Journey on the Ship Lucas from the Gurr Family Record



Helen Bell Robb

From the Gurr Record of the ship journey of the Lucas. The following are the names of the Latter-day Saint converts who came from Australia on the ship Lucas June, 27, 1857 with Captain J. D. Daggett in command: From the Gurr records. William M. Wall, President; Absalom Dowdle, First Counsellor and superintendent of provisions and supplies; George Roberts, Second Counselor. The acting teachers were George Hunter and William Hawkins. Robert and Hannah Arbon, four children; Joseph and Sophia Cadd, two children: Richard and Mary Bowden; George and Elizabeth Hunter; William and Eliza Hawkins; William and Ellen Robb, eight children; Susannah Drummond, second wife of William Robb; George and Ann Burton, three children; William and Elizabeth Gurr, two children; Richard and Sarah Ann Rillstone, one child; William and Mary Ann Gingell, five children; Enoch Eldredge and Ruth Buckman Gurr, five children; John and Emma Stuchberry, daughter; George and Susan Roberts; Robert and Tresa Cochrane, three children; George Ward and Edmund Harris. Elder Absalom Dowdle inspected supplies and provisions and reported all things ready for sea on the 26th of June, 1857. June 27, Saturday: The pilot came on board at eight o'clock and gave orders to weigh anchor. Ship under way at 9 o'clock, soon after Brother Stewart Clark and Chaffin Potter had come on board. They accompanied us to the mouth of the harbor about seven miles from Sydney. Then they took an affectionate farewell bestowing their blessings upon the company. Captain, officers, and crew soon left Sydney in the distance, having a fair wind from the west, driving us at a rate of 7 knots per hour toward the East. The sea, being rough, sea sickness commenced that night and was very unpleasant. 30?President Wall made a few remarks then nominated George Hunter and William Hawkins as teachers of the company. July 2?This morning a steady gale, very rough. Most of the Saints sick. 10?After dinner Elder Dowdle and Elder Hunter weighed out provisions to the passengers such as they desired to be weighed out to them. 13?After most of the company had retired to bed they were alarmed by the heavy sea which struck the ship shaking her from end to end and half filling her upper deck with water. She sustained no damage. Pres. Wall and Dowdle went to pacify the frightened passengers. The gale lasted through the night. 17?Provisions weighed out for dinner. Elder Roberts made out a scale showing the amount of provisions for each family. Pres. Wall assisted Dowdle in serving the provisions. 18?Company in good spirits, most of the sisters sewing. 24?Friday. Blowing strong all night, still ahead. Pres-Wall spoke on the celebration of the 24th of July, but as the weather was boisterous each was to do the best he could. Elder Dowdle spoke about the eventful day. August 2?Presidency named and blessed a child belonging to Robert Hamblin. 11?A slight disturbance with two of the brethren but all was soon all right by their forgiving one another. Pres. Wall gave some good instructions on the principles of forgiveness. 15?School at 2 P.M. During tea time one of the children, daughter of John Stuchberry climbed upon an old stove, fell back and the pipe, which was loose, fell too. It struck her foot cutting it very badly. 18?Tuesday. This morning wind hauled more ahead, sending us more to the West. The most dangerous part of the Pacific Ocean. At 2 p.m. had school on the quarter deck on account of sickness between decks. This day Elder Harris declined to teach any more. He stated that some of the parents found fault with him. Elder Dowdle volunteered his services. Elder Harris was not voted in to teach but kindly offered to assist Elder Roberts. 19?This morning Sophia Cadd gave birth to a son at 20 min. to 5 a.m. She is the wife of Joseph Cadd. Some of the children suffering with whooping cough. 31?Assembled between decks at 11 o'clock for meeting. At night the usual custom of the Captain coming on deck to pay his respects to the passengers and many received a good sprinkling. A good time while it lasted. September 6?Three children were blessed. First, the son of Robert Cochrane by Elder Wall and named Charles Rich Cochrane, born on ship Lucas Aug. 16th. Next the son of Joseph Cadd, blessed by Elder Dowdle, named Heber Cadd, born on ship Lucas, August 19th, and another son of Joseph Cadd born April 6, 1856, named Joseph Cadd. 14?This evening at 20 minutes to ten Sister Gingell gave birth to a son. All mothers that have given birth to children on board have been delivered about 20 minutes after being administered to. 17?Prayer by Elder Dowdle, he also made a few remarks for the Saints to prepare themselves for the trials that were yet before them. Exhorting them all to faithfulness. 22?At 5 min. past 3 a.m. Sarah Ann Rillstone, wife of Richard Rillstone, was delivered of a son on board ship. October 9?Friday. Fair wind, going along 5 knots. About 3:30 p.m. sighted land?first land since we saw the Three Kings north of New Zealand. Peace reigned throughout. 