Frederick Joseph Pulham's Emigration to Utah

A Short History of the Trip to Utah

On June 20, 1900 Frederick Joseph Pulham, then in his 42nd year and his wife Laura Jane Carter Pulham, then in her 35th year, together with their four sons, Barrett Frederick, in his 12th year, Montague Arthur, in his 8th year, Archibald, in his 6th year, and Frank George, in his 4th year, left their home in Ipswich Suffolk, England.
They embarked at Liverpool, June 21st for a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, disembarking at Quebec, Canada, June 30th, 1900.
Dressed in their old world clothing the little family were easily identified as they stepped from the train, and were soon completely happy in their new home.
Adjustments to new ways of doing things, to new customs and conditions were not difficult for children of 4 to 12 years, but for a man of 42 who had spent most of his years in large cities, to remold his life to the conditions of rural living, took determination, courage and hard work, however, with a good homemaker for a wife and with unusual thrift the little family settled down to a new life in the "Land of Zion."
Most of the first year in America was spent in the friendly little town of Mount Pleasant. From here father traveled from town to town on a bicycle plying the art of piano tuning. In those days the roads were lined with ruts, the dust was deep and the "chuck holes" plentiful. About the only traveling companions were the occasional jack-rabbits startled from their lair along the ditch banks. During this period mother learned to cook on a wood stove and the boys got their first taste of kick the can, baseball and post office.
Toward the end of the first year the family was moved to Provo, Utah. Here amid greater opportunity the family was soon enjoying such luxuries as mild from their own cow, eggs from their own hennery, pork from their own swine, and with unfeigned pride rode in their own horse and buggy.
Life went on in Provo for about ten years. One by one the boys found the girl of their choice, married and moved away to begin writing their own chapter.
This is not intended as a history, but just as an introduction to the very brief diary kept by this emigrant family during their journey from England to America. This family, who, like many others, left loved ones, home and country for the sake of a religion which they believed was without price.

[The following pages contain an excerpt from the diary of Frederick Joseph Pulham during his journey to America.]

Liverpool, June 20, 1900
This is the first night of our emigration to Utah. We left Ipswich these Brothers Allred, Stalker, McCune, Green, Bird and Sisters Williams and White came to see us off. I shall never forget the farewell party they gave us Monday night and the good wishes and loving words that were said in our behalf. They gave us some very nice presents. Dad They gave -A Book of Views- a purse with 5/6 in for the children and a broach for myself.

Thursday, June 21st
Safely on board the Vancouver at last - quite a crowd of Saints, somewhere over sixty, I believe. Most of them Scandinavians - Saints from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. They seem a very nice people, but we can not converse with each other not knowing their language. We have several Elders on board. I have been made acquainted with Bro. Pond, Bro. Swenson, who is returning to Mt. Pleasant--Bro. L. E. Lawson of Sale, Idaho, Fremont County, I. Hemsley, Nelson, Israelson and several others whose name I have not yet been able to ascertain.

Friday, June 22nd
Rose about 7:30 this morning, my wife, Barrett, Archie and Frank awfully sick--weather rather rough--quite a few at the breakfast table--fewer still at dinner.

Saturday, June 23
We are all very sick, food quite out of the question--have just had one hard biscuit each, but can't get through no more till next time, when that will be I don't know. Saturday afternoon felling a trifle better. Barrett still in bed but mother, myself and three boys on deck. Wind and rain doing their best to make it uncomfortable, and the old ship pitches horrible but thank goodness we don't feel quite as sick. Had a nice chat with Bro. Pond comparing the signs which God gave of His power with that of the latter days, referring to Brigham Young leading the people across a trackless plain till he came to the place where he prophesied that the Temple of the Lord should be built.

Sunday June 24
Day fine, all feeling better. Service held by the Chaplain on board lasted about half an hour, nothing in it. We have sanction to hold service in second class Salon. Big meeting crowded; Bro. Barker spoke well on the Gospel. Several of the Salon passengers came to listen. The chaplain offered to conduct but our Brothers thanked him and told him they were quite able to do that themselves, but would be pleased if he would stay, but I could not see him during the service. Everybody sang well and we had the use of the piano. Sunday evening everyone enjoying the fine weather. The Saints from Norway, Sweden, Denmark have a meeting for their own benefit. All seem to be earnest. Some 7 or 8 of the brethren spoke and towards the close some of the brethren spoke in English in short sentences and it was interpreted by one of the Elders (Bro. Pond). I quite enjoyed it and like those people, they seem sincere.

Monday, June 25
Fine day, most of us feeling well. Spent the day on the upper deck, had one or two nice Gospel chats with Elders. They have enjoyed the spirit of their mission and it does on good to see how attentive they are to the emigrating saints who are sick and how willingly they sacrifice their own comforts and give up their seats and rugs to those that are feeling sick.

