Christmas 2011, Henry Rampton and the Steamboat Arabia

(note:  I'm writing this blog wearing my new Captain America pajamas Dave gave me.)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good day.  I had a great time celebrating Christmas Eve in the Linnebach tradition with David, Kevin and Melissa last night.  Grandma Lois would have been extremely proud in one respect:  the dinner David cooked.  Wow, honey baked ham, scalloped potatoes and jello/cottage cheese salad.  Dave definitely has a talent.  On the other hand, we kept expecting Grandma's hand to reach across the veil and smack Kevin in the back of the head as the read "The Cremation of Sam MaGee."  A fun time was had by all as we watched "Home Alone." 

For the 3rd year, David gave pajama bottoms for everyone to wear.  Each one was unique and had a note attached.



David' Card on the box of PJs




Dave's PJs were PacMan themed




Melissa's PJs were Minnie Mouse themed




Kevin's PJs were Ninja Turtle themed




Mine were Captain America themed




David carving the Ham





Melissa, Kevin and Dave in their Christmas PJs



Kevin in his Ninja Turtle PJs

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own births and blessings, and those who came before us that made what we have today possible.  There is a Henry Rampton connection to the Christmas of 1854.  It was on Christmas Day of 1854 that he married Francis Dinwoodey, a fellow immigrant from England, after his wife, Caroline had died four months earlier.  Church members in St. Louis celebrated their nuptials with a tea in their honor.  About a year later, their oldest son, Henry James Rampton was born in St. Louis.



Portrait of the Steamboat Arabia



Then, on 2nd June 1856 the Henry Rampton family, along with 200 other Latter-day Saints boarded the Steamboat Arabia in St. Louis to travel up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to Florence, Nebraska.  There were two classes of passengers on the Arabia, cabin-class and deck-class.  Henry Rampton and most of the other Mormons were deck-class, meaning they slept on the deck for the twelve day journey along with 30 wagons and other cargo.  Many of the Saints from St. Louis had been able to save enough to purchase wagons and oxen.  Henry Rampton was one of those fortunate enough to have a wagon.  Others on board would travel to the Salt Lake Valley by handcart.  Not all of them would make it, including members of the ill-fated Martin and Willey handcart companies who were also on board.

Just as the Saints who had traveled from England on sailing ships organized themselves, so did the Saints on the Arabia for their journey to Florence.  John Banks was appointed company president while William Morrison was appointed to preside over the Saints on the lower part of the Arabia..  His journal says they held "fellowship meetings" morning and evening.  The Saints also formed a brass band which played every night from the hurricane deck.

On the 8th of June the Arabia landed in Kansas City for a brief stop.  The Kansas City Enterprise sarcastically commented that the Arabia "carried heavy freight for Council Bluffs, consisting chiefly of Mormons destined for the land where sorrow and affliction never enters - nothing but adoration for Brigham Young."

Henry and the rest of the Saints on the Arabia arrived in Florence on the 14th of June 1856.  Their oxen, which were being driven overland, did not arrive for another week.

After arriving in Florence, the Arabia would only make two or three more trips up the rivers.  On 5th September 1856, near Parkville, Missouri (present-day Kansas City) the Arabia struck a submerged log which punctured the hull.  By nightfall, all that was left above water was the upper decks and smokestacks.  The boat continued to sink in the soft mud until the next day when it completely submerged.  Fortunately, no one was hurt except one donkey which could not make it to shore.   The 130 passengers were all able to get to shore.  But the 220 tons of goods destined for stores up river were lost.  The Arabia sank with enough supplies to stock an entire town - 5,000 pairs of leather boots, thousands of pieces of china, hats, dolls, clothing, nails, scales, axes, adzes, needles and thread, silk, beads, pots, pans, eyeglasses, buttons, shoes, medicine, guns, food, jewelry and 400 barrels of Kentucky Bourbon.

Although a tragedy in and of itself, the sinking of the Arabia was just one of dozens of boats lost on the rivers.  But, the story of the Arabia does not end here. 

Over the years, the course of the Missouri River shifted a half mile to the east from its position in 1856.  For decades rumors persisted of a treasure buried in the mud in a farm near Kansas City.  Finally, in 1987 a man by the name of Greg Hawley with his two sons, armed with old maps and a proton magnetometer, located the remains of the Arabia in a field about a mile from the river.  They obtained permission from the farm owner to begin excavation.  The Arabia and all its contents were located about 45 feet from the surface, preserved in an underground lake that needed to be drained.  Interestingly, mud and cold water are great preservers.  The vast majority of the contents of the Arabia were salvaged in tact, including the straw used to pack much of the goods in barrels that were headed for stores upriver.  Today, those items, which give us a picture of what life was like in 1856 can be seen in the Arabia Museum in Kansas City.  see www.1856.com.  It gives us a snapshot of what life would have been like for Henry Rampton and his fellow travelers.



Excavation the Arabia down 45 feet under to soil and in an underwater lake




Henry Rampton might have worn a hat like that.




Dishes that Henry Rampton and other Saints might have taken west with them




Being a Blacksmith, Henry would have been familiar with and maybe even owned tools like these.



Henry Rampton and the Mountain Lion

As a young man Henry drove one of the wagons in a freight wagon train to Omaha to procure much needed supplies to bring back to the Saints.