10?Passed three islands also sighted the coast of America. 12?This morning wind light, weather fine. Anchored in San Pedro Bay. Pres. Wall went ashore to arrange about the accommodation for the company. In the evening prayer with singing. 13?Tuesday: Most of the company went ashore with their baggage into the rooms that were engaged for the company for a week, until teams arrived from San Bernardino. Elder Wall and Robb started off to San Bernardino to get teams to convey us there, but after arriving at Los Angeles they met some of the brethren with their teams who agreed to come to San Pedro to assist us in moving to that place. The company left San Pedro in the afternoon and stared for a place about three miles distant to water the cattle, while Brother Wall and Robb stayed at Los Angeles. They were in great danger from some who had apostatized from the Church. They beset the houses round about but the Lord protected them and they got away safe and arrived before the teams at San Pedro. The next day we started for a place called Mente. Arrived there at nightfall. One wagon broke down and we stayed one day at Mente, till more teams could be got. The next day at about 3 P.M. arrived at San Bernardino. We soon got empty houses and on Sunday we were received by the people by vote put by President Cox. ?Rosella L. Gurr Mary Ann Woodhams Gingell, my great grandmother, was born in Hastings, England. Her parents were David Woodhams and Lucy Richardson. The Gingells moved to Camden, Cook County, Australia where four children, Charlotte Elizabeth, Eliza Jane, Henry Twaits and David were born. They then moved to Sydney where Stephen, William, James George, Sarah Mary, and Joseph came to bless their home. In 1857 William and Mary Ann and five of their children, having identified themselves with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, set sail for America on the ship Lucas. Mary Ann gave birth to her tenth child on the high seas whom they named Josiah W. Onboard were many converts and several missionaries who were a great source of comfort and inspiration to the weary travelers who were not accustomed to such hardships. After arriving at San Pedro the company rested for a short time and then made preparations for the trek across the plains. The Gingells arrived in Utah in 1857 and soon moved to Parowan, and later to Paragonah where they arrived New Year's Day, 1858. In this little community they endured all the hardships of pioneering. Sometime between 1861 and 1870 they moved to Evanston, Wyoming. Their first home was built of logs brought from a camp near Piedmont. The first marriage in Evanston was held in this home. The young couple were David Gingell and Caroline Jage. It was solemnized by Rev. Mr. Stevens, a clergyman of the Episcopal Church who had stopped in Evanston for a few days. Mrs. Anderson, Genealogical Secretary in Evanston in 1953, says of her great-grandmother: "As a little child I can remember Mary Ann Woodhams Gingell, then quite old, going with her small bag to the homes to help deliver babies as she was a midwife." Mrs. Gingell died in Evanston, Wyoming?D.U.P. Files William Madison Wall, son of Isaac Wall and Nancy Liddiard, was born September 30, 1821, in Rockingham County, North Carolina. At the age of seven years he was left an orphan and for a short time went to live with his uncle. He then lived with a family by the name of Haws and when nineteen years old married their daughter, Nancy. They were married June 7, 1840. She was born August 23, 1823, in Wayne County, Illinois. They heard the teachings of Elder Arvel Cox and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1842. The family was living in Nauvoo at the time of the persecutions of the Saints and during this time a baby girl was born to them whom they named Nancy Isabelle. In the spring of 1850, they left with their five childrenfor the long journey across the plains to Utah. They entered Salt Lake City in September of that year. William was soon called to help settle Provo. In June, 1851, he was ordained Bishop of Provo Third Ward and that same year was chosen a captain under Col. Peter W. Conover in the Walker War episode. His duties called him away from home many months at a time laboring in the Tintic district to help keep the Indians in that section. He was a member of the first city council of Provo and the first sheriff of Utah county. In 1853 he married Elizabeth Penrod. William served two missions to Australia and was in charge of a company of Saints on board the ship Lucas which left Australia June 27, 1857. It was he who converted Enoch Gurr and family and they came to Utah with that company. He married two of the Gurr daughters, Susannah and Sarah, my grandmother, in 1864. Previous to this time he had also married Emma Ford. Mr. Wall and Enoch Gurr helped build the first road through Provo Canyon