Charles Denney, Jr. Brother-in-law and Long Time Friend of My Great Grandfather David Leaker

The Denney Family is in the Leaker Pedigree Family Line.

       David and Charles were good friends a great part of their lives. Charles writes in his diary of immigrating to the America USA. Charles travels by himself without his family at the age of 16.
        I left London, or rather home, No. 32 City Garden Rose, City Road, London, about 4 p.m. May 23, 1866 and went down to the London docks, and went on board the American [p.11] Congress, a very fine sailing vessel. I was seasick for about 3 weeks straight ahead. I really thought that I was going to die but about three weeks after we started Brother John Nicholson, one of the presidents of the vessel, gave me about a tablespoon full of brandy & I began to mend from that time.
       I helped to serve out the provisions on board the ship. We used to have some good times on board, singing, dancing & etc. We had pretty good weather, very little storms, and a generally prosperous voyage, landing in New York on July 4, 1866, rather the 5th. I had my bunk on the 2nd deck. On board I got acquainted with a number of boys, one whose names was Robert Pike who was drowned soon after leaving New York as he was passing from the steamer to the shore. He was much respected by all on board. His body was found about two days after the Saints left the New Haven steamboat station where he was drowned.

John D. Holladay Pioneer Company (1866)
Departure: 16-18 July 1866 
Arrival: 25 September 1866
Company Information:  350 individuals and 69 wagons were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Wyoming, Nebraska (the west bank of the Missouri River about 40 miles south of Omaha).

       I left New York on the afternoon of the 5th and arrived at New Haven steamboat station by the next morning. Stayed there all day. [p.12] In the afternoon we took the cars for St. Joseph, Missouri which occupied about 6 days. We arrived at St. Joseph early in the morning and were to leave about 7 or 8 o'clock upon one of the river steamers for Wyoming, Nebraska. While the men were unloading the luggage from the cars to the steamer, Brother Riter & myself went into the town to buy some provisions for those who had none to last them two days on the boat, the length of time the steamer took to travel from St. Joseph to Wyoming. And while we were gone they had finished loading the luggage and while we were returning to the boat we heard the steamboat whistle, and when we came in sight of the landing, saw the steamer about half a mile on her journey up the river & we were left behind. We made the best we could of it, & went back to where we had bought the forty loaves of bread and got them to take them back and spent the most of the day there. We found that the folks that kept the store were apostates. They had been to Utah and had gone back dissatisfied.

Charles Denney, Jr.

