An Illustrated Diary and Manuscript History

of the John E. Forsgren Emigant Company from Denmark, 1852-1853, part 1

Typical Packet Ship Used by Emigrants From England to the U.S.A. in Early 1850s

Ship: the packet ship Forest Monarch
Date of Departure: 16 Jan 1853
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
LDS Immigrants: 297
Church Leader: John E. Forsgren
Date of Arrival: 16 Mar 1853
Port of Arrival: New Orleans, Louisiana

Source(s): Customs (FHL #200,173)

Notes: “DEPARTURES. . . . The Forest Monarch sailed on the 16th [of] January, with 297 Danish Saints on board, under the presidency of Elder John Forsgren. . . .” Millennial Star 15:6 (February 5, 1853), p. 89.

1853, Immigration/Emigration to Utah—Ships and Companies

The interests of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund were cared for under Apostle Richard’s agency, so much so that up to January, 1852, 1,410 pounds of sterling had been donated, and in the two ships which sailed January 10, 1852, two hundred and fifty-one persons were sent out requiring above 1,000 pounds more than had been donated, which extra outlay was supplied in the meantime by Apostle Richards. This was the first operation with the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, and it required much careful thought and wise deliberation to adopt plans that would carry this branch of the emigration properly through to the Valley. It was also the first time arrangements had been made before leaving Liverpool. Never before had such a journey been undertaken by so large a number of people with such limited resources.

During the year 1853, several companies of non-English speaking Saints passed through Liverpool. The first one from the Scandinavian Mission numbered two hundred and ninety seven souls and was reshipped at Liverpool on board the Forest Monarch January 16th, under the direction of Willard Snow, then president of the Scandinavian Mission. Donations to the Perpetual Emigrating Fund having been commenced in Scandinavia, particularly in Denmark, the sum of 136 pds. 15s 6d was appropriated during Elder Willard Snow’s presidency, for the assistance of a number of those who sailed on the Forest Monarch. The next company from the continent was seventeen persons from the German Mission, who sailed from Liverpool in August and September 1853. These were the first large groups of Latter-day Saints emigrating to Zion from any of those countries.

Sailed Port Ship Leader People Landed

Jan 16 Liverpool Forest Monarch J. E. Forsgren 297 New Orleans
Jan 17 Liverpool Ellen Maria Moses Clawson 332 New Orleans
Jan 23 Liverpool Golconda Jacob Gates 321 New Orleans
Feb 5 Liverpool Jersey George Halliday 314 New Orleans
Feb 15 Liverpool Elvira Owen J.W. Young 345 New Orleans
Feb 28 Liverpool International Chr. Arthur 425 New Orleans
Feb 28 Liverpool Falcon Cor. Bagnail 324 New Orleans
Apr 6 Liverpool Camillus C.E. Bolton 228 New Orleans
Aug 24 Liverpool Page Bender 17 New Orleans
Liverpool  Miscellaneous 23 New Orleans

Departure Date Captain People Arrival
Kanesville, Iowa Jun 3 Claudius V. Spencer 250 Sep 24
Kanesville, Iowa Jun 3 Cyrus H. Wheelock 400 Oct 16
Kanesville, Iowa Jul 1 John Brown 228 Oct 17
Kanesville, Iowa Jul 11 Joseph W. Young 321 Oct 10
Kanesville, Iowa Jul 14 Appleton M. Harmon 200 Oct 16
Keokuk, Iowa May 18 Jesse W. Crosby 79 Sep 10
Keokuk, Iowa May 21 John E. Forsgren 294 Sep 30
Keokuk, Iowa Jun Moses Clawson 295 Sep 15
Keokuk, Iowa Jun 3 Jacob Gates 262 Sep 26
Keokuk, Iowa Jul 1 Henry Ettleman 40 Oct 1
Keokuk, Iowa Jul 13 Vincent Shurtliff not listed Sep 30
Six-Mile Grove, Iowa Jun 1 Wilkin/Cooley 122 Sep 9

Six-Mile Grove, Iowa Jun 9 John A. Miller 282 Sep 9

From the 9th Epistle, April 13, 1853: “Brethren, come home as fast as possible, bringing your poor, your silver, your gold, and everything that will beautify and ennoble Zion, and establish the House of the Lord, not forgetting the seeds of all choice trees, and fruits, and grains, and useful productions of all the earth, and labor saving machinery; keeping yourselves unspotted from the world by the way side.”

The missionaries abroad were making converts and encouraging them to gather to Utah. Although numerous deaths occurred crossing the ocean, and along the trail, those people who reached their Zion strengthened the settlements and helped to build a greater commonwealth.

Mormon Missionaries in Converting the Poor of Europe Helped Them Emigrate to America in Hopes of a Better Life

[The following is adapted from History of the Scandinavian Mission by Andrew Jenson, 1927, pp. 70-72.]

SIXTIETH COMPANY. – Forest Monarch, 297 souls. This company of emigrants was from the Scandinavian mission, being the first large company of Saints who emigrated from Denmark, Sweden and Norway. An earnest desire to emigrate to Zion had been manifested by many of the Scandinavian Saints since the first company had left for the mountains a few months previous; and the elders had been engaged for some time past in making preparations to send off a large company.

About the beginning of December, 1852, the emigrants from the respective conferences in the mission began to gather in Copenhagen [København], Denmark, and on Monday Dec. 20, 1852, two hundred ninety-three Saints, including children, went on board the steamship Obotrit and sailed from Toldboden (the custom house) at 4 o’clock p.m., under the leadership of Elder John E. Forsgren, one of the elders who, in connection with Apostle Erastus Snow, first introduced the gospel into Scandinavia two years before.

Copenhagen’s Customs House

Erastus Snow

A great multitude of people had gathered on the wharf to witness the departure of the ‘Mormons’, and many of the rabble gave utterance to the most wicked and blasphemous language, while they cursed and swore, because so many of their countrymen were disgracing themselves by following ‘that Swedish Mormon priest’ (an appellation they gave Elder Forsgren) to America.

