Henry Holyoak and Sarah Ann Robinson



Henry Holyoak

 Henry Holyoak was born March 5, 1839, in Yardley, Worcestershire, England, the seventh child of George and Sarah Green Holyoak of that place. His brothers and sisters are: William, Mary, George, Anne, Sarah, Henry and Hannah.


The Holyoak family had joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints June 24, 1841 and like all the saints, lived for the day they could accumulate enough money to come to America, sailing in February 1854, and landing April 1854. They came immediately on to Utah, arriving in October 1854. The trek across the plains was hard and also saddened by the loss of Mother Sarah and sisters Mary and Anne. Henry settled in Parowan, Utah, with his father and sisters. In 1863 and later he made three trips back East with ox-team for freight and immigrants.

In 1865 on January 29, he married Sarah Ann Robinson, daughter of English Immigrants. She was born in Nauvoo, Illinois December 22, 1842, and came to Utah with her parents settling in Paragonah. [Sarah Ann Robinson Holyoak, who was JR Robinson’s half sister. His son JR Robinson Jr. was also called to San Juan. Her mother & father were married on the ship to America in 1842, Alice Coupe Robinson died in Pottatattamie County, Iowa May 30, 1847, and left Sarah and her brother Richard. J R Robinson Sr married her sister Jane, at his first wife’s request, who was traveling with them, on August 24, 1847, They had 15 children, including the two from her sister. ]

They later went to the temple when it was ready for sealings and had their work done. It is interesting to note that all their children have been married in the temples; also the big majority, if not all of their grandchildren.

Children of this union are Alice Jane (Thomson), Henry John, Mary Luella (Young), Eliza Ellen (McConkie), Albert Daniel, Richard James, and Sarah Ann. (died at 13 years of age). James died at 8 years of age. The other five have contributed to the 29 grandchildren and over 200 great and great, great grandchildren.

When the church called colonizers for San Juan, the Henry Holyoak family were among those who were called from Parowan, 1879-80, (probably the 69th quorum of seventies) [According to J R Robinson's story, at the quarterly conference of the Parowan Stake, held Dec. 28 and 29, 1878 Holyoak was one of the names called to serve as a missionary "to settle where directed." Others who went from Paragonah were William Robb, James R. Robinson Jr, James Dunton.]

Sarah Ann drove her own wagon most of the way. She had a bed in it as well as a stove to keep her young children comfortable, the baby being very young. Henry John and Alice Jane drove the livestock, (which consisted of about 100 head of cattle, a yoke of oxen and some horses, at the time they moved on to Moab). The calves were tied up at night and in the morning the dairy cows were milked. The milk put in the barrel churn on back of the wagon would, by night, supply the family with fresh butter as well as milk. Many others shared in these dairy products (Carlile History).

The four years spent on the San Juan were wasted so far as crops were concerned because the rising river ruined the farming land, also took out the water wheel and washed it to the other side of the river. This left them with no way to get water onto crops not washed away.

"The Holyoak family moved to Bluff for a short time, but much of the land at Bluff had been washed away also, and it seemed there was no place for them. They decided to accept the mission release, and search for a more hospitable location. This would be their seventh move in just over four years. The wagon they brought through the Hole-in-the-Rock had been their home, much of the past four years.

During October of 1884, the Holyoak family followed the tracks left by the eight wagons, which, just a few weeks earlier, had carried the Harriman and Davis refugees north. They camped for a few days east of Blue Mountain near where the town of Monticello is now located. They then continued their journey past the spot where the Old Spanish trail intercepted Coyote Wash and finally to the location now called Kane Springs. The old wagon broke a wheel, and they were stranded. This was probably the low point for the Holyoak family. They were out of food; the wagon had serious damage; and they really didn’t even know where they were going. Fortunately, they still had a few cattle left from the fine herd they had brought from Parowan.

Henry left his family at Kane Springs, and rode all the way to Castle Dale in search of food. This trip took two weeks and the family hunted and ate rabbits until his return. He had procured some pig feed, with the chaff, bran and all, mixed together, which was the only thing he was able to buy. Henry went to work repairing their wagon. Near the end of February, they arrived and pitched a tent at a place a little east of the present town of Moab.