        While in St. Joe, [as] it is called, I visited one of their meetinghouses with a young boy who went to act as deacon & clean up the [p.13] house. It was in this place where I first tasted gum, the boy giving me a piece. 6 p.m. the 2nd day, visited the marketplace & bought some mutton & potatoes which the storekeeper where we bought the bread kindly cooked for me to take with us on the boat.
         The first night after arriving in St. Joseph I slept in a wagon box on some hay. The next night we went and slept on the steamboat so that we would not be left behind again, and on the second day after, in the afternoon, we reached Wyoming where I found my luggage, a box, and a sack which contained all that I possessed in this world consisting of some clothing, a few tools, & etc. I stayed in Wyoming that night, & the next afternoon started on the journey across those long, dreary, desolate plains about a thousand miles to our destination. I was in one respect more fortunate than many others, some of them having to stay in Wyoming 5 or 6 weeks. On the next day after my arrival in Wyoming, one of the brethren asked me if I would not like to go on. I told him yes, & he told me to get my luggage and get into a wagon that was just ready to start, and, after they had taken [p.14] away my box from me, as being too heavy to take along, and putting all my things into my sack, I started on my journey with about 500 others in about 60 wagons, across the plains.  The captain of the company [was] Brother Halliday . .
       Here I knew scarcely anybody, almost an entire stranger in a strange land. yet I did not feel discouraged, but still desired to go on to the valleys of the mountains. On the first afternoon we traveled about a mile, just to say we had made a start & then camped for the night; The first evening we camped, the captain of the company, Bro. Halliday of <Alpine or> Am. Fork Utah Co., Utah, called the camp together, & held a meeting, instructing the Saints in regard to their duties, the dangers of the people, in leaving the main camp, giving good, kind, fatherly advice, &c. We then had prayers and retired for the night. We used to have even prayers every evening previous to retiring, about 8 o'clock, which I think I never missed. I enjoyed good health, the whole journey through, although I did not have as much food as I could have eaten.
       It must have been about the 14th of July 1866, when I left Wyoming for Salt Lake City. We traveled the old road, that is the road the pioneers traveled, I think or at least the one traveled by the Saints for a number of years, previous to this time. As I did not keep a journal, of course I must depend on my memory for what I write now.
       In the wagon, that I was put in there was (2) two families; Bro & Sister Balmforth, and six children, and Bro & Sister Isaac Woods, no children, making eleven in all. On our wagon cover our teamster wrote the name of "Weber Sal," & that is what our wagon was known by, our teamster's name was Joe [blank space], from Weber, a pretty good kind of man, but rough like the rest of the teamsters; on another wagon was, "Pony Express," "to Salt Lake, Pike's Peak, or Bust by Golly," on another "The Mountain Boy," The Pony Express was driven by Mart Lenzi, or as he used to be called "Pony" because he was a short, stumpy sort of a fellow, and full of his fun, another wagon was driven by Tom Brown, which was loaded with coal oil for the old Tabernacle, and the Theatre.    
      Most of the wagons have some church freight in them, in addition to the emigrants & their luggage. There was nothing particularly exciting in our journey: But I will remember the first death that took place on the plains, the scene I shall never forget. I think it was about two 2 weeks after we started on the Plains, I think it was a sister. A rough box was made somewhat in the shape of a coffin, with no lining, or anything of that kind, the grave was dug on a hill a little way from the side of the road, and the train was stopped for noon, and she was buried, and in the afternoon the train went on, almost as though nothing had happened.
     We had about 6 deaths on the plains, all buried alike, on the road here and there we would see a piece of wood about the size of a pickett stuck up, it was the tomb "stone" of some weary emigrant, who tired of the long and weary journey, by the ox teams, has taken his last long rest, or perhaps a toil worn Saints, who, with his hand cart had given up under what might be considered one of the most wearisome and laborious journeys ever undertaken by man or woman in this or any other generation, another tombstone would mark the last resting place of some loved son or daughter, who, overtaken by cholera or other disease incident to the plains, had bid their parents gone or brothers & sisters go on while they, weary of the March, laid down for their last long sleep. In other places nothing but two cross Bones of oxen would mark the grave of the sleeping traveler, with his or her name written on the bones. These land marks were not touched by the travelers, but left all alone in the solitude of death, with none but the eye of that all seeing God, who does not let even a sparrow fall to the ground without his notice, to watch over them.
      Others were not so fortunate, if it might so be called, as to have even a box to be laid in, but had to be rolled in a blanket, and in that way were buried. Here and there might be seen holes in the ground about 10 or 15 feet from the graves, which were made by wolves, who in their desperate hunger had burrowed into the graves and feasted on the remains of some buried traveler. But let us leave this dreary scene & take another view of this long march.
      As we traveled on day after day, we would see herds of Buffalo, deer, and other wild animals that inhabit this Great American desert, some of our teamsters take their rifle in hand a perhaps be forturnate enough to kill one, when the most favored ones in camp would get a small piece of this fresh meat, which was considered quite a luxury, others would shoot a rabbit or two, &c. The principle food that I got was flour and bacon, one pound of flour per day was all I was allowed, and about 1 pound of bacon per week. The flour I used to make into dumplings and the bacon I used to fry, on one occasion I had a treat in the shape of a couple of rabbits heads, which I cleaned and boiled, and thought I had a feast. As we journeyed up the Platte river I used to go a fishing and would cook what I caught for supper. I used to do all my own washing, as I did not know anyone scarcely that I thought would do it for me. I enjoyed good health, all the way across the plains.
     One night in particular I must speak of as being the first that I ever passed in the open air, in the pouring rain. There was no room in the wagon for me & I had to walk about the whole of the night as I could find no dry place to lay down in, the rain poured down very hard, and I was dripping wet through the whole night; I thought the morning would never come. We could get no fire, & I could get no shelter. But I felt that it was alright.
     The teamsters used to have some good times, at night, they would have their dances, songs, games &c., but I felt too strange to try to join in with them. The night herders used to sleep in the wagons during most of the day & watch the cattle at night, and protect the train from Indians raids while the others slept. The train which started out ahead of us from Wyoming was attacked by Indians and a number of their <oxen> driven off, so that they had to leave a great part of their luggage behind, we passed the same spot 2 days afterwards and saw their luggage, but, as we ourselves were heavily loaded, we could not take any of their luggage along. There was nothing connected with our journey very much different to what all others, who traveled the same way, experienced.
      One night, however, I must write about, as it seemed to me, at that time, the longest night I every saw. In the afternoon it commenced to rain, and continued to do so up till dark, it was now bed time, but I had no place to lay my head, the wagon, then containing 10 persons, was too crowded, and the ground was soaking wet, & I had but 1 knotted quilt for bed clothes, I laid down under a wagon for a short time but was soon sopping wet, I could do nothing else but walk around all night in the rain, & I thought the morning would never come. At about 6 o'clock the rain quit, & I gathered some "Buffalo Chips," dried Cattle dung and made a fire, and dried myself as best I could. One young woman, <I think her name was George before she was married,> acted very kind to me on one occasion, & I must never forget it, she told me if I would carry her some water and some "buffalo chips," she would wash my shirt & quilt for me. I carried the water for her, also the "wood," then she told me her mother said she could not do it, so I had to do it myself. The way I used to wash my shirt was like this—I would go into the water with it on, then after I had splashed about a while, and rubbed my shirt I would lay it on the bank to dry while I went into the water again , so you see I was clean myself and had a clean shirt to put on.
     When we had got a good way on our journey a Bro Meiks took me to drive a team for him for about 2 weeks till we arrived on this side of Green River, when he took a different road & I left him. When at Weber a person wanted to hire me, But I wanted to come to Salt Lake, so I did not stop there.
     It was on the night of the 25th of September, 1866, that we made our last camp out. Early next morning we were up and doing. This place I think, must have been what is called Hardy's station. The most of us <boys> put on some of our Sunday go to meeting clothes, and started off to walk to the city ahead of the train, but it seemed a tremendous long walk, in Parley's Canyon. We met several parties who had came to meet their friends & relatives, but I thought I had no one to meet me, so I journeyed along, till I came to the mouth of the Canyon.
     I shall never forget my feelings as I looked upon the city of Salt Lake from the bench at the mouth of Parleys Canyon, it seemed so beautiful to me. I walked down the road till I came to a place between the Cotton factory of President Young to what is known as Smoots factory, about a mile ahead of me. I saw a couple of teams, and I said to myself, I'll rest here till these teams pass me, then I will proceed on my journey, so I sat down by the roadside til the first one, a horse team came up, the man who was driving it asked me if I knew a boy in the train, which was then coming into sight, by the name of Charley Denney. I replied "I'm the one." He said, "jump on, & I'll take you home,["] but did not tell me his name, & I did not know him. In a little while I found out that it was my Brother-in-law, David Wm. Leaker, and the young woman who was riding with him was my cousin, Caroline West, and she gave me a couple of nice ripe peaches, the first I ever had tasted in my life.
        
