``Beginning in early 1842, William Clayton became involved in nearly every important activity in Nauvoo, including the private concerns of the Prophet. In this respect his life reflects the Nauvoo experience better than does the life of almost anyone else--even better that many church leaders who were often away on missions. He became an intimate friend and confidant of Joseph Smith, writing letters for him, recording revelations, and performing important errands. As a scribe he kept the sacred `Book of the Law of the Lord'; was officially designated to write the history of the Nauvoo Temple; helped prepare the official history of Joseph Smith (indeed, his personal journals become the source for many entries in that history); and kept various other books and accounts as assigned. He was a member of the temple committee and kept all the financial and other records dealing with the building of the temple, including the collection and recording of tithes. Later, after the baptismal font was completed, it was up to Clayton to issue receipts certifying that a person was entitled to the privileges of the font (for baptisms for the dead) because he had paid tithing. He became Nauvoo city treasurer, recorder, and clerk of the Nauvoo City Council, secretary pro tem of the Nauvoo Masonic Lodge, an officer of the Nauvoo Music Association, and a member of the committee responsible for erecting the Music Hall in Nauvoo. He also became a member and clerk of the highly important Council of Fifty, as well as a member of Joseph Smith's private prayer circle. He may have functioned in more public and semi-public capacities than almost any other person in Nauvoo, save Joseph Smith. What is important here, however, is not just the Nauvoo that Clayton saw and helped build, but the Nauvoo that Clayton felt, deep inside. Only by capturing the feelings and emotions of a disciple such as Clayton can we understand the real meaning of Nauvoo in the lives of the Illinois Saints.''
From James B. Allen, ``One Man's Nauvoo: William Clayton's Experience in Mormon Illinois,'' Journal of Mormon History, Vol 6, 1979, pp. 42-3.
This compilation attempts to capture chronologically, all of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. It begins with the day Clayton arrived in Nauvoo, and ends with the day he left Nauvoo and crossed the Mississippi River for the trek West. It does not include official writings made for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, such as notices in newspapers, correspondence for Joseph Smith, entries in official record books, other men's diaries (such as Heber C. Kimball), etc. Based upon some estimates made by James B. Allen, it is probable that this compilation contains less than 30 percent of the whole.1
The sources used in this compilation are detailed below. Occasionally, a single source is used, in which case the source is detailed in a footnote. See 1 May 1843 for example.
Manchester
Manchester Mormons: The Journal of William Clayton, 1840 to 1842, ed. James B. Allen and Thomas G. Alexander (Santa Barbara and Salt Lake City: Peregrine Smith, Inc., 1974). Entries from 24 November 1840 (when Clayton first arrived in Nauvoo) through 13 February 1842 are included here.
Letter
Heart Throbs of the West, Vol. 5 (1944): pp. 373-80.
Nauvoo 1
Diary for 27 November 1842 through 28 April 1843 and 25 September 1844 through 31 March 1845. (Original diary in possession of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.)
Nauvoo 2
Diary for 27 April 1843 through 24 September 1844. (Original in possession of the LDS Church.)
Nauvoo 3
Diary for 14 June through 22 June 1844 - Inserted under the cover of the 1842-1845 diary. (Original in possession of the LDS Church.)
Nauvoo 4
Diary for April 1845 through 30 January 1846. (Original in possession of the LDS Church.)
Pioneer Journal
William Clayton's Journal; A Daily Record of the Journey of the Original Company of "Mormon" Pioneers from Nauvoo, Illinois, to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake (Salt Lake City, Utah, Clayton Family Association, 1921). Entries for 8 February 1846 through 27 February 1846 (the day Clayton crossed the Mississippi river and left Nauvoo) have been included here.