Copenhagen Harbor About Time of Forsgren Group Emigration in December 1852

No violence, however, was resorted to, and the ship got safely away. After a rather stormy and unpleasant passage the Obotrit arrived safely in Kiel, Holstein, on the evening of the twenty-second.

Route from Copenhagen to Kiel

The following day the journey was continued by rail to Hamburg, where a large hall had been hired, and supper prepared for the emigrants.

Train Arriving in Hamburg in mid-1800s

In the afternoon of the twenty-fourth the Saints went on board the steamship Løven (the Lion), which glided slowly with the tide down the river Elbe to Cuxhaven, where the captain cast anchor, owing to the heavy fog which prevailed.

Løven (the “Lion”) Ship Symbol; In 1850s Hamburg, Emigrants Were Brought to the Ships in Small Vessels

The emigrants now celebrated Christmas Eve on board, with songs and amusements of different kinds. In the morning of the twenty-fifth anchor was weighed, and the Lion sailed to the mouth of the river, where it was met by heavy headwinds, that made it impossible to reach the open sea until midnight. Finally, the passage from the river to the sea was made in the moonlight.

“Gruss aus Hamburg”/”Greeting from Hamburg”

Route from Hamburg to Liverpool, via Grimsby/Hull from the

“Railway Map of Central Europe,” Cassell’s Atlas, 1909

Early in the morning of the twenty-sixth, the ship passed Heligoland [Helgoland], soon after which a heavy gale blew up from the southwest, which increased in violence until the next day, when it assumed the character of a regular hurricane, the like of which old sailors declared they had never before experienced on the German Ocean.

Heligoland (Helgoland)

The ship’s bridge and part of the gunwale were destroyed, and some goods standing on the deck were broken to pieces and washed overboard; otherwise, neither the ship nor the emigrants were injured. On the twenty-eighth, in the evening, after the storm had spent its fury, the Lion steamed into the harbor of Hull, England. About one hundred and fifty vessels were lost on the German Ocean in the storm, and the people in Hull were greatly surprised when the Lion arrived in safety, as it was firmly believed that she had gone under like the other ships that were lost.

North Sea Storms Could Force a Sailing Vessel Under the Sea or on the Rocks

From Hull, the emigrating Saints continued the journey by rail to Liverpool, on the 29th, where lodging and meals previously ordered, were prepared for them, and on the first of January 1853, they went on board the packet ship Forest Monarch, which was hauled out of the dock and anchored in the river Mersey. There it lay until the 16th, because of storms and contrary winds.

Typical Departure Scene in Mid-1800s Liverpool

In the meantime three of the company died, two babies were born, and three fellow passengers were initiated into the Church by baptism. One man, who had been bitten by a dog, was left in Liverpool, to be forwarded with the next company of emigrating saints. One night the ship became entangled with another vessel and sustained some injuries: and a few days later, during a heavy storm, it got adrift, pulling up both anchors, and was just about to run aground, when two tug boats came to the rescue and saved it.

On the sixteenth of January, 1853, the Forest Monarch put out to sea. The emigrants now numbered two hundred and ninety-seven souls, who were placed under the direction of Elder John Erik Forsgren, in connection with who Elders Christian Christiansen and J. H. Christiansen acted as counselors. Elder Willard Snow and Peter O. Hansen who had accompanied the emigrating Saints to Liverpool, now returned to Copenhagen.

Emigrant Ship Leaving Liverpool

During the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean the Forest Monarch was favored with very pleasant weather, but for several days it was a perfect calm, and in many respects the emigrants, who nearly all were unaccustomed to seafaring life, found the voyage trying and tedious.

Route of the “Forest Monarch”

The provisions were poor, and their fresh water supply gave out before the journey was ended. Four deaths also occurred, and three children were born during the voyage.

“The Mormon Exodus to the Rocky Mountains” (Reprinted from Howells,

The Mormon Story, A Pictorial Account of Mormonism, 1964).

On the eighth of March, 1853, the ship arrived safely at the mouth of the Mississippi River, where five of the company died, and on the arrival at New Orleans, on the sixteenth, two others departed this life, and one family who had apostatized remained in that city.

From New Orleans the journey was continued by steamboat up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Missouri, where the emigrants landed on the thirty-first. In that city, tents and other commodities needed for the journey, were purchased. After tarrying about a month, during which time six of the emigrants died and two couples were married, the company left St. Louis and proceeded by steamboat about two hundred miles further up the river to Keokuk, Iowa, where the emigrants pitched their tents for the first time, and lay in camp for several weeks before starting for the plains.

St. Louis as seen by Frederick Piercy, 1853

Keokuk, Iowa by Frederick Piercy, 1853

In the meantime the emigrants received their teams consisting of oxen and wagons. Some of the Scandinavian emigrants, who at first rejected the American way of driving oxen in yokes, went to work and manufactured harness in regular Danish fashion; but no sooner were these placed on the animals than they, frightened half to death struck out in a wild run, refusing to be guided at all by the lines in the hands of their new masters from the far north. Crossing ditches and gulches in their frenzy, parts of the wagons were strewn by the way side; but the oxen, (many of which had never been hitched up before) were at last stopped by men who understood how to manipulate the most important article of all teamsters outfits -- the whip; and the Danish emigrants, profiting by the experience they had gained, soon concluded that, although harness might do well enough for oxen in Denmark, the yoke and whip were preferable in America; and they readily accepted the method of their adopted country.

With thirty-four wagons and about one hundred and thirty oxen, the company rolled out from the camping ground near Keokuk on the twenty-first of May, and after three weeks rather difficult travel over prairies of Iowa, Council Bluffs, on the Missouri River, was reached. Here the company rested for several days, and on the twenty seventh of June resumed the journey by crossing the Missouri River, after which they were soon far out on the plains. On the overland journey a number of the emigrants died, more children were born, and few lost the faith in the midst of the hardships and trials of the long march.