Henry traded nine cows and ten steer to Lester Taylor for eighty acres of land in an area, which appropriately became known as Poverty Flats, and still carries the name to this day. They had found their permanent location and there would be no more moves other than local ones. Things gradually began to improve. The Holyoaks were among the first settlers in the area. Someone said they were the seventh family to settle in the area. They helped build the town of Moab.

Holyoak Family at Batchelor's Hall, Moab, Utah 1898

The photograph was taken a number of years after the Montezuma episode. The location was between Mill Creek and Pack Creek at Moab.


Left to right: Henry Holyoak, Richard Leroy Holyoak-child being held by Hattie Elizabeth Lutz Holyoak, Mary Luella Holyoak Young, Marion Thomson-child behind dog. (The dog was named Bob), Eliza Ellen Holyoak McConkie-inside cabin, Alice Jane Holyoak Thomson- center of doorway, James and Henry Thomson-children in basket, Sarah Ann Robinson Holyoak, Gurtie Thomson, Robert Thomson, Davenport.

Henry John Holyoak and Henry Holyoak 1890
Photo from Hole-in-the-Rock Remembered

Henry was called to serve a mission to England, his son, Henry John, served a mission to the southern states and Florida, where he contracted malaria, but survived. Albert Daniel also served a mission.
 
"The Holyoak history tells of the Indian friends they had made while living at Montezuma occasionally visiting them at Moab. There would be a happy reunion when they arrived, and Henry would kill the fatted calf and put on a feast. The friendship the Holyoak family had with the Indians was genuine. This is truly amazing, when considering the fact that just fifteen miles from the Holyoak place, there are graves of at least ten white cowboys, who were killed in a fight with those same Indians during the Pinhook War."


Henry Holyoak was a counselor to Bishop Stewart, first Bishop of Moab Ward. Sarah Ann was counselor in the Relief Society and later became President. Sarah Ann died on November 20, 1921 at Moab. Henry died on January 23, 1926 at Ogden, Utah and was buried at Moab. They were wonderful pioneers, who lived valiant lives, facing all their tribulations and adversity with faith and patience. They left a very impressive posterity. 

Henry was a young man at the time of the Hole-in-the-Rock expedition. Following is an interesting excerpt by Holyoak concerning the first part of their trip, heading towards Escalante.


While crossing the mountain snow fell until it was up to the axles of the wagons. I drove the loose stock, and got my feet frozen. While crossing the divide my mother drove one of the wagons, with a team of horses, while my father drove the wagon drawn by an ox team.

Holyoak remembers this about Cottonwood Hill;

The road was steep and the chain broke and the wagon turned over, the tongue went up in the air and lit upside down in the road so we had to take it to pieces and pack it up on top so we could put it together. We had a hive of bees and had to wait till we could sack the bees before we could start packing the pieces of the wagon and the load up the hill. That took a lot of work to get things together.


Taken from a Short History of Henry Holyoak.  Author Unknown

Henry Holyoak was a counselor to Bishop Stewart, first bishop of Moab ward.  Sarah Ann was counselor in Relief Society and later became President.

They took a prominent part in getting things started to build up the community, schools, and church.  They were considerate of others and shared their food, but stood for their own rights.  Squatter's built a shack over night, on part of their land in Moab while Henry took a trip by team and buggy to Salt Lake City to get title to the land.  Sarah Ann held the squatters of with an old gun, not loaded (and probably wouldn't have shot anyway), but said, Mr. Loveridge, years later, "We moved when she said to get off because we knew she meant what she said."

The blessings given Henry and Sarah Ann on the same day in 1875 must have been an inspiration tot them and they lived for them and fulfilled them, and surely will be inspiring to all who read them, so are being added to this history.  All who knew them well will tell you they were good, respected citizens, well loved by all, "Naturally of a kind disposition."  They fed the hungry and had plenty to set before their friends as Sarah Ann's blessing said.  They were friendly with the Indians and were able to feed them by the dozens when they passed through Moab.