Temple History
The original document is located in the LDS Church Archives and is entitled ``Nauvoo Temple History Journal, William Clayton, 1845.'' It was published serially as ``An Interesting Journal, by William Clayton,'' in the Juvenile Instructor, Vol 21, 1886, Nos. 2-10, 12-13, and 15-20. There are only minor, and essentially insignificant, differences between the manuscript document and the printed version. Page number references are to the Instructor. Because of the narrative manner in which this source was written, entries sometimes contain information covering a time span. It is possible that there are some entries in the original manuscript that were never published. See the footnote to the date of 6 April 1845. It was also printed as Appendix B in Smith, An Intimate Chronicle, pp. 525-553.
Extracts
Clayton probably kept a "Private Book" or "Record" while in Nauvoo. The original is not known to exist, but copies of "Extracts from William Clayton's Private Book," exist. See the Note for the date of 9 May 1841 herein; The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 93; Allen, p. 146, n.30. It was printed as Appendix A in Smith, An Intimate Chronicle, pp. 513-524.
Council of 50
L. John Nuttall made a fifteen page extract from Clayton's Journals in the 1880's concerning the Kingdom of God and Council of Fifty (Nuttall was Clayton's successor as "Clerk of the Kingdom"). Nuttall's manuscript is entitled "Extracts from the Journal of Elder Wm Clayton, regarding the K. of G.", and is located in the Archives, Historical Department, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah. These "Extracts" were published in Andrew F. Ehat, ```It Seems Like Heaven Began on Earth': Joseph Smith and the Constitution of the Kingdom of God.'', Brigham Young University Studies 20 (Spring 1980): pp. 266-273.
Allen 1
James B. Allen, "One Man's Nauvoo: William Clayton's Experience in Mormon Illinois, Journal of Mormon History, Volume 6, 1979. Clayton diary entries are sometimes given as direct quotes, but are more often restated in Allen's words. (See Allen 2, below).
Allen 2
Trials of Discipleship, The Story of William Clayton, James B. Allen, (Urbana and Chicago, University of Illinois Press, 1987). Allen quotes from the Clayton journals, both verbatim and descriptively, although in many cases the quotes are incomplete or are rewritten by Allen. These entries have been added chronologically, although in most cases they appear in Allen's work by subject.
Words
Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, The Words of Joseph Smith, The contemporary accounts of the Nauvoo discourses of the Prophet Joseph, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah (1980). Entries from Clayton's Nauvoo diaries which recorded addresses and public comments by Joseph Smith.
Affidavit
A statement made by Clayton and sworn to before a notary on February 16, 1874 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Published in Andrew Jenson, The Historical Record, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1888, pp. 224-226. Although not a writing made in Nauvoo, it relates almost exclusively to the Nauvoo period and contains information not found elsewhere, which was possibly taken from Clayton's own diaries. It was printed as Appendix C in Smith, An Intimate Chronicle, pp. 555-559.
Most of the entries from Nauvoo 1, 2, 3, and 4 were first published in Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Clayton's Secret Writings Uncovered; Extracts From the Diaries of Joseph Smith's Secretary William Clayton, Salt Lake City: Modern Microfilm (1982), although the extracts were not presented chronologically. Additional entries from these diaries have been included here which did not appear in Tanner's publication.
For additional information on the Clayton diaries, see: Ehat, "It Seems Like Heaven Began on Earth...", p. 266; Allen, "One Man's Nauvoo...", p. 42; Ehat and Cook, Words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 263; Tanners, Clayton's Secret Writings Uncovered, Introduction; Salt Lake City Messenger, Utah Lighthouse Ministry, No. 53, March 1984, Salt Lake City, pp. 5-8; and BYU Studies, Vol. 35, No. 2, 1995, pp. 165-175, which consists of a review by James B. Allen of George D. Smith, ed. An Intimate Chronicle: The Journals of William Clayton.
[Comments on An Intimate Chronicle, The Journals of William Clayton, George D. Smith, Ed., Signature Books, Salt Lake City, 1991, paperback edition 1995.]