Tuesday, June 26
Very bad storm all day, hardly keep feet anywhere, several getting sick again. In afternoon several of us gathered in the 2nd Class Salon and had music and singing. Bro. Barker gave us a recitation. The old boat rolls so much I could hardly keep my seat at the piano, but it made a change and some seemed to enjoy it.

Wednesday June 27
Fine but cold, getting close to Newfoundland. Several icebergs have been seen. A young man who has died during the voyage is to be buried today, he is to be put into his watery grave about 12 o'clock. We think now of writing some letters as we are told we shall be able, if weather keeps fine to send them from Newfoundland. Have just learned that the Governor of Newfoundland is on board with us.

Thursday, June 28
Thick fog and rain all the morning, afternoon fine, everyone in better spirits--watching eagerly for land. The Governor of Newfoundland is expecting his yacht to meet the steamer. Most of the passengers are interested in looking out for it but no signs of it yet--anyhow its nearly tea time and that is of more importance to me than the Governor's yacht, so here goes.

Friday, June 29
No land in sight yet. Stiff breeze blowing, too cold to be pleasant on deck. Have been singing some of the songs of Zion with the Scandinavian sisters down below. Just received news that all the passengers have to be examined by the doctor to see who have not been vaccinated. Some of the 1st Class Salon passengers have come down into our cabin to inquire into what we Mormons believe in. Bro. Smith made them a present of a Durrant and loaned them some books on Mormonism. There has been expression of dissatisfaction among the passengers with the arrangements on board. We can now see Nova Scotia, can just distinguish trees through the glass. Some of the steerage passengers are starting to dance, everybody begins to talk more cheerfully. Have seen two whales, one is spouting the water a year high and throwing itself out of the water so that we could see it quite distinctly. The scenery is now getting more interesting. Another whale is seen some distance off. We can distinguish houses with the naked eye. Everybody is looking their hardest, it will soon be 8 o'clock and daylight will soon be gone. We are hoping we shall reach Quebec tomorrow (Saturday). Only those for Canada had to be under the doctor's inspection. Had a fine meeting tonight from 8 o'clock until 9:30. I spoke for a few minutes, also one of the Scandinavian brothers, also Brothers Smith, Hart Hanson, and Lawson, Brother Pond presided and instructed the saints how to act on their arrival at Quebec.

Saturday, June 30
We are not in the St. Laurence -- start putting our things together, expect to reach Quebec tonight. Sat. June 30th.
We have landed in Quebec. Quite a rush to get our baggage from the ship to the Custom House sheds. Have to go before the Commissioners. We are crammed in a large shed not as good as an ordinary barn in England. We can now feel the power of the adversary manifested in those Government Agents. Each of us have to appear before the inspector. We can see how well we are disliked even in this land. Some of our Scandinavian sisters have had some insulting questions put to them. They make it as hard as they can for us, and we know it is because of our Religion. My turn comes at last. We are ordered about like so many cattle.
"Are you a Mormon?" is the first question they ask me.
I answered - "Yes."
"Do you believe in them?"
"Yes."
"How many wives have you got?"
"Only one."
"Are you going to take any more?"
"I don't know."
"Do you know it is against the laws of this land to have more than one wife?"
"Then that being so, I will not." I answered -- "As the Mormons are a law abiding people."
To which one of them sang out-- "Yes, and it is against the laws of God to have more than one wife."
I made no further reply as that topic was dropped, and I soon got through. Anyhow they continued to keep us there the whole night long.
In reference to our baggage we have met with unusual success for the officers have taken our word and are not going to unpack our trunks.
We made a gathering between ourselves and gave the Agent a tip. Thankful to get off so easy.
We now go into the waiting rooms, there are hundreds of men, women, and children. Seems like from all nationalities--lying full length on the floor fast asleep. Some look fagged out. I never before saw such a forlorn looking lot.
We got into the Second class waiting room. Things a little better there. Roll up some coats and shawls and lay our children down. We got into Quebec about 8 o'clock Saturday night, and we were toiling around here in this dismal place till about 6 o'clock Sunday morning. We have got a start at last after being shoved back and forwards some twenty odd times.
We get into Montreal, Sunday morning about 12 o'clock. We get some refreshments, and feel a whole lot better. We spend the greater part of the day in this city; some parts of it are splendid. We get on to a place with plenty of shade trees about and seats and water fountains. Sit here in the cool for sometime.
Towards the evening we go into the Roman Catholic Cathedral. St. Paul's of London is nothing to it; the costly decorations, images, rheadosses and different sections or chapels inside this cathedral seem to bewilder one, each place having its separate Rheadoss with immense gold and silver candlestick measuring some five or six feet height, each constructure being built of marble and granite of different colors.
The organ is beautiful to look at. Would so like to have heard it, but had not the privilege.