On the return trip, Henry was driving a wagon bearing a coffin containing the body of a church man who had died en route to Salt Lake City.

As the wagon train neared the last range of mountains which must be crossed to enter the Salt Lake Valley it was necessary to double up some of the teams to make the final pull.

Henry’s team was one of those used to double up. His wagon which also had a cow tied behind it was pulled out of the train and Henry was left behind to guard the wagon and the cow.

As night fell, Henry laid down on top of the coffin and went to sleep.

About two in the morning he was wakened by a shrill scream. Henry opened his eyes to see two bright eyes staring down into his own. He lay perfectly still but continued to stare into the pair of eyes which finally backed off as a huge mountain lion leaped from the seat of the wagon box and disappeared into the black of night.

Henry rose immediately to discover that the scream he had heard had come from the cow which lay helpless on the ground having been hamstrung by the cat.

It was necessary to kill the cow. Henry spent the rest of the night dressing out the meat. At daybreak, just as he had finished the job, a handcart company came staggering into view. They were in a pitiable condition having been without food for several days.

Without hesitation, Henry helped prepare the meat for them to eat, and it literally saved their lives.

Henry was relieved that it had not been his decision to kill the cow which had been left in his trust. He felt that that decision had been made for him to spare the lives of the handcart company.

copied from http://www.henryramptonfamily.org/

Henry Rampton, part 3 - Pioneer

Henry's ship, the John W. Wood landed in New Orleans on 2 May 1854.  Sadly, he missed Mardi Gras by 2 months.  By his account, they did not stay in New Orleans long.  Rather they transferred all their belongings onto a steamboat by the name of "Josiah Lawrence" for the trip up to St. Louis where the church actually had an established stake for immigrants on their way to Utah.  When the Josiah Lawrence reached St. Louis 12 days later, the passengers were quarantined on Arsenal Island.  The following is from the account of Daniel, Antoinette and James (Jacques) Bertoch, converts from Italy who had been on the same ship as Henry Rampton from England to New Orleans and New Orleans to St. Louis:

"On May 2, 1854 the vessel reached New Orleans. From there the converts boarded the steamboat Josiah Lawrence which transported them up the Mississippi River to St. Louis. On May 14, shortly before arriving in St. Louis, most of the church members were quarantined on Arsenal Island, an area where immigrants were examined for cholera. That same morning, Marguerite Bertoch died of cholera in the arms of the Cardon sisters. 11 other converts died within a few hours and were buried on the island, with Marguerite."  (I believe Grandma Crockett is related to this Cardon family)

Apparently, Henry only had to stay in quarantine for a day and was then allowed to go to St. Louis to look for work.  Many of the Saints who traveled with Henry kept on up the Mississippi River to Florence, Neb. where they made plans to go west.  Those were the ones who had funds to do so.  Henry Rampton did not have the funds, so he stayed in St. Louis to work and save.  Here his journal begins again:

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We was 12 days coming to St. Louis from Orleans. We were detained at quarantine 5 days, but we reached quarantine on Sunday, and on Monday I went by permission of the doctor to St. Louis to seek for employment with another Brother by the name of Kempin. We succeeded, and in also getting a room. We returned the same night, but too late to cross the river. We had to sleep by a heap of rocks until the next morning. On the Thursday evening, the ferry boat came for us and we took our luggage from the Lava to the room. So we left the saints. I went to work in Gratroit (Gratiot?) Street on the Saturday, and on the Monday in the Mississippi Foundry. There I stayed two weeks. Then I left and went to work on the Monday as I left on the Saturday night before, so we had the room up over the shop. We had not been there past six weeks before my dear wife was taken sick. The heat was too great for her strength and the state of her body. She continued sick about three weeks. I took her to a more healthy part of the city to a Mr. Patterson in Biddle Street. I took her there on the first day of August and she died on the 2nd of Aug. 1854. Her body lies interred in the Wesleyan Cemetery which is 2 . miles out of St. Louis. Her loss I thought I could not endure, but God in His goodness and mercy, has found me another partner which came in the same ship as ourselves. After the death of my dear wife, I used to frequently go to see Frances Dinwoodey and I spent the greater part of my leisure time at her house for I found in her company was joy to me, and my heart began to feel after her and we mutually agreed to be married and at the expiration of five months or on the 25th of December, we were married by Elder Milo Andrus,  resident of the St. Louis stake of Zion, at a tea party in the church, being Christmas day, and I now thank God that He has so ordered that my dear Frances and me are come together. We live with her father and mother on Washington Avenue.

Nothing of importance transpired for several months. We both enjoyed good health up to the conference when we had a good time of it for three days beginning 6th day of April. In the month of April, I received a letter from Eli Whitear from Salt Lake Valley. All well and prosperous. In the month of June, my wife’s parents emigrated to Salt Lake Valley. Arrived there quite safe, as they informed us by letter. I, myself, during my stay in St. Louis, held several responsible offices, such as counselor to the President of the Priest quorum, afterward called to the office of an Elder, ordained under the hands of

Bishop Chas. Chard on the 25th of June 1855, and acted as his second counselor. I afterward was called to be first counselor to Bishop Lowe, and then the same for President Lees and the same for Bishop Turner. Nothing of importance transpired until my wife bore unto me a son which I am thankful to God for. He was born Nov. 4, 1855. His name is Henry James Rampton. May the Lord God Omnipotent preserve his life long upon the earth to do good. He was blessed by Elder James H. Hart, the President of the St. Louis stake of Zion on the 9th of December, 1855.