Only a cursory attempt has been made to compare the entries herein to those found in An Intimate Chronicle, The Journals of William Clayton. Initial observations indicate that George Smith's version is based entirely on the notes of Andrew Ehat as published by the Tanners. It appears that Smith did not include any of the material found in the Allen publications which was not already contained in the Tanner publication. Similarly, Smith did not include all of the entries found in Ehat's BYU Studies article on the Kingdom of God.
It should be noted that an entry found on page 93 in Smith's work is incorrect. The entry shown for January 20, 1843, Friday, is really January 29, 1843, Sunday. See Words, p. 164. Other mistakes in Smith indicate that he probably did not even compare his entries to those found in Words. For example, Smith did not include either of the Clayton entries for 8 April 1843 (see Words, pp. 182 and 190). Smith also apparently did not realize that there are sometimes two versions in Ehat's notes for the same date. See herein the entry for 18 June 1844 and the accompanying footnote.
And finally, Smith did not include some of the other published entries from Clayton's diaries. For example, the entry for 1 May 1843 is printed more completely in Blood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriage.
Of interest is footnote 129 on page lvi of Intimate Chronicle, which indicates that Smith may have included some entries supplied by an unnamed researcher that do not appear in the Ehat materials. I have not been able to yet identify any such entries.
James B. Allen wrote a review of An Intimate Chronicle in BYU Studies, Vol. 35, No. 2, 1995, pp. 165-75. There Allen points out most of the flaws in George Smith's compilation. Allen points out on p. 167 that "Smith's abridgment is based almost entirely on [the Tanner's publication] with some additions from a few other sources."
24 November 1840, Tuesday
Manchester, p. 200
Tuesday. This AM Elder Turley having been in company with a man from Commerce said that if any choose to walk that man would conduct them at which William Poole myself and several others went along with him by land to Commerce where we arrived about 12 o clock. We called at the Upper stone house and found Sister Garner from Manchester. They had arrived about one week previous having been 6 months on their way. We then went to Sister Hyrum Clarks and on our way called at Francis Moon's. After we had been here a little while we perceived Elder Turley and some others coming. Knowing then that the Boat had arrived we returned to the boat and after taking a little dinner we proceeded according to the appointment of Committee to move our luggage to a new house on the banks of the Mississippi river. Thus ended a journey of over 5000 miles having been exactly 11 weeks and about 10 hours between leaving Liverpool and arriving at our journeys end. We had been much exposed to cold weather and suffered many deprivations and disconveniences yet through the mercy of God we landed safe and in good health with the exception of 8 persons one of whom died soon after landing. We were pleased to find ourselves once more at home and felt to praise God for his goodness. We did not get all our luggage unloaded that night and having no fire we concluded to take the invitation of Brother Henry Moore and stay overnight at his house. He kindly gave us our breakfast the following Morning. We slept on the floor.
25 November 1840, Wednesday
Manchester, p. 201
On the morning of the 25th we proceeded to unload the remainder of our luggage. Brother Thompson lent us a small stove. The house being small for 14 of us viz William Poole and family. Richard Jenkinson and wife. Mary Ware and my father in laws family and my family; we was some crow'd but we were pretty comfortable. We made our bed on hay on the floor and was obliged to move them every morning for the room. After a few weeks we made our beds upstairs and fill them with oak leaves. In a few days after we arrived at Nauvoo Elder Hyrum Smith came for me to go on board the Steam Boat Nauvoo. I spent one day on it and it was then concluded not to sail her any more this season. We remained at this house 7 weeks during which time we made enquiry concerning some land and after much consultation I went to Hyrum Smith for council. He said he had some land to sell in Iowa Territory for 3 dollars an acre and he counciled us to go. We finally concluded to move over the river into the Territory. The saints frequently told us that the devil was over the river &c but this did not hinder us from going. I agreed with William Smith for 185 acres of land and was to pay for it out of my wages on the Steam Boat which he ensured to [--]. I was to give him ½ of my wages untill it was paid up. We also bought a Waggon of him for 60$ paying ½ down the rest with the land. We bought a Yoke of oxen and chain for 55$ and 3 Hogs for 8$ of Mr. Thomas Grover. We did not attend many meetings while on this side of the river. We heard Joseph speak twice and Sidney Rigdon once. We attended singing meetings frequently and often had to sing ``Gentle Gale'' for Joseph and others.
