Jeremy, Thomas - Copy Book

Thomas Jeremy’s Copy Book

Thomas Jeremy’s Copy Book

 

Transcription and Translation

 

by

 

Ronald D. Dennis

 

A word of explanation

 

In 1989 I visited Ardella Davey in her Salt Lake City apartment to converse with her about her ancestor Thomas Jeremy. In her possession was a book that had belonged to Thomas Jeremy containing what appear to be first drafts of letters sent to various people. Other information is also recorded, such as patriarchal blessings, important events, etc. The book bears no title, so I have decided to call it “Thomas Jeremy’s Copy Book.” Sister Davey was kind enough to allow me to make a xerox copy of the entire book.

 

For sake of reference I have numbered the pages from 1 to 96, the original pages on the left as the odd numbers and the original pages on the right as the even numbers. I refer to the entries originally recorded in English as “Transcriptions of the English,” and those originally recorded in Welsh as “Translations from the Welsh.” I have maintained the original spellings for the transcriptions; however, I have made changes in the punctuation to facilitate their reading. All brackets throughout are mine. A page-by-page index is at the end of the transcriptions and translations.

 

Page 1—Transcription of the English

 

Eliza Jeremy was born in Great S. L. City, Tuesday, March 23rd in the year 1852, at the hour of 4 in the after noon.

 

Pages 2 and 3—Transcription of the English

 

Great Salt Lake City, December 15, 1849.

 

A blessing by John Smith Patriarch upon the head of Thomas Jeremy, son of Thomas and Sarah, born Llanegwad, South Wales, July 11th, 1815.

Brother Thomas, by virtue of the Holy Priesthood I place my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and seal upon thee a father’s blessing. Inasmuch as thou hast been obedient to the commandments of the Lord and left thy native land for the gospel’s sake choosing rather to suffer with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures and follies of the gentiles, the Lord is well pleased with the integrity of thine heart, and thy name is written in the Lamb’s Book of life and he hath given his angels charge to watch over thee and to defend thee from all thine enemies. No power on earth shalt stay thine hand for thou art one of the horns of Joseph and of the blood of Ephraim appointed to push the people together from the ends of the earth and thou shalt be clothed with priesthood and power to do mighty miracles when it is nesessary for the salvation of Zion thou shalt bring thousands to a knowledge of the truth from among the nations of the earth wherever thy lot is cast. Thy greatest labour shalt be among the Lamanites, nevertheless thou shalt go to thy native land if it seemeth good unto thee and shalt gather thy friends and relatives and bring them to Zion. Thou shalt be able to speak the language of any people wherever thy lot is cast. Thou shalt be blest with riches until thou art satisfied. Thou shalt be blest in thy family with a numerous posterity for they shalt increase like Jacob shalt become great and a mighty people. Thy name shall be had in honourable remembrance among the saints forever. Thou shalt live if you desire it to see Israel gathered from every portion of the earth and become acquainted with the great men that are now labouring to gather the remnants of Jacob that are yet unknown unto us. I seal all these blessings upon thee in the name of Jesus Christ and inasmuch as thou art faithful not a word of it shall fail even so, Amen.

 

Pd. 1.50 December 15th, 1849. Thomas Jeremy. Recorded in Book F, Page 64, No. 146.

 

Pages 4 and 5—Transcription of the English

 

A blessing by Wm. Draper, Sen., Patriarch upon the head of Thomas, son of Thomas and Sarah Jeremy. Born July 11th, 1815, Carmarthen County South Wales.

 

Beloved brother, I lay my hands upon thy head and in the name of Jesus Christ I bless thee with a Patriarch and a Father’s Blessing, and say thou shalt be blest with the outpouring of the Spirit of God with wisdom and inteligence and shalt perform a mighty work on the earth and be instrumental in bringing many into the kingdom. Thou hast seen many trials and afflictions for which thou shalt be blest abundantly in this world and in that to come have life everlasting. Thou art a descendant of Abraham, a son of Joseph through the loins of Ephraim and all the blessings promised through that lineage shall rest upon thee and upon thy posterity forever. If thou art faithful in keeping the commandments of thy God thou art called to do a mighty work in bringing the literal descendants of Joseph or the Lamanites to knowledge of their fathers and gathering them together. Thy days shall be according to thy faith and if thou desire thou shalt see the winding up scene of all things upon the earth. [Thou] shalt see the kingdom established or spoken of by Daniel and stand like Daniel in thy lot at the end of the [thy] days. Be faithful therefore dear brother and not one of all these blessings shall fail, for I ask God the Eternal Father to seal them upon thee and I seal them upon thee by the power of the priesthood and seal thee up unto eternal life in the arm of Jesus Christ, even so, Amen.

F. I. Davies, Rec.

 

Paid

Thomas Jeremy

Recorded in Book A.

on page 24—

F. I. Davies, Rec.

 

Pages 6 and 7—Transcription of the English

 

Salt Lake City, December 15th, 49

A blessing by John Smith, Patriarch, upon the head of Sarah Jeremy, Daughter of John and Hannah Evans, born Llanybyther, South Wales, April 27th, 1815.

Sister Sarah, I place my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and seal upon you every blessing which a father could wish his daughter to enjoy. Thou art a faithful heir to the priesthood in common with thy companion, for thou art of the same blood and lineage. Thou shalt have power to heal the sick in thine house to drive the destroyer from thy habitation. Thou shalt be blest in thy basket and store in thy family in thy dwelling, with health, peace and plenty. Thou shalt have the ministering of angels, be able to converse with them face to face, as with thy familiar friends. They shalt communicate unto thee things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world that shalt rejoices [rejoice] thy heart. Thou shalt be a mother in Israel and thy name shalt be known like Sarah of old to a thousand generations. Thou shalt have power to bring thy friends into the new and everlasting covenant and bring them up in the first ressurection, with the help of thy companion. Thou shalt have share in all the blessings sealed upon him and partake of all the blessings hereby and glory of Zion. Amen.

 

Pages 7 and 8—Transcription of the English

 

A blessing upon the head of Thomas Jeremy by the Apostle George A. Smith.

Brother Jeremy, I lay my hands upon thy head to bless thee in the name of Jesus Christ and I tell you that you will be blest with all the desires of your heart in reighteousness. Thou shalt be blest with wisdom and inteligence and thou shalt receive the keys of the priesthood and be a high priest, and go to thy own nation and shall be instrumental in the hand of the Lord to do much good, and to bring many of thy own nation, and other nations into the kingdom of God and to Zion. And thou shalt have power and authority over unclean spirits in the time of tribulation and trial. Thou shalt be blessed with the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and thou shalt be one of the horns of Joseph to push forward the people to Zion. These blessings I seal upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Pages 8 and 9—Transcription of the English

 

A blessing upon the head of Thomas Jeremy by John Young, President of the High Priest Quorum, the 2nd day of February, 1851. Brother John Parry laid his hands upon my head with Brother Young.

Brother Jeremy, we the servants of the Lord lay our hands upon your head according to the ordinance of the kingdom of God, to bless you. And by virtue of the holy priesthood and the authority of the Son of God we bless you. And Brother Jeremy you are blessed. And we the servants of the Lord say unto you that not many years hence you shall be sent to your own nation and other countries to proclaim the everlasting gospel by the council of the authorities here. Thy tongue shall be as the pen of a ready writer, and many shall wonder at the power and wisdom that you shall have, and even yourself shall wonder at the wisdom you shall have. And you shall have power over the elements, and prisons and fetters of brass shall not withhold you. And your face shall shine like Stephen of old, and you shall shut the mouths of lions. And I pray that my Father in Heaven will babtize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire and that you shall feel the power thereof. And I seal upon your head all the blessings of the priesthood which are the greatest of all blessings. You shall stand upon Mount Zion and be a saviour for your dead by being babtized for them. And upon the resurrection day you shall call your friends up, even to your father Adam. All these blessings we seal upon your head by virtue of the Holy Priesthood, and if you will be faithful Brother Jeremy, you shall have all that your heart shall desire in reighteousness. And we pray that these blessings shall be recorded in the courts of heven. And we seal all these blessings upon your head in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Even so, Amen.

 

Page 10—Transcription of the English

 

Great Salt Lake City, February 18, 1851.

A blessing by John Smith Patriarch upon the head of Thomas Jeremy, son of Thomas and Sarah Jeremy, born Llanegwad parish, Carmarthen County, South Wales, July 11, 1815.

Brother Jeremy, I lay my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ and I bless you with all the Patriarchial blessings you had before together with the prophets and apostles and precidents with all others that had the authority to bless. I seal them all upon yo, with all that your heart desires. Thou shalt be a counciller in Zion and to precide over one of her stakes. Thou shalt be blest in thy family and thy wife and thy children shall be blest, and thy children shall be great in the priesthood, and all things shall prosper that’s about you. Thou shalt raise up posterity that shall be a multitude of nations in the midts of the earth, and you shall have all the desires of your heart. And whatsoever and whomsoever you bless, they shall be blest and I seal all these blessings upon your head in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.

