f: v.: n ot,uCi d J.S3M I .16 0._' 0£<:; H3J/IVf.. N3Q NOCJMi r~ , I l IN THIS ISSUE- AUGUST, 1936 THE FIRST PRESIDENCY HEBER J. GRANT Volume 39 Number 8' Return Postage Guaranteed CHARLES A. CALLIS HARVEY FLETCHER SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH CARVETH WELLS LEAH D. WIDTSOE From a Painting by William Ritschel. THE JOURNAL of E HERE present the Journal of Archer W alters, age 47, W English craftsman and son ARCHER of a well~to-do-family, who, in 1856, brought his wife, and five children between the ages of six and eighteen years, from Sheffield, England, to WALTERS Utah, by boat, rail and handcart, and who, after having fashioned un­ THE SELF~TOLD STORY OF A MAN WHO GAVE HIS LIFE timely coffins in which to lay at rest FOR THE CAUSE OF TRUTH, AND WHOSE SCORES OF many of his fellow travelers, him­ DESCENDANTS BLESS AND CHERISH HIS MEMORY. self went to an early grave a fort­ night after reaching Salt Lake Val­ ley. of Los Angeles, a great~grand­ the Church Historian's office and by Ofttimes our histories deal with daughter of Archer Walters and one data published in the Millennia[ broad generalities, and with the of the many descendants of this Star and the Deseret News in 1856. goings and comings of our leaders. man who have continued faithful to Archer Walters was born July But here is the hitherto unpublished the Church and to the cause of 29, 1809, at Cambridge, Cambridge­ story of a faithful follower whose Truth for which Archer Walters shire, England, the son of Archer daily account of weary miles and gave his life. Walters. According to Archer privations, over land and water, was The statistical and historical facts Walters Clayton, grandson, and recently made available to The Im­ pertinent to this account are well Mrs. Lily Clayton Wolstenholme, provement Era by Mrs. J. R. Pettit substantiated by records found in granddaughter of Archer Walters, 482 T H E I M P R 0 V EM EN T ERA, A U C U $ T, 1 9 3 6 among this man's family were Emigration Fund in 1856. Four family, left his native land and the numbered many clergymen and hundred thirty~one were "P. E." traditions of his fathers, to travel doctors. In accordance with the passengers many of whom were through hardship and privation, for custom of families who could afford later to cross the plains with hand~ truth and freedom on a new fran~ it, young Archer was taught a trade, carts; and one hundred three were tier: in the pursuit of which he left Cam~ "ordinary" passengers. The ship's bridge and went to Sheffield where company also included the following MARCH 18TH, 1856 he met and fell in love with Harriet Elders who had been released from . Left Sheffield, Yorkshire, Eng~ Cross, a charming and lovable missionary labors in Great Britain: land, by rail to Liverpool, under the " factory~girl" whom Archer married Spicer W. Crandall, John D. T. charge of Elders Frost and MeDon~ in 1837, the same year in which the McAllister, John A. Hunt, J. Na~ ald. A pleasant journey and under British Mission was opened. than, T. Porter, Edward Frost, Rob~ their charge all was in good order e~t Because of his wife's "social in ~ Parker, Andrew Galloway, Wm. and all happy and rejoicing, num~ feriority" Archer was disinherited Heaton, Walter Granger, and Sam~ bering 31 in all. Comfortable, with by his family, and continued his uel Hargreaves; also Truman Leon~ my wife and five children in good residence and the pursuit of his trade ard who was returning home from health and spirits; all rejoicing in in Sheffield. He was a carpenter, the East India Mission. The ship's going to help the building up of the (joiner, as it is called in England) company also included a band from Lord's Kingdom in the Valleys of and in his shop window was a sign Birmingham. the Rocky Mountains. which read "From the cradle to the The names and ages of Archer grave," meaning that he did all kinds Walter's family are given as fol~ 19TH of carpenter work which, in the Old lows: Harriet (his wife) , 4 7; Sarah, All in good health for which I feel Country, includes the profession of 18; Henry, 16; Harriet (daughter) , thankful to my Heavenly Father. Undertaker. He had a very genial 14; Martha, 12, and Lydia, 6. All went to look at the ships lying disposition and was happy and jolly. This human document gives soul~ in the Waterloo Docks. The name He and his