Nothing transpired up to this date which is the 5th of May 1856. The little lad is growing fast, and we are striving to pursue our journey across the plains. According to our desires, we endeavored to make a start of the plains and thence the Salt Lake City. We started on the steamboat on the 2nd of June, 1856. Arrived at Florence on the 14th of the same month and laid there until the 6th of July, and then started across the plains, and after traveling some three months, arrived in Salt Lake City 5th of October 1856. All well and glad to see the place after so long and tedious a journey. We attended the conference on the 6th and on the 8th I went and got work at Sessions Settlement for a man by the name of Udy. I worked for him about three months. At the expiration of that time, Henry Dinwoodey, my wife’s brother, bought a set of tools and rented them to me at $95 a year. I bought a dobie house and a lot of Evan Smith for $240 in Sessions settlement and started a shop for myself. We felt it pretty hard. Had to live principally upon bread. Our spirits became dull, but I hope the Lord will forgive us. Our dear little one still grows and is healthy. All goes well and prosperous and the blessing of God attends us.

Nothing more transpired until January 17th 1858, when my wife was delivered of another fine son. I named him William as he was born on my own father’s birthday, January 17. I still live in Sessions Settlement or Bountiful. In February, 1858, Charles Stoddard received a vision which was good. He related it in the school house.

On this, the 20th day of February, 1859, I resume my journal. The Lord continues to help us in my business. I, by degrees, obtained tools of my own and by this date have had a good set of tools of my own. I gave up the first tools to my wife’s brother and paid him for the use of them in the fall of 1859.

The President of the United States sent an army of several thousand men to Utah without apprising Brigham Young, the Governor of Utah Territory. Therefore, he refused their admittance and ordered out some several thousand residents of the Territory in order to dispute the passes into the Territory. Accordingly they took their stand in Echo Canyon and built fortifications there. As for myself, I had to stay at home to shoe cattle and horses for the conveyance of provisions to men in the mountains. The United States Army had to stay at Fort Bridger all winter until three men, commissioners from Congress, could come and make negotiations with the officers of this Territory. The President of the United States sent a proclamation of peace and forgiveness, as he termed it. Then the soldiers entered the Territory and made a military post in Cedar Valley where they are to this date, February 20, 1859. They seem very peaceable. Our prophet is still in our midst, that is to say, he does not preach to the people now so we are left to ourselves, but I pray that we may always have the Spirit of God with us to instruct us in the ways of truth and righteousness. But before the soldiers entered the territory, our

prophet ordered every man, woman and child to go south, with the exception of a few men as guards for each settlement. The year 1858, accordingly, we all packed up and went. The people in our ward went down on Provo Bottoms about 50 miles from Salt Lake City. We stayed there in wagons and shanties for about seven weeks, and then we all had word to return home, which we did. All things are well with us, so I will stop for the present. I built a small addition to my house in the fall of 1859.

Nothing of importance transpired during the summer of 1859. Rather bad crops through the spring opening so late. The winter commenced rather early. It began in November. I received a letter from my father the last of November. We are all well. I thank God at this time being the 5th of December, 1859. The general instruction is for all families that cannot sustain themselves here or at any of the settled wards, to go to Cache Valley. This also in the fall of 1859. The paper called the ‘Mountaineer’ started during the summer of the same year, and Captain Hooper was sent as delegate to Congress the same year for the first time in the place of Doctor Bernhisel.

My son, Charles Hyrum, was born March 30th, 1860, 15 minutes past 10 o’clock in the morning. This same year, we received our endowments in the House of the Lord. Nothing of importance transpired during the year, but threats of war in the States. In 1861, the war with the North and the South, as the Prophet Joseph Smith predicted years before, broke out. Abraham Lincoln, President of the Federal Government; Jeff Davis, President of the Confederate States. The work of death is going on very freely there and their enmity is great, one against the other.

The telegraph was completed this year and a daily mail established. During 1860 and part of 1861, the Pony Express run through here and the theatre was commenced and went up briskly. The same year, an apostate by the name of Morris led off some kindred spirits up to Weber. In 1862 we held a convention throughout the Territory, or rather, we held meetings to appoint delegates to hold a convention and got up a form of State Government, and petitioned Congress for a State Government. Omitted from 1861 was the death of my father, William Rampton, who died March 29, 1861 on Good Friday,

and left me three hundred pounds to be received at my stepmother’s death. I have received several letters from Sarah, William, and Charles. I feel thankful to God for his blessings toward me and my family for God, my Eternal Father has blessed me, and us all up to this time, being the 29th of January, 1862. In the same year on March 29th, 1862, I took Eliza Stratford to wife, a young woman from England, who was born in Malden Essex 20th of January 1838, came to Utah in the fall of 1861. We were married 13 months and on Saturday evening, April 25, 1863, at half past eight o’clock Eliza died in childbed and her baby also, a fine little boy. He was buried with his mother in the same coffin in his mother’s arms, and on the following Friday, May 1st, my dear little James died of inflammation on the lungs (11 months of age, according to Henry’s daughter Catherine in a brief history of her life) and was buried by the side of Eliza and her baby. Brother Henry Lee blessed little James April 30, 1863. 