Saturday, July 1
We now start for the city of Boston, quick trains through, got a little sleep in the cars and arrived there about 8 o'clock Monday morning July 2. It's a very fine city. We hunted up a place to have breakfast the first things, and purchased some provisions for our journey. Then I went further into the city and hunted up a music store to buy some piano wire--struck a fine place; went up on a lift till I found the department I needed, made my purchase cheaper than I could in England. The buildings here are much finer than I ever seen before.
We start for Buffalo about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The scenery is grand. Saw one immense waterfall. They call it the young Niagara. Sighted the splendid Lake Erie and went through the district they get what we call "parrafin oil". Huge places like gas jets are seen dotted about here and there for miles to hold the oil. Miles and miles of nothing else, but grapevines come in sight. The whole scenery is the most beautiful I have ever seen, but they tell me the grandest is to come yet. My wife has been awfully sick. Children look ill and worn out. Have been so crowded in the cars that we could get no sleep at night. We are bound for Chicago. The most wonderful city in the world.
The heat is getting intense, we see plenty of niggers now. We have got quite a bad car, close to the engine. Everybody's face is as black as a chimney sweep. We can hardly get enough water to drink so washing is out of the question, and we are slowly melting away, but towards evening some water is brought into the cars, and we have a wash which is the greatest luxury we have had all day. The sights are grand. It is getting dark and a large quantity of what they call lightning bugs are seen flying in the grass; look like little sparks of electric lights as they fly along.
We can now see the lights of Chicago. Puts me in mind of London, only streets are much wider. We get here about 9:30 Tuesday night, are transferred from one end of the city to the other in buses. There we find better cars awaiting us. We have time enough to get more provisions for the journey but prices are terribly high.
We expected we were going to stay off for a few hours at Buffalo, and visit Niagara Falls, as were are quite close to them, but we all felt so dirty and worn out not being able to get neither rest or washing accommodations, so we decided to go right on by which we learn we save a day and a half, as we shall catch a quick service of trains, and we are all anxious to get to our journey's end.
Whilst staying at Boston, a lady got into conversation with my wife and remarked very kindly on the children, and inquired where we were going to, and when told to Utah, she replied at once, you must be sure and not go there because your husband will be getting another wife, which led into a Gospel conversation. She said she believed the Bible from cover to cover, and was bound for the kingdom and seemed too interested in what my wife told her what we, as Latter-day Saints believe in, and said that if she should not meet her again in this world she would meet her there.
My wife asked her what she thought of the visions which John saw, in the Book of Revelations. She believed in them she told my wife, then asked her what she thought of the visions which John had, of the Angel which had the everlasting Gospel. She never knew it was there, had never read it. We then tried to find her the tract "The only Way to Be Saved", but i had only half that tract with me. She said she would be glad to have it sent on to her, and left her address, promising to carefully read anything that was sent to her in reference to the Gospel. She is no doubt a good woman, but like so many more under false impression about out people.
We are now close to the River Missouri. The country here is beautiful. Harvest has commenced and we can see many fields of ripe corn. Some already cut. At every station we stay at, we can see signs of rejoicings. Some man full of enthusiasm has just informed us that this is the day they got their freedom--from the British rule--a fact we were already acquainted with.
We have crossed the rivers of Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri, one of the greatest rivers of the world. The scenery is grand. We crossed the immense bridge, a very slowly so got a full benefit of the view.
One of our Company is missing; have telegraphed to some of the back stations; about 2:30. Received answer about 3:55 to say that she got into a car that was switched off from our train so was left behind. Expect they will send her on by the next train.
Now passing a corn field where they are thrashing out the corn by a process quite new to us English people. We go through Independence, a place that Joseph Smith the prophet began to build up. Here we see quite a number of niggers; they are mostly employed as cooks and porters.
We reach Kansas City about 8:30 no possibility of getting any further tonight. Several of the brothers have quite a sharp conflict with the Agent. They make a request for a car for the night as every conceivable place and hotel is taken up, this being the night of the Fourth of July, and a special convention going on in this city. Everywhere is thronged with people. We have to take up our quarters in the waiting rooms for the night.
After a long tiresome journey we arrive safely at Mount Pleasant. Brother West had been to Salt Lake City to meet us, but as we did not come that way he started to come home and caught us up at Thistle Junction. When we got here we all went to his house where a good dinner awaited us, which we were pleased to partake of; also before that a good wash as we felt very dirty and tired, had not been in bed for a week.

July 17, 1900
We are now comfortably settled in our new home. The West family have been very kind to us, have helped us in every way, both in giving us things for our home and food to eat. Last Sunday our recommends were read in Meeting and we were accepted as Member of the Ward.

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