 

Page 11—Transcription of the English

 

A blessing upon the head of Thomas Jeremy under the had of Parley P. Pratt, one of the Twelve Apostles of the last dispensation.

Brother Thomas, in the name of Jesus Christ and through the authority of the priesthood I lay my hands upon your head, and I seal wisdom upon your head from this time forth in a special manner.

 

Pages 12 and 13—Transcription of the English

 

A blessing upon the head of Thomas Jeremy under the hands of George A. Smith and Lorenzo Snow of the twelve apostles of the last days in the vestry room in great S. Lake when the high priests was blest (those that was called to go on missions to the nations of the earth on the 11th day of September, 1852).

Brother Thomas Jeremy, in the name of Jesus Christ and by virtue of the Holy Priesthood, we lay our hands upon thy head and set thee apart unto the mission whereunto thou art called, that thy voice may be as the angels of the Lord. The power of the Holy Ghost lshall fall upon the people as thou shalt speak forth the word of God unto them, that thou mayest gather the people to Ziion. The power of God shall rest upon thee. Thou shalt have power to do mighty miracles, the lame shall walk, the dumb shall hear, and the blind shall see, and thou shalt have exeeding great faith, and thou shalt have power over fowl spirits, and no enemy shall prevail against thee and thou shalt bring hundreds to the knowledge of the truth. And if thou art faithfull thou shalt return to Zion in peace and safty. We seal these blessings upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

Page 14—Some calculations and entries crossed out with a large corner missing

 

Page 15—Blank

 

Pages 16, 17, 18, and 19—Translation from the Welsh [This letter to Dan Jones was published in Prophwyd y Jubili (Prophet of the Jubilee), the Welsh Mormon periodical from July 1846 to December 1848, vol. 3, p. 170-171.]

 

The Blind Man and His Book

 

Dear Brother Jones—I wish you to put the true story which follows, through the medium of your Prophet, before the public. Because lying men are trying to put our religion in a bad light, by going about the country, and also to the Works, and selling this pamphlet which is entitled “The True Mirror,” which book has been reprinted; and those who sell it say that its author is not yet dead!!! namely Daniel Jones (the Blind), which is a completely unfounded lie. It is a strange thing that men who were fashioned in the image of the truthful God should so succumb to the influences of the father of lies as to claim that he (Daniel Jones) is still alive. If he is alive, he must have taken part in the first resurrection. Where is he, that he may be seen? for that would certainly be a great miracle, so that those who live here near the banks of the Taff can see him, those who knew him so well, and heard him sing ballads in the fairs, and those too who carried him to lie in Llanllwni cemetery. If it is true that (Blind) Daniel Jones is alive now, hundreds of men around Llanybydder and Llanllwni, and the next parishes, would have to believe that miracles are being performed now, or deny that it is Daniel.

Since lies are being spread around the Works, etc., namely that Daniel is alive, that is the reason I am writing this account, and also a little of his story before his death.

He was baptized and received as a member in Llanybydder, on the 7th of July, 1846. He was in the service with us on the Thursday evening and the following Sunday, and that is all he went to our meetings. Soon afterwards he started persecuting us throughout the community; but he did not succeed in that way in his slander, because they knew him well here. We baptized many in the months following that.

The following October, Capt. D. Jones came this way; he and I went to the community of Brechfa to preach; and as we were returning towards Llanybydder, we met (Blind) Daniel Jones in the mountains, going to Brechfa fair. span>Capt. D. Jones questioned him about how he had become such a persecutor of the Saints. Daniel did not give one reason in answer, but he indicated clearly enough that he was an enemy of the Saints. Capt. D. Jones told him, that if he persecuted and falsely accused the Saints, the hand of God would be upon him, and his fate would be hotter than that of Cora, Dathan, and Abiram. He told him strongly the danger of persecuting and falsely accusing the Lord’s people. Afterwards the facts clearly proved that Capt. Jones told him the truth. He was taken very ill, so that he felt his intestines on fire inside him: he drank a lot of cold water to stop the supposed fire inside him, and also he ran out of the house to wallow in water in order to cool down; but all in vain. He died in this painful condition; although I was not present, I heard about him. I live about three miles from the place where he died. I have been with Mr. James Evans, the Registrar, who has registered the death of Daniel Jones, and he is willing to give a copy to anyone who wishes, if they pay 2s. 6c. And the postage.

Before finishing I shall give a word of advice to those who accuse us falsely and persecute us. It is this; let them reflect, and consider they are fighting against the good God who sustains them; let them repent for all their sins, and be baptized by the servants of God for the remission of them, and take back their lies as faithfully as they fashioned them. Let the above story about poor Daniel be a warning to all to leave the children of God alone.

May the gracious Lord have mercy on all the honest in heart, by moving away the obstacles so that they may have the great privilege of coming into the Church of Jesus Christ, and sharing in the joy of the Holy Ghost with the Latter-day Saints, is my constant prayer through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Thomas Jeremy

 

Pages 19, 20, 21, and 22—Translation from the Welsh

 

Llynddwr, Llanybyther, Nov. 17th, 1848

 

Dear Brother Jones,

I see the time quickly drawing nigh when it will no longer be necessary to write to you with paper and ink, for I shall see you face to face. I hope that you quickly gain strength in health if you have not become completely healthy yet. Also I hope that my dear Sister Jones is well and happy. I am pleased to give you good news again this time, namely that 6 have been baptized here since the Conference and 11 in Brechfa. Concerning those who have been baptized here and in Brechfa, the majority were respected members with the various denominations, some with the Baptists, some with the Independents, and the Armenians, and also the Church of England. They are now greatly enjoying the blessings of the Holy Ghost. There are better signs for growth in these environs where we are preaching than there ever have been. Although there is no one here in Llanybyther who is very desirous of listening to the words of life, yet in the surrounding areas crowds are coming to listen in crowds. [Crossed out: I think that 2 or 3 will be baptized here next Sunday from Pencader and the others near Courtnewydd. I hope they will come.]

There is a great call for us to preach in various places. I had a letter last Saturday night from someone near Llanmwydyfri with a kind invitation to come to Cilycwm where they say there will be hundreds if not thousands to listen to us. We have promised to go to Caeo next Sunday and afterwards to Cilycwm the following Monday night. In those areas and near Llanagadog I intend to spend that week, hoping that hosts will believe the Eternal Gospel. I do not believe I have to express my wish for you to pray for us here, for I know that you are already doing so.

I am pleased to tell you that this Branch is increasing in godliness and brotherly love, and several gifts of the Holy Spirit. Although those that were a matter before the Council in Merthyr have not come back despite every effort, Davies of Aberystwyth has been excommunicated. Three of the Brechfa Saints have pulled back from going to Zion next year. Their names are Thos Jones, Crybynau, William Evans, a servant at Llystyn, and Jared Mathias, Cilwaun. The other Saints there are very determined and faithful. It is a great shame they listen so much to the devil and his tricks concerning this salvation. The last of the aforementioned was cut off some time ago for transgression and has been and still continues to be fickle with the world and refuses to come to the meetings. The officials have been with him and his father also trying to get him back, but they have failed up to now. What is to be done with him?

I am going this week together with Brother Benjamin Francis down toward Llandysil and Llangeler and Newcastle to preach, hoping that it is not an infraction of the rules for us to go together. We shall endeavor to have separate places to preach at night so that more can hear the gospel. Kindly give my regards and those of my wife to my Dear Sister Jones and yourself in the same manner. Your dear brother in the everlasting covenant, Thomas Jeremy.

 

Pages 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27—Translation from the Welsh

 

Llynddwr, Llanybyther, December ___, 1848

 

Dear Brother Jones,

In the last letter I sent you I was saying that I together with Brother Benjamin Francis were going to preach toward Llandysul and Llangeler. We preached first in Llandysil; we received permission to preach there in the Town Hall where several came together. They listened very attentively and cheerfully. One of the members with the Baptists told us after we finished preaching, “Success to you dear people.” We were in his house talking with him for a long time afterwards, and he showed obvious signs of believing our doctrine. And there were good indications there that several besides him believed.