Time seems to roll along bringing its events. Gold fever raging in the North. New discoveries of the precious metal, panic striking many, even our brethren. Some of them are disposed to dig a bit, consequently leave for that purpose, while in the States, even at this time, the war is raging with the North and the South. Many are leaving there for the gold mines for fear of being pushed into the field of blood and carnage. Even today, this 15th day of May, 1864, the two great armies of the Potomac are contending in a deadly struggle. This same year seems to be memorable for the settlement of a valley called Bear River Lake. A few farmers have gone from here. Grain looks well here, but a rather dry time. Poor prospect for a peach crop. I bought the adjoining lot and-half to mine of William Jackson for one hundred and fifty dollars this spring. This same spring brings also an addition to my family, a little boy which we have named Arthur. He was born March 12, 1864, about 9 o’clock (Saturday) in the morning. May God’s blessings rest upon him that he may live and be a good useful man in the Kingdom of God. I have not received any news from home since I received the parcel last October. I sent my sheep to Bear River Lake with George Davis on shares. Half the wool and half the increase, 12 head.

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Called to go on a mission to England on the 29th of November, 1878. To start in one month. I leave Henry to take charge of the shop and to preside over my family in my absence. Charles to help him what he needs and take charge of team and farm. Started January 5, 1879. I labored in the South Coast 10 months, then removed to the Mansfield district, in the Nottingham Conference. Returned in 1880. Enjoyed good health during my mission and had a good time with my relatives.

I have labored in East Bountiful as a Ward Teacher over twenty-five years.

I acted as School trustee several years.

I was ordained Seventy in the 29 Quorum of Seventies, Augustus Farnham, President. Afterwards ordained High Priest and set apart as alternate in the High council of Davis Stake December 11, 1881(2), by Joseph F. Smith, mouth.

Francis Dinwoodey

Francis Dinwoodey

Children of Henry Rampton and Francis Dinwoodey (front row: Arthur, Frederick, Catherine. back row: Charles, Henry, Walter, William)

Henry Rampton, part 2 - Immigrant

After Henry Rampton and his wife Caroline joined the Church, it was their desire to join the saints in Utah.  That would have been a hard decision to make since they would be leaving family behind, not knowing if they would ever see them again.  For Caroline, that proved to be true.  But Henry was more fortunate, partly due to his faithfulness in the gospel and accepting a missionary call to England in his later life.  As we read in his autobiography, Henry faced many stumbling blocks in his preparation to immigrate.  I believe his initial plan was to sell his blacksmith tools to finance his journey.  But, when his father found out, he took the proceeds, claiming the tools belonged to him.  Henry, however, did not give up and continued to make contingency plans.   This is where we pick up in his autobiography:

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My object for leaving was to go and mingle with the people of God in the valleys of the mountains. After leaving Botley, I came to Inverton with the remaining part of my goods that I had not sold and put part at my wife’s sister’s for a time until I could dispose of them. Reached here on Wednesday the 23rd of November, 1853. After staying one night in Winchester to see to my goods until a cart came to fetch them, I had a mission to Fair Oak on Sunday last being the 20th of November. But on account of the wet weather, and the depressed spirit I was in on account of my father taking the money, I did not go and so I left Botley the following Tuesday at 7 o’clock. I sent my goods by the luggage train and I went myself and wife and dog by the 7 o’clock train on the 22 November 1853. Reached destination about half past seven.

Nothing transpired. Time rolled on up to the 7th of January except a few chats with the opposers of Mormonism. All trying to choke the seeds of life which had been planted in our bosoms, but I can say that love for the cause of God still exists in our bosom and may the Lord enable us by the aid of His Holy spirit to continue faithful unto the end of our calling which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

I hope we shall gather out this season into our home which is in the mountains of Ephraim where my heart and soul is yearning to be and my prayer is and shall be, “O Lord, enable us to gather with the people where we can live to thee and learn thy laws and live by them all the day long and be a blessing to others and ourselves and thy name, O Lord, shall have the honor and glory forever. Amen.”

Nothing more occurred of importance worth recording, but time rolled on for the gathering season and I had not much prospect of being able to gather with them, but I was resolved to do my best. The church offered me the privilege of 13 pounds from the emigration company, which I was obliged to decline as I had not sufficient to pay for the emigration of my dear wife, as all I was able to muster up was not past seven or eight pounds, so Brother Willie counseled me to make a start and that my father would come out and give me something – that I should be able to gather this season. Things rolled on until the time quite arrived and my brother provided himself with a man, and I left Old Alresford. I visited it two or three times after, but there seemed no chance for me ever getting anything. I visited Alton likewise the Sabbath before I left Northington and paid them a farewell visit, Elizabeth being at Old Alresford at the time, and father went to London to settle something concerning Sarah Book’s account.