Missouri River and Council Bluffs, Iowa, by Frederick Piercy, 1853

Finally on the thirtieth of September, 1853 the company arrived in Salt Lake City; and on the fourth of October the emigrants were nearly all rebaptized by Apostle Erastus Snow. They were counseled by President Brigham Young to settle in different parts of the Territory, and mix up with people of other nationalities, so as to become useful in developing the resources of the new country. Most of them located in Sanpete Valley, whither other companies of from Scandinavia subsequently followed them, and that valley has ever since been know as the headquarters of the Scandinavians in Utah. Still President Young’s advice has not been unheeded, as the people from the three countries of the north (Denmark, Sweden and Norway) are represented, to a greater or less extent, in nearly ever town and settlement of the Saints in the Rocky Mountains. (Millennial Star, Vol. XV, pp. 89, 282, 368; Morgenstjernen, Vol. 1, page 180.)

Salt Lake City in the 1850s

“Sun. 16. [Jan. 1853] -- The ship Forest Monarch sailed from Liverpool, England, with 297 Scandinavian Saints, under John E. Forsgren’s direction. The company arrived at New Orleans March 12th; at Keokuk, Iowa, in the beginning of April; and most of the emigrants reached G. [Great] S. [Salt] L. [Lake] City, Sept. 30th. This was the first large company of Saints who emigrated to Utah from Scandinavia.”

“Manuscript history of the John H. Forsgren Emigrating Company.” Translated from Danish. (Typescript) (Ms 4592), pp. 1-15, 35. (HDA). Reproduced on Compact disk, Mormon Immigration Index, produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, © 2000 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. In addition, a version appeared as “A Pioneer Journal, Forsgren Company, Containing Story of the First Danish Company to Emigrate to Utah,” in Heart Throbs of the West, Volume Six, pages 1-31, published by Daughters of Utah Pioneers. While the Forsgren Company were not the first Danish pioneers to come to Salt Lake City, they were the first large-scale group. A small group came the year before in 1852, so the Forsgren company being the “first Danish company” is somewhat a misnomer.

A PIONEER JOURNAL, FORSGREN COMPANY, CONTAINING STORY OF THE FIRST DANISH COMPANY TO EMIGRATE TO UTAH

Soon after the Latter-day Saint religion was introduced in Scandinavia in the early 1850’s, the people of those northern European countries who had accepted Mormonism left their homes, families and friends to build anew in far off Utah, in the land of America.

Mormon Missionaries Preaching to Members of Laboring Classes in Europe

The year 1853 brought about 300 Scandinavian immigrants. These converts had affiliated themselves with a religion which was unpopular; hence they were ostracized, hated, and despised, even by their own people.” There were made the subject of all manner of unchristian treatment, so that they were glad to sell all they owned and start for Zion.

An Anti-Mormon Mob Scene

Although they knew very little of the English language, nothing of American customs and ways, their belief and faith carried them through the trials and sufferings of the pioneer immigrant, who crossed the ocean, plains and mountains to reach their destination, their Zion.

From their journals we glean the truest picture of pioneering and we are happy to present in this chapter the day by day account of the Forsgren Immigrant Company of 1853. It presents a clear picture of how these Saints were required to live up to every principle of their religion in those early days.

We are not certain who wrote this diary; Andrew Jenson, former Church Historian, who read the original journal written in Danish, and had his grandson, Earl Olson, translate it, did not think John E. Forsgren was the author, but rather some member of the company designated to keep the record of the group. The original is in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Library at the State Capitol.

HISTORY OF THE OLD JOURNAL

The introduction to the article states: “My mother’s sister, Maryann M. Snyder, was born March 1, 1842, in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, and came to Utah with her parents in the year of 1847. Mother was born February 26, 1847, at Winter Quarters, Nebraska. She died the 7th of December, 1877, just six months and three days after I was born at Salem, Utah County, Utah. My mother’s parents, Robert A. Snyder and Almeda M. Livermore, were living in Payson, Utah. Their daughter, Maryann Forsgren, lived with them and she was at that time 35 years of age. At my mother’s death they took me to their home where I lived with them till I was 10 years of age. I can well remember John E. Forsgren coming there to my grandfather’s place in Payson to see my Aunt Maryann and how jealous I was over his coming to see my aunt. I did not think she should pay attention to anyone but me. She tried to make me understand that he was her husband. I do not know when they were married but I have the original patriarchal blessing given to Maryann Forsgren, January 13, 1874. As I got older I heard grandfather and grandmother, as well as Aunt Maryann talk about her husband, John E. Forsgren. When my aunt died on the 17th of October, 1915, she left a trunk filled with old papers, which I saved for the purpose of gathering genealogy. Among them were many of John Forsgren’s writings and clippings. I did not know of any of the Forsgren people to give them to, and they were of no benefit to me, so I burned them all but the small record book which in 1942 I gave to Kate B. Carter.”

“Signed, Robert A. Powell

764 Denver St., Salt Lake City, Utah”

THE FORSGREN COMPANY

Shortly after the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the missionary system was organized. In 1850 the first elders were sent to open a mission in the Scandinavian countries. Elder’ Erastus Snow, leader of this mission, arrived in Copenhagen June 14, 1850, accompanied by George P. Dykes and John E. Forsgren. Peter O. Hansen, a native of Denmark, had been converted in America and came with Elder Erastus Snow from America. However, Brother Hansen preceded Brother Snow into Denmark and met the three brethren mentioned above took them to a hotel and acted as interpreter.

Within a few days after their arrival, these elders commenced missionary work which soon spread from Denmark into Norway and Sweden. Numerous converts were made in these countries, especially in Denmark. Soon the earnest desire to emigrate to Zion became quite general among these converts. Arrangements were made for a large company to leave for America and by the latter part of December nearly three hundred persons were ready to say goodbye to their homes.

The Emigrants Traveled by Coach, Train and Other Transport to Gather in Copenhagen

On December 20, 1852, this company boarded the steamship Obotrit at Copenhagen for Kiel in Holstein.