Holyoke Coat of Arms

In his declining and lonely years after the passing of his good wife, Henry was very desirous that some one carry on the genealogy work he had pursued.  He was a life member of the Genealogical Society of Utah and sent money repeatedly for research work.  When on a mission to England in 1893, he searched for genealogy and he also secured the Holyoak Family Coat of Arms and placed it in the Society.  he always went to church and bore his testimony on fastday [sic].  Said he, "Even though I cannot hear, my presence will be there."

Henry Holyoak:
Birth: Mar. 5, 1839
Death: Jan. 23, 1926

Sarah Ann Robinson Holyoak:
Birth: Dec. 22, 1842
Death: Nov. 21, 1921

Burial:
Grand Valley Cemetery
Moab, Grand County, Utah, USA

Sarah Ann and Henry Holyoak monument
Grand Valley Cemetery, Moab,Utah

*****************

(A Blessing given by Levi W. Hancock, July 2, 1875, upon the head of Henry Holyoak, the son of George and Sarah Holyoak.  Born March 5, 1839, at Worstershire, England.)

Brother Henry, I place my hands upon thy head and give thee a patriarchal blessing, which is a fatherly blessing confirmed upon the heads of the sons of men, who belong to the house of God.  That they may look upon the same and claim the blessings that are recorded.  That they may be handed down from generation to generation for the benefit of the whole family branch, that shall spring from them trhough all their generations.

Thou are one of the sons of those that were counted wise in the counsils [sic] that are among the Gods.  Thou has come in the time appointed to be one with thy brethern [sic] in this age of the world to help them promote the cause of truth, peace and prosperity among the offspring of Adam, the father of us all.  To be counted with him in the ties of friendship and love to bind the hearts of the children to the fathers and the fathers to the children: that virtue and truth may prevail.  Thou are the pure blood of Ephriam [sic] and much of thy time should be spent in the pursuit of Manassa [sic] by encouraging the young me and the middle age and also those of thine own posterity to deal kindly and truly with the Lamanites.  That they may be brought to the knowledge of Christ, their Redeemer and learn to be one with Him.  That his spirit may rest upon them and commence binding their affections to each other, and cease hankering for blood.

Tough are capable of doing great work for the benefit of the House of Israel, not so much because of a great flow of words, but because of the uprightness of thy walk and proceedings.  From this time give thy mind to study and wisdom shall be given from on high.


And when thou hath been sufficiently tried as Abraham was thou shall have intelligence concerning the second comforter which thou has not as yet comprehended but in part.  When He comes thou will know it.  It will be a sudden impression upon thee and it will continue to instruct thy mind from hence forward.  Let thy heart be joyful.  Let the revibrating [sic] strokes of the sudden emotions of thy heart stimulate thee to work in the service of thy God.  And as for the riches of the world, thou shall be in possession of enough to make thee comfortable all thy days.  And thine offspring, with a numerous host of others of the different branches of the family of man, will give thee much honor.  Mind not what opposers [sic] may say.  Keep a straight onward course.  Do good for evil, remember the Son of God has set the pattern and they shall overcome all evil and have right to the tree of life in the Paradise of God.

These are the blessings that I seal upon thy head, and the blessings of Eternal Life, even so, Amen.

______________________
Sources:
Find a Grave
Hole-in-the-Rock Remembered
Short History and Blessing of Henry Holyoak

George and Sarah Green Holyoak



William Holyoak


Gleaning the Holyoak Field

-- by Holyoak Historian, Minnie Carlile
--Grammatical editions by Chad Nichols

Having been asked to glean the pages of the past for a history of George and Sarah Green Holyoak, I will begin with the words of their youngest child, Hannah. “My parents were prosperous farmers and truck gardeners. Quiet, industrious, religious, and methodical in their habits, and trained their children so thoroughly in those principals that governed their lives that none of them ever deviated there from.”

George Holyoak was born January 17, 1799, at Yardley, England. His wife, Sarah Green, was christened at Mosley, Warwick, England, July 16, 1797.