The morning after that night we went toward Pentre Countmanarorion. We had a promise for a place in a tavern there to preach that night. There was a funeral there that day. We requested one man to announce at the funeral about the meeting, so the neighborhood would know. We went from there afterwards to the village of Llangeler about a mile-and-a-half from there where a school was kept. We went to the schoolmaster and he promised to tell the children about the meeting and for them to tell about it in their homes. Then we traveled on intending to go toward Newcastle to preach during the day. But we heard on the way before going all the way there that a fair was being held there that day. And then we did not go any further. We tried to get a place in that village, namely Drefach (where we had heard about the fair) to preach that night (i.e., a place for one of us). At first we were with a deacon and a minister of the Baptists asking for the loan of a meeting house. But we did not get it because we believed erroneous doctrine, said the minister. We asked him what was the error of our religion, that we would really like to know, whether it was our belief that Jesus Christ was the Son of God or something else. I took advantage of the opportunity of showing him something of our principles. He did not give one bit of proof of our deceit, rather it was all baseless assertions. Then we looked for a place in other places but were unsuccessful despite searching diligently. Then we turned back toward Pentrecourtmanarorion where a large crowd of people came together. And there are excellent signs that several there believe. There was one man there who is considered the wisest in the neighborhood although he does not belong to any one church. After the meeting ended this man said to the people who had remained afterwards (for nearly everyone remained afterwards) that we had said great things. He tried to get the believers to defend themselves, but no one said a word against us. Then he said that a religion such as this one had been with the people in earlier times, and that he could not oppose us from the scriptures. I believe that he did us a great benefit by saying such things. Everyone there showed unusual kindness to us. You know that that is a sign that they will become Saints.

The next night we went to Pencader where there was a large crowd gathered. The following Sunday to Caeo. Monday night to Cilcwm. Though we preached in a large house it was much too small. Some went to the loft to listen as they did in Llanybyther long ago when you were preaching at the Crosshands. Tuesday we preached on the street in Llanmwydyfri at 2:00 o’clock. Then that night to Llanwrda about four miles from there. There several came together. Wednesday we went to Llangadog. We got a place to preach from a tavernkeeper in a large malthouse where several came together there also. Thursday we came home in time for the Saints meeting. In the aforementioned places where we preached I have no doubt that many will become Saints if we but preach to them. I am going again soon to some of the aforementioned places.

I have been assured that it is Morgans, Pantllyn, who is writing to the Seren Gomer [Star of Gomer, Baptist periodical] on the spiritual gifts. Where is the Prophwyd [Prophet of the Jubilee, Mormon periodical]? There is a great expectation for it here. If it has been printed there, for goodness sake send it here.

One was baptized last Saturday night by myself near Llanwenog. He received a testimony yesterday through the Holy Ghost. Did you receive the goose that was sent with the Caridan Carrier? I would like for you to answer the foregoing, and I would really like to know how you are doing with respect to your health. My wife joins with me in sending you together with our dear Sister our vest best wishes. Wm. Thomas, Blacklion, and his wife wish to be remembered to you also. Your dear brother in the new and everlasting covenant. Thomas Jeremy.

 

Pages 27, 28, 29, and 30—Translation

 

Llynddwr, Llanybyther, December 5, 1848.

 

Dear Brother and my Sister,

I do not intend for this letter to be long, but I hope to see you before long. You can either come here according to your promise before our departure from Wales, or I shall come there to give you my last testimony of the truthfulness of the Eternal Gospel (perhaps forever).

It is strange that you do not in any way believe me; but when I look back as far as the time when the Lord Jesus himself was on the earth, what was the treatment he received? Read in the 7th chapter of John and the 5th verse especially, and there you will see clearly how strong was the disbelief in that time. His brothers refused to believe in him!!! In the former days they considered those who believed in that carpenter’s son with scorn. Read at the end of the same chapter the 47th, the 48th, and the 49th verses. You can see that the religion of Christ was not popular in that time. If any were inclined to believe in Jesus they said, “Have you been charmed also?” Or had any of the great men or zealous believers believed in him, or as if they had said that that religion was much too lowly to take notice of. We can refer you to several other places in the scriptures about similar circumstances, but hoping that I shall see you before long I shall not expatiate further now.

For goodness sake, dear brother and my sister, search the scriptures diligently, and then you will see clearly [crossed out: that that is how men] the difference between the religion of Christ and the traditions of men. Few of the priests and the learned men believed in the early days (perhaps because of the scorn), and they still, in our days, consider the poor Saints much too lowly to join them. And also the pastors see hope of their profit ending if they come to the Saints. And they see that then they will not get a nod from the men and a genuflection from the women, but they will then be called deceivers and false prophets. And thus you see that it is through many tribulations that one enters into the land of life. I shall close now hoping that the two of you and your dear children will accept baptism at the first opportunity and the forgiveness of your sins, so that you may then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands. I would like to hear from you as soon as you can [send word]; and the best news that you could give me would be to say that you have been baptized. We are all well and happy here, hoping that you are well and in the womb so that you can be born sons and daughters of God is the true wish of your dear brother, Thomas Jeremy.

 

Pages 31 and 32—Transcription

 

The upper California, o that’s the land for me

It lies between the mountains and great Pacific sea

The Saints shall be supported there

And taste’s the sweets of liberty

With flocks and herds abounding, O that’s the land for me.

O that’s the land for me, O that’s the land for me.

 

We’ll go and lift our standard , we’ll go there and be free

We’ll go to California and have our Jubily

A land that booms with endless springs

A land of joy and liberty

In uppere California, O that’s the land for me, etc., etc.

 

We’ll burst of all our fetters

And break our gentiles yoke

For long it has beset us

But now it shall be broke

No more shall Jacob bow his neck

Henceforth it shall be free

In upper California, O that’s the land for me, etc., etc.

 

We’ll reign we’ll rule and triumpth

And God shall be our king

The plains the hills the vallies

Shall with hosannahs ring

Our towers and temples then shall rise

Along the great pacific sea

In upper California, O that’s the land for me, etc., etc.

 

We’ll ask our cousin Lemuel

To join us heart and hand

And spread aborad our curtains

Throughout fair Zion’s land

Tell this is done we’ll pitch our tents

Beside the great pacific sea

In upper California, O that’s the land for me, etc., etc.

Then join with me my brethren

And let us hasten there

And lift our glorious standard

And rise a house of prayer

We’ll call and teach the nations there

To join our standard and be free

In upper California, O that’s the land for me, etc., etc.

 

This song was made by Elder John Taylor, one of the Twelve Apostles.

 

Pages 33 and 34—Translation

 

A few useful things to remember:

 

I, Thomas Jeremy, was baptized by Capt. D. Jones the third day of March in the year 1846. I was confirmed and ordained a priest by him on the same day. I was called to be an elder by Capt. D. Jones at the Merthyr Conference which was held the ________________ [blank in the original] 1846. Before that I had been placed as president of the Llanybyther Branch. I and others preached toward the area of Brechfa where several were baptized by us until their number was ____ [blank in the original] when Brechfa was organized as a branch at the Merthyr Conference which was held Sunday and Monday, December 26th and 27th, 1847. David Jeremy, my natural brother, was placed as President of the Brechfa Branch in a council with myself, Thomas Jeremy. John Evans, Penywern, was chosen and sustained as President in my place over the Llanybyther Branch in the Glamorgan Conference which was held Sunday, the 31st of December, 1848, and Monday, the 1st of January, 1849, and he was sustained by the Saints unanimously. The reason he was put in my place was because I was going to Zion as one of the firstfruits of the Welsh nation.

 

Page 35—Translation and transcription

 

November 8th, 1849. By the Priesthood Brigham Young married Sarah and me on this date to be man and wife for time and all eternity. [Translation]

 

Monday, 11th of August, 1851. I, Thomas Jeremy, and Sarah Jeremy, my wife, had our endowments in the Counsel House on the above day. [Transcription—very fancy handwriting]

 

John Jeremy was ordained a teacher under the hands of Bishop Roundy and Fielding, the 15th of February, 1854. Thomas Jeremy was ordained a teacher the same time. [Transcription]

 

Pages 36, 37, and 38—Translation

 

A record of the births of the children of Thomas and Sarah Jeremy:

 

John Jeremy was born at Blacklion, Llanybyther, the 23rd of May, 1838, between 1:00 and 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon.

Thomas Jeremy was born at Cwmffrwd, parish of Llanegwad, the 1st of December, 1839, about 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon.

 

Hannah Jeremy was born at Cwmffrwd, the parish of Llanegwad, the 17th of March, 1842, about 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon.

 

Hannah Jeremy was baptized by Willard Snow the 28th of April, 1850. She was confirmed by Daniel Spencer the same day in Great Salt Lake City.

 

Sarah Jeremy was born at Glantrenfawr the 11th of April, 1844, about 9:00 o’clock in the afternoon. She died the 7th of May, 1849, on the steamboat Mary on the Missouri River as we came to Council Bluffs from Saint Louis. She and Mary Jeremy, her sister, were buried in the same grave and in the same coffin alongside the river as we came up.

 

Margaret Jeremy was born at Glantrenfawr, the parish of Llanybyther, at about 10:30 o’clock in the afternoon [sic] the 11th of May in the year 1846. She died on the steamboat Mary on Sunday the 6th of May, 1849, as we came from St. Louis up to Council Bluffs.