29 November 1840, Sunday
Nauvoo, November 29, 1840.
Letter to Edward Martin: And the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints in Penwortham.
William Clayton sends greetings praying that the God of Joseph may fill you with all heavenly blessings and prepare you for the toilsome journey which lies before you and which he has safely brought us through; I rejoice that we have arrived at our journey's end and have the privilege of resting ourselves. Travelling is laborious work and especially at this season of the year, but notwithstanding all the difficulties and dangers through which we have had to pass we are here and we are healthy and cheerful for which we feel very thankful. If we had left England about six weeks sooner we should have had a pleasant journey. I suppose more so than any other part of the year; but it is impossible to come this distance but what the weather will be either too hot or too cold and we have had both. However the journey lies before you and although it is impossible for pen to describe to you the difficulties you will have to endure you must come or suffer the vengeance of heaven and for my part I will say that if I was in England now and had experienced all the journey it would not in the least deter me from coming for I have often found that in the greatest seasons of suffering we have the greatest cause of rejoicing and so it has been with us for when we have thought impossible even then was our happiest moments. After all this I am aware that all we have suffered is scarce a beginning to our share of the tribulations of these last days. At the time of harvest men are sent to cut down the corn and then it is drawn to the barn, but we have yet to be threshed and sifted and perhaps the sifting time will be the worst to endure. Then the chaff and tares will be separated from the pure grain and will be ready for burning. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net cast into the sea, but not until it was drawn to shore was the separation of the good and bad. That grain which cannot endure the shaking between the field and the barn is in great danger of being lost in the journey and if once separated from the sheaf and care of the farmer it is in danger of being devoured by the fowls and other enemies. And they that hang down its head for fear of the toils of harvesting is of very little worth to the farmer. Those that come to this land must set their minds firm to come through all and not flinch if death should stare them in the face. The Lord calls for valiant hearted men who are not afraid to die. A company of saints who come to this land would greatly lessen their sufferings by taking care to be firmly united together for if once Satan can cause enmity or confusion it is with great difficulty that you can repair the breach especially when under such peculiar circumstances.
We have been a kind of mixed company and this has increased our troubles some from one part of the country and some other, some have been fed a little on strong food, others but newly baptized. Some have been much whipped, others scarcely heard their duty and in such a company you may naturally suppose many things would occur to try all parties. I think another such a mixed company will not come together at least, I hope not. We have not yet suffered sufficient to make us all of one mind and wherever you go you may expect fine men as men and not as angels, and man is naturally prone to evil as the sparks fly upwards. But I need not tell you all this for you have seen sufficient at home to prove to you what I have said.
In my last letter which I hope you have received I gave you a general outline of those things which passed to the time we landed at New York; In this, I will give you a history of events since that time to the present. We tarried in New York until Wednesday the 14th of October, during this time we moved our luggage from the ship to the steam boat Congress for West Troy about 6 miles beyond Albany. I had not very much privilege of inquiring into the state of things here being so much busied with our luggage. Previous to our leaving the ship the custom house officers came to examine our boxes which was soon done for they only looked at the top of the goods without examining to the bottom of our boxes. The Captain of the ship North America, told Elder Turley that he should be very glad to bring another company the Saints over. He inquired into our principles and if we had a church in New York. Elder Turley introduced him to President Foster, who told him where they held their meetings, etc. While here we learned that Bothers Hyde and Page were in Philadelphia on their way to England. We desired to see them, but had not the privilege. Three of the brethren left New York for England the week before we arrived there. The day before we left here I received a letter from Brother John Moon directed to a brother in New York. When I read this I felt a little troubled for it stated that they were then residing in Allegheny in the State of Pennsylvania. They had nearly all been sick, but was then recovering, except Thomas, who was dead. Their calculation was to come up here in the spring. Some of them have got work about 25 miles from the family, but work was scarce. They have had a hard time of it, but not at all discouraged. This news made Thomas and Lydia sorry because they had expected to have a happy meeting at Commerce, but it was not so.
