Our home was in a small town in New Jersey. We had a little farm and
were very comfortable. It was spring time, our crops were planted and
growing. It was told us one day two men had asked for our little church
to hold a meeting in for a couple of evenings and the whole neighborhood
was invited to attend. My husband being an elder in our little church
we, with many other neighbors went to hear the men speak. They were both
good talkers and we were all greatly interested. They continued the
meetings a week and we all became so interested they were invited to
remain longer. One claimed to be a minister, the other an elder. They
told a great deal about the Land of Promise they had found. My husband's
two brothers were ready to join and prevailed upon my husband to come
with them. About thirty were ready to follow the new preaching. They
left us to go to other parts and told us to be ready at a certain time,
when they would come back and take us with them. We sold our little farm
and stock at a great sacrifice, keeping only our bedding and clothing,
as they told us it was a long journey. We waited for them to come until
November and had almost given up in despair, when one day they came.
When we started there were twenty-five grown people with their children.
We had two small children, twins, a boy and a girl. Our hopes were high,
we were going westward they told us. We took a steamboat at Buffalo, as
they told us no railroad had yet been built to reach there. The trip was
hard, cold and tedious. Not one of us had ever been on the water before.
We were afraid and we were all sick, but we stood it as bravely as
possible and hoped for better times.
It was a dark, stormy night when we landed. Snow was falling. We were a
cold, shivering company as we stumbled along up the dock. We were taken
into a house, where we soon had a warm supper and were told we could
sleep on the floor if we had bedding of our own, as their beds were all
full. We made our beds and found it very cold, as doors were opening and
shutting until almost morning. We were all put into one large room which
was very bare of furniture. Children cried and there was not very much
sleep. At the first peep of day most of us were up to take our first
look at the Promised Land. At first we tried to look out of the windows,
but they were steamed and frosty and we could not see. We then went out
of doors. Our first glance was out on the cold, rough water of a little
harbor, as they called it, and never shall I forget the lonely feeling
that came over me. All was silent but the sound of the waves that washed
upon the shore. What little ground was visible where the snow had
drifted was all bare white sand. There were many pretty evergreen trees
back a short distance from the water. There being few houses visible we
were told the houses and farms were farther back in the country. We were
called to breakfast, and when it was finished we were told we could go
to the King's house, which was pointed out to us, and he would direct us
what to do next. "The King's House." What did they mean? We had never
heard of any king. They said, "You will soon know. We are ruled by a
king who has revelations direct from God. There are twelve apostles to
rule with him, and out of this company of people he will choose four
more which are needed." Our surprise was great. We were anxious to know
all, so were taken to the King's house. He met us very kindly and
explained many things to us. He talked considerable about his
revelations and what he hoped to do for his people. His manner was very
captivating, and we all felt much encouraged after he had talked with
us. We were all divided up among the other families on the island until
we could build our homes. We were there over a week before we knew for
certain we were on an island. To me it was a terrible shock but we had
no time to think much about it only what we should do to provide shelter
for the long winter. The King soon left to go travelling for the winter
to bring more converts in the spring.
It so happened the home we went to live in the people kept a boarding
house and I soon found to my horror the man had four wives, had had six
but two were dead. We soon found them a peculiar people with great
faith in Strang and of his building up of Zion calling themselves Latter
Day Saints, or Mormons. We had not known or heard of this but had been
led to think we could worship as we liked. We soon found it was best not
to exchange much thought with our neighbors on the subject and we were
so scattered about we seldom met only at meetings. There was being a
temple built to worship in and my husband being a carpenter he was most
of his time working on it. We soon learned every tenth of our income
belonged to the King and many extras to help the expenses. It took quite
a large sum to build this temple. They had a small saw mill and there
the lumber was cut. Everybody was busy. We were ruled by a man who had
no pity for any one. That winter was too terrible to remember. We were
all glad to have the King come back in the springtime. He brought more
people who seemed to have more means, for those who had, had to share
with those who had little. My husband and his two brothers were made
apostles soon after Strang came. I saw very little of my husband after
he was made an apostle. There was always something to be talked over and
explained, so the King had to have most of their time.
Our funds were getting low and I felt very low spirited, but my husband
told me he thought that everything would be satisfactory in time. I
longed to be free. I wanted to feel I could talk to my husband for it
soon dawned upon me we must not discuss the subject of the doctrine
only with a true belief in all of Strang's revelations. The most of the
people were gay. The winter time was their time for gaiety. The
following spring after we came, when my husband was made an apostle,
there was a great feast and we were all baptized in the waters of Little
Font Lake. The King was dressed in a robe of white and purple. He gave a
short brilliant discourse. To most of them the ceremony was impressive.