 

Esther Jeremy was born at Glantrenfawr, the parish of Llanybyther, at about 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon of the 12th of May in the year 1846.

 

Mary Jeremy was born at Glantrenfawr, the parish of Llanybyther, between 1:00 and 2:00 o’clock in the morning the 27th of March in the year 1848. She died on the steamboat Mary on Monday the 7th of May, 1849, as we came from St. Louis up to Council Bluffs. She was buried alongside the River Missouri as we came up to Council Bluffs in the same coffin as Sarah her sister and in the same grave.

 

Anne Jeremy was born at Great Salt Lake City the 19th of April in the year 1850 between 5:00 and 6:00 o’clock in the morning.

 

September 19th, 1850, Anne Jeremy was blessed by the Apostle George A. Smith. He said that she would be a mother in Israel and a comfort to her parents all the days of her life, and that she would be crowned with heavenly glory. This blessing was sealed on her head in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Page 39—Transcription

 

Thomas Thomas John Thomas Thomas Thomas Jeremy [??]

 

April 14 and 15, 1850, dated 2 letters to go to Wales, one to Blacklion, Llanybyther and the other to Brother John Davies, Printer. Sent a letter to Bro. John Davies, Printer, Merthyr, in the year in Spring 1852. May 3rd, 1852, sent a letter to my Bro. David to Wales, and 2 letter inclosed in it, one for my father Thomas Jeremy and the other for my sister Sarah Williams.

 

Pages 40 and 41—Transcription

 

A Dream on Monday night, February 16th, 1852. [As narrated by John Jeremy]

I thought that I and my brother Thomas and some others was coming home from the north Kaynon [Canyon] with teams and loaded with fire wood and I saw coming from the north multitudes of the Gentiles, mostly on horsback and waggons with many canons and guns and many drums and brass band, and some of them had a lrage [large] feathers in their caps looked very handsome. And I saw the Saints that they were many, but not so numerous as the gentiles. They came from the City and met the gentiles North of the Hot Spring. At this time I saw many of the Mormon boys like myself, that they came from the City to see the war. While I thus stood with the boys Lieutenant Colonel William Burgess came to us and said, “Will you boys go to some of them little Kaynons [Canyons] and pray so that the gentiles cannot see you, so we all went and on our way going the gentiles entangled and killed each other, and then we kneeled and prayed to God; after we arose from our knees I saw that the Saints overcame them, and killed them exept [sic] those that turned on the side of the Saints, and I saw that those that were slain were many and some of them was not quite dead, and the Saints went with their swords and did cut their throats; after that was done the Saints returned home to the City and those gentiles that turned on the side of the Saints with them; on our way to the city the brass band was played beautifully, and so I awoke. John Jeremy. I did not see only one of the Saints that was killed.

 

Mr David Moris

Pentrepoth Near Furnace Gate

Llanellyn, Carmarthenshire, South Wales, Great Britain

 

Page 42—Translation

 

[This page consists of only one line of column headings. The rest of the page is blank.]

 

Age When born Where born When cut off When restored Died When excommunicated When restored

 

Pages 43, 44, 45, and 46— [These four pages have lists of men who were ordained to the priesthood. Thomas Jeremy’s name heads the list—ordained a priest by Captain D. Jones, 3 March 1846, the same day as his baptism. His residence is given as Glantrenfawr, a farmhouse that still stands. It is located about a mile outside the town of Llanybydder, Carmarthenshire. The other men are as follows: Benjamin Jones, Saddler, ordained a teacher by Capt. D. Jones; Richard Jones, Crosshands, ordained a deacon by Capt. D. Jones; John Evans, Penywern, ordained a priest; David Jeremy, ordained a teacher by Thomas Jeremy, 14 Feb 1847; Benjamin Thomas, Plasbach, ordained a teacher by Thomas Jeremy, 18 July 1847; Jenkin Davies, Tytewyll, ordained a teacher by Thomas Jeremy, 22 April 1847; David Evans, Penywern, ordained a priest by Thomas Jeremy, 2 Jan 1848; Thomas Nash, Saddler, ordained a priest by Thomas Jeremy, 2 Jan 1848; Lewis Lloyd, Rhydcaisfach, ordained a teacher by Thomas Jeremy, 2 Jan 1848; Benjamin Francis, Courtnewydd, ordained a teacher by Thomas Jeremy, 20 Apr 1848; Benjamin Francis, Courtnewydd, ordained a priest by Capt. D. Jones, 29 June 1848; John Evans, Penywern, ordained an elder by Thomas Jeremy, 20 July 1848; Jonathan Jones, Talygraig, ordained a priest by Thomas Jeremy, 27 July 1848; Benjamin Jones, Saddler, ordained a priest by Thomas Jeremy, 3 Aug 1848; James Jones, Velindrefach, ordained a priest by Thomas Jeremy, 7 Jan 1849; John Griffith, Cribin, ordained a priest by Thomas Jeremy, 7 Jan 1849; Abel Lloyd, Rhydcaisfach, ordained a teacher by Thomas Jeremy, 11 Jan 1849; Thomas Evans, Frondes, ordained a teacher by John Evans, 11 Jan 1849.

 

Pages 47 and 48— Transcription

 

I, Thomas Jeremy, was babtized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by Elder Dan Jones in the Parish of Llanybyther in the County of Carmarthen, South Wales, the 3rd day of March 1846 and confirmed a member on the same date by Elder Dan Jones. I was ordained a priest under his hands on the above date.

 

I, Thomas Jeremy, was ordained an Elder August the 4th, 1846, under the hands [of] Elder Abel Evans in Llanybyther Branch, and was ordained a High Priest under the hands of Joseph L. Heywood and Edwin E. Woolley on Wednesday night the 22nd day of January 1851 in the Counselhouse Great Salt Lake City, State of Deseret. Brother William W. Majer moved that I should be ordained a High Priest and seconded by John Young, President of the High Priest Quorum.

 

I, Thomas Jeremy, was 31 years old lacking four months and eight days when I was babtized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was ordained a priest when I was yet the same age; and was ordained an Elder when I was 32 years and 24 days old, being born the 11th day of July 1815; and was ordained a high priest when I was 36 years old lacking 5 months and 19 days.

 

Page 49— blank and half missing

 

Pages 50 and 51—Transcription

 

Welch Settlement, August 21, 1851

 

I, Benjamin Jones, do agree with the undersigned to make a dam across Jordan. To raise the water so as to irrigate the Welch field for 200 bushels of wheat, one hundred bushels to be delivered when the dam is completed, and the other hundred bushels at the end of the year from the time the dam is completed. Also that I, B. Jones do have all right and title to all the water that shall be taken from the said dam that may irigate my land except the Welch field to rent or sell the same. Also I, B. Jones, do agree that if the said dam should not stand that I do forfeit the whole of my labour. Also that the undersigned do agree on their part to give me, B. Jones, 200 bushels of wheat and to haul 14 waggon loads of lumber from the Kaynon [canyon] to the place where the dam is to be made and that each one that holds land in the said field will give a day to help to set the timbers accross the river to their places. The Welch field is to be irrigated from the south end of Brother Robinson’s land to the north side of Ricy Jone’s [Jones’s] land acording to this agreement and no further. Also that if the dam should break down before the end of the year that I, B. Jones, do return the undersigned the 100 bushels of wheat. Also that after the expiration of 12 months that all repairs of said dam by one half by B. Jones and the other half by the underseigned. Also that I, B. Jones, make a flood gate and fix the same in the ditch in the agreement. The dam is to [be] completed by the 15th of October next.

 

Thomas Jeremy David Phillips

Rice Williams David Peters

Benjamin Thomas

Daniel Daniels

 

Page 52— blank

Page 53— Translation and Transcription

 

Llanybyther and Brechfa Branch

An accounting of the tithing paid

towards the building of a temple to the Lord [Translation]

 


£ s d

Thomas Jeremy, Llanybyther 15 13 7

Benjamin Francis Ditto 0 10 0

William Thomas, Blacklion Ditto 5 0 0

David Phillips, Brechfa 8 10 0

Daniel Davies Ditto 10 0 0

Daniel Daniel Ditto 30 0 0

The following is a copy of a receipt of my labour and produce tithing in Great Salt Lake City, for the year 1850.

 

This certifies that Thomas Jeremy has paid his labour tithing in full to October 6th, 1850, and his produce tithing for the year 1850.

G. S. L. City Wm. Clayton

December 21st, 1850 Clerk

 

Page 54— blank

 

Pages 55, 56, 57, and 58—Transcription and translation

 

[A record of contributions made by various members of the Llanybydder and Brechfa branch for March through September 1847 for those members who intended to emigrate. Only the names, residence and/or occupation are listed here. “One of the world,” as in the case of Elizabeth Jones, indicates the individual is not a baptized member of the LDS church.]