After leaving Alton, I walked to Salton and big them farewell and had a chat with them and a Mr. Bay concerning, as he termed it, the impropriety of my journey to Valley of the mountains, but a little chat with him showed him that all was not darkness and superstition, but that in reality it was scriptural. After leaving, I went to Old Alresford and found part of the family at my brother’s together with a few acquaintances. I slept at father’s that night, but father not at home being in London. The next day I bid farewell to the rest of my family, the 25th day of February, 1854. I did not see my father after I left him at Alton on his way to London. Now I had another part of my family, or my wife’s family, to part with. After leaving Old Alresford, me and my wife accompanied by my wife’s sister, who had come from London to see us before our departure, we all three started for Northington. That evening Mary, my wife’s sister came to see us. Now our time was taken up in packing up our luggage so that I had no more time to spare in going to and fro from place to place. On the Tuesday evening, I went to Preston Candover to see Mr. and Mrs. Whitear respecting taking Eli’s Box and Ca to Liverpool, as he had previously started and was inclined to emigrate. But they had sent his things before I came back and engaged with Thomas Farmer of Brown Candover to take hour boxes to Basingstoke Station. The next day returned to Northington and finished packing. Went to bed. Next morning arose and the cart came for our things. We bid farewell to the  remainder of Earthly Parents. May God bless them and enlighten their minds

that they may see the great plan of Salvation in these last days.

We went to Basingstoke, took the train to Reading and stayed during the night. Next day started for Liverpool. Reached Liverpool in the evening. Nothing transpired during the journey of the day with the exception of missing the train at Didcot station. I was in the third carriage and ought to have been in the first or second as the 2 first carriages of that train and time in morning goes to Birmingham and the remainder of the train took another direction for Plymouth, and I did not discover the mistake until after the two carriages were gone and my luggage with it. Our feelings were rather hurt but we trusted in a merciful God for His protection, both of my luggage and our persons. We solicited the Superintendent to forward us by the express which he did and we found our luggage at Birmingham quite safe, and we pursued the remainder of our journey in perfect safety.  About have past seven in the evening, went to 63 Great Cross Hall Street. Eli Whitear was one to the Lime Street station and we came to the Burkenhead station, but he soon found out we was in Liverpool by a young man lodging at Mrs. Powell’s and he was soon with us.

Now I must say my father had not given me anything to assist me on my journey and I did not know how to act. I wrote to father from Reading to ask him the reason that I was so treated as to be allowed to go away forever, apparently, from them and he not to give me anything to help me perform my journey. I requested him to wire to me and direct it to Liverpool. Accordingly, I received a letter from him with an order in it to the amount of two pounds. I wrote to him again, as I then had not enough to ensure my passage to New Orleans in the ship ‘John M. Wood’. By the return of the post, I received a letter from Bill, my brother, to say that I did not care who sunk so that I swam, and a deal more not worthy of mentioning here. By a denial of my request, I was put greatly about. I did not know what to do. I asked a Frenchman, a Brother Baliff, but I suppose he did not like to do it for me. I offered my watch and a clock that I had not sold, but it was not enough. I offered it as a security for the money, but he did not do it. At the last moment, as it were, the Lord provided a friend for me in Eli Whitear who lent me three pounds, so that I was able to pay my passage to New Orleans. I pawned my watch for ten shillings in Liverpool and sold my clock to Mrs. Powell at 63 Great Cross Hall Street for 11 shillings, so that I was able to get a few things as necessaries in tin wares and so on. I wrote him again to father and asked him to send me a little more money and I received another letter from him with another two pound order in it. I took out my watch again, and Eli wanted it, so I let him have it for one pound, to help pay off what I had borrowed. I let him have a coat and leggings, a pull over and a blanket. I owed him two pounds now, but I will endeavor by God’s blessings to pay him as early as possible. Now I had one pound 10 shillings after all, as I had spent the rest in buying one thing and the other as necessaries. I wrote back and thanked my father for what he had sent me.

Now we stayed a week at Mrs. Powell’s, waiting for the ship. After that time, we went in the ship ‘John W. Wood’, and our rations. Then we stayed 10 days before we left the docks. At last the time arrived for our departure which was on Sunday, the 12th day of March, 1854. It was a very fine day. All things went well through the day except my wife, she began to be seasick. It was beautiful and fine when we went to bed, about 10 o’clock. In the morning the wind blew up a hurricane which lasted all the day on Monday and Monday night and we made little or no progress, sailing backward and forward on the Welsh Coast, under the shelter of the Welsh hill. Sometimes in the St. George’s Channel and then contrary winds would blow us back again so that we made but little progress until the following Saturday, when we cleared the Irish Coast and got in the Western Ocean.

We nearly all suffered from seasickness. I, myself, was sick for a week continually since that time up to the 25th day of March in the morning. Now, I thank God, my Heavenly Father, for His blessings unto us, His children; and may He ever let His Spirit be with us to direct us aright. By the blessings of God, our Father, our journey has been prosperous up to this time. No contrary wind since the above date, not worthy of mentioning. Our health has been tolerable good, each of us. My time, since seasickness have been over, have been spent in repairing the tins of the Saints that was out of repair principally, so this have been the case touching the order of the ship. There is the First presidency consisting of the President, Elder Cambell and his two Counselors, Elder Woodard and Elder McDonald. Then the ship or the Saints are divided into eight branches, and there is a president in each branch, and each branch meets separately in meetings and prayers, without it has been in one case when all the brethren met in one meeting to celebrate the birth of the Church, or the Kingdom of God upon the earth, which is 24 years old on the 6th of April.