BIB: Denney, Charles. Reminiscences and diary (Ms 1820),

My Great Grandmother, Elizabeth Denney, Second Wife to David Leaker.

Elizabeth Denney Leaker

      My grandmother, Florence Leaker's mother,
Elizabeth immigrated to America USA at the age of 17. She came across the Atlantic on the ship Hudson on the third of June 1864. A Compilation of General Voyage Notes of the ship Hudson.  She arrived on 19 July 1864 in New York on the ship Hudson with 1038 LDS passengers and Church Leader, John M. Kay, presiding. She came and arrived without family. On the ship's manifest it was noted that she was a spinster.

     On the ninth of August 1864 she started her emigration to the Salt Lake Valley with the pioneer William Hyde Company. There were 350 individuals and 62 wagons in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Wyoming, Nebraska (the west bank of the Missouri River about 40 miles south of Omaha) She made the trek with Ann and Priscilla Boyd, Henry Code, and the Daniel Clark family.
     William Hyde's Church train with 62 ox-drawn wagons left Wyoming, Nebraska Territory, on August 9. Wyoming was a Missouri river port founded in 1855 and used as the principal outfitting place by Mormon companies from 1864 to 1866. It was located 44 miles south of Omaha and 6 miles north of Nebraska City. Mormons were attracted to the port city of Wyoming because of its expansive staging ground and distance from Nebraska City. It was just far enough away from the rough elements and lures of Nebraska City, yet close enough that they could easily connect with the Nebraska City-Fort Kearny Cutoff. This cutoff was established about 1860 by military freight contractors and Nebraska City businessmen. It was the shortest route from the Missouri River to Fort Kearny and became a secondary route of the Oregon Trail. It ran 169 miles directly west and shortened the distance from the old Ox-Bow Trail by about 50 miles. From William Hyde's company became one of the largest death tolls among the Mormon wagon companies. Read Narrative of the William Hyde Pioneer Company.
     She became acquainted with David William Leaker soon after her arrival. David took Elizabeth as his second wife on the 25th of March 1965 where they were sealed in the Endowment House in the Salt Lake Valley. David was age 33 and Elizabeth was age 19.

Great Grandfather David William Leaker's first wife, Ann North

         Ann was born 11 May 1834 in Bridgewater, Somerset, England. Her and David were married 17 Feb 1850 in St. Mary's Parish, Bridgewater, England. In David's History he relates the following: "I was walking up town with my brother. My wife Ann that is now, was on the street talking to a companion of her's. I asked my brother if he knew who that young lady was. I told him that she would be my wife if ever I had one.  He told me she was sister to the wife of a man by the name of James Jones.
       As I  was acquainted with him I soon had a chance to get acquainted  with her; six weeks after being acquainted we were married from the church of England."
       David relates their conversion to Mormonism: On a  "Sunday we went to a meeting in the evening.   Elder William Easton  preached on the first principles of the gospel. After the meeting closed the saints gathered around us to see what we thought of the principles that he spoke on. We told them it was bible doctrine. We were struck with the unity which prevailed with the saints.
        Me and my wife made some remarks on the good feeling that prevailed among the saints that Wednesday evening following. We went to meeting again and like-wise on Sunday.   Sunday night we gave in our names for baptism... We were baptized on March 30th 1853 by Elder William Easton into a branch called the Walworth."
       It has been said by her descendants that she never had given birth to her own children.