 

Collections made for the California Saints by the Llanybyther and Brechfa Branch

 

Thomas Jeremy, Glantrenfawr

Richard Jones, Crosshands

John Evans, Penywern

Thomas Nash, Saddler

Anne Morgans, Pencarreg

Evan Hughes, Glangyforiog

David Evans, Penywern

Jenkin Davies, Tytewyll

David Jeremy, Crybynau

Benjain Thomas, Plasbach

Anne Walters, Crybynau

Thomas Evans, Brondawe

Sarah Davies, Pantypinsiwrn

Elizabeth Jones, Pencarreg, one of the world

Thomas Harries, Pantllyn

John Evans, Talygraig

Benjamin Jones, Saddler

Jonathan Jones, Talygraig

Margaret Thomas, Blacklion

Daniel Thomas, Escerydd

Anne Joseph, Blacklion

David Jones, Carpenter, Llanybyther

Daniel Davies, Llystyn

Mary Evans, Penywern

Benjamin Evans, Maes y Groes

Daniel Daniel, Pantypinsiwrn

Abel Lloyd, Rhydycaisfach

 

Pages 59 and 60—Transcription and translation

 

[A record of contributions made by various members of the Llanybydder and Brechfa branch for October through December 1847 for those members who intended to emigrate. Only the names, residence and/or occupation are listed here.]

 

Collections made for the California Saints by the Llanybyther and Brechfa Branch in the year 1847

 

Thomas Jeremy, Glantrenfawr

Richard Jones, Crosshands

John Evans, Penywern

Thomas Nash, Saddler

Anne Morgans, Pencarreg

David Evans, Penywern

David Jeremy, Crybynau

Benjamin Thomas, Plasbach

Anne Walters, Crybynau

Sarah Davies, Maid, Maesygroes

Benjamin Jones, Saddler

Lewis Lloyd, Rhydcaisfach

Jonathan Jones, Talygraig

Margaret Thomas, Blacklion

Anne Joseph, Blacklion

David Jones, Carpenter, Llanybyther

Daniel Davies, Llystyn

Mary Evans, Penywern

Daniel Daniel, Pantypinsiwrn

John Rees, Aberystwyth

John Evan Pugh, Rhydcaisfach

Samuel Thomas, Tyllwydcwmcothy

Rees Thomas, Tyrcae

David Phillips, Maesygroes

Mary Thomas, Escerydd

Abel Lloyd, Rhydcaisfach

Benjamin Francis, Courtnewydd

Thomas Beynon, Henardd

Mary Evans, Maid, Glantrenfawr

John Jones, Servant, Glantrenfawr

 

The total collected for the California Saints is £5 2s 6½c.

The above money was paid by me to Thomas Jeremy and Capt. D. Jones, Christmas, 1847.

 

Page 61—Transcription and translation

 

[A record of contributions made by various members of the Llanybydder Branch for the months of March through June (1848). The total for the Brechfa Branch, presided over at this time by David Jeremy is given at the bottom of the page. There appears to be a page/pages missing. Only the names, residence, and/or occupation are listed here.]

 

Total money collected for Capt. [Jones]

 

Thomas Jeremy, Glantrenfawr

Benjamin Francis, Courtnewydd

Richard Jones, Crosshands

Jonathan Jones, Talygraig

John Griffith, Cribin

Thomas Nash, Saddler

Elinor Davies, Courtnewydd

Mary Lloyd, Rhydcaisfach

Lewis Lloyd, Rhydcaisfach

Benjamin Jones, Saddler

Abel Lloyd, Rhydcaisfach

Anne Morgans, Pencarreg

Evan Evans, Rhydnis

Edward Davies, Machenlleth

Martha Jones, Glantrenfawr

John Jones, Glantrenfawr

David Evans, Penywern

David Jeremy, Crybynau for the Brechfa Branch

 

Page 62—Transcription

 

Memorandum that my two boys John Jeremy and Thomas Jeremy comenced going to school to the 16th ward the 30th day of December in the year 1850.

 

Memorandum that I, Thomas Jeremy, sold my saddle to Brother John Young the 1st day of January 1851 at $16.00. He agreed to pay for the above saddle the 1st day of June 1851 and to give me now 1 bushel of wheat for $2.00, part of the above $16.00. Ballance 14.00 dollars.

 

Page 63— blank

 

Page 64, 65, and 66— Translation

 

[Just two weeks before Thomas Jeremy was in Swansea with his family and a large number of other converts ready to travel by steamboat to Liverpool from where they would begin their voyage to America, he wrote this brief defense. It was in answer to one of the many anti-Mormon articles that appeared in the newspapers and religious periodicals. Thomas Jeremy identifies the article as appearing in The Times, a newspaper, for 11 January 1849. He asked that the editor show fairness in allowing this defense of Mormonism to be printed in The Times. Of the dozens of anti-Mormon articles during the 1840s and 1850s in Wales only two or three rebuttals were printed.]

 

Defense of the Mormons

 

Sir: Since I live in the village of Llanybyther and am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ with those people who are called Mormons, I wish for you to give space in “The Times” for the following defense in face of the baseless tales that appeared in The Times about us here as a religious sect and which came off the press, January 11, 1849. The first untruth that your correspondent tells about us is namely that we have a great apostle close to here. No one here claims such a high office as apostle. Also he says that we try to deceive men as much as we can. It would not be an untruth on our part to say that your correspondent is trying to deceive men as much as he can, for “by his fruits shall ye know him” can be said to him just as Nathan said to David of old. “ Thou art the man.” That which he says also about us with respect to the prayer meeting here, there is not a syllable of truth in it. One basis for such untruthful tales [“lies” is crossed out] is that [he] has never been with us in our meetings. Rather prayer [to] God of heaven is our work in our meetings as do the other denominations.

We here are proud to get to suffer the unprovoked scorn for such worship. If there were truth in his tale about us why did he not name the house where the meeting was held? And why did he not name the persons who were in such a meeting? And also why did he refrain from giving his own proper name in the “Times” if it is true that which he says about us? I challenge him to name the house, the names of the persons who were in the meeting, and his own proper name. Your correspondent is like several of his other brothers, delivering untruths about us that are too obvious for any reasonable man to believe. Unless there were more of the truth in our religion than anyone else has we would not suffer all the unprovoked scorn that is published and delivered about us. But our Master said, “and you shall be [persecuted] by everyone for my name’s sake.” My duty is to defend our character as a religious denomination here and also to convince my fellowmen of the false accusations that are declared about our dear religion. I know that it is better to leave us alone than to declare the baseless untruths like this about us lest they be found fighting against God. I know that I have the true religion, which tends to make everyone happy. Therefore, let our false accusers repent and call back their untrue tales that they declared about us, so that they themselves can take hold of the same true religion. I am yours humbly, Thomas Jeremy. Llanybyther, February 1, 1849.

 

Pages 67 through 77—Translation

 

[The following account of the voyage from Liverpool to New Orleans is similar to the one that was published by John Davis, editor of Udgorn Seion (Zion’s Trumpet), in a 24-page pamphlet entitled Hanes Ymfudiad y Saint i Galifornia (Merthyr Tydfil: J. Davis, 1849), pp. 21-24. The English translation of Thomas Jeremy’s account from that pamphlet is in my The Call of Zion: the Story of the First Welsh Mormon Emigration (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center, 1987), pp. 168-72.]

 

Dear Brother Davis,

Be so kind as to give me the loan of your “Trumpet” to blow in for the for the first time from a distant country, which I wish to do in a well-informed way through it most especially to give an account of our sea voyage from Liverpool to here. Monday, the 26th of February, at about 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon we began our voyage from Liverpool, bidding farewell to those who had come from Wales to accompany us as far as they could. I remember the cheerful faces of my faithful brethren William Phillips, Merthyr, Abel Evans, Eliezar Edwards, David, my brother, and Daniel Evans, Felinfach, Ystrad. It is easier for the readers of the Trumpet to imagine my feelings at that time than it is for me to try to write them down. But remind your readers that I was not worried about leaving Britain, nor my dear brethren, that we could no longer see each other, but I knew from experience of some of the oppressions of Babylon which no doubt would come to meet them. But what am I doing talking like this. I know that it is through experiences that the Prince of our salvation was perfected.