Provisions at New York were cheap. We could have a good supper for about 6 pence or 9 pence, English money. Honey, 5 pence per pound, fruit very cheap. We left New York about 5 o'clock on the Wednesday afternoon and a delightful sight we had at this time. Seven steamboats all left the harbor at once which was a noble sight. Three or four of our company tarried at New York. One family from Macclesfield, named Mops. The brethren here were much interested in our welfare and showed great kindness towards us. We slept on board the ship until this Tuesday and this night we slept on the steamer. We were delighted with the appearance of the country and the beautiful cities planted along the Hudson River. We arrived at Albany about half past five and at West Troy at nine on Thursday evening. At this place we tarried all night and on Friday our Company divided and went on three canal boats. Two now being sufficient to carry us. We left West Troy about four o'clock, myself and Elder Turley taking the last boat. This canal is upwards of 360 miles long and is raised by a great number of locks. At the town of Lockport there are five locks together which raises the canal 60 feet. This is a stupendous work. After these locks the canal has been cut through a rock of solid stone upwards of a mile. There were many Irish met at work here. As we passed along this canal we saw many fields of corn and amongst the corn a great many large pumpkins which look very beautiful and are also good for food. We also saw hundreds of apple trees loaded with rich fruit; far superior in taste to any in England. There were scores of bushles on the ground amongst which pigs roved at large but would not eat them. We could pick up as many as we wanted and left plenty to rot on the ground.
Meat is cheap along this road. At one place Mr. Turley bought sheep ready dressed for 6 shillings. We could get no very good butter and but little milk as people will not take pains to churn the milk and in many instances will not milk the cows only as they need milk. There are a great many pigs kept all along which seem to run at large.
We passed the town of Syracuse on the 21st. At this place there is 1000 bushles of salt made per day. On Thursday the 22nd, Mr. Turley and myself left the boat which our folks were in and took the packet boat in order to overtake the other two which was a long way before us on account of our boat not sailing on the Sunday, because the owner was religious. I was some amused at some things which I saw on the packet boat. One is the servants who wait at table are all dressed like ladies and eat at the same table as their master. The richest kind of food is served in these places and at every meal as much fresh meat of different kinds as you can eat.
We came in sight of the Erie River about three in the afternoon of Friday. Here I was surprised to see the great mountains of sand drifted along the coast of lake Erie. We had a strong wind to encounter and in one place our boat was driven on shore and some of the passengers thrown down by the shock. We arrived at Buffalo about six o'clock in the evening. We passed one boat near to Buffalo. The other had arrived in the morning. We had purposed to go to the Niagara Falls as we was then only about six miles distant, but these boats being come in we could not have the privilege.
On the morrow we went to engage a steamboat for Chicago, but quickly found that there was only one boat intending to go there at that time. This being the case we had no privilege of going for any less than the ordinary fare which was something more than $2.00 besides luggage. At this we felt troubled because it was double the price we expected to go for. The other boat did not arrived until Sunday noon. The weather at this time began to blow very cold and we had a considerable fall of snow. Some of the company went directly on board the steamboat and lodged there for a few nights. The others went into a warehouse to lodge. On the Saturday, Elder Turley made some more inquiry concerning the fare, but found it impossible to get to Chicago for less than $2.00 each person and half price for children. This was an important crisis. Many of the Company was almost destitute of money and some destitute of both meat and money and could get no farther. There was not sufficient means to be had in the Company to take the whole and consequently some must remain at Buffalo. This was truly an affecting scene, but could not be avoided. At this time Elder Turley was almost heartbroken on account of having to leave some of the Company and as it was in former times, when he could see no way open the Lord made His kindness manifest and sent deliverance, whilst he was enunciating upon our situation, brother Kellog the presiding elder at Kirtland passed by him. Brother Turley knew him and stopped him. They had a season of rejoicing together and Brother Turley told him the whole of our situation. Brother Kellog immediately offered to take either the whole or part of the Company to Kirtland, which is not very far from Buffalo. Here was our deliverance. The Company began to rejoice and all went off well. A privilege was then given to all who chose to go to Kirtland and those who could go through to Commerce.