Kiel

From here the company proceeded by rail to Altona (then under Danish rule) and on to Hamburg, where members boarded the steamship Løven (the Lion), bound for Hull, England. After encountering a furious storm on the North Sea, the Lion arrived at Hull on December 28, 1852. More than one hundred ships had been destroyed by the fury of this storm and the Lion caused great surprise among the people of Hull when it steamed into the harbor.

Example of a Steamship Much Like the “Lion” Which Plied the North Sea in the 1850s

The Hull to Liverpool Route Today

From Hull the emigrating Saints took rail to Liverpool where they arrived on December 29th.

Liverpool is Most Famous in Latter-Day Saint History for the Docks from Which Sailed Over a 100,000 Mormons in the Great Gathering of the 19th Century

On December 31st the company went on board the packet ship Forest Monarch. Owing to very stormy weather this ship could not leave Liverpool until January 16, 1853. The rough, long and tiresome journey was filled with many trying events. The provisions were poor, the fresh water gave out, four deaths occurred and three children were born. The Forest Monarch arrived at New Orleans in safety and after a few days the company left for St. Louis by river boat. At St. Louis the company remained for nearly one month and then proceeded up the Mississippi by steamboat to Keokuk, Iowa. Here the Saints purchased wagons and oxen and prepared for their overland journey. They left on May 21st with 34 wagons and 130 oxen, crossed Iowa and reached Council Bluffs on the Missouri River and after a long and tedious journey reached Salt Lake City, September 30, 1853 - A. William Lund.

Soon after their arrival in the valley, President Young advised these Saints, who were accustomed to a cold climate, to continue their journey to Sanpete Valley and see what they could do to assist in making a success of the settlement already founded there. Part of the company went to Sanpete and helped in the settlement of Manti, Ephraim, Spring Pity and other towns in that county. Other members of the group went to Boulder County. In the Daughters of Pioneer history of that county we read:

“Late in the fall of 1853, John E. Forsgren arrived here with part of the first organized company of Latter-day Saints to emigrate from Scandinavia. William Knudsen, August Valentine, Peter A. Forsgren, Erika Forsgren, James Olson and some others came with this company and were first housed by the residents of the fort.”

THE JOURNAL

Note: There is another account of the trip written by one of the other Danish emigrants, Peter Madsen, with selections from his autobiography reproduced here. In addition, a second journal was written by a Danish teenager traveling essentially the same route later in the year. Click here to see excerpts from that account.

The following is a translation from a Danish journal of one of the immigrants who left for America in John E. Forsgren’s Company (“Manuscript History of the John E. Forsgren Emigrating Company” in Typescript, Ms 4592. Salt Lake City: LDS Church Historical Department Archives):

Monday, December 20, 1852. At 12:30 p.m. we sailed from Copenhagen for Kiel on the small ship Obotrit [also sometimes spelled Obetrit].

Example of a Post Steamship from the 1850s

Coat-of-Arms on the Ensign of the Post Steamer Obotrit 1850

(Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany)

Tuesday, Dec. 21. We laid at anchor most of the day.

Wednesday, Dec. 22. The anchor was lifted this morning and we again proceeded on our way; in the evening we arrived at Kiel. There was a good deal of sickness among the brethren and sisters on this trip, but the Lord was kind to them all, and only one needed the help of a doctor. We heard that a very large ship which had sailed at the same time that our ship sailed had driven in the storm, lost one of its boats, and received much more damage than ours.

Thursday, Dec. 23. At 6:30 a.m. we left Kiel on the railroad, and arrived at Altona at 9:30, where we were very kindly received. Through the courtesy of Morris & Company we were served warm food and drinks, which were very refreshing. The remainder of the day we stayed in Altona.

Altona, About the Time of This Narrative Then a Part of Denmark (near Hamburg)

Friday, Dec. 24. We felt strengthened today by both spiritual and bodily food. At 2 p.m. we sailed on the steamship Løven (the Lion) for Hull, England. We all got on board all right, with the exception of Sister Knudsen, who was sick and could not go with us. After having sailed until 8:45 in the evening, we dropped anchor at Cuxhaven, as the captain dared not sail farther on account of fog and storm. We remained at anchor all Christmas Eve, and throughout the night.

Map Showing Route From Hamburg to Cuxhaven, Germany

Scenes from Cuxhaven

Saturday, Dec. 25. We remained at anchor until one o’clock in the afternoon, when the anchor was lifted and we sailed to the coast of Holland called Nye Werk. Here, after sailing for three-fourths of an hour more, we again dropped anchor. At midnight the anchor was again lifted and we proceeded on our way towards England.

Tuesday, Dec. 28. After sailing all of Sunday and Monday, and most of today we arrived, through the grace and kindness of God, at Hull, England, at 5 o’clock in the evening. We had come through a storm, the like of which the captain of the ship said he had never been out in. Some of the ship’s cargo was ruined, and the wind was so strong that our clothes were nearly blown overboard. The Lord helped and strengthened all of us both in body and soul so that we could continue our journey without delay. [p.1]

Wednesday, Dec. 29. At 12 o’clock noon we boarded a railroad train for Liverpool, where we arrived at 9 o’clock that evening. We were all happy and well; and were shown to a place where we received warm food and drink, and a night’s lodging.

Thursday, Dec 30.  We stayed at the same place.

English Train Travel in the 1850s

Friday, Dec. 31. We came on board the ship which the Lord had chosen to carry us to New Orleans. It was a frigate called the Forest Monarch, a large and strong vessel. While on board the ship today some of the Saints suffered from hunger. This day closes the year 1852, during which many great blessings have come to us. My prayer is that they may also continue throughout the coming year, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Now, in the name of Jesus Christ, the only Begotten of the Father, I humbly write something in the new year, and turn my attention to writing the most important happenings that God will let occur to His people in this year; and I pray that the blessings and grace of God may be with and continue over us from now and until all eternity, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Quay in Liverpool Harbor Near Custom House circa 1853

Note: An Illustrated story of shipboard life on emigrant ships leaving from Liverpool in the 1850s can be found by clicking here

Saturday, January 1, 1853. The first day of the new year had come, and the Lord blessed us again with the necessities of life. In the evening a gathering was held, and the blessings of the Lord were with us. A child was born to Brother W. Andersen’s wife.