About the time their youngest child was born they learned of a new religion. This new religion was being taught by missionaries from America. People were talking about it. In fact, there had not been so much interest in religion in all of England since the reign of King Henry the Eighth. For George and Sarah Holyoak this new religion had a strange appeal. It was so different from the usual doctrines of the day. It had such a ring of truth yet it was so simple and easy to understand. The unanswered questions no longer haunted their minds. After much study and prayer George and Sarah were convinced that this new religion was the true and tried teachings of the Lord revealed anew and they asked for baptism at the hands of the missionaries. They were baptized June 24, 1841, and began to plan for the time when they could join the body of the Saints in Zion.

Their eldest son, William, born April 12, 1825, at the age of eleven was “bound out” to learn the butcher’s trade. This was during the reign of Queen Victoria. Young William’s heart yearned for the green grass and the climbing roses that grew about his home, called “Rose Cottage” and he just couldn’t like the butcher’s trade. At thirteen he was again set at learning a trade. This time, however, it was learning the trade of harness making from his Uncle John Green. This had more of an appeal and he remained with his Uncle until he was twenty-one years of age.

Romance captured young William and he lost his heart to a sweet young girl named Martha Green. They were married in the Church of England, on the outskirts of Birmingham. William and Martha owned and operated a grocery store. Martha ran the store and William worked in a harness factory. After a time Martha’s health failed and he took her to his parents’ home. There was born their little son Nemiah. Three days later Martha passed away. The loving arms of George and Sarah Holyoak reached out and took their little grandson and cared for him as their own.

William then sold his store and went to Leamington, where he learned the tanners and plasterers trades. While there he met and married Sarah Wilkins and was himself baptized in May, 1846. They were married December 27, 1849 and began to prepare for their voyage to America. When the forty-sixth company of Saints left England on January 10, 1850, William Holyoak and family were among the passengers. Jeter Clinton was president of the company. They sailed on the ship “Argo.” The Argo arrived at New Orleans March 8, 1850.

George Holyoak, Jr., sailed on the ship “Ellen Maria” leaving England February 1, 1851.

April, 1851 found the people of England much excited. The government was going to take a census. Doubt and suspicion ran wild as people recalled the “Doomsday Book of William, the

Conqueror” and were afraid that this census would mean more taxes. Many refused to open their doors when the census taker called. Not so with George and Sarah Holyoak, when the census taker called at No 92 Mosley Wake, Green Common, Yardley, England – George was aged fifty-two. His occupation was given as an “agricultural labourer” and his birthplace was given as Yardley. His wife, Sarah, aged fifty-three and was stated to have been a laundress, also born at Yardley. Their daughter Sarah was fourteen years of age and listed as a house-servant. Henry was also born at Yardley and was twelve years of age and listed as a hostler. Their youngest child, Hannah, was ten years old and Nemiah was three.

William and George were on their way to America at this time and their oldest daughter, Mary, who was born May 10, 1827, was perhaps married to John Knowles at this time and had a home of her own. Ann, their second daughter, was probably away at work. Her birth is given in the early church record of Birmingham as January 6, 1832. On April 10, 1853 she was transferred to the Bristol Road branch of the church. She is stated on February 2, 1853, to have gone to the valley of the mountains. This is perhaps meant to have been February 22, 1854, because this is the date of sailing for the ship Windermere.

The youngest child, Hannah, was baptized when she was eight years of age. Because of ridicule by both adults and children alike, she was not permitted to go to school as her former associates were.

The seventy-second company of Saints sailed on the ship “Windermere.” There were four hundred seventy-seven Saints on board. Included on board were George and Sarah Holyoak and their children, Ann, Henry, Hannah, and Nemiah. The company was in charge of Elder Daniel Garn. The captain was Fairfield and among the passengers were seven ex-presidents of conferences namely Abraham Marchant, Robert Menziers, Job Smith, John T. Hardy, John A. Albiston, J. Long, and Graham Douglas.