      Excerpt of Caravan Voyage Notes
       With her husband they immigrated to America USA the 18 Feb 1856 and departed on the ship Caravan from Liverpool, England. and arrived the 27 March 1856 at Castle Gardens in New York. On the ship manifest a child was included as traveling with them by the name of Mary Ann Leaker (age 7, born in 1849.  As descendants of David and Ann Leaker, thus far we have no knowledge of this child.
      There was no evidence of this child (Mary Ann) emigrating with them when they departed with the Edward Stevenson Pioneer Company (1859) crossing the plains to the Salt Lake Valley.
      David and Ann came with the Edward Stevenson Pioneer Company. The company states that there were: 285 individuals and 54 wagons were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Florence, Nebraska (now Omaha).  Trail excerpt my David W. Leaker
They departed with the Edward Stevenson Company on 26 Jun 1859 three years later than when

they had landed by ship at Castle Gardens in New York.
      They arrived with the Edward Stevenson Company in the Salt Lake Valley on 2 September 1859.
      A few years later David married a second wife Elizabeth Denney. With Elizabeth, they had 10 children. Elizabeth's first child died. It was agreed upon with his two wives that the first living child would be raised by Ann, the first wife.  This child was named: Mary Annette and was called Netti. Hense, Ann North Leaker was called Netti's Mom. All the other children were raised by Elizabeth.

      There was an article in then Deseret Evening news on May 30th 1904 that tells the death of Ann

Leaker which is noted as follows:  Died While Driving --  Mrs. Ann North Leaker Stricken With Apoplexy Last Night.
     While out driving shortly after six o'clock last evening.  Mrs. Ann North Leaker of 642 east First South street, was stricken with apoplexy and with a few minutes was dead.

     Mrs. Leaker was accompanied by her nephew, W. J. Leaker, city plumbing inspector.  They had been driving for about 30 minutes and were on Main street when Mrs. Leaker complained of a sudden dizziness and urged her nephew to turn towards home and drive fast.  He did so, but at State street and First South, enduring agony, Mrs. Leaker told him to stop at the drug store for assistance.  In a few moments Dr. Johnson and Dr. Benedict were at work on the patient, who was carried into the drug store, but she grew rapidly weaker and almost before anybody present realized it, she was dead on an improvised couch in the store.
     The remains were taken to the undertaking establishment of Joseph William Taylor.
     Mrs. Leaker was the widow of David W. Leaker.  She was 70 years of age and leaves a son, Patrolman C. J. Leaker and an adopted daughter, Mrs. M. S. Neslen.

History of My Great Grand Father, David William Leaker - Beginning Until Leaving to America (USA).