and later Mr. Wall operated the first toll gate there. About 1864 he moved to Charleston, Wasatch County where he became engaged in stock raising and farming business and was also chosen president of the Wasatch Stake. He moved to Heber, then to Wallsburg, where he was made bishop. The town was named for him. During his lifetime he held many important Church and civic offices. He was a friend of the Indians and spent much time working among them. William Madison Wall died on September 18, 1869 at the age of 48 years. He was the father of thirty children. ?Ida Wall Hand Early in the Nineteenth century in a little town in Sussex, England, Northiam by name, lived a humble family, James Gurr and his wife Sarah Eldredge. They had ten children, John, William, Sarah, Enoch Eldredge, Ann, Edward, Thomas, Harriet, Mary and James. Edward and William were accidentally killed. Enoch Eldredge seemed to have possessed a little more of the spirit of adventure than the rest, perhaps because he had a friend of the same nature, John Buckman, or perhaps as we shall see from subsequent events, it was the spirit of God working on him to fulfill his purpose in eventually bringing salvation to his family and future generations. Enoch was a tall, well built man with grey blue eyes. He fell in love with and married Sarah Higgins, a young widow with a little daughter. From this marriage were born one boy, and two girls, William, Jane and Mary. When the news of the discovery of gold reached their little village Enoch and Sarah decided they would join a company going to Australia. So, in 1838, Enoch now being nearly twenty-five years of age, left England with his wife and family on the sailing ship "Amelia Thompson". John Buckman, and his sister, Ruth,were among the group. At this time Ruth was twenty-eight years old. She had studied nursing and was a mid-wife. On the way to Australia the dread disease Smallpox broke out on the ship. Everything possible was done to save the lives of those who had contracted the disease but Enoch's wife, Sarah, and their baby died and were buried at sea. The wife of John Buckman also died. They finally reached Sydney in New South Wales and started life anew. They never found gold but they found a land of opportunities. Enoch and Ruth Buckman were married about 1839. Five children were born to them. One day two strangers appeared at their home. They were invited in and after having been given a good meal, they began a long discussion on the truths of the Gospel. Many such evenings were spent and on the 23rd of December, 1853, members of the Enoch Gurr family were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Eldredge and confirmed by Elder Graham. Other Elders came to their home including Andrew Jackson Stewart of Benjamin, Utah; William Madison Wall of Provo, Utah and Elder Fleming. They were always made welcome. When the call came from Brigham Young urging the Elders to return to Utah at the time of the coming of Johnston's Army, Enoch made arrangements for passage on a sailing vessel for America with a group of converts and missionaries. He worked as a cook on the vessel and Ruth did much to alleviate suffering among the sick on the four month's journey. The company landed in San Pedro, California and were there some time buying provisions and outfits for the journey to Utah. They were finally ready to start but one family could not procure a team so Ruth said, "I will leave my cedar chest (which was filled with clothing and linens) and they can ride with us?some of us can take turns walking." They came in the Ezra Curtis Company and suffered many hardships crossing the desert in Nevada. When they arrived in the Valley Enoch and Ruth and their children settled in Provo. He helped to build the road through Provo Canyon. Here again Ruth did much good among the sick and also helped to bring many babies into the world. After the road was finished up Provo Canyon, Enoch moved his family to Charleston, but later moved to Benjamin Ward, Utah County, where he built a log home. They were among the first settlers in this community and planted some of the first trees in that locality. Around the home they planted a willow fence which grew up to be a row of black willow trees. Enoch had been a freighter in Australia so he began hauling freight from Salt Lake City to the Douglas Store in Payson and then hauled produce back to Salt Lake City. His daughters, Susannah and Sarah, married the same man, William M. Wall. He died in Provo in September 1869 leaving Susannah with three children and Sarah with two and another expected within a few months. They were then living in Wallsburg. Because of ill health of the mother Enoch brought Susannah and her children to Benjamin where they lived in the family home. Later Sarah and her three children came to live with them. Enoch was then fifty-nine years of age and Ruth sixty. Sometime after 1872, the family joined the United Order at Prattsville in Sevier County. Enoch kept his