The Windermere sailed from Liverpool on February 22 and arrived at New Orleans April 23, 1854. During the voyage the wind was contrary and often there were heavy gales that interfered with their progress, but at the end of five weeks a favorable wind set in and the ship made a thousand miles in four days. Fifteen days after leaving Liverpool the smallpox broke out on board the ship and spread rapidly as the vessel approached the tropics. Thirty seven passengers and two of the crew contracted the disease. The malady was suddenly checked by prayer. Then they reached New Orleans. Eleven patients were sent to Luzenburg Hospital through an agreement with the health officers at the port. Elder Long and five others were elected to remain at New Orleans to attend the sick until they were sufficiently well to go forward on their journey from New Orleans. The rest of the company continued the journey from New Orleans on the 27th of April on board a steamboat and arrived at St. Louis a few days later, then went on to Kansas City.

Hannah Holyoak, in her history states that they were nine weeks on water. After arriving at New Orleans they took a steamboat up the river to St. Louis where they were delayed because of the death of a sister. This sister may have been Mary Holyoak Knowles as her death date is given as May 1854.

Having inquired I have been told that as the family was sailing a romance had blossomed between Ann Holyoak and Joseph James. They may have married as there were six marriages, six births, and ten deaths on board the ship. At any rate Ann and Joseph were separated by the death of Ann which is given on the family group sheet as August 1854. Later Sarah Holyoak was married to Joseph James and Ann was sealed to him for time and eternity.

The trek across the plains was long and weary and as they were on the plains of Nebraska their hearts became wearier than their feet. They were called to sorrow for the death of their wife and mother, Sarah Green Holyoak. A grave was hastily dug. Her tired body was sewn in a quilt and she was laid to rest in the plains her weary feet had trod. George Holyoak and his children, Sarah, Henry, Hannah, and Nemiah lifted their tear stained faces unto the hills from whence cometh strength and they plodded on to the West.

When they reached Utah, Sarah Holyoak was married to Joseph James and went to Ogden to make their home. George and his son, Henry, and daughter, Hannah, went to Parowan to settle. There they were joined by William and his family, George, the family of Mary and John Knowles, and George Holyoak, Jr., who had married Eliza Moore.

Henry met and married Sarah Ann Robinson, who had been born at Nauvoo, Illinois. They were called to go help settle San Juan. They were among those that went down through the Hole in the Rock, and remained in the area.

Hannah married at the Christmas party, December 25, 1855, to William LeFevre, a young English convert, who had also crossed the plains and settled at Parowan with his mother. Nemiah went to live with his father. When he grew older he married Sarah Ann Harper.

With all his children married George was left alone. However, he found a companionship with Ann Gunn, widow of John Gunn. She had joined the church in London in 1854 and came to Utah with her family of six sons and two daughters. Her husband, John Gunn, had died in 1838 at Stortford, Hertfordshire, England and she had reached Utah in 1860. They lived at Parowan until she was eighty-four years and seventeen days old. After a lingering illness she passed away February 6, 1878. Three years later, October 27, 1881, George Holyoak passed away from this life. His earthly work was finished. He had been faithful to the end. Perhaps if we could have been with him at the end we might have looked on all that he loved, and all that he looked forward to and with satisfaction have used the words of the Savior when he said, “It is finished.”
 
_____________________________
Source: Gleaning the Holyoak Field
Gleaning the Holyoak Field

-- by Holyoak Historian, Minnie Carlile
--Grammatical editions by Chad Nichols

Voyage of the Ship Windermere

Ship Windermere painting
[Click on images to enlarge]



Voyage of the Ship Windermere

Condensed from W. W. Burton’s Account

Note: This is from a copy made on March 23, 1944, from the British Mission records of 1854 by Evelyn A. Sessions. It is of interest to the Robb family as George and Sarah Green Holyoak were on board this voyage from Liverpool, England to the United States.


Ship Windermere 1852 drawing State Museum of Victoria



On Wednesday, February 22, 1854, the ship Windermere sailed from Liverpool with 460 passengers. As the vessel started in motion, the songs of Zion, blending in soul-inspiring harmony, thrilled the souls of the passengers and their many friends standing on the shore gazing at the departed vessel, shouting farewell, goodbye with eyes streaming with tears. Doubtless they were recalling that only the night before seven vessels, with all on board, went down in the depths of the channel.