wife became middle class inspiring insight into the kind of of the ship is "Enoch Train." Then people, living the life of an English men and women who stood stead~ went to the office, 42 Islington, to family well~to ~ do but not rich. fastly by the Church in early days be booked; returned to rest quite Archer Walters (and it is pre~ even at the cost of life itself, and tired. sumed his family at the same time) who left home, country and comfort was baptized into the Church of to conquer the great American Des~ 20TH Jesus Christ of Latter~day Saints ert for the privilege of worshiping Did not sleep very well, being the September 3, 1848, by an Elder Syl~ in the Lord's appointed way, and up~ vester, and ordained a Priest April building the kingdom of Heaven. 42 ISLINGTON , LIVERPOOL, HEADQUARTERS OF I, 1849 by Elders Dunn, Long, and And now the Journal of Archer THE CHURCH IN EUROPE, FOR MANY DECADES. Lees. THROUGH THIS OFFICE, RICH IN CHURCH Walters speaks the thoughts of an HISTORY, PASSAGE WAS ARRANGED FOR THOUSANDS OF LOYAL BRITISH AND OTHER The sheltered life in an English English carpenter, who, with his EUROPEAN MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. town did not prepare the family for the hardships of the journey across the plains, but Archer Walters said before leaving England: "If I can but reach the Valleys of the Moun ~ tains, in the land of Zion, with my 1 family, that they may grow up un ~ der the influence of the Gospel of Christ, then I shall be satisfied, though I give my life in the effort." THE SHIP Enoch Train on which he and his family embarked ' from Liverpool for Boston, March 22, 1856, carried 534 Saints in~ eluding 415.adults ( 8 years and up) , 98 children ( I to 8 years ) , and 21 infants (under I year), representing the following countries: England, 322; Scotland, 146; Ireland, 17; Wales, 18; and others from Den ~ by mark, America, Switzerland, Cape rial of Good Hope, and East India. The 156. boat's skipper was Captain Henry fuly P. Rich. The presidency of the l ge~ company consisted of Elder James :her Ferguson, president, and Elders Ed ~ cher mund Ellsworth and Daniel D. Me~ and ~me , Arthur, counselors. This ship carried the first emi ~ ~ers , grants for Utah by the Permanent T H E I M P R 0 V E M E N T E R A, A U G U S T, 1 9 3 6 first night. Rose up about 6 o'clock. no appetite. Rough breakers; sea fords hire Conference, aged 60 years. Rations served out on the river. All wind blowing southeast east. A rough day. Ships rolled and went on very well. Patience tried boxes rattled. Bottles upset. Bed~ a little but had no place in me. The 27TH steads broke down and cooking did best Good Friday I ever saw in my All better except Harriet, for not please all for the saucepans up~ life. A band of music on board which I thank my Heavenly Father. set in the jelly. Some scolded and and all merry as crickets and the Wind blowing briskly after a wet some fell and hurt themselves. A sailors and captains busy at work. night. Now 12 o'clock and all well thing to try the patience of some. Sent a letter to Brother Harrison, and merry. Most are getting over Went to bed. ship rocked and rolled Sheffield. Thus ends Good Friday. their sea sickness. A ship in sight about; did not sleep well but all night bound for England. Trumpet the President and Captains of the 21ST sounded for prayers and we laid different wards do their best for all Saturday 21st. rose about 6 down in peace, committing our souls and all good saints feel well. o'clock. A child born during the to the care of our Heavenly Father. night. Sister sleeps well. Bro. F. D. Richards came on board and the 2ND 28TH The dead sister's body committed Doctor. The brethren took all the A fine morning and many better male names for watch and began to to the deep. It was the first I ever of sea sickness and our rations saw buried in the sea and I never organize their wards with Bro. Fer~ served out. Salt and vinegar; beef guson Pres. wards No. 1. 2. 3, 4. want to see another. A rough day as we have had none before. Many all day. and 5. on deck and not many in bed. Band played on deck; all rejoicing. etc.; 22ND songs, etc. 3RD Sunday 22nd. Bro. Wheelock A fine morning; almost all on and Dunbar came on board. Bro. 29TH deck. Some few below sick. My F. D. Richards sent us his blessings. Cold wet day; all busy cooking.