HISTORY OF DAVID WILLIAM LEAKER

                                            Written With His Own Hand
       I,   David  William  Leaker, was born in Bridgewater, Somerset, England in the year 1832. January 10. Baptized, October 30th 1852.
             I am writing this from memory in the year 1891, so I will not be able to give date, but if any come to my memory I will note them the first instance that come to my memory.  When I was quite young the family was taken down with the measles  and before we got strong from the decease the family was taken down with the smallpox and that decease left me blind.   My mother took me to the hospital. For about two years and with the Mercies of the Lord and the skill of the doctors, I received my sight.  But I could not take a book to read for my eyes were weak for years so that left me with a limited education.
      The next that occurred to my mind.   I went to take a bath and near came drowning, but the Lord was merciful to me and saved me from a watery grave.
      The next thing that came to my mind was a very narrow escape of my life while working as a delivery boy in the butcher business.   I was driving a flock of sheep to the pasture when one of then was crowded of (off) the road into a large  stream  of water, I could not get it out my self, as I had a horse, got on it and road to get some help.   As I was riding very fast I came to a draw bridge.   The horse fell with my left leg under him and dragged me the length of the bridge with my self on the iron flange that was there to keep the wagons from the foot path. I was taken to the hospital and then spread the report that I was killed.  When I came to my senses the doctors told me that I had a very narrow escape of my life, and the wound of which I will take to the grave with me.
   After my accident when I was able to work I went to work again at my place for a few months, but my father thought the wages was so low for a journeyman butcher; that he persuaded me to come and work with him and learn the carpenter trade  as he was a contractor, and master builder.   He thought he could make a good mechanic of me but I did not like the carpenter trade. He asked  me what trade I would like and I told him black smithing.   He got me a place in a large factory.  I  went on  trial  to  see how I would like it; before I was bound apprentice, but they kept me as a helper for several  months.   I told my father, I thought that was no place to learn a trade. For there were young men that was very near out of their apprenticeship, that had just learned how to make one article and that was all they knew.
       So my father took me from there and bound me as an apprentice to my cousin (?) by the name of Richard Gould.  So near as my memory will  serve me, I was there between three and four years. He (his) use to go on spree about once a year. I always knew when he was going for he would put me on piece work.   He would give me two weeks work before he left the shop.
       I had to make so many hundred staples for a day's work, and so many saucepan handles. I use to work a few hours over in the week so I could quit early on Saturdays.  He had a parish apprentice and when the master was away this time he also left.  They use to keep pigs.  The wife wanted me to fetch swell for them and clean the knives and forks and boots and shoes.  I told her that I could learn that at home. With that she began to whip me.  I took off my leather apron and fought her off, that being Saturday nights and Sunday.
       I  packed  up my clothes in order to leave on Monday for I was afraid they would put me in prison if I want back to work as they are vary strict with there apprentice in England.  I started vary early on Monday morning.  I walked to enter in Devonshire.  I pawned my clothes there as I was short of money and obtained a night's lodging.  The next day I walked to a town by way the of Dollish (sp) and I got work, I had to work all night and next day and night before I could get any rest.
      There is one thing that escaped my memory that is in relation to my mother.   One night as my mother had put the children in bed.  It was not long before they commenced to cry.   My mother want up stairs, to see what was the matter with them.   There was some rats which had got in the house and they commenced to bite the children. They came from our next door neighbors.  We knew there were rats around there; for they used to keep pigs.  My mother told them that she was urging to put some poison for the rats, but they wanted her to wait till they had killed the pigs.  My mother took the children in her arms and was bringing them down stairs.  She was scarred (sp) and in coming down in a hurry, she slipped and fell to the bottom of the stairs.  She was near confinement.  When the baby was born his back was broke and my mother died.
      While  I  was in Dolliss I had to sleep in the shop, as I did not have time to look for a place where   I could board and  lodge. We got in our pay every two weeks when I received my wages.  I sent to the pawn broker for my watches when 1 received my clothes.   I  cleaned up and started to find me a place to board.   I found (an) old place after a long search.  I found an old couple that would take me in.  They were vary kind to me. He was I local preacher in the (blank) church.  I ask(ed) him if he would write to my brother for me to let him know where I was, so that we might keep up a correspondence with him.
       I worked there a few months and received word from home that my sister Sarah was dead,   I went home to the funeral and after she was buried.  I went back to work.  I used to work one weekday shift and one night shift.   So after a little when I returned, I asked Ken Knight if he would write to my father. He told me he wanted me to write to him myself.   I told him I could not write. He wanted me to learn so he set me some copies to practice on. And in short time I was able to write a little.
      While working there I sent for my brother Charles to come there to work. So we worked there till the work was getting finished and they began to shorten hands.  We were discharged; so we went home, and I left him there as I was not of age.  I had to leave home again as my (register? sp,) heard I was there.  He talked of having me arrested and put in prison till my apprenticeship expired.   I left home and traveled to Somerset, there I got work that was the fall of the year.
       I  worked there that winter, in the spring I finished up the work and left there for Wales.   I worked there a short time and left and went to a place called Glimorshire in Wales.  Then  I left there and worked my way back home. While I was home, this time the Cholera broke out, and I had a half sister die with it.
       As I could not get work then, I went into Dositshire.  While on the road there was a dog follow me and I soon found that he was a good hunter;
       After  working  a  short  time I  thought I would like a rabbit for Sunday dinner, so Saturday night I started with a companion and the dog to get one.  We were not disappointed, for the dog caught a hare and a few rabbits, but we were disappointed  in  our Sunday  dinner.
       As we were returning home we were overtaken by the keeper and some farmers that he brought with him.  They took the hare from us and got a wagon and took us to Dositshire to lock us up for poaching.  But as it  was Sunday, the law would not allow them to lock us up for poaching.  They took our names address and the dog so they could arrest us on Monday.  Wether they came for us on Monday or not, I do not know for we were on the road before Monday morning.
       I  traveled  to  Cornewell  and  got work and staid (sp) there some months then left because they would not raise my wages. While traveling I met a young man by the name of George Emery, so we traveled together and got work in Kamshire (sp).  We were companions for quite a long time.  We finished the work there and started to hunt work.  We went to London and there obtained it. We worked there for several months then got on a spree and lost our job, so we started out again to hunt a job.  We traveled through Kent Er--(sp) down to lands-end and could not obtain work.   We then went back to London, you must be sure we were very hard up by this time. We got work in London again and worked there for some months.
       My mate fell out with the boss and we left and traveled a long way around and worked our way to Yorkshire and started work at a place called Arbary Hill.   By this time we learnt (sp) a lesson, not to quit a job when we got one.   So we worked there quite a while.
       We had quite forgot our experiment what we suffered an that trip. We
went on another spree and lost our work again.  As we were leaving Arbary, we were very humble at that time.  The spirit of the Lord came upon me at that time and while that was upon me I wished I had lived in the time of the Savior.
       We traveled and got work in Berkshire and worked their (sp) the winter till we finished )up the job.  We started to hunt work. We  traveled through Glostershire, but could not obtain it; so we lade our way to Bridgewater.   There we got work. I worked in the blacksmith shop, that was in the year 1852.
       I was walking up town with my brother. My wife Ann that is now, was on the street talking to a companion of her's. I ask(ed) my brother if he knew who that young lady was. I told him that she would be my wife if ever I had one.  He told me she was sister to the wife of a man by the name of James Jones.
       As I  was acquainted with him I soon had a chance to get acquainted  with her; six weeks after being acquainted we were married from the church of England.   I worked there a few months when I fell out with the man I was working with and left and went to London.   I got work in a shop in Commercial Street and sent for my wife that was closed to the White Chapel branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We often passed there and would ask each other and wonder what sect that was. We wondered what they believed in, but could not get any information from our inquiries.  But the time was drawing near that we could get the information we desired.
       I  left the place I was working and went to work in a shop in the Old Kent road.   There was a man by the name of William Smith that worked there. He had embraced the gospel; he told me of the doctrine that they believed in and gave me an invitation to go to the meetings. The first meeting we attended was a testimonial meeting. On Wednesday  evening me  and my wife talked the matter over while we were walking home.   We thought it was very strange that the saints could say that they knew that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and they knew that God had restored the Gospel again never more to be taken from the earth, and Joseph Smith was an instrument in his hands in restoring the gospel in this last dispensation and fullness of time.
       The next Sunday we went to meeting in the evening.   Elder William Easton preached on the first principles of the gospel. After the meeting closed the saints gathered around us to see what we thought of the principles that he spoke on. We told them it was bible doctrine. We were struck with the unity which prevailed with the saints.
        Me and my  wife made some remarks on the good feeling that prevailed among the saints that Wednesday evening following. We went to meeting again and like-wise on Sunday. Sunday night we gave in our names for baptism.
        I had a vision. The first I had was from the evil one. He  tried  to persuade  that the gospel was not true,   He told me I would live to pass through many troubles  and much persecution.  I found that to be true,  I told him to leave me and so he did.  I was also blessed with a glorious vision from the lord after the evil one left me.  That cheered me up and I thought I could go through any thing for the gospel sake. We were baptized on March 30th 1853 by Elder William Easton into a branch called the Walworth Branch, and in a short time we left that branch and joined the White Chappel Branch.
       I was appointed to labor as a teacher with Elijah Pierce and to go out an the street to preach the gospel. There was man by the name of Eckburn who was an apostate; who used to follow us and cause us considerable trouble, but the Lord always's brought us out all right.