H.M.S. Windermere Poop drawing

As the land disappeared in the distance the sweet singing ceased and many began to feel sick. About 8 p.m. the first day at sea, an old gentleman named Squires died. All that night the wind howled fiercely; the sea was rough; the ship was driven from its course towards the Isle of Atan. About 11 p.m. off Holly Head, which is a most dangerous point and the scene of frequent shipwrecks, was passed. On the morning of the 23rd Father Squires, who died the night before, was thrown overboard. The sea was still rough and the wind was blowing. During this day the Windermere sailed by the remains of a wrecked vessel. Masts, sails and other fragments were floating around. Likely, a few hours previous many despairing souls had tenaciously clung to these same objects for relief that never came. All had been consigned to a watery grave for no signs of life remained and the rolling waves swept over the bodies while the wind howled its tribute for the dead.

Some were now beginning to recover from sea sickness, but many were still ill, and some confined to their berths. About this time flying fishes were seen which would rise from the water and fly a short distance and drop into the water again. Life on the Windermere was growing monotonous, for its accommodations were poor for so many passengers, and then it did not sail like the ocean steamers now do when propelled by steam. The Windermere was eight weeks, four nights, and five days sailing from Liverpool to New Orleans, which can now be made in six or seven days. We were on the Atlantic Ocean about seven weeks without seeing land.

H.M.S. Windermere Between Decks drawing

On the 12th day of March, from 7 to 8 in the morning, an exceedingly fierce storm arose. The wind roared like one of our mountain winds, the masts cracked and the sails were cut in pieces. The captain of the Windermere expressed fears that the ship could not stand so heavy a sea, and in speaking with Daniel Garn, the president of the Saints on board, said, "I am afraid the ship cannot stand this storm, Mr. Garn, if there be a God, as your people say there is, you had better talk to Him if He will hear you. I have done all that I can for the ship and I am afraid with all that can be done she will go down."

Elder Garn went to the Elders, who presided over the nine wards in the ship, and requested them to get all the saints on board and to fast, and call a prayer meeting to be held in each ward at 10 a.m. and pray that they might be delivered from the danger. The waves were lashed with white foam, the storm continued in all its fury, but precisely at 10 a.m. the prayer meeting commenced and such a prayer meeting few have ever seen.

Deck of Windermere

The ship rolled from side to side. On one side the Saints were hanging by their hands, and the other they were standing on their heads. Then the ship would roll on the other side which would reverse their positions. About this time the large boxes which were tied with ropes under the berths broke loose with pots, pans and kettles and rolled with terrible force on each side of the vessel.

Although the prayers were fervent and earnest, as the pleadings of poor souls brought face to face with danger and death, they ceased their prayers to watch and dodge the untied boxes, and great confusion prevailed for some time. The wind roared like a hurricane. Sail after sail was torn to shreds and lost. The waves were very large and as far as the eye could see, seemed to be one angry mass of rolling white foam. The hatches were fastened down. This awful storm lasted about 18 hours, then abated a little, but it was stormy from the 8th of March until the 18th. Observation taken by the quadrant showed that the ship was in the same latitude as it was on the 8th.

On the 14th of March, which was two days after this terrible storm, smallpox broke out. Of the three sisters, one was taken down with it. She had a light attack and recovered, but her two sisters then came down with it and both died, and after that 37 others, 40 in all, came down with it. Three days after the breaking out of smallpox, the ship took fire under the cooking galley. At this time we had not seen land for three weeks or more; when the cry of "Fire! The ship is on fire," rang throughout the vessel, and wild excitement and consternation prevailed everywhere. The sailors plied water freely, all the water buckets on board were brought into use and soon the fire was under control.