Amongst those who went to Kirtland was George Slater and family from Penwortham. Many are those who went to Manchester. The Greenhaugh's concludes to remain in Buffalo a little season until they can get means to move themselves. They had money offered them to go on, but they preferred working themselves through. We felt considerable at parting with this part of our company yet we knew that all was well. We have since seen that it was right, they went to Kirtland. We went on board the steamboat, Illinois, but could not leave Buffalo at that time on account of the rough weather. It was very wet and cold and we had considerable snow storms. About seven o'clock on Thursday morning, October 29th, we left Buffalo and notwithstanding the bad weather we proceeded rapidly on Lake Erie. We called at Fairport partly on account of the storm and partly to take in wood for fire. (There are scarcely and coals burned here.) We were then only about eleven miles from Kirtland. I had a great desire to go and see the house of the Lord, but could not. In a few hours we started again. We had some pleasant sailing up the Lakes after the wind abated. We saw many hunreds of wild ducks, especially upon the Lake Saint Clare. We arrived at Chicago about half past one A.M., Wednesday November 4th. At this place same day we engaged wagons to Dixonville about 110 miles from Chicago. I might have said that on the steamboat we had to sleep near to the engine where passengers was continually passing night and day almost. We laid our bed on boxes, but had so little room that often our feet was intruding beyond the bed and lay bare. It was not pleasant, but we could not help it. Sometimes we were almost suffocated with heat at other times almost starved with cold. The vessel was crowded with passengers and some of them of a coarse king. We left Chicago same day about three o'clock P.M. Our family and William Poole's occupied three teams at $5.00 per team. First day we traveled about 12 miles across a dreadful prairie. We were delighted with its appearance. We called at an Inn or Tavern. Here we had to make a fire in the wook and cook and eat out of doors. We had the privilege of sleeping in the tavern upon the floor, but as we had expected our beds at Chicago to lighten the wagons we found the soft side of the boards very hard for the first time. However we slept pretty well for we had been much fatigued during the day. We arose in the morning before daylight, made our fire our of doors and got a comfortable breakfast. The oatmeal we brought from England came in well. We arrived at Dixonville about three o'clock on Saturday afternoon, some of the Company did not arrive until Sunday. During this journey we cooked our victuals out of doors. At noon we had only one hour allowed us to cook and eat dinner; but in this time we made a fire, washed up pots, peeled potatoes and boiled them and fried our beef and ate our dinner ready for starting at the hours end. Old Lydia was about as active and cheerful as anyone of us. Although we were thus situated I assure you we were happy and cheerful. At Dixon we engaged an empty house to sleep in. There was no fireplace in the house, consequently we had to cook out of doors. The weather was cold, but in other respects favorable. About ten besides children slept in the same house. At this place as well as all along the way from Chicago the natives manifested a great desire for our young women to remain with them, but at Dixon the whole company was desired to tarry and settle with them. Here we purchased a boat bottom and in a few days had it ready for sailing. During the time we remained at Dixon we had to sleep on our boxes and often the sides of a box made our bones ache, but the more we suffered the more cheerful we appeared. On Friday the 15th, we went on board our boat and loaded our boxes. On the morrow we sailed down Rock River for Commerce. On the 20th, we passed the rapids. Here many of us got out to walk in order to lighten the boat. Amongst the number who walked was old Lydia and Thomas. We had to walk quick. Some of the time Thomas carried my daughter Sarah, who is very fat and heavy. I was some behind watching the progress of the boat, but just when I was overtaking them I saw Thomas put Sarah to walk he being tired. Old Lydia something like a young woman seized Sarah in her arms and started off a quick pace. I was considerably amused at this, but went to her relief. I mention this to show that the journey has done the old folks no harm. Same day we entered the Mississippi River. On Saturday the 21st we had to camp in the woods there being no houses near. We had fixed our tent over a few boxes and 14 of us slept several nights in a place about 2½ yards long and about 4 feet broad. We had not room to lay down and scarce room to sit. We could not stretch out our legs which caused them to ache some. This seemed a hard fare and it was about the worst of all our journey. One night it rained exceeding heavy and the rain ran through the tent and wet us through. We could not take off our wet clothes, but let them dry on our backs. My wife and her mother were about the worst wet. Some of the time the frost was so severe that our tent was quite stiff and we could scarce cook our victuals at all. On this night (the 21st) Elder Turley addressed the saints while camped in the woods and it was a time long to be remembered. Some spoke in tongues and William Poole interpreted. On Sunday night we called at a tavern and as we expected landing we washed and cleaned ourselves and changed our clothes. We got stuck fast on a tree on Monday which hindered us some and we did not arrive that night but stopped about 9 or 10 miles from home.