But to return to the story. When we were going out of the Waterloo Dock, we sang the song you composed for the occasion with Brother Edward [John] Parry, from the North, expertly playing his harp until all I think were enjoying themselves. There were hundreds watching us sail out, having gone out on the dock. The speedy steamboat was awaiting us to pull our ship out to sea. While we were going like this speeding along the river we were hardly able to catch a last glimpse of our dear brethren who had followed us along the bank of the river until our ship was quite out of sight. The wind that day was very weak, and the climate was lovely. It was Tuesday before we had a full view of Ireland. The land looked quite barren, the mountains high, but despite that the dwelling places could be seen very frequently at the foot of the mountains. No wonder then that the inhabitants are so poor.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday some of us were quite bad off because of seasickness; some continued on without any seasickness. During this time our president, Capt. Dan Jones, was very attentive to the afflicted by showing his unparalleled kindness toward us. He walked back and forth along the large ship to see who was sick, and to those who were he showed his love and concern, especially toward us. Also Daniel Daniel, formerly of Pantypinsiwrn, was very diligent to be of assistance and several others who were not suffering from seasickness. At that time “water gruel” with neither salt nor butter in it is what I and my family savored the most. If before the voyage I did not know that Capt. D. Jones was a servant of God, I am day by day getting more proofs of his divine mission and his remarkable kindness toward all of us on our journey toward our eternal home. And thus I, together with my brothers and sisters, see his worth in our midst right from the beginning of our journey to this time. Neither is there any doubt in my mind that Brother Jones will do his best to benefit us all he possibly can yet in everything until we reach the valley of the mountains, Furthermore, I also believe that his main objective there will be to see us happy, i.e., enjoying both temporal and spiritual blessings. Dear Brother, could you publish in your melodious Trumpet that all those who prophesied from the press and from the pulpits that Brother Jones would sell us into slavery, take our money, and practically every other wicked deed they could think of, are false prophets. But why am I speaking like this—are not their own contradictory tales sufficient for every reasonable man to perceive clearly whether they are true of false? And the best and most infallible way of all in my opinion for my dear brothers and sisters who are still in Wales and who yet intend to come toward Zion after us is to take everything they say in reverse. When they say false, one must remember to understand true. When they say that the Captain has taken the saints’ money, let it be understood that the Captain has given away a lot of money to the poor Saints in various places throughout Wales. Besides all his fatigue and his toil there in our midst for about four years without asking for pay from anyone, has he not made the challenge in public many times for anyone to prove that he has asked for anything from anyone. I believe that those who are guilty of living well on the backs of the poor are the ones who are shouting loudest in the synagogues that Capt. Jones is taking money from the Saints. It would be useful to remember the old proverb, namely that it is the wicked man himself who judges another, or as Nathan said to David of old, “Thou art the man.” But to return to the story of the sea voyage. I said in the beginning that the majority of us were seasick as we sailed between Ireland and Wales, but hardly anyone continued ill for more than three or four days. I do not intend to give a daily account of our journey in this letter as I had thought of doing at first, since Brother Jones is giving the account in his letter. Therefore, I see that it is unnecessary work for me to write everything. It is enough for me to testify that he has written the story down very well. I have a day book in which I was putting down the most remarkable things I saw each day together with every kind of weather we had.

At times we saw rather large fish swarming together and jumping up a little higher than the water. They were about four of five feet in length. They are called porpoises. We also saw the dolphin. This fish is considered the most beautiful of all the fish in the sea. It was quite small in size, about as big as the common salmon of the Teifi [Taff River]. We saw several fish that fly—flying fish. They were flying above the water from one place to the other about 40 or 50 yards. These are just small ones. In size they look smaller than trout in the rivers of Wales. We saw a large fish on the 19th of March. It was about 12 feet long. It was seen several times near the ship. I do not know its name, but some said it was a shark, and others said that it was a young whale. Perhaps I cannot settle the matter. The sailors caught some fish by putting lines down from the rear of the ship. On our sea voyage we saw several ships here and there on the great ocean which appeared to be sailing along nicely to various places, while our little ship went along from wave to wave getting a little closer each day to the sunset. We had lovely weather and fair wind for the most part every day—no storms. In fact it was much more lovely for us than I thought it would be sailing so far away. The weather was as lovely about the middle of March as it is there in the middle of May or June. Oh, how nice it was to sit on the deck. Some would be off a ways at the front of the ship playing in the bank so sweetly while others closer by would be reading various beneficial books. And some of the women were knitting, and others were preparing food in the Cookhouse where there were two great fires for that purpose. Everything was particularly comfortable for us. No one would doubt this testimony if they could see us now. Those whose bones were quite sharp in Wales have them hidden now with healthy flesh.

We had exceptionally good prayer meetings on board the ship. Our Father poured out his Spirit on us powerfully from on high. He answered our prayers to the point of causing the elements to obey at our request. Every Sunday we held Saints’ meetings in memory of our blessed Lord, and oh, how sweet was the teaching we had from Brother Jones with respect to the resurrection of the dead, namely “How are the dead raised up and with what body will they come?”

Now I see that my letter is getting long. I must bring it to a close, despite how delightful it is for me to give an account of this lovely voyage. But before ending, I wish to give some information to my dear brothers and sisters who yet intend to follow us toward Zion. Here is the information, or rather he counsel to them, namely to be obedient to the counsels they receive from those whom my Heavenly Father has set to preside over them. And if they remember this counsel they will have great joy in the Holy Ghost. On the other hand if they forget the foregoing counsel and disregard the Holy priesthood, it is better for such to remain behind until they come to possess sufficient of the Spirit of God to be humble and meek and gentle and tractable. This is how wisdom from above will silence them.

Dear brothers and sisters, hasten to come after us, remembering to keep the foregoing counsels in your memory and remember the saying of Jesus Christ, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” On, would that my dear fellow nation of the Welsh might obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that they might see the glory of this remarkable gathering toward Zion in the latter days, so they might be saved from all the pestilence and terrible calamity that is to come on Babylon. “Oh, that the wise might understand this.” I greatly wish to know how the gospel is succeeding in Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire, especially around Llanybyther and Brechfa and environs, also Cwrtnewydd, Cribin, and all the various places where I was in these two counties preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for close to three years’ time, sincerely urging them to receive their baptism for the remission of their sins in the name of Jesus Christ, also giving them a sure promise that they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost if their motives were pure. Now I have left, and I have a clear conscience before God and men. All I can do now is to pray to him whose work this is that it will prosper in your midst. I am now too far away to shout repentance on them. As I think about them I shed a host of tears. I hope they see this letter and that they will sincerely understand this my last testimony. Here it is, Dear fellow nation. I know that I am in possession of a divine treasure, the gospel of peace. I received this knowledge while I was with you in the land of my birth, and I am still in possession of the same knowledge after crossing the great Atlantic Ocean.

 

Pages 77 through 81—Translation

 

[This is a letter to his brother David with a poignant account of the death of Thomas and Sarah’s three little daughters of cholera.]

 

Council Bluffs, June ___, 1849

 

Dear brother David,

 

Because out of the goodness and care of my Heavenly Father for me and my family, I am happy to inform you that we are well and comfortable at present. I hope that you, dear Brother, and Sarah my dear Sister, her husband and children, together with my dear father are all well. We came here after finishing our watery journey on the 16th of May. We received a comfortable place here from the brethren, houses to live in, and not only that but several other things came to our houses to visit us, which brought us great comfort. We came from New Orleans on the Steamer Constitution on the 20th of April. We reached St. Louis on the morning of the 28th of the same month. As we passed by we saw on either side of the river excellent farmhouses, and one does not ordinarily see the houses of Welsh gentry looking so beautiful. The trees looked so varied and paradisiacal that they were beautiful (a beautiful sight) for the human eye to behold. The land looks remarkably rich and is so flat that we were almost weary because we did not see any high ground. I often though about my father on seeing so many excellent trees he talked with us so much about, as if he had come and sorted them out for different purposes. We passed by some small towns as we came from New Orleans to St. Louis. We stayed 5 days in St’ Louis for various purposes, namely to buy sufficient food for the journey and tools for our use after arriving in the Valley. The Cholera Morbus was hitting hard in St. Louis, and it was not long before it came into our midst to separate the bodies and spirits of the innocent Saints from one another. It is pitiful to relate our story from St. Louis as far as here. Those who died from the branches of Brechfa and Llanybyther were faithful Saints. Do not wonder when you read their names, for “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth, saith the Spirit, and their works do follow them.” I say to you, dear brother, my Father, and my dear sisters, together with the dear Saints and my relatives there – “do not be sad like others who have no hope.” Well, I shall name them now: Benjamin Thomas, Plasbach, who was taken ill on the morning of the 4th. of May with the cholera. He died before evening. On the 5th Sister Anne Lewis, David Phillips’ maid, died. The next day our little Margaret was stricken with cholera. She passed away quietly at about two o’clock in the afternoon. It was absolutely heartbreaking to see the children crying for her, with little Esther, her friend, asking from time to time, “Where is Margaret? Where is Margaret?” Before morning the following day little Sarah, our dear daughter was stricken again with the same affliction. You no doubt know how fond she was of her father and her father of her. Mary, our dear youngest daughter was very sick, because of her teeth and a tapeworm, we thought. The elders and I laid hands on them frequently. But O, they died the same day. It is easier for you to imagine my feelings together with my dear wife in those days than it is for me to try to describe them here. Sarah died early in the afternoon and Mary toward 7.00 o’clock. They were both buried in the same coffin. Thus you see, dear relatives, how it was with us. But thanks be to God , we can say in the words of Job of old, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Three children of David Phillips, formerly from Maesygroes, died. And Daniel Davies, Llystyn, and Daniel Thomas , son of the deceased Benjamin Thomas formerly from Plasbach. The faithful brother Benjamin Francis, Courtnewydd, died, and three of his children. I, myself, was sick, together with my wife. Little Thomas and Hannah were very sick, but thanks to the heavens they and I were restored to full health. John and little Esther were not very sick. You have read the story of those whom John saw, “which came out of great tribulation.” Thus were we after our afflictions and suffering according to the will of God. I refer you to what Peter said in his first epistle, 4th chapter and 17th verse, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” Well, here it is beginning at the house of God. Let us keep watch. The end will be awful for those who do not believe.

