The Beginnings, and a Little of Before

The book Ships, Saints, and Mariners, A Maritime Encyclopedia of Mormon Migration 1830 - 1890 by Conway Sonne published by the University of Utah Press in 1987 gives us a description of the Clara Wheeler.

This square-rigger was built in 1850 in Massachusetts. Its dimensions were 174' by 35' by 27'; it was a three deck ship with square stern and a billethead at its front- the bow. The voyage on which our family traveled was the second under the command of Captain J. F. Nelson. It carried 422 saints with the leadership of President Henry E Phelps and counselors Elders John Parsons and James Crossley. The trip was forced to return to port due to bad weather and when finally making it out of the Irish Channel had to deal with much illness from sea-sickness and then measles. Thirty-three persons died between Liverpool and New Orleans.

Can we find any journey today that would give us insight to this?

My record shows that Joseph Pollard and Mary Ann Bailey were married in Kalherwhite, Surrey, England. I cannot find that location yet but I believe it will be within the metropolis of London, as Deptford is. Deptford, where Joseph joined the shipbuilding industry is across the Thames from London itself and immediately east of Greenwich. I have not found anything to tell us why Mary Ann was in that place, but reasonably it could be thought for economic reasons.

Joseph's childhood was spent in Corfe Castle, Dorset, an area close by the sea and of some historic interest. It is a region of stone quarries. Mary Ann was born in Lifton, Devon, upon the river Tamar which bounds the county of Cornwall and which flows to the sea at Devonport.

This gives a little background to the family that left England. Our advantage is that we can learn more of them. Could they have been able to imagine us? I am convinced that without a hint of the future they pressed forward believing that they were building up a kingdom for a family they could not foresee, could not know. I hope this blog, then might show what that family has done with their legacy.