him at the Niagara Falls and then on to Windsor, He started for Chicago on the 11th of the month.

When they reached Omaha there was still the long tiring miles stretching out across the vast dry plains which had to be crossed before his eyes could feast upon the beauty of his beloved Hannah and see the welcoming love for him shining in her face.

So after the miles were traveled, the mountain ranges climbed, the wide rivers left behind, he once more greeted loved family, old friends, and neighbors and trod the dusty streets and lanes of the little western town of St. John.

As soon as he was home he started in earnest to improve his home, to better the living for his family while continuing to serve and build up his church

Family Newsletter
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