 

Pages 82 through 87—Translation

 

[This letter is from Sarah Evans Jeremy to her mother in Wales. The handwriting appears to be that of her husband.]

 

Council Bluffs, June ____ 1849

 

Dear Mother,

I told you that I would send word back as soon as we reached land, but forgive me for that. You shall have our story in greater detail now. I sent a letter to you from New Orleans. I hope you have received it. We arrived in New Orleans after nightfall, and the next morning we moved to the packet, and we slept on it one night before getting underway. We had much opposition with respect to the gospel after coming to the Mississippi River from the enemies of the Son of God before coming from the ship. You will remember that it is through many obstacles that one must go to the kingdom of God. Thank heaven I have received strength through many things. Many Saints from England were on the steamer with us. The steamer we had in Swansea was nothing compared to the ones here with respect to size or grandeur. We saw many wonders along the side of this river. The farm houses are prettier than any house in the town of Carmarthen. Plenty of land is to be had here, and it badly needs a lot of tilling. I was thinking a lot about the poor and the farmers of Wales as I saw such land. There are trees here the same kind as the willows of Wales, higher than your house and very stout. We saw scores of black slaves along the side of this river. There is a lot of talk in this country about the slaves, that they are hard on them. There are many of the Welsh who work harder than some that I have seen, and there is not one man in the parish of Llanybyther who has better food. Everyone here if they have a bit of food eat unusually well, and everyone has the same thing. We reached St. Louis and the Welsh were all alive. We were there for a few days. There was there the biggest sight of packets I ever saw. There were very large shops there. We saw many things here, too many to name. Before we left St. Louis the cholera came into our midst. Oh, such a trial. And for days after getting underway amongst those who were dying, little Margaret, our daughter, died. She was stricken Sunday morning, and before noon she had died. Next Monday morning little Sarah was stricken. She died that afternoon, and before nightfall the same day dear little Mari died. They were buried in the same coffin. When little Mary was placed with dear Sarah in the coffin little Esther cried out and said, “Oh, dear Mary.” Little Thomas and Hannah were taken ill, and we were nights caring for them. At the same time I myself was stricken at night, and I called for the elders to lay hands on me, and I was able to calm down and sleep. And in the morning I awoke. I was much worse. I jumped down from the bed and walked out along the packet. I was worse still. There was no use in going to bed if I could be up and around. By then Thomas was sick. I told him to go to Brother Capt. Jones and others. We were just about to collapse by then. Thomas was not feeling sick himself. By then he saw that I was dying. He was willing for all the children to die if I could be spared. And thanks to the Lord I was saved from it immediately through the laying on of hands of the brethren. My John and John the servant were sick, but we are all as a family now alive and healthy except for those three little ones. Do not grieve for them too much. I would be much worse off than I am if I were not with the Saints. I know more now than I ever did about the kingdom of God, and I hope that you also will be able to say the same thing. We and the children are very desirous and anxious to see you and all your family and many of the Welsh also very soon.

Hasten, dear mother, to come from there while the way is open to you. I am mystified why you do not come quickly. There are some from every branch of the Welsh, I believe, who are staying here in order to benefit the Welsh who are yet to come. There is plenty of land here for everyone, and the best land I have ever seen. There is no need for manure on anything here. You do not put manure on the gardens here, and they are much more fruitful than the ones you have. Here they yield thirty bushels of potatoes to one, with no manure. There is one man here who planted potatoes and earthed them like the Welsh who got one hundred bushels from one. They commonly get thirty bushels from one bushel of wheat, sometimes more and sometimes less. Here there are vegetables and strawberries, grapes, gooseberries, and several other things that grow along the prairies without anyone worrying about them. They make soap and wine and vinegar and a variety of other things for their use here. The clothes are very expensive here. Light clothing is what is worn here. The veils and the parasols are so common that hardly anyone here is without them. Bring some with you and umbrellas. You can get much more for everything here than there. Bring some light silk for gowns and white muslin and also some light gingham for fine calico dresses. White and black cotton socks of every size. Do not pack any woolen dresses or woolen clothing, but what you have. Light clothing is what the men have. No one here puts nails in boots. There are no hobnails available here. Bring a brass pan for milk and a sieve for gruel and a small scale with some small weights. There is nothing like available in this country. Bring spices of every kind without grinding them and blue pine, and needles, black edgings and lace. Every kind of clothing is very useful. In Liverpool Mrs. Lewis from Kidwelly purchased about a hundred pounds worth of every kind of clothing in Liverpool [sic], and when the boxes were opened in New Orleans she said that she had a large family and that the clothes were for them. No one had to pay duty. You can put some things at the bottom of the boxes with clothing on top of them. They were not thorough in going to the bottom, rather they just opened the lid. The women here do not wear rings. Keepers are what they have. They wear several on one hand. Bring some things with you for yourself. You can bring some little trifles if you wish. Put everything in boxes except for the feather beds. Tie ropes around your boxes.

 

[Transcription] April 2nd, 1850. We came to live to our City Lot on the above day.

 

Pages 88 and 89—Translation

 

[This is the initial part of a letter that was published in Udgorn Seion (Zion’s Trumpet) 1850, pp. 281-85. The date given for the published version is 14 April 1850.]

 

Great Salt Lake City

 

Dear Brother Davies,

 

Would you be so kind as to lend space in your melodious Trumpet for this letter, so that those who wanted me to write to them can have an answer through it. I hope that everyone who wishes to hear my story will see it in the Trumpet, for it would be too much work for me to write personally to everyone I would like to. I hope that my brothers and sisters around Llanybyther and Brechfa and other places will do their best to spread the Trumpet throughout the country hoping that my testimony in this letter will be a means with the blessing of the Almighty God to do some good for the Saints and for those of the world, and for the glory of God, for that is my delight and the wish of my heart. Monday the 29th of October after a long journey we came into the boundaries of the city to stay for a while, until our revered president Brigham Young visited with us. In the meantime his two counselors came to us, namely Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards. I can almost remember his first words to us: “Brethren, you’re welcome to the Valley.” [This quote is in English.]

 

Page 89—Transcription

 

Memorandum that on the 18th of January 1851, that the Welch Brethren many of them was called and ordained to be seventies and special witnesses of the gospel of Jesus throughout the world. The following brethren was ordained on the above day:

 

Rice Williams

Evan Rees

Caleb Parry

Thomas Daniels

Benjamin Thomas

David Evans

John Jones

Edward Williams

Lewis Jones

Cadwalader Owens

Owen Roberts

William Clark

William Lewis

Isaac Nash

Daniel Leigh

David Phillips

 

Pages 90 through 96—Translation

 

[Although this letter to John Davis is dated March 1851 in the Copy Book, it was not published in Udgorn Seion (Zion’s Trumpet) until the 8 May 1852 issue (pages 142-45). And in its published form it carries the date of 31 January 1852. The lower half of page 94 is blank. It appears that some pages in the Copy Book are missing.]