Nothing worth recording transpired up to the 8th day of April, 1854. Now by the blessings of thee, our God and our Father, I hope to go on in this, thy work, and do thy will and live humble before thee and by the power of thy Holy Spirit to be enabled to get rid of every kind of feeling that is not favorable to thy cause, that I may not stumble nor fall, but hold forth to the end in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Now again this 26th day of April, I will resume my writing and mentioning the principal events of journey. Well, all things go on well. I spend the principal part of my time in mending the tin cans. Our health is pretty good, both of us. There was a conference held on the 24th of April to give the report of the different branches of the ship. On the 22nd of April we had a tea party, or dinner party. About 80 of us sat down to a good repast and had good entertainment. After singing and theatrical performances, we could not all sit down to tea all together. There was not a convenient place for all but about 2 branches together. I do not make mention of every trifling thing, but all of importance. Our ship has been becalmed sometimes a day, but no longer. I must say our voyage has been good and prosperous. On the Sabbaths we have had meetings on the deck in the morning, and in the afternoon the different branches that was organized in the ship. Our voyage was a prosperous one. I will say so, because I know it.

We arrived in New Orleans 2 May 1854.

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Next week;  Henry Rampton - the Pioneer and then the mountain lion story



Caroline Rampton is probably the third woman from the left on the top row.  I never realized until today that she was 6 years older than Henry.



Henry Rampton - Family Patriarch

The Old Testament is replete with stories about the ancient Patriarchs, Adam, Noah, Abraham and others.  These were all great  priesthood leaders during their individual dispensations of the gospel.  They set the stage so their posterity could receive all the blessings our Heavenly Father intended for them to have.  They made it possible for their children to hear the gospel, accept the teachings Jesus Christ and do all things necessary to inherit Eternal Life.  So, too, in this, The Dispensation of  the Fullness of Times, there are patriarchs who have made it possible for us to have the Gospel in our lives.  Henry Rampton was one of those men.  In fact, I consider him the great patriarch of the Rampton Family who are faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Choices he made over 150 years ago make it possible for us to enjoy gospel blessings today. 

Henry was born in England in 1829, a few months after the Priesthood had been restored to the earth on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean .  His father was a blacksmith and that is the trade he learned.  During his lifetime, he was a prolific journal keeper.  He wrote an autobiography.  He was thrown in the Sugar House Penitentiary for polygamy.  He served a mission to England in his later life, and journaled the whole experience.

Here are some excerpts from his autobiography.  I found the parts about what church life was like for early converts in England to be very interesting.

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Henry Rampton was born in the Parish of Old Alresford, a small village in the county of Southampton, seven miles from Winchester, on the 8th of September, 1829. Son of William and Elizabeth Rampton, blacksmiths in the said Parish, having five children, Sara, William, Elizabeth, Henry, and Charles. But Elizabeth, wife of William Rampton, departed this probation of life July 28, 1833, (aged 42 years) and left a young family to lament her loss. But the Lord in his infinite goodness found a mother for us, a woman that did a mother’s duty by us. My father married my stepmother in the year 1834.

I, Henry Rampton, married Caroline Harfield, then living at Col. Onslow at Upton House, Old Alresford.  Married on the 9th of March, 1850.  Was working at Old Alresford for my father at the time. My parents did not seem to sanction it for some time. After about six months, could not agree at home. I then left and went to work at Preston Candover, from thence to Brown Candover, and there to Northington. There I worked until my father placed me at Botley, seven miles from Southampton. I had been there about 18 months when I obeyed the Gospel. The first time I heard them or heard of them I thought it ridiculous and the scriptures would condemn them. Therefore, taking the scriptures for my guide, I thought, and 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th chapters of Romans. The Latter Day Saints could not touch or would not meddle with these ideas. I went to hear them as there was an Elder came weekly to Long Common about a mile from Botley in a private house. Elder W. Budge took his text from the 12th Chapter of Corinthians and explained the things very clearly, that therein is which opened my eyes, but I still held the ideas that Romans they would not handle. I liked the young man very much and wished to have a private chat with him. I asked him to my house. He explained everything I asked, cheerfully to my notion, and I thought there was that power with them that was possessed anciently by the Apostles. I investigated from the time I heard them until I was baptized, I think about three months. I began to get very fidgety toward the last. Light began to shine on my mind, which impressed on my mind so deeply that these things were from God and I had not obeyed them. On a Sunday, February 6, I went to Southampton and heard Elder Willie from the Valleys, but I went with the intention to be baptized and accordingly was, that evening after meeting, by Elder Budge. My mind was dark before baptism in a degree that I could not talk or converse on scripture as many can do, but I could just see there were things that I must do in order to gain Salvation. I was afraid that when I was baptized that these fine, fluent speakers would come to me with their fine speeches and I should not be able to resist them, but the spirit was with me and the more I could talk to them, the more knowledge I gained, and I lost all fear. The more I talked with them, the more I could defeat them and make plain their errors which soon became, in my views, absurd to a monstrous degree. I continued on by the blessings of God, my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, to gain light and intelligence. My mind became expanded so that I could gaze and see how far, very far, the inhabitants of the earth was fallen short of the Glory of God and the blessed hope and assurance that the aid of the Holy spirit and the counsel of those placed over me, to gain the same assurance.