In the morning myself and several others left the boat and went across the country to Commerce where we arrived about noon, the boat arrived about 2 o'clock. We had not sailed in the night on account of island and trees which lay in the river and make it dangerous to navigate. We were near 11 day on this boat during which time I never had my clothes off, neither had William Poole and he and myself was laid down only a few nights during this time and then our bed was not feathers, but hay. Our families slept on boards having the empty beds under them. The weather was exceeding cold, but preserved us and we arrived in Commerce well and joyful.
A committee had been formed to provide accommodations for us when we arrived. William Poole's family and our family are living together in a very small house on the banks of the great Mississippi River. We were 11 weeks and about 11 hours between starting from Liverpool and landing at this place. The first person I met with whom I knew was Sister Jamer from Manchester. They left England last May and only arrived here the Friday before we did. They were 6 months on the way and suffered much. Soon after I found Brother Francis Moon and family and Sutons from Longton living in a house which Francis has built since their arrival. I have seen brother Moss from Preston and Brother Moore from Bolton. The Saints here are poor on account of being driven; but their numbers are rapidly increasing. There are houses now for 4 or 5 miles round, all occupied by saints. There has a great number arrived during the past winter. I have not been to visit any of the folks yet on account of being so busy arranging our house and making a little furniture. We use our boxes for chairs and tables and clothes chest and joiner bench we sleep in straw beds being without bedsteads. Thomas and old Lydia are sleeping on a bed of oakleaves and they like it well. They say it is very easy. We are perfectly satisfied with the appearance of things here and we have abundance of proofs that Joseph Smith Junior is what he pretends to be viz a Prophet of the most high God and this is the work of God and will roll forth to the ends of the earth and the Lord will gather His people. Lust not be discouraged. Tribulation will not hurt us for although we have been tossed and exposed so much, old Lydia Moon says she is better than she has ever been for the past 15 years. She is not troubled with rheumatism but looks considerable younger and more active than when we left England. Sister Mary Ware is grown very fat and healthy and so it is with nearly all of us. Myself is fatter than I ever was in my life and far more healthy. In fact and in short all is well, and I hope we shall soon see our dear brothers and sisters from England in this place. We will have a happy meeting some day. We have not yet determined where we shall settle, but probably on the other side of the river in the Iowa Territory.
The land is exceeding rich, wild grapes grow in great abundance.