       We  left and joined the Iseleton Branch where I was appointed a teacher in the Sunday School,   I was also called to act as teacher, likewise (to)go out and preach the gospel on the streets, and we would meet with opposition, but the Lord  would always bring us out victorious.  We left Iseleton Branch London on the 13th of February 1856, and went by rail road to Liverpool and went on board the ship Carravan.  Reminiscences of David 
       After the Saints went on board the ship 14th of February, they found It had too much freight on, and the government would not allow it to sail. So they took out some of the freight and when they had taken enough off, they gave her permission  to  sail.  This made it the 15th when Captain Sandes ordered the anchor raised.   We had a prosperous voyage considering the time of the year.
       We had one storm that took our  fore mast away, and we had one sailor thrown out of the rigger and killed.  We met one more squall that we were not able to do any cooking for three days. The captain told us if it had not been a good ship, the  sides  of  her,  would of been staved in.   As we were loaded with rail-road iron and lead, as the ship would roll the weight (and) would shift from side to side, and we thought that the ship would be staved in. But (with) the faith of the saints and the blessings of the Lord we arrived in New York.
       During the voyage there were three children born, one passenger died, and one couple married.   We arrived in New York on the 27th of March 1856,  There was a sister and daughter by the name of Durr who found lodging for us.    We left Castel Gardens the same day that we arrived. The next day I got a (way)-? and fetched our luggage from there.

My Great Grandfather, David William Leaker, From Pioneer to Mormon Settler.