Amen.

Henry Rampton was baptized February 6, 1853, being 23 years 5 months of age and Caroline, my wife, was baptized the same day or evening, being in her 29th year, by Elder Budge in Southampton. Nothing in particular transpired up to the time of being ordained to the office of Priest. Ordained by Elder President Bramwell, President of the Southampton conference, on the Lord’s day being the 31st of July 1853. Having not, from the time of baptism to the time of ordination, had the opportunity of attending any meetings as the meeting was broken up in our place in about a month after. I went to Southampton three or four times before ordination, but had the brethren call on me nearly every week, Brother Budge first, then Brother Park from Zion, then Brother Armstrong. Brothers Bramwell and Willie calling occasionally, but I thank God I had great cause to rejoice. The Lord blessed me wonderfully with light and intelligence. After being ordained a few weeks, we had a little meeting over which I was called to preside. First meeting which we held was at Brother Tibble’s, about two miles from my own house at Botley, on the Lord’s Day 18th of September 1853, consisting of four members, Priest (myself), and Teacher. Brother Rogers from Southampton came to assist me as I had not before had a chance of observing order. We had a comfortable meeting and partook of the ordinance. Nothing transpired of notice during the week. Elder Budge did not attend on us during the week. We met together again on the Lord’s Day being the 25th of September, only myself and teacher Brother Tribble as officers. I felt my weakness very much, but had a comfortable meeting. Enjoyed the Spirit of God’s attendance. In missionary tract distributing, not much opposition as yet. People did not come out to oppose the work, but were careless, afraid, or both. The place seems generally of Presbyterians and the Church of England. Nothing occurred during the week worth recording. Met together again on the next Sabbath, Oct 2, and partook of the ordinance. Had Brother Budge speak to us and he spoke on the subject of pre-existence. We enjoyed a good portion of the Spirit of the Lord. In the week following, received a letter from Mr. Levi, a man that I had written to respecting my business. He wished the particulars more fully. I accordingly answered it. Nothing in particular occurred besides during the week.

On Sunday 9th, I went to a meeting at Brother Tribble’s, but he had company, some of his relations out of the church, so that we could not have a meeting. Returned home, spent the evening in reading with my wife and explaining the scriptures to her. In so doing, we both rejoiced, but it seemed very dull during the afternoon not having a meeting to gain strength; but trust the Lord will soon enable us to go where we can mingle with the saints of God and bed in our spirits. Nothing of importance occurred up ‘til Friday morning when I had a letter from the man respecting my business, but he declined it. On Saturday morning, James Butcher told me he did not know but he should take it himself. The same day went to Southampton for a few things for emigration. Met Brother Parks at Brother Philips’. Took tea there with them and then went back in the town and then back again, called at Brother King’s and then on home. On Sunday 16th, no meeting, as Brother Tribble has left his home and has gone to Bursledon to live. Very wet today, cannot go out to distribute tracts. Nothing in particular occurred until Tuesday evening, October 25, 1853, when we had a meeting at Brother Wyelds, at Fair Oak. It was a tea meeting for a testimonial for Brother Bramwell. We had a good meeting and enjoyed the Spirit of the Lord, when on the outside the house, the neighbor, filled with the spirit of darkness, collected her band to disturb, but for all exertions we had a good meeting and the Brethren spoke freely. Returned home, I think, about half past ten o’clock. Reached home about 12 very tired, accompanied by Elder Budge and Elder Silver. They left next morning for Southampton. Nothing occurred worthy to remark ‘til the Lord’s Day; no meeting. Nothing afterward until November 9th, when I had an application for my business which was on Wednesday, and on the following Saturday I gave it up. I sold my stock to Adams and Knight, two men in the Parish of Botley. Then commenced on the following Monday. I stayed in Botley about a week and two days to gather in my accounts and settle my affairs in Botley. I sold my tools for 33 pounds – 1 shilling – 10 pence. My father came after hearing of my selling the stock, claimed the whole of the money and after doing so, as I gave it up without a scruple, he made me a present of a five pound note, as he termed it.

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I'll end here for today.  Next week I will include parts about his preparation to go to America, how he sailed to New Orleans, worked there for a while and then went to St. Louis.  I wondered, many times as I walked the streets of New Orleans, if some of the iron work I was looking at was made by Henry Rampton.






Henry Rampton





Headstone of Henry Rampton's Father, William and Stepmother, Sarah in Old Arlesford, England



Headstone inscription

Madison Daniel Hambleton, part 3 - The Pioneer

This is the last part of the life of Madison Daniel Hambleton, a life that is a mirror reflection of the early history of the Church.  He seems to have been very well known by Brigham Young who called upon him to carry out tasks that would bless the lives of the pioneer Saints, but also require him to leave his family behind.  I wish we knew more about his wife, Chelnecha.
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February 11th, 1846:  I started with the pioneer Camp for Sugar Creek in Iowa. I left my family in Nauvoo, which was very painful to my feelings as I had left but a short allowance of provisions. I stayed with the camp on Sugar Creek until it started West. I then went back to Nauvoo to prepare to leave with the Saints. Made two wagons, one for myself, and left the City for the Pioneer Camp.