Also nuts of many kinds. Peaches, citrus, pumpkins, squashes and
good potatoes. We buy sugar at 5 pence per pound and honey same
price, molasses 2 pence per pound, potatoes 2 shillings per bushel,
flour 20 shillings per 200 pounds, cornmeal ¼ per bushel,
beef about three half pence per pound. We make our own candles
and soon we shall make our own soap. We can get no milk scarce
as it is winter season and people here only milk their cows when
they want a little milk. Clothing is very coarse and dear and
it will pay well to bring it from England. You can buy a pair
of boots in New York or Buffalo for about 16 shillings. All kinds
of iron works are near here and if I had to come again I would
bring a good set of joiners tools along with me and it would pay
carriage. You must make your boxes very strong say inch boards
well put together. Have them measured that 3 would make a bed
if needed. I would make them about 4 foot long or nearly and 2
foot 6 inches broad and 2 foot deep. With regard to the care etc.,
in the journey I would say the less luggage you have the less
toil you will have, but when you get them here they will pay for
all the toil. I suppose the highest price would not cost you more
than about 2 pence for the carriage and that would be saved in
a few articles. A hand saw for instance will cost about 10 or
12 shillings here and other things in proportion. We brought considerable
of pots and I am glad we did for they will pay for carriage. They
are scarce in this region. Ours carried well being packed tight
together with hay. Save all your working clothes or else get new
before you come that is if you can, but neither let clothes nor
goods detain you from coming. The sooner you get the journey over
the better. I would advise all the women to get either linen or
cotton trousers and flannel peticoats to keep them warm for the
weather is extremely cold in winter and exceeding hot in summer.
A suit of cotton cloth or something very thin would be highly
beneficial for now. Remember all these things are dear here. I
think they will be cheaper in a few years. It is folly to bring
strong shoes with nails in from England they are of little use
here all the men wear boots with no nails in them. There is no
stone pavements or hard wood and in wet weather you would often
find yourself more than once deep in mud. I have only seen 2 or
3 pair of shoes except Englishmen had them. Stockings and worsted
are valuable and so is print. Howsoever I will say a few words
more concerning our health. Old Thomas has not had one day bad
health since we left England, except a little seasickness. Margaret
Moon is grown fatter, her clothes are growing small too. Sister
Mary Ware has grown so very fat that all her best dresses are
very much too little, she has only one that she can wear the others
she cannot get on. Yesterday I had to take my pen knife and cut
her new shift sleeves (which her sister made) open for they had
made her arms almost black. She is indeed a fat lump and has to
keep going from house to house when has time to sing for the saints.
A hymn which I composed on the ship has to be sung almost everytime
she goes out. Brother William Poole is at work for a farmer about
10 miles from here. He has grown so fat that all his clothes are
too little. His wife also is very healthy, fat and cheerful. She
seems to be well and has lost her rheumatism. My wife and children
are well at present. My youngest child has been poorly with her
health. We are all about as merry as we dare be and would be glad
to see you all here too our circumstances more. The best brandy
is 3 shillings a quart here. And at any of the taverns you may
pour your own glass of anything for about 2 pence. Yet I have
only seen about 3 drunken men since I arrived in America. I have
heard of 3 I did not see. I may sober people but very much inclined
to impose upon strangers as they are traveling. Fresh meat is
so cheap and plentiful that some of our folks are already through
of it. Last night many of us was in company with Brother Joseph,
our hearts rejoiced to hear him speak of the things of the Kingdom,
he is an affectionate man and as familiar as any of us. We feel
to love him much and so will you. I must close for the present
and I have not half done. Write to me often and direct W. Clayton,
Nauvoo or Commerce either, Hancock Co., Illinois. I have this
day had a letter from John Moon, they are in ________ they have
suffered much. Elder Kimball's wife received a letter from him
on Friday last. I wish I could tell you all I want to do, but
I must close.
Yours as ever,
(William) Clayton
December 1840
Extracts; Words, p. 44
Extracts from William Clayton's Private Book
A Key by Joseph Smith Dec
1840 -- W[illiam].C[layton].
If an Angel or spirit appears offer him your hand; if he is a spirit from God he will stand still and not offer you his hand. If from the Devil he will either shrink back from you or offer his hand, which if he does you will feel nothing, but be deceived.
A good Spirit will not deceive. 2
Angels are beings who have bodies and appear to men in the
form of man.