Sunday, Jan. 2. The blessings of the Lord were with us again this day, and meetings were held on board ship.

Monday, Jan. 3. The blessings of the Lord were over us still; the weather was good, and Sister Knudsen arrived on board ship.

Tuesday, Jan. 4. The Lord’s blessings were also over his children. The same with us on Wednesday, the 5th, and Thursday, the 6th.

Friday, Jan. 7. Inasmuch as a good order had not been instituted in connection with the preparation of food, cleaning, and water, and some had complained, Brother Julius Christensen called all the brethren together. The following was proposed and unanimously accepted:

1st. That Brothers Hans Christian Hansen and F. H. (or H. F.) Petersen [Pedersen] should supervise delivery to the kitchen of the necessities for the preparation of food at dinner.

2nd. That Brothers Ole Christian Nielsen and Ole [or O. V.] Svendsen should supervise the cleaning on board ship.

3rd. That Brothers William Andersen, Mads Christian Jensen, R. Johnsen, Ipsen, Wilhelm Andersen, C. T. Sorensen, Christian Nielsen, Aagren, Niels Pedersen, Niels Mikkelsen, Niels Peter L. Domgaard, Frederick Jensen, and Ole Svendsen should be named as captains over those who divided out the day’s dinner to the brethren and sisters on board the ship. [p.2]

4th. That Brothers Andersen, Hans Larsen, R. Johnsen, Christian Bernsen, Knud Nielsen, Christian Christiansen, and O. Chr. Nielsen should be appointed captains over those who were to give fresh water to the brethren and sisters and supply the necessary salt water to the kitchen.

5th. To be of help in preparing food in the kitchen were chosen Bros. Hansen and Andersen, and Sister Frederikke Frederiksen. In the evening a meeting was held.

Saturday, Jan. 8. The blessings of the Lord were also with us. Elder [John E.] Forsgren and Brothers Willard Snow, Hansen, and Prebe [or Prebi] (who had arrived here from Utah on his way to Denmark), came on board and in the evening held a meeting. Brothers Snow, Forsgren, Christiansen, and Prebe spoke to the Saints. There were four couples on board who desired to enter into the contract of marriage, and Brother J. E. Forsgren performed the ceremonies; the Saints gave their unanimous consent. Those who were married were: R. Johnsen and Birgithe Grorette; O. Chr. Nielsen and Christine Gotfredsen; Christian Bernsen and Marie Andersen; and Christen Hansen and Cissel L. A child of Brother Sorensen, Dykes Willard [or Villard] Sorensen, was blessed by Brother John E. Forsgren, and then Brother Forsgren closed the meeting with prayer. Following the meeting the brethren and sisters enjoyed the evening in dancing and music.

Sunday, Jan. 9. A meeting was held; a spirit of peace and quiet prevailed and God’s blessings and spirit were over us all.

Monday, Jan. 10. A meeting was held on board. At 10 o’clock this evening Christen Jensen, age 82-1/2 years, passed away.

Tuesday, Jan. 11. Brother Forsgren again came on board. Later in the day word came to send the body of Christen Jensen ashore where it would be buried. A meeting was held in the evening, and Brothers O. Chr. Nielsen, R. Johnsen, S. Thomsen and Elder Forsgren spoke. A good spirit was present at the meeting; great blessings were over us; and all the brethren and sisters raised their hands in agreement to live in harmony with each other, so that they also might be obedient to the ship’s officers, and that the blessings of the Lord might be with us.

Wednesday, Jan. 12. The blessings of the Lord were with us, but about 4 o’clock a son of Brother N. P. Domgaard, (Lauritz Elias Domgaard), passed away, and ten minutes later Christian Nielsen, age 26, passed away.

Thursday, Jan. 13. The blessings of the Lord were again with us. In the afternoon the bodies of those who had died were taken ashore, to be buried at Liverpool. A meeting was held in the evening, at which Elder Forsgren spoke words of sympathy and inspiration to us. Brothers Johnsen and Aagren also spoke. [p.3]

Liverpool and Channel from River Mersey

Friday, Jan. 14. Another meeting was held this evening. A good spirit was present among the brethren and sisters, and we have learned considerable. Complaints’ had almost ceased; some few, who had been sick for quite a while, were still ill. Brother Chr. Christiansen read a few passages from the Book of Mormon, prayer was held, and we all retired to our own.

Saturday, Jan. 15. Nothing outstanding happened, and the day closed with the blessings of the Lord.

Sunday, Jan. 16. The weather was fine. We have now been on this ship 16 days. Many great and important things have been revealed to us. The Lord has inspired His servant, Elder Forsgren, with His spirit, and murmurings and complaints which had been among us have ceased, and we have commenced to progress again. A meeting was held in the forenoon at which Brothers Christiansen and Christensen spoke encouragingly to us. About 11:30 this morning the anchor was lifted, and about 12 o’clock noon a steam tugboat came and pulled us out until about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, when it left us. It was cold and had begun to rain a little. All the Saints were well except eight who were more or less sick, some because of the water. We have lost 3 persons, before named, and the Lord has given us two which makes one less than when we left Copenhagen. In the evening Elder Forsgren spoke to us, and we partook for the first time on this voyage the holy Sacrament. The meeting was opened with prayer by Elder Forsgren. It rained and blew a little in the evening. Brother Jeppe Bensen [or Bentzen], who had been bitten in the leg while in Hamburg, by a dog, had to remain in Liverpool as his leg became badly infected and swollen; and his leg smelled so terribly that it would have infected the whole ship, and no one would have been able to attend to him.

Monday, Jan. 17. The weather was good with a slight wind.

Tuesday, Jan. 18. The same.

Wednesday, Jan. 19. The same. In the evening and during the night the wind blew very hard.