May 12th, 1846:  we started out with 100 lbs. of flour, 1-1/2 bu. of parched corn meal.  We sold all of our feather beds except two pillows, left all our furniture standing in the house.  Made our load as light as possible so that one yoke of two year old steers could draw it, trusting in the Lord and His providential hand for our support.  We traveled west some 75 miles when we overtook Major Jefferson Hunt with 15 teems, traveled with him two miles north of the town of Bloomfield.  Here I was arrested by a court from the Missouri River on a charge of larceny. I went back and was lodged in Fort Madison Prison, they refusing to take any ‘Mormon bail’.  I stayed in 13 days and was discharged without a trial. I had left my family standing on the prairie all alone, except for one young man by the name of John O. Angus, who traveled with me.  Before I arrived to where I had left my family, my wife gave two three year old steers and my rifle for a large yoke of oxen, and had gone on with another company under Captain Andrew Perkins.  I overtook them at the head of the Charedon River and on the 25, June we arrived at Mt. Pisgah.  Stayed until the 1st of July when we started for Council Bluffs where we arrived on the 10 of July.

August 8th, 1846:  moved to Cutler Park for winter quarters.  Here we met the head chief of the Amshaw Indians, whose name was Elk, with about all of his warriors.  All manifested friendship and were willing for us to stay.

Sept. 10th, 1846:  President Brigham Young chose myself and nine others to take the herd of cattle for the whole camp. Oct. 26th, we gave up a part of the herd and went to work to hunt for the stray cattle and take them to the creek beds up the river and herd them all winter.  We made up a herd of some 800 head.  We were troubled a great deal with the Indian’s killing them.  When we delivered the stock to their owners we got partly paid for our services so we gathered a few dollars in money.  Went down the river about 176 miles bought 1200 lbs. of flour and returned to Winter Quarters.

June 10th, 1847:  left Winter Quarters for the Plaines. At Elkhorne River we organized in the first hundred, second fifty and second ten. Stayed here five days. 17th— moved some 12 miles to the Platte River on our way to the Great Salt Lake basin where we landed the 22nd day of September.  I never enjoyed myself better in my life than I did on the Journey.  We met President Brigham Young and the Pioneer camp, on the Big Sandy, returning to Winter Quarters to get their families after locating Great Salt Lake City. We felt to rejoice in the Lord on learning of their success. We were very short of provisions and other necessities of life. We brought all that we had on earth in one wagon with one yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows. Our bread gave out on the 4th day of April and we were obliged to dig roots for our bread until harvest which was in August. I raised 3 bushels of very poor corn and l3-1/2 bushels of wheat which was my bread for another year. In the fall (1848) President Brigham Young and his family with most of the Twelve and some five or six hundred wagons with the Saints arrived. This added to our strength making some 2,000 souls. On our first arrival we built houses in solid compact, forming a fort 116 rods by 40 rods, which we lived in.

May 4, 1849:  myself with nine others, was selected by Pres. Young to go to the North Platte Ferry and attend to it and cross the emigrations. This we did, realizing $625 each in money, merchandise and stock. Got home August 14th.

Soon after the October conference I was called upon to pull up stakes, take my family, and move 132 miles south to Sanpete County, some 90 miles from any settlement and amongst the Indians, where we arrived November 25th. Being late in the fall the grass lands had been burnt by the Indians before we got there and there was no hay to get. The canyons being filled with snow, we could not get into them to get building timber. Consequently we were under the necessity of living in our wagons, those who had not tents, which were very few. Thirty men constituted our force, most of which had families, with a short allowance of provisions. The snow fell to a depth of 2-1/2 feet from mountain to mountain with a heavy crust on the top. This made it impossible to go out of the valley for any more supplies and our stock could get no food to subsist on. We shoveled snow from off the little grass that we could find in order to save some of our few cattle. In consequence of this we lost two thirds of our entire stock which perished in the snow. This undoubtedly was a blessing to us and probably saved many of our lives as it provided plenty of food for the Indians who were very numerous and somewhat hostile.

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The rest of the entries tell of dealing with the Indians and their numerous raids.  Madison Daniel Hambleton died May 29, 1870 at Manti, Sanpete County, Utah and is buried there.  He was 58 years old when he died.  His life seemed to be a mirror of the early history of the church.  He lived through trials, tribulations and heartbreak.  And yet, not once in his writings is there a trace of murmur, regret or denouncing the Brethren.  His faith sustained him through.  He is, indeed, a good example for us in this time.



Headstone at the Manti City Cemetery



Madison Daniel Hambleton, part 2 - The Mobs

Madison Daniel Hambleton probably wrote the excerpts from his personal history that I shared with you last week right around the time of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Prior to that time everything is written in a narrative form.  After that, the rest seem to be journal entries.  From these entries we get a unique perspective of the Saints and their afflictions by the mobs that ultimately forced them to leave Nauvoo.  I will include a few journal entries below.  You will get a charge out of some of his comments about the Nauvoo Temple and the dances they had in the endowment room. 

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May 6th, 1845 the Twelve Apostles met with the city police to contemplate the policy of having the Nauvoo Legion in good order in case of