M

           We arrived in New York on the 27th of March 1856,  There was a sister and daughter by the name of Durr who found lodging for us.    We left Castel Gardens the same day that we arrived. The next day I got a (way)-? and fetched our luggage from there.
       The following week I and Jabes Dangerfield started out to hunt work. I got work in a shop,  The proprietor ('s) name was Murphy, I worked there till the warm weather came in and left on account of  the  shop being so small.  There was so many fires in it and they used to?
       Jabes Danqerfield obtained work in a herb-? store.  I left that job and got work the firm's name was Nichols and Doan.  We gave the in our certificates and joined the New York branch.  I was appointed to preside over the lesser priesthood to and give in the reports of the visits of the Saints in to the president of the Branch, and the brethren of the Branch who were to help him.
        I work at Nichols and Doan until the brethren were called home from foreign missions  as Johnson's army was approaching the valley to hang Brigham Young, as they said that was their intentions to do.  But the lord put a hook in their jaw, and they were frustrated in their evil designs.  There were three of the brethren (who) stayed with us a few days on their way home to the valley.  There was one by the name of Taylor, he was a blacksmith by trade; he worked in St. Louis for a company by the name of Ecles and Nelson and got his outfit from there .
        When he went to the valley he told me I could be on an out-fit much sooner there  than in New York as everything was so dull there at that time.  He gave me a letter of recommendation to give  to the company.  He told me he was satisfied they would give me work as he had worked for the same company in sales and wish him to recommend a man that he thought would suit them.  I went to St. Louis and gave them the letter.  They told me they had closed shop and they had a diving bell boat up the Ohio River raising a boat that had gone down, and they wanted a blacksmith.
        There if I would go up they would hire (?) me, and when I had finished that job they would give me work in the shop; but I did not stay until they finish.  For there was so much a wickedness with a white men and black women and swearing (that) I could not stand it, so I left and came back to St. Louis, and went and saw bosses and got my pay.
       I went to the post office and got some letters that was there; two of them to was from a bosses in New York for me to come back as work had started up again; and as the brethren told me there will be no more emigration.  For a few years I thought it would be best for me to return as I could not get work in St. Louis; so I went back to New York and went to work for my old bosses again.  I worked there until the spring of 1859; when word came that all I could raise means to go to the frontier was to do so and prepare to cross the  Plains.  David's excerpt about departing with the Edward Stevenson Company
        Mr. Steinhouse made up his mind to cross the Plains that year.  (He) asks me if I would take charge of his outfit at the frontiers and drive one of his teams across the Plains for him.  I would, as he did not arrive at the frontier until the train was about ready to start out for the Plains.  I had everything ready for him when he came up from Florence.  He and I had a few words about the team.  I told him he had not enough cattle to take        They departed with the Edward Stevenson
the load he had, and when we were loaded up; I put the wagon on the scales.  It weighed something over (60 hundred) 1600.  I told him I would not start with him if he would not get one more yoke of cattle, as we had but two yoke of cattle and one of cows. So that is where trouble came in.  There was a single man there and he thought he could get him to drive for him.
        President George Q. Cannon was at the frontier here at the time.  He told me he would see that we went across the Plains that year.  So when Mr. Steinhouse heard it that we would cross that year; he came to me and told us that he wanted us to go with him.  He did not want us to fill that we were as hired help, but wanted us to feel as one of the family.  The when he got us on the Plains he treated more like niggers than brothers sister.  When we came to (frontier) (?) he wanted to leave us there captain Stevenson told him he cannot do it.  He told him he had to take us to the Valley as he was unable to do as in any in  the train by hiring some of our luggage.  Being hauled in we came through foot soar and sick, and we rejoiced as we rode across Hogs Back  saw the home of the Saints.  It was the 28th September  1859 when we arrived at the Valley.  It was a Friday evening.  It commenced to rain and continued until morning. Mr. T.  B.  H.  Steinhouse came down the next morning, and told us that he wanted the wagon.
          Brother Thomas Lyon had pitched his tent, and he told us we could have the use of it until we could get a place to stay.  There was a couple of by the name of Jones that left on the 19th ward bench.  (Who) came to see if there was anyone there that they knew, but as it was an independent company they all had friends here and had moved up the camping ground.  We were the only ones up so they gave us an invitation to come up and to eat dinner with them on Sunday. planet to I have almost forgot the kind us of James Sagmiller.  He visited us on the night that we and arrived and a administered to were wants.
        As Mr. Steinhouse did not leave this in the provisions, we accepted that invitation of brother and sister Jones; and we went to their house to dinner.  On Sunday where we were there we made arrangement to stay there that winter.  As his wife was an invalid was leaked he made arrangements with my wife to do the housework for them and that would pay for the rent.
       The room that we stayed in was not plastered; shall we could see out through the shingles, and when it snowed and drifted, and would drift in the us as we laid in bed.  As the winters were more severe then than was they are now.  We felt the cold very much, but we were very thankful to the Lord and them for it.  I soon made a little furniture for us so that we would be a little more comfortable, has there were no storehouses to rent  at that time.
         I started out to find work.  I went and saw Brother Sagmiller who was working for President Young. While talking to Brother Sagmiller , President Young came in.  Brother Sagmiller give me an introduction to him.  He talked with me quite awhile and before he left his son Joseph A. came in.  Brother Sagmiller give me an introduction to him, and told him I was a blacksmith.  He asked me if I would go to work for his father; he said he would not give me work in the shop just than as they had no coal; but they were expecting some charcoal  in any day; the weather arrived he would put me to work in the shop.  But the coal did not arrive in that fall for the snow set in earlier than they expected it that fall.  So that kept me working it out of doors until the snow got so deep that I could not work to any advantage.  President Young was very short of firing at that time.