Thursday, Jan. 20. The weather remained about the same. Brother Hans Larsen fell and knocked his arm out of place, but Brothers Forsgren, Hansen and Domgaard took hold of it and Elder Forsgren put it in place, and anointed it with oil. In the evening the Saints danced and sang. Brother Christiansen played on his violin, which brought joy to his listeners. Brothers Forsgren, Knud Christensen, Christian Christiansen, E. Christiansen, Aagren, Lars A. Justesen, and Hansen spoke. The gathering closed with a song, and prayer by Brother Forsgren. [p.4]

Friday, Jan. 21, 1853. The wind and weather were good, although it blew quite hard. In the evening Elder Forsgren spoke; Sister Hansen and her son, and Sister Piil were blessed, and prayer was held. In this meeting Elder Forsgren proposed, and it was unanimously accepted, first, that talks be given on the Building up of Zion, and the Thousand Years’ Reign, and that questions be asked on these subjects; and second, that four brethren talk, each of them being given half an hour. It was unanimously voted that these four brethren should be Andreas Aagren, Ole C. Nielsen, H. J. Christensen, and Christian Christiansen, who were all elders, and that these talks should be given Monday evening at 7 o’clock.

Saturday, Jan. 22. The wind did not blow quite so strong. In the evening President Forsgren spoke a short time out on the deck, and prayer was held there.

Sunday, Jan. 23. There was only a slight wind today, but we still moved forward. At a meeting held in the afternoon Elder Forsgren spoke and read a revelation which was given to Joseph Smith in Nauvoo on July 12, 1843. The meeting was opened by Elder Forsgren, and closed with prayer by C. Christiansen. In the evening Brother Knud Christensen offered prayer.

Monday, Jan. 24. The wind was very good, and we had a little rain in the afternoon. A meeting was held this evening, as arranged. It opened with a song, and prayer was offered by President Forsgren. Brothers Aagren, O. C. Nielsen, H. J. Christensen, and C. Christiansen talked on the Building up of Zion and what we should do in the Thousand Year Reign. Following these talks Elder Forsgren spoke extensively on the same subjects. It was then proposed and unanimously accepted that on Thursday evening at 7 o’clock talks should be given on the Priesthood, beginning with the Aaronic, or lesser Priesthood. Brothers M. Chr. Jensen, Pehr (Peter) A. Forsgren, Jens Knudsen, and Sorensen were unanimously proposed and accepted to give these talks. The meeting closed with prayer by Brother H. J. Christensen.

Tuesday, Jan. 25. The weather was good. With a strong wind this morning one of the sails was torn to pieces. In the afternoon the wind came up so strong that most of the sails had to be furled; the wind was accompanied by hail and rain, and made it very difficult to steer the boat. The storm continued for some time. Towards evening we saw a ship which had lost part of its bowsprit. Brother P. C. Nielsen fell and received a hard bump.

Wednesday, Jan. 26. We had a good wind with occasional clouds and rain and hail. In the evening Brother Forsgren spoke a little, and prayer was offered by Brother Justesen. Sister Sorensen fell and hurt her knee. [p. 5]

Thursday, Jan. 27. The weather was very good; the sun shone high and warm in the heavens. The wind rose in the evening, with much lightning. As arranged last Monday, our speakers this evening were Brothers J. Knudsen, Peter A. Forsgren, M. Chr. Jensen, and Sorensen, but they all desired that Elder J. E. Forsgren should speak on the assigned subject and thus instruct them all. This he did. It was proposed and unanimously accepted that the following Monday, if weather permitted, talks should be given on the Gathering of Israel and the Building up of Jerusalem. And it was unanimously accepted that Brothers N. Mikkelsen, V. Andersen, N. P. Domgaard, and Niels Lauritz Christensen should handle these subjects. The meeting was opened with song, and prayer by Elder Forsgren, and closed with prayer by Brother Aagren. In the evening prayer was held in the cabin.

Friday, Jan. 28. We had good wind and weather and the blessings of the Lord were over us. In the evening prayer was held in the cabin.

Saturday, Jan. 29. We had good wind and weather. In the afternoon it happened that the ‘‘Hae” sail halyard broke. In the evening Brother Hans Christian Hansen offered prayer.

Sunday, Jan. 30. The wind and weather were again good. Brother Knud Christensen offered prayer this morning. In the afternoon a meeting was held on the deck. After the opening song, prayer was offered by Brother John E. Forsgren, who then spoke. Following him, Brothers W. Andersen, O. Svendsen, and Chr. Christiansen spoke, and Elder John E. Forsgren said a few more words. The meeting closed with a song, and prayer by Brother C. T. Sorensen. The brethren and sisters rejoiced in the words of comfort and instruction which had been given them. In the evening Brother C. M. Olsen prayed. The weather was good and we came into the zone of the trade winds.

Monday, Jan. 31. The weather was good and the wind very fine. In the morning Brother Chr. Christiansen offered prayer. As per arrangements, a meeting was held this evening. Brothers Niels Lauritz Christensen, W. (or V.) Andersen, N. P. Domgaard and N. Mikkelsen were the speakers, as appointed last Thursday evening. Brother Chr. Christiansen also talked on the appointed subject, and said that he had many questions to give which he would like answered. Brother John E. Forsgren spoke next, and at the close of his talk asked Brother Christiansen to give the questions which he desired answered. They were given, and then Brother Forsgren proposed that the following questions be answered (which was unanimously accepted): How shall the Devil be bound, and with what chain shall he be bound? Why shall he come up out of the ground and lead away the people, and who are the people he will lead away? [p. 6]

Thereafter, it was unanimously agreed that Brothers William Andersen, R. Johnson, O. Svendsen, and F. H. (or H. F.) Petersen should speak on these questions next Monday evening. The meeting was opened with prayer by Elder J. E. Forsgren, and closed with prayer by Brother Christiansen.

Tuesday, Feb. 1. We had good wind and weather. In the morning Brother K. Christensen offered prayer, and in the evening Elder J. E. Forsgren. The air became very warm toward evening, and it rained a little.