Winderemere Cuddy painting 1847

When the last of the three sisters, who took smallpox, died it was evening. W. W. Burton thought he would get a good place from which to see the body thrown overboard; so he got outside the vessel and seated himself on the ledge extending out from the deck, placing each arm around a rope that led to the rigging. His feet were hanging over the ocean and the ship was sailing about at 10 knots. By this time darkness was fast setting in, but here he sat waiting to get a good view when the corpse would be thrown into the watery grave, where some said sharks were constantly following for prey. Brother Burton went to sleep and the funeral passed without his knowledge. The sound of feet walking on the deck aroused him from his slumber. A chill ran through him; his hair almost stood on end when he sensed his condition. Here he had been asleep, his feet were hanging off the side of the vessel which was rocking to and fro. He wondered how he had escaped falling overboard. It was now totally dark. He climbed into the ship and resolved never to expose himself so again. About this time the stench of the smallpox was fearful in every part of the vessel.



Scene on board H.M.S. Windermere 1846 painting


Emma Brooks was the name of the young lady just thrown overboard. Her sister Fanny had died the same day about half past one o’clock p.m., and was also thrown overboard about two o’clock. The funeral services were very impressive; a funeral at sea is the most melancholy and solemn scene perhaps ever witnessed, especially when the sea is calm. A stillness like that of death prevailed with us while an old sailor, at intervals, would imitate the doleful tolling of the bell of some old church, such as heard in some parts of England. Funerals were becoming frequent.

About the time the Windermere had been about six weeks out of Liverpool and the passengers had never seen land from the time they had entered the Atlantic. The days were generally mild and the weather very pleasant. The sun set and the bright, pale moon seemed to be straight above our heads. On the 8th day of April we came in sight of the Island of Cuba. On this day, about 10 a.m., a young man named Dee, died of smallpox. At the time of his death the wind had ceased blowing, not a ripple upon the waters. The sea appeared bright and clear, and seemed as smooth as a sea of glass. The young man that had just died was sewed up in a white blanket and at the feet was placed a heavy weight of coal. A plank was then placed with one end resting in the porthole in the side of the ship and other near the main hatchway. The body was then placed on this plank. The doleful tolling of the bell began. Elder McGhee made a brief address suitable for the occasion and offered a short prayer, after which the body and bedding of the young man were thrown overboard. The ship was standing perfectly still and the body could be seen sinking in the water until it appeared no longer than a person’s hand. Some thought it was seen sinking for a full 15 minutes, others still longer; some said a half hour.

The passengers of the Windermere had passed through a terrible storm, the panic created by the ship taking fire, their number decreased by smallpox, still another fearful calamity threatened them. The fresh water supply was getting short, and the store of provisions was falling. The passengers were limited to one hard, small sea biscuit for a day’s rations.

Windermere in the Trades 1846

The Captain sent some sailors in a small boat to intercept a ship that was passing in the hopes of getting more provisions, but they failed. The Windermere now passed the western points of the Island of Cuba. The passengers had a good view of the lighthouse located on the most western point. The Gulf of Mexico was before them. The Gulf Stream flowed in like a vast river. Just think of this stream 500 miles across, very deep and constantly flowing.

On the morning of the 20th of April the ship entered the mouth of the Mississippi River. The passengers were more glad to look upon the plantations of orange groves that bordered the banks of the river than the great strong surging waves of the Atlantic which they had left behind them. Sometimes the Negroes would call from the shore and bid the emigrants welcome.

The Windermere set sail 22nd of February 1854 from Liverpool, England, arrived at New Orleans 23 April, 1954. During the voyage winds were encountered, arising at times to heavy gales. But at the end of five weeks favorable winds set in and the ship made 1,000 miles in four days.

Six marriages were solemnized on board, six births and 10 deaths occurred.

Millennial Star, Vol. 16, pp. 140, 193, 345, 477
Church Emigration. Vol. 2 p. 185—1868

Of the Craner family who were on this ship, the father, George Benjamin Craner, died of Cholera while crossing the plains to Salt Lake City. He was buried in the same grave along with a young girl and a child. Because the people were dying so fast, they didn’t have time to dig enough graves.

Windermere shortening sail to answer signal of distress of the whaler St. Peter,
off New Bedford, Dec 16 1846.  Windermere hove to St. Peter making after
her capsized whale boat.  Unrelated to this voyage but interesting history.

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Source:
http://www.craner.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=30