Henry Jones' Diary
May the 25th, 1868, I came from Llanelly to prepare for emigrating this season.
June the first I went to Pencader Station to see Isaac Jones and his family
going to Liverpool and David Owen (?) and Galch and his family, both of them
was going to Utah on the sailing ship John Bright which was going out on the
4th of June 1868. I was born at Pencader Branch. (The book he wrote in was
bought in the town of Llanelly on the 15th day of April 1868.)
Henry Jones Journal: I am the son of David and Rachel Jones College, Pencader
in the Parish of Llanfhangelararth in the county of Carmarthen South Wales,
Great Britian. My father David Jones was born near to Pencader in the said
parish on ____ 1775 and died on the 3rd of Nov. 1861, without yielding
obedience to the gospel. My mother was born at Blanpant in the same parish on
the 25th of Feb. 1805 and was baptized to the Church of Latter-Day Saints on
the 17th August 1866 by Daniel Stephens, Pencader. Henry Jones was ordained an
Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Willard City, Box
Elder Co., Utah, underneath the hands of William Lowe, Edwin Cordon, James
Chander and Abraham Zundle. James Chandler was the mouth piece on 23rd Dec.
1875.
June 9, 1868
We had our notifications from Liverpool to go with the American
ship called Constitution which was to go out from Liverpool for New York on the
24th of this month with a load of passengers.
June 10
Sending half of our notification back to the office.
June 21, Sunday
June 22
Started from Pencader at 7:30 in the morning, reached at 8:10 Carmarthen
getting tickets from there to Liverpool by the Glandilo-chaining train five
times arrived in Liverpool about quarter past seven afternoon. Slept at Mr.
Wales House, 46, Ct. Cross Hall Street.
June 23, Tuesday
Had our breakfast at Wall's and then went down with our luggage to get on board
the Constitutions. Slept this night in the ship.
June 24
Rose this morning about half past five. The inspector boarded the ship about
11 A.M. We had a few remarks by President F. D. Richards concerning the
journey. About one o'clock we sailed. Another ship Agefraid sailed with our
ship for about 20 miles beyond Liverpool and returned about 12 midnight.
June 25
We were on guard from 12 midnight until morning David and Mary were ill all
day. This ship was hardly moving at all. We had a prayer meeting at 10 A.M.
June 26
This is a very stormy day again. Ireland is seen in the distance today. Mary
does not feel so well today again.
June 27
Very stormy again today. We shall travel many miles today. The passengers
feel very well today. Past Ireland now which is out of sight.
Sunday
Very stormy, terrible wind today. Ship traveling only 8 or 9 miles an hour
since yesterday. We shall meet with President H. W. at 10 providing the deck
will be dry. H. W. Cluff who first spoke to the Saints in English, advising
them to have courage. Following him President Horne of the German mission who
spoke in German, he was followed by C. P. Liston. In the afternoon the storm
ceased. The ship did not seem to move. On the surface of the ocean there
appeared five or six large fish, the sailors called them Porpoise.
Monday 29
We rose at 6:30 A.M. we sought for water as the first thing. Breakfast
followed a 9 A.M. prayer meeting. The ship traveling about 4 miles an hour.
The ship was heaving, that made many seasick, some were very sick, especially
little Mary and David. And John is also sick but he won't admit that it is
seasickness. It is awful the way the ship is heaving, up and down, backward
and forward. This makes almost everyone sick, about 8 A.M. we sighted a shate,
the captain stated it was a young whale, it was spouting water to a height of
about 18 ft. upward.
July 17, Friday
Strong winds, growing stronger in the night. The waves dashing against the
sides, so terrific that one man was throw out of bed and stating the ship must
have struck the bottom of the ocean.
July 18, Saturday
The wind had lessened its fury today. With the aid of a tail wind, the ship
traveling 1 1/2 miles an hour at 5:00 P.M. The wind not as strong as
yesterday.
July 19, Sunday
It is rather cold today. The ship traveling very slowly, allowed to be on the
deck about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
July 20, Monday
Passing over the banks of Newfoundland today, traveling was very slow about one
mile an hour. The weather is rather cold. Fog clearing about 6 o'clock.
About 8 o'clock we sighted a fishing boat.
July 21, Tuesday
A foggy day. Our ship sailing and traveling fairly fast by comparison with
other days on this journey.
July 22, Wednesday
The first thing that came to view was a boat fishing for codfish. There are
scores of fishing boats along the banks. Many ships lying at anchor waiting
the return of the fishing boats. I saw them raising anchor which registers 29
fathoms deep.
July 23, Thursday
A very calm day. The sea seemed like a sea of glass. The ship hardly moving
all day. Ships travel faster by night. This ship averages 3 miles in the
night per hour. 732 miles from Liverpool at 12 noon.
July 24, Friday
Ship traveling between 3 and 4 miles an hour. We had a meeting on the deck
today.
July 25, Saturday
A calm day. The night is stormy and lasted all night.
July 26, Sunday
I was awakened this morning by the tin pans and dishes crashing on the floor.
This was the most awful morning I can ever remember. The ship was heaving so
terrible the dishes and boxes following in the same direction, making it
dangerous to be in their course. We could not walk or stand erect on the deck,
the ship heaving and trembling so terrible.
July 27, Monday
A very calm day, nothing of importance to record.
July 28, Tuesday
A very fine day. The ship is hardly moving.
July 29, Wednesday
The ship is sailing well today, traveling between six and seven miles an hour
to mid-day, continuing until 10 P.M. at night.
July 30, Thursday
A very calm day, ship traveling about 3 miles an hour.
July 31, Friday
Fairly calm day, traveling about the same as yesterday.
August 1, Saturday
Rough weather all day.
August 2, Sunday
Rough weather again today.
August 3, Monday
This is the best day yet, the pilot came on deck today, but we are not in sight
of land yet.
August 4, Tuesday
Seen land today about 1 o'clock. Ships passing us all day long.