Wednesday, Feb. 2. The wind and weather were about the same. Brother H. C. Hansen offered prayer this morning, and Brother K. Christensen in the evening.

Thursday, Feb. 3. The weather and wind were good, with occasional storm clouds. This morning Brother Ipsen informed us that his child had died, and at 10 a.m. it was cast into the sea. We met this evening as per previous arrangement and heard Brothers W. Anderson, Mikkel Johnsen, O. Svendsen and H. F. Petersen speak on the appointed questions. Elder Forsgren spoke a few words of warning and advice to us, and then Brother Chr. Christiansen spoke. He said he had been about to see how obedient the brethren and sisters were in attending meeting, and found Brothers Holzhansen and Hansen laughing and playing in one end of the ship about the same time that meeting was on. He wished that the brethren and sisters would keep their children clean and not let vermin of any sort spread over the ship. It was proposed by President Forsgren, and unanimously accepted that next Sunday be observed as a Fast Day. The meeting was opened with prayer by Brother Forsgren, and closed with prayer by Brother Christiansen.

Friday, Feb. 4. The weather and wind were fine the whole day. The blessings of the Lord were over us. In the morning Brother Justesen offered prayer, and in the evening Brother F. H. Petersen offered prayer; all were well.

Saturday, Feb. 5. Brother C. Christiansen offered prayer. The weather was good.

Sunday, Feb. 6. As arranged, we observed Fast Day. Meeting was opened with prayer; the spirit of the Lord was with us in rich abundance. Several stood up and acknowledged their faults; many talks were given which were inspirational and up building. The morning was closed with prayer by Elder John E. Forsgren, and the congregation dismissed for one-half hour. The meeting was opened again by Brother Chr. Christiansen. The spirit of the Lord was again present. The holy Sacrament was administered; the closing prayer was offered by Elder Forsgren. I was also present and felt lifted up, and received rich blessings. [p.7]

Monday, Feb. 7. This morning Poul Poulsen, a son of Brother Anders Poulsen, died, and his body was cast into the sea. In the afternoon a son of Brother H. C. Hansen became so sick that he was nearly dead, but after having been blessed twice by Elders John E. Forsgren and Chr. Christiansen, and several of the brethren, he began to get better, for which I am thankful to my Heavenly Father. At 7 o’clock in the evening the brethren and sisters assembled in meeting, which was opened with prayer by Elder Forsgren. As per arrangement, four brethren should have talked on the Resurrection, but inasmuch as they had only been notified just before meeting, and as it was very warm, it was decided that they should speak the following Thursday evening on the Resurrection. They were Justesen, H. C. Hansen, Chr. Christensen, and N. Pedersen. Elder Forsgren spoke to the congregation, and the meeting was closed with a song, and prayer by Elder W. Andersen. In the evening there was some very strong lightning.

Tuesday, Feb. 8. We had a heavy rainstorm, with lightning and thunder. Following the rainstorm there was a dead calm, but soon the wind came up again.

Wednesday, Feb. 9. We had good weather, but not a good wind. (Brother Sorensen’s affair).

Thursday, Feb. 10. The wind was about the same. In the evening we held the appointed meeting, which was opened with prayer by Elder Forsgren. The brethren talked on the resurrection, as appointed, following which Elder John E. Forsgren also talked on the same subject. It was decided to have talks on the resurrection the following Monday evening; and to have a day of fasting and prayer next Sunday, just like the past Sunday. Elder Forsgren closed the meeting with prayer.

Friday, Feb. 11. Brother Christiansen offered prayer in the evening, after which Elder Forsgren talked to the Saints and warned them; following this he prayed with and for us.

Saturday, Feb. 12. Nothing of importance.

Sunday, Feb. 13. The brethren and sisters met as appointed for fasting and prayer. Brothers Chr. Christiansen and O. Svendsen spoke. Brother Sorensen stood up and acknowledged his faults, and after him his wife also acknowledged her faults and prayed the congregation to forgive her. Next Brother Chr. Christiansen arose and spoke to Brothers Andersen and Justesen, and Brother Andersen stood up and explained that he had talked with a Brother Holzhansen, who had broken the laws of God and never came to meeting, and who had turned to sin and worldly ways and would not turn therefrom, but who still said that [p. 8] he served God and had always done so. He had asked Brother Holzhansen to come and talk with Elder John E. Forsgren, but he had not done so. Brothers Andersen and Justesen had talked with him, but there was no hope for his becoming better and repenting. Brother Andersen gave this testimony alone, as Brother Justesen was sick and could not be to meeting. Brothers William Andersen and N. Mikkelsen next stood up and corroborated the testimony which Brother Andersen gave. Brother Chr. Christiansen proposed that Brother Holzhansen be cut off the Church, which was seconded by Brother H. J. Christensen, and unanimously agreed by the congregation.

Thereafter Brother Christiansen said that there had been complaints about Brother Ramus Andersen and his wife, that they did not live as they should, and were not united. This was also established by Brother N. Mikkelsen, who said that he had talked with Brother Ramus Andersen’s wife, and she had told him that she did not recognize him as a servant of God. Brother H. Johnsen said that he had talked to Brother R. Andersen, but that his counsel had not been received. After Brothers Chr. Christiansen and John E. Forsgren had talked to them and asked them if they would repent, and if Brother R. Andersen would conduct himself according to his calling and nothing more, Brother Andersen stood and asked the brethren and sisters to forgive him and remember him in their prayers.

R. Andersen’s wife acknowledged her faults also, and asked for forgiveness. It was unanimously agreed to forgive them. After prayer by Brother Christiansen, the meeting adjourned for half an hour. It had been opened with prayer by Brother A. Aagren. The afternoon session was opened with prayer by Brother M. Johnsen. Several stood up and acknowledged their faults, and rich blessings rested over the congregation. Brother Forsgren closed the meeting with prayer. I felt very good and strengthened in my faith, as I felt the same as some of those who had spoken.