team and wagon and two cows. He put everything else into the Order but he knew he had a great responsibility in providing for his family and the six grandchildren and working with the team brought in additional money which they needed so much. His two daughters worked hard all the time and Ruth took care of the children. She also served as midwife in the community. Enoch filed on a salt spring, got out salt and sold it, but things did not work out as expected and the Order broke up. They did not receive much as their share but they went to Richfield and joined another Order. Again Enoch put in everything he owned except the team, wagon, and a few cows. The women continued to work but soon the Order broke up and they were left without anything. Enoch and his son, Peter, rented a farm on Chicken Creek, where they went into stock raising but since there were no schools nearby for the children he decided to return to Benjamin where they lived on the lower ranch owned by his friend, Andrew Jackson Stewart. Two years later Peter died. Enoch, unable to do the heavy work of the ranch, moved to a farm in Sigurd on the Sevier River. He cleaned out the old salt spring and with the help of the women and children was able to make a living. During all these years Ruth was by his side helping him to rear the family of grandchildren. She had taught her own daughters how to sew, cook and knit and now she did the same for her grandchildren. She was a very devout woman and read from the Bible to the family every day. After some of the children were married Enoch and Ruth returned to Benjamin but he only lived six weeks. He died March 12, 1887. Ruth died there, also, January 5, 1889. She was laid to rest by the side of her husband in the Benjamin cemetery. All their lives they had served the Church of their choice humbly and faithfully. The following was taken from records concerning the ocean voyage to America: "No wind, not even a breeze to stir the sails. Everyone was on ration, of course, brown sea biscuits. Water was also rationed. Grandfather Gurr had stomach trouble and could not digest the coarse bread so the old Captain gave him some of his white bread. The Saints on board met and prayed for the calm to cease and for wind so they could continue on their journey and be saved. Soon the wind began to blow and they sailed on for a few days when a terrible storm overtook them. It was so bad that even the Captain told them they could not save the ship. William Wall was with them and amid the cries of the women and children, some of the Saints asked him to pray. He gathered them together and prayed and the storm ceased. During the storm Ruth tried to comfort those who were afraid and helped to bolster their faith and courage." William Gurr, son of Enoch and Sarah Higgins was born October 12, 1834 in Northiam, Sussex County, England. He left his native land when he was four years old with his parents, brothers and sisters for Australia. Here he met Sarah Elizabeth Barker who was also born in Northiam and who had gone to Australia with her parents. They were married in Sydney, Australia April 27, 1854. Two children were born to them, William Heber and Sarah Elizabeth. They joined the Mormon Church and came to America on board the ship Lucas with a company of Saints under the supervision of Elder William M. Wall. When they arrived in the Valley they traveled to Parowan where they made their permanent home. Seven more children were born there, two of whom died. All during their lives William and Sarah were faithful members of the Latter-day Saint Church. ?Rosilla L. Gurr George Drummond Robb was born in Sydney, Australia on September 23, 1855 to William and Ellen Belle Robb. The Robb family heard the preaching’s of the Latter-day Saint Elders, was converted, and emigrated with other families to Utah. The trip was made in the American ship Lucas. En route young George jeopardized his chances of reaching the promised land by failing in the Pacific Ocean. He was rescued, however, and arrived with the members of his party at San Pedro, California. The group did not remain in San Pedro for any length of time. They moved to San Bernardino, California and soon thereafter moved again to Red Creek, Utah arriving December 28, 1857. Zella Pessetto
Utah, Our Pioneer Heritage William and Mary Ann Woodhams Gingell were among the Australian Saints who lived for a time in San Bernardino, California before coming to Utah. She was a native of Hasting, England, the daughter of David Woodhams and Lucy Richardson. Shortly after her marriage to Mr. Gingell they migrated to Camden, Cook county, Australia and later went to Sydney. Nine children were born to them there. One child was born while crossing the ocean. After their arrival in Utah they lived for a time in Paragoonah and later moved to Evanston, Wyoming where Mrs. Gingell passed away.

SUBMITTERS: Ancestral File Submitters for this individual include Cleone Robb DALTON, Pegsy A HALECK, J. Carlyle BURT