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I was born in Manchester, England 6 Mar 1839. My earliest recollection of the latter-day work date back to the close of 1844, at the time when the church was still lamenting the death of her prophet and patriarch, Joseph and Hyrum Smith. My knowledge of the church and her work at the period here named is necessarily of a fragmentary and limited, and not of any special or general interest. I was baptized in my eleventh year--my parents having previously identified themselves with the church.
At the time of my baptism the Saints rented the "Carpenter's Hall" on David Street, "Old Barratt," on now Princess street, Manchester, in which they held their services. The work was spreading rapidly, the branch numbered several hundred communicants. The gift and graces of the gospel flourished and the influences and teachings of the ministry were of such a character as to convince honest inquirers of the truth, and souls were added to the church almost daily.
We had a most excellent Sunday School, largely attended by children of the Saints who were taught by men and women who had little schooling or college eloquence, but were rich in grace and full of faith in the saving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was under the tuition of such men and women, combined with the faithful training of a spiritually minded mother, that I, in the providence of God, received those early impressions of the latter-day gospel, that endeared it to my heart and caused me to make it my standard of righteousness throughout life.
Our Branch increased in number until at the close of 1852, there were over seven hundred members enter upon the records, and a number stood upon the brink of the waters of baptism almost ready to step in. The English Mission had its 32,339 members and was then in the high tide of its prosperity.
The gathering to Utah became the special theme of the missionary Elders in England. My parents partook of the excitement and decided upon sending me across the ocean--trusting that my way might afterwards be opened up to accomplish the remainder of the journey. In keeping with this agreement, my passage was paid on board the ship "Siddons" (chartered by the Liverpool office) which had as passengers about 400 of like faith with myself. We left Liverpool 27 Feb 1855 with bright anticipation of the future before us, and with every prospect of a speedy voyage across the "trackless waters", but we were disappointed, for hardly had the pilot left our ship before the wind, heretofore favorable, suddenly veered around, and for many days continued to blow from an unfavorable quarter. Seasickness seems from time immemorial to have been the besetting weakness of those who for the first time "go down to the sea in ships" and I proved no exception to the rule but soon succumbed to the motion of the ship, as she staggered along in her struggle with wind and sea. I lay almost sick unto death, deeply regretting that I had left the home of my childhood and the loving sympathy of my mother, and I would have given much at that moment to have heard her tender voice and felt her loving arms around my neck. In a day or two, however, I was on my feet again, and the future appeared of brighter hue.
Our voyage was a stormy and protracted one, and we were subjected to many discomforts and trials during our sojourn on the sea.
As the days rolled around we became more familiar with our surroundings, and with one another,
although now and again the "Old Adam" would show himself, even amongst those called Saints,
but taken altogether, my fellow voyagers--with one or two exceptions--were very pleasant people
and before the end of our journey I learned to appreciate them very much.
The old ship reached her destination (Philadelphia) 20 Apr, just 54 days after leaving Liverpool. We disembarked the following day, and those of us who had not sufficient means to carry us further upon our journey sought employment, hoping to shortly raise means to carry us on to our destination, "The Valley of the Mountains", our supposed harbor of refuge, my anticipated "haven of rest."
Our parting was soon over, after which I obtained lodgings with those of my faith and soon obtained employment that covered my immediate necessities for the time being.
In my 19th year I entered the state of matrimony, marrying Miss Annie Ritson. She was in the church and fellow passenger with me when I left my native land and who, by the providence of God, still remains the faithful companion of my earthly pilgrimage, sharing with me the joys and sorrows of life and participating together in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We remained nearly three years in Philadelphia after our marriage. Then circumstances arose that necessitated our return to England and we arrived back there about the end of August, 1860.
Our welcome greeting over, we found that during my absence that Father had severed his connection with the Utah Church because he rejected the doctrine of polygamy. Mother was still in sympathy with the church and soon after my return, Father rejoined.
After his re-admission into the fold, he again threw open his doors to the missionary Elders. Sometime afterwards, Mother, with the rest of the family, emigrated to Utah, settling in Fillmore where she was joined by my father about 1865. After the departure of my parents, I became more than ever attached to my faith and began to take an active part in the local affairs of the church. I had by this time been ordained to the Eldership, and honestly strove to magnify that calling, at the same time made such preparations as I could to join my kin in Utah and then prove my devotion to God and the Church. For some time I had been inquiring into claims of the Reorganized Church and felt that they were divinely appointed to administer the ordinance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. On 16 Sep 1876, I was baptized in her fold by Elder Thomas Taylor of Birmingham, President of the English Mission. The next day I was ordained an Elder and appointed Secretary of the Manchester Branch, then first organized under the Presidency of Elder John Miller. I succeeded Elder Miller as President of the Branch the following year and was then appointed to the Presidency of the Manchester District as its organization, which time I have continued to occupy that position. I cannot say I have doen any great deeds, but with help of the Holy Spirit I have endeavored to walk in light and lead others by example. I have tried to hold myself ready with reasonable service in my ministry to the household of faith. In all this I have been blessed of God and ably assisted by a noble and devoted band of men and women, ministers and members of the church whose services and ungrudgingly given whenever and wherever they are required. Duty under such conditions becomes a pleasure and thus surrounded I hope to endure, finally overcome, and inherit with the redeemer and sanctified.