Monday, Feb. 14. We had only a very slight wind. A meeting should have been held in the evening, but Brother John E. Forsgren called the Elders of each Mess together and talked to them, and said that inasmuch as the weather was so warm that it would be harmful to have a meeting below decks. It was unanimously accepted to discontinue holding meetings in the evening. This afternoon a child was born to Brother Jens Hansen’s wife.

Tuesday, Feb. 15. A sailing vessel was close by this morning but soon sailed past us. There have also been several other vessels on previous days which have sailed past. I have been enjoying very good health. This afternoon the call rang out “land” (the island Desirade), and in the evening [p. 9] we passed by Gouadelope [Guadeloupe]. This evening a child was born to the wife of Poul Christian Larsen. A good wind sprang up towards evening.

Guadaloupe and the Smaller Island of Désirade are at the Eastern Entrance to the Caribbean

Habitations on Guadeloupe in 1850s

Wednesday, Feb. 16. The wind and weather were good. Elder Forsgren talked to the assembly in the evening.

Thursday, Feb. 17. Wind and weather good.

Friday, Feb. 18. 1 saw a large flock of birds.

Saturday, Feb. 19. In the morning I saw the eastern point of the island of St. Domingo [Hispanola, now Dominican Republic], called Altavella. In the evening we passed Pt. Gravois and Cape Tiburon [now in Haiti].

Note:  To view one of 4 available close-ups, click on the area you wish to see. This attractive engraved map features many place names, rivers, mountains, roads, and outlying islands, etc. Indicated are the French and Spanish portions of the island, now Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo

Sunday, Feb. 20. We passed C. [Cape] Tiburon, and could see the whole of it, although the mountains were so high that the clouds came down their slopes, and in one place the top of a mountain could be seen above the clouds. A meeting was held in the morning, which was opened with prayer by Brother C. Christiansen. N. Chr. Christiansen, Christian Christiansen, Chr. Willardsen, and Peter A. Forsgren spoke. The afternoon meeting opened with song, and prayer by Chr. Christiansen. Elders Forsgren, C. Christiansen, Aagren, R. Johnsen and Sister Petersen spoke. The afternoon meeting was closed with prayer by Elder Forsgren.

Mountains in Haiti near Point Tiburon

Monday, Feb. 21. 1 could still see the western part of the island of St. Domingo. The wind was not very good. In the afternoon Ipsen’s child died.

Tuesday, Feb. 22. We also saw a little of St. Domingo.

Wednesday, Feb. 23. Beautiful weather. At 3 o’clock this afternoon we sailed over a bank just north of Jamaica. The water was so clear that we could see the bottom. After sailing two or three hours we had to change our course and head southward over the bank, over which we luckily passed in safety. The weather was quite calm, but a better wind came up in the night.

Thursday, Feb. 24. We passed by Jamaica, a high land through the center of which is a stretch of high mountains. There was hardly any wind this afternoon, and we tacked but slowly. Towards evening it began to rain; a good wind arose and we sailed rapidly.

Jamaica’s Blue Mountains

Friday, Feb. 25. Also good wind. We could still see Jamaica. In the evening the leeboard sail blew down.

Saturday, Feb. 26. The wind was also good.

Sunday, Feb. 27. The wind was still good. A meeting was held this: morning. After a song, Elder Forsgren offered prayer. Brother Forsgren, H. J. Christensen, and M. Chr. Jensen spoke of the up building and teaching of the Saints. Elder Chr. Christiansen gave the closing prayer. Meeting in the afternoon was opened with song, and prayer by Elder Christiansen. Brother M. Johnsen spoke [p. 10] to the edification of the Saints, and Brother Christiansen counseled us to go forward and “not destroy the ice which is over the rivers, will come over some of us.” Elder John E. Forsgren spoke next, and counseled us to refrain from carelessness, and to serve God so that neither earthquakes nor destruction’s would come over us and the Lord not stay His hand to protect us. I feel my weakness and pray God to help me. Elder H. J. Christensen closed the meeting with. prayer. In the evening we passed by Cape St. Antonio.

Monday, Feb. 28. A child of Brother Poul Chr. Larsen died in the evening. We had a good wind.

Tuesday, Feb. 29/Mar. 1. It rained hard during the night; we had a contrary wind until in the afternoon, when we had a little better wind. The brethren met, as called by Elder Forsgren. Elder Forsgren spoke and counseled on the things which would be necessary in sailing up the river, with regard to the necessities of life, and on what should be done with the poor who did not have money enough for the rest of the journey. There had been some doubt among the Saints as to their money, so it was explained to them. This brought peace to them, and several stood up and declared their willingness to offer their money and what extra they had, to Elder Forsgren, to handle as he saw best. Elders Christiansen and H. J. Christensen spoke also, and bore witness to Elder Forsgren’s honesty in handling their money. It was unanimously voted to offer all for the welfare of Zion and the building up of the Kingdom of God. The meeting closed with prayer and thankfulness to the Lord for His grace and spirit which had been with us, by Elder C. Christiansen. I felt uplifted in spirit and desired to serve God.

Wednesday, Mar. 2. The wind has changed, and it is necessary for us to tack again.

Thursday, Mar. 3. The contrary wind continued.

Friday, Mar. 4. The same.

Saturday, Mar. 5. The same.

Sunday, Mar. 6. The wind was good. A meeting was held in the forenoon, which was opened with song, and prayer by Brother O. Chr. Nielsen, and closed with prayer by Elder C. Christiansen. Elders H. J. Christensen, C. Christiansen and J. [John] E. Forsgren spoke. In the afternoon Elders O. Chr. Nielsen, Father C. Christensen and J. E. Forsgren spoke words of counsel; N. P. Domgaard spoke, and then Brother Rasmus Christensen said that he had dreamed that he saw the sun as it was when two hours high in the Heaven. On each side there was a crown; and on one side was a man on a horse. The man held a sword in his hand. Then he saw that God reached out his hand and hit at the earth twice. This woke [p. 11] him up and he prayed to the Lord. The meeting was opened with prayer by A. Aagren, and closed with prayer by Elder J. E. Forsgren.

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