 

Great Salt Lake City, State of Deseret

March _____ 1851

 

Dear Brother Davis,

 

With delight and pleasure I write to you again, this time from the far west, hoping that this little paper will reach you safely, and that you are enjoying health, temporal and spiritual success, which is the wish of your old friend. It frequently comes to mind the old times in Llanybyther when we were small babies, newly born into the flock of the good Shepherd. Great was the happiness we felt when there were but four of us in my old dwelling in those times, inquiring after great things from our gracious Father, and even greater our happiness when we received answers to our inquiries from him. And we knew then that our closest neighbors and our relatives that we loved so dearly were deprived of the great happiness that the Lord poured out through his Spirit on our hearts. We had not been there long before others enlisted under the same banner as we had enlisted. Some of our neighbors at that time complained that old Capt. Jones (as they said) had deceived us and that we had promised all we owned to him, which neither they nor anyone else could prove that even one word of that was true until this day. In those days several of the faithful brethren came by to us, namely Brothers Abel Evans, Thomas Harries and others, who were of great benefit to us through their valuable counsels, with greater previous experience they had had in the Church than we. When in this condition increasing gradually, the wrath of the father of lies and of his children was directed upon us in large measure to the point of our becoming the object of scorn of some nearby reverends, but we worked our way through it all to our good. I remember that letter I received from Cap. D. S. Davies threatening me so greatly because of the religion I professed, call the poor Saints, “The dam night deepers that leadeth the people away down to hell.” [“Night deepers” has reference to baptizing at night by immersion. Their enemies called those performing the baptizing “dippers.”] But the Lord in his mercy and love saw fit to bless us against the persecution that we suffered; it would be too long for me now to mention old Dark Daniel and all the other old persecutors, for I know that they will all receive justice in the future day when the secrets of every heart will be searched. I cannot help but give a word of counsel to the old persecutors of the religion of Christ in Wales. It is possible that some of them persecute in ignorance like Paul of old. I counsel such to make the greatest haste to seek for one of the servants of God who has the lawful right to baptize for the remission of sins, confessing their sins and calling on the name of the Lord. Forgive me, dear brother, for writing about things you already know, but it is a pleasure for me to write a bit about the old times and reflect back on it.

Now I venture to give you a bit of our story here. Several of the Welsh nation came here last autumn, and all of them were enjoying excellent health. What can you say but to think fairly of them, but they admitted that there was something strange going on. Oh that they could be wise and understand that the hand of the Lord is over his Saints protecting them daily. The Lord suffered that the Saints’ enemies could persecute them from place to place, from city to city to the point of persecuting them to the wilderness about a thousand miles from any settlement of white people, which is good for us to be so far from them. We have peace here to worship our God “with no one to hurt or to make afraid.” In this peaceful city I hear no cruel blasphemy, namely satanic deceivers, false prophets, and every bad name they can think of. Oh, how lovely it is to live as brothers together, far away from the Pharisees and hypocrites of this age. But despite how far away they are, several gentiles pass by us. Those who are sick with yellow fever continue on. They are desirous of gathering to their god of gold in lower California. They stay here just a little because of the heat of the place, for the Spirit of the living God reigns here. For the sinners fear and tremble in Zion. Yet we baptized some of the honest in heart of the blood of Ephraim who come here among the gentiles. Such rejoice and are happy here with us in the salvation of our God. [Half of page 94 is blank.]

Within a short time after their arrival here I had the honor of baptizing about eighteen of them in one day. They were confirmed in my house in the afternoon after their baptism. The Lord poured out his Spirit abundantly on them and on us as well as we ministered. The ordinance of baptism is necessary for all of the Saints to obey after the come here. Our revered president Brigham Young and his counselors and the Twelve gave obedience to this ordinance when they came here, renewing their covenants with the Lord to live faithfully, etc. Everything is going forward here very well. The storehouse of the Lord is being filled quickly. We expect more and more blessings continually, for the promise is in our favor. The Lord said: “Will I not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Several large houses have been built here during this year by the Church. Soon a beautiful temple will no doubt be seen here, such as has never been seen in this dispensation. The diligence of the Saints here and their faithfulness and prosperity are the object of surprise to the world, and [The letter ends abruptly here at the bottom of page 96.]

 

Page 96—Translation

 

[This fragment of Thomas Jeremy’s letter to his mother-in-law occupies the upper two-thirds of the page. Its abrupt end suggests that pages of the Copy Book are missing.]

 

Dear Mother-in-law,

I shall add a bit to that which your dear daughter has written before me. We were happy to receive a letter from you, and the best of all for us is how frequently you have written to us. Although we are now far apart from each other, you there in Britain, in Ynysfechan in the midst of the ocean, and we here in the western world on the great continent in this beautiful valley, surrounded by the fortresses of the lofty mountains whose snowy tops rise to the high clouds

 

INDEX

 

Thomas Jeremy’s Copy Book

 

1 English—birth of Eliza Jeremy 23 Mar 1852, SLC

2 English—a blessing by John Smith, Patriarch, 15 Dec 1849, SLC, Book F, p. 64, #146

3 English—John Smith blessing, conclusion

4 English—a blessing by Wm. Draper, Patriarch, n.d., Book A, p. 24

5 English—Wm. Draper blessing, conclusion

6 English—a blessing by John Smith, Patriarch, 15 Dec 1849, SLC, to Sarah Jeremy

7 English—a blessing by Apostle George A. Smith, n.d.

8 English—a blessing by John Young, HP Quorum Pres., 2 Feb 1851

9 English—John Young blessing, conclusion

10 English—a blessing by John Smith, Patriarch, 18 Feb 1851, SLC

11 English—a blessing by Parley P. Pratt (incomplete)

12 English—a blessing by George A. Smith and Lorenzo Snow, 11 Sep 1852 (set apart for mission)

13 English—setting apart, conclusion

14 English—some calculations and entries crossed out with a large corner missing

15 blank

16 Welsh—Letter to Dan Jones about blind man incident, published in Prophwyd y Jubili (Prophet of the Jubilee), December 1848, p. 170-171

17 Welsh—continuation

18 Welsh—continuation; conclusion on p. 19

19 Welsh—17 Nov 1848 letter to Dan Jones (3 months before leaving Wales on the Buena Vista)

20 Welsh—continuation

21 Welsh—continuation

22 Welsh—conclusion

23 Welsh—Dec 1848 letter to Dan Jones (2 months before leaving Wales)

24 Welsh—continuation

25 Welsh—continuation

26 Welsh—continuation; conclusion on 27

27 Welsh—5 Dec 1848 letter to brother and sister; attempt to convert

28 Welsh—continuation

29 Welsh—continuation

30 Welsh—conclusion

31 English—6 verses of “The Upper California,” a song by John Taylor

32 English—conclusion

33 Welsh—“A few useful things to remember”

34 Welsh—conclusion

35 English and Welsh—married to Sarah by Brigham Young, endowments, ordination

36 Welsh—a record of the births of the children of Thomas and Sarah Jeremy

37 Welsh—continuation

38 Welsh—conclusion

39 English—record of some letters sent

40 English—a dream of Thomas Jeremy’s son, John

41 English—conclusion

42 Welsh—eight headings; the remainder of the page is blank

43 Welsh—list of various ordinations to the priesthood

44 Welsh—continuation

45 Welsh—continuation

46 Welsh—conclusion

47 English—baptism and ordination information

48 English—conclusion

49 blank and half missing

50 English—agreement in which Benjamin Jones commits to make a dam across the Jordan River

51 English—conclusion

52 blank

53 English and Welsh—money paid in tithing and temple fund

54 blank

55 Welsh—a record of contributions from March through September 1847 while Thomas Jeremy was president of the Llanybydder/Brechfa Branch

56 Welsh—continuation

57 Welsh—continuation

58 Welsh—continuation

59 Welsh—a record of contributions from October through December 1847 while Thomas Jeremy was president of the Llanybydder/Brechfa Branch

60 Welsh—continuation

61 Welsh—Total money collected for Capt. [Jones]—there appears to be a page[s] missing

62 English—school beginning for John and Thomas; sale of saddle to John Young

63 blank

64 Welsh—a defense of Mormonism sent to Yr Amserau (The Times) 1 Feb 1849

65 Welsh—continuation

66 Welsh—conclusion

67 Welsh—account of crossing on the Buena Vista; not the same as his published account

68 Welsh—continuation

69 Welsh—continuation

70 Welsh—continuation

71 Welsh—continuation

72 Welsh—continuation

73 Welsh—continuation

74 Welsh—continuation

75 Welsh—continuation

76 Welsh—conclusion

77 Welsh—June 1849 letter to brother David; poignant account of deaths—3 daughters on Missouri

78 Welsh—continuation

79 Welsh—continuation

80 Welsh—continuation

81 Welsh—conclusion

82 Welsh—June 1849 letter of Sarah Jeremy to her mother

83 Welsh—continuation

84 Welsh—continuation

85 Welsh—continuation

86 Welsh—continuation

87 Welsh—conclusion

88 Welsh—initial part of letter to John Davis; published in Zion’s Trumpet 1850, p. 281-285

89 English—record of Welsh brethren who were ordained seventies on 18 Jan 1851

90 Welsh—March 1851 letter to John Davis from SLC; published in Zion’s Trumpet, 8 May 1852, pp. 142-45 with the date of 31 January 1852.

91 Welsh—continuation

92 Welsh—continuation

93 Welsh—continuation

94 Welsh—continuation; half of this page is blank

95 Welsh—conclusion

96 Welsh—a note to his mother-in-law to add onto the letter Sarah had written to her; incomplete

 

None

Immigrants:

Jeremy, Thomas Evans

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