           Hamilton Park came to me and asked me if I would go to the canyon and slide wood so President Young could have something to burn.  I told him that I knew nothing about chopping wood as I was not used to it. but I told him I had never chopped a tree down in my life.  He told me he would get some more of the boys to go with me, and I would soon learn how to chop a tree down and slide it off the mountain.  So he got more of the boys to gather wood.  We started up the canyon.  The snow was vary deep in the canyon by this time, we waded through it up to the dry timber; and commenced to chop and slide it down the mountains, but I thought it was pretty tough for green hand.  We wallowed through the snow up to the neck to get wood for the fire.  But I was glad I was able to stand a pressure.  I was glad of work before the winter was over to make the family comfortable and do the cooking and warm the house up. I stated in a canyon that winter sliding wood.
      In the spring when I came out the coal had arrived so I went to work in the blacksmith shop, a and helped to force the machinery for the nail factory that Brother Wells started; and when it was finished he sent me down to be old sugar works to forge the iron for some cording machines for President Young.  When I finished forging the work for them , I came back to work for President Young again.
        The next winter I went to work the canyon to slide wood again.  I made a trade with Brother Jones to make me (a deal?) to build a house and paid him in wood for them.  That house is now  standing in the 11th Ward at the present date of writing.
        That spring I went to  work for Brother Henry Bowering making hardware for harnesses, then worked there until next spring as he could not get coal to keep the shop on.  I would accrue to the country and harvest from to bring me there.  I learned to cradel.  After I learned to cradel, I could learned enough wheat to feed my family.  I then made a trade for their a horse team of Brother James Cummings, and went to haul wood in April 1861.
        I was married to Ann North Leaker in the Endowment House for time and eternity.  That caused us great joy to think we were worthy of such a blessing.  I continue to haul wood this summer and went into the canyon next winter then slid and hauled it in the spring.  Jabes Dangerfield.  And I made the arrangement with Brother Cummings to work his farm in shares.
        I married my wife Elizabeth Denney that spring; and took her on the farm with me.  We were married March 25, 1865.  We have a daughter born unto us January the 9th 1866.  She died the 9th of November 1866.
        The first summer we work farm, the Lord blessed our labors and we have good crop.  So we bought a stove has we have not got one.  We borrowed the stove to cook for the hands when they were threshing grain.  After we have haul the grain and shaft home, we started to haul wood from the canyon soil we kept hauling until the snow fell.  Then we went to slide wood off the mountain and Jabes Dangerfield would sell  the next spring.  We started plow and plant, but the water raise so high that spring.  It washed away our grain so that we did not raise anything at all that summer.  So we went to hauling wood again for a living, and the next spring we went to the canyon to sell bark for tanning leather.  That fall I made my mind to quit canyon work.  So me and Brother Joseph McKay went and saw President Young to see if you would sell us some blacksmith tools.  As he put in a fan and use blast.  He had a bellows that they were not using so we got a bellows from him and bought an anvil and vice, and started to work.  We were doing well when we were called to go out to the railroad to work.  We finished two contracts then came home.
        As I was a teacher in the Sunday school and appointed to that office at the first organization of the Sunday school's in that Ward.  When I returned home I continued my labors as a teacher and likewise a block-teacher.
         I was sworn in as a special police in the year 1861 and served in that capacity for many years, and have many narrow escapes of my life.  I will mention one.  There were several of us detached for the theater.  Brother Samuel McKay and myself were to keep order in the second circle.  There were quite number of soldiers from Fort Douglas that went to the theater one night, and most of them went to the third circle and knocked the doorkeeper down and abuse him very badly.  Brother McKay and I were sent to help restore order.  As we came down from the second circle some of the soldiers came from the third circle, and when they turned the corner and went north, as we turned the corner to follow them one of them turned and commenced to fire at us.  As we were very close together, one of bullets went through Samuel McKay"s coat as he kept firing at us, and we had several narrow escapes of being shot.  But the Lord preserved as from any of his shots.  I was likewise called to break up some houses of ill fame and liquor store of Paul Englebrecht in 1871.  I was put under hands of $2,000 for that little affair.  You can turned to the History of Utah volume two and read the account there of it on page 681.
        I had a son born to me in that year of the second of October  who was named David James.  He died August 12, 1873.
        When the volunteer fire department was organized with the hand engine; by a volunteer to serve as a member of that brigade in continued until they made it a paid department.  And then I continue for some years as a call  member and was paid by the hour that we worked had a fire.  And I still belong to a volunteer fire brigade.
        Thomas F. Thomas returned from a mission in 1875 from Wales and  brought me word that I had sister die in Carter , Wales.  Her name was Elizabeth.  She was born in Bridgewater , Summersetshire , England , the year 1834 and died in the year 1854.
        I am thankful to the Lord for his mercies to me up to the present time.  I am in hopes that I will never do anything to meet with his displeasure, for I do know  that he lives and that his son Jesus lives, and that he has restored the gospel to Joseph Smith in this last dispensation, and I am a happy recipient of the same.
                                 David W. Leaker
        NAME: David William LEAKER   Year of Birth 1831