RICHARD AND MYSELF DETERMINE TO EMIGRATE WITH THE SAINTS--RECEIVE
BAPTISM--THE NOTIFICATION PAPERS--FIRST ATTEMPT TO LEAVE HOME.
In the Spring of 1866, Richard Sedgwick and myself fully resolved to
leave our homes and emigrate to Utah. I had managed to get means enough
to take me to the frontier, where the mule and ox teams started to
cross the plains to Salt Lake. Richard had only sufficient to take him
to New York, where he expected to stay awhile and then proceed to Utah.
The time for our departure was drawing near, and we very anxiously
looked forward to it with great interest.
As it was my intention to soon leave for Utah, it was deemed advisable
by President Littlefair that I should get baptized. Accordingly, on
the morning of March 24, 1866, in the River Tees, that ordinance was
attended to by Elder John Scott; and I was confirmed by President
Littlefair in the afternoon.
My parents knew nothing about it. Nearly every Sunday morning I was in
the habit of going early for milk to a small village called Newport.
That morning I proceeded as usual, taking with me a small tin bucket.
I went to the residence of the Scott family and called for William and
others of the family. Richard also accompanied us. On starting out,
it commenced to rain, but by the time we arrived at the river side it
cleared up. About half a dozen were present. After singing a hymn,
prayer was offered and baptism was performed. Another hymn was sung and
we started homeward, chatting pleasantly together.
Richard was baptized a few days later. Arrangements were made that
William, Richard and myself should sail on the third ship that season,
the _American Congress_, and accordingly we sent our deposit money
to secure a berth on that vessel. Every day we were expecting our
notification papers, which would inform us what day the ship would
start. They came on the 13th of May of that year.
We held meeting that day at Sister Jane Scott's, at whose house
the meetings were held from the time the Scott family arrived in
Middlesbrough, in 1863. Just prior to the arrival of Thomas Watson,
clerk of the branch, I was remarking on the heat of the room. On his
entry, William H. Scott asked him:
"Have you brought the _Millennial Stars?_"
"Yes," said Brother Watson, "and the notification papers, too."
As soon as he uttered these words a nervous feeling crept over me; I
felt cold and went to the fire place to warm me.
We held our usual testimony meeting, and among those who bore testimony
to the truth of the latter-day work I was one, and while doing so the
tears trickled down my cheeks.
The notification papers stated that the _American Congress_ would sail
from London on the 23rd of May, which gave us ten days' notice.
A day or two after this William H. Scott received a letter, stating
that a small company of Saints would leave Sunderland by steamer on
the next Saturday morning, May 19th, for London, from which place the
_American Congress_ had to leave on the 23rd of that month. We thought
this would be a good opportunity to go on this route, as it was much
cheaper by this means than by rail. To do this we would have to leave
Middlesbrough on the evening of May 18th, five days before the ship
would sail.
We were in a rather peculiar situation, and wondered what excuse we
could give our parents and employers to be absent a few days without
them suspecting our intentions.
To make matters worse, our right-hand man, William H. Scott, received a
letter from President Brigham Young, Jr., at Liverpool, assigning him
a mission. This was unpleasant news to both Richard and myself, for to
start on our journey without him was almost like being left without a
shepherd.
As it could not be avoided, however, we determined to make the best of
it and leave on Friday evening, the 18th.
On Wednesday evening, the 16th, I broached the subject of being away
two days. I told my parents I wished to go with Richard Sedgwick to
Hartlepool the following Friday, on a visit to some of his friends, and
return on the following Sunday evening. My father was a little opposed
to my going, but my mother was favorably inclined. Hartlepool was about
twelve miles from Middlesbrough, and Sunderland was over forty.
Having secured the consent of my parents to be away from home two days,
the next thing was to see my employer. It so happened that we were very
busy at the printing business, and to ask for a holiday would be almost
absurd. We were bent on leaving on the Friday night, and go we must.
But what bothered me most was what excuse I could give my employer to
be away. To tell him the same story as I had told my parents would
hardly do, as he might say I could go there some other time when we
were not quite so busy. Finally, on Thursday, the 17th, I saw Mr. Gould
and told him I wished to go and see some of my relatives at Bradford,
who were going to remove from that place and desired to see me before
they left. I asked leave of absence from 4 o'clock Friday evening till
Monday morning. Mr. Gould granted my request.
It was much easier for Richard to get permission to be away a few days
than it was for me. He told his parents and his employer that he wanted
to go to Hartlepool, and his wish was granted without any particular
questions being asked.
After Mr. Gould granted my request, he paid me my full week's wages and
gave me a shilling for pocket money. He was in the habit of giving me
sixpence a week as pocket money, but this time he was kind enough to
give me double the amount. I thanked him for his kindness. Mr. Gould
had been kind to me ever since I entered his employ, and now that I was
about to leave him, expecting never more to see him again, reflections
of an unpleasant nature crossed my mind.
On reaching home I quickly put on my Sunday clothes and was soon ready
to start, but became so confused as to forget to bid the folks good-by.
Just as I was near the door, my mother said:
"What! are you going off without bidding us good-by?"
I turned quickly around and said:
"Good-by! Good-by!"
They watched me as I left the door. I hurried on my journey and was
soon out of sight.