His wife, Mrs Strang, did not attend as she was not a believer in the
doctrine. To me it all seemed a sham. Just before my husband was made an
apostle I asked Strang about polygamy and why some had more than one
wife. He answered that they had practiced it to some extent in Joseph
Smith's time but he would have no such practice but had allowed those
who had several to keep them. On the next Sabbath he preached a powerful
sermon against polygamy. I felt more secure because I hoped he would
keep his word. Very soon after this it came like a thunderbolt to us.
The king had a revelation. He must take more wives, and very soon took
some more.
In his absence his wife took her three children and left. Before going
we managed to meet, as we were fast friends from the first. She advised
me to persuade my husband to get away as soon as possible, as she was
sure there was great sorrow in store for me. She then told me any
disobedience to the oath of allegiance of the apostles, to the king,
would be punished with death, saying she knew this to be true, having
overheard the apostle that ruled in her husband's absence, talking about
it. But they never knew she heard, and now I must be watchful. It was
terrible to know all this, yet I knew she told me the truth. She said,
"Make a confidant of no one." We had talked many times before this, but
now she told me more, saying, "I would stay here and fight it to the
bitter end but I know it would do no good. My life would soon be ended.
They have already said, 'Dead people tell no tales.'" "I feel sure
Strang's own life is in danger by the plotting of his head apostle." She
ended by saying, "I never expect to come back unless I can help some
poor soul to be happier. If you ever need a friend's help send a letter
to me. You can always trust the Indians." She said, "I have warned
Strang of his danger and begged him to put away that bad man, but he
will not heed me." She left. I was very sad, but not yet realizing how
soon I would need her help.
After awhile a law was made by the King that all officers of the church
must have a plurality of wives. Then we women banded ourselves together,
I being at the head, we met the king in the temple and took votes,
coming out victorious each time. The whole island was in a state of
agitation. Every woman interested took her Bible and talked and read
God's laws faster than the king could tell us about his revelations. One
little woman spoke, saying, "Take all our earnings, but leave us our
husbands. We want to live an honest life." He said he did not propose
to be ruled by a lot of weak, whining women. This roused me. I jumped to
my feet and I talked two hours. He answered sarcastically and I answered
him in the same way. I recounted everything to him. How we had been
deceived. He ordered me from the room, and when his guards attempted to
obey his orders the other women interfered and Strang was obliged to let
me have my say. Often the women applauded me. At last I could speak no
more. I was exhausted, but I managed to tell him I hoped he would
consider all we had asked of him and grant our request. After a few
moments of silence he looked me in the face, saying, "Madam, you have
shown such great ability in discussing this matter I think I had better
put my temple robe upon you." I answered in the same sarcastic tone,
"Yes, and I think your robe would be far more becoming to me than it is
to you and I could rule the people and make them happier than you have
so far." Never can I forget the look of hatred he gave me. The men
hurried me from the room and appeared very much excited. After I left
other women made an appeal to him, but left without gaining any promise
from him, saying he would give them an answer the next morning. I heard
nothing more. Next morning I was sent home in a lumber wagon. My two
children and husband were not allowed to come with me. My home was very
near to the Gentile settlement. My heart was heavy. I went to some of my
Mormon neighbors. Their doors were shut in my face and none spoke to me
when I met them. After a week I was very sick in bed. I became
unconscious. When I realized anything I recognized a Gentile neighbor.
She was preparing some food for me to eat. I asked her many questions
about my children and husband, but she could give me no information. She
told me I had many friends among the Mormons, as it was a Mormon woman
who had directed her to come to me. She told me to be quiet and have
courage and all would be well and that I must get well as fast as
possible.
Strang had gone for the winter and she feared there might be trouble
between the Gentiles and Mormons, as the fishermen felt they could not
endure much more robbery. I felt more courage because I knew this woman
had an influence with the Indians, as she could speak their language and
was always the Indian's friend. This woman's children were away for the
winter and her heart was sad. We could sympathize with each other. One
dark night in March I heard a gentle tap at my window. I opened the
door. It was my husband. He had been handed a note that morning saying,
"Go home. You are safe for awhile." He had walked all the distance after
dark. Next day the neighbor woman came and told me my children were both
well and cared for. Oh joy! I could get well now, and gained my strength
fast.
Navigation opened; Strang came home, remaining only a few days. He was
becoming greatly troubled over the discontent of his people and thought
best to be away for a time. The fishermen began to come, and several
Indian families came also to fish and make oil. Myself and husband were
left to ourselves. One night a letter came to my husband saying, "When
the king comes home Mr. Sinclair must be prepared to obey the law or
suffer the consequences." It was signed by the head apostle. My husband
was greatly worried, knowing the laws so well. In my heart I asked God
to help me in my sore distress. I recalled the words of Mrs. Strang that
if ever I needed a friend to call on her and she would come if possible.
I wrote her to come. I gave the letter to my faithful friend.
The letter was taken to Mackinac Island and from there it was taken to
Mrs. Strang. She came, she got my children and brought them to the
Indian camp. Myself and husband were disguised as Indians, our children
the same, and all were taken away from the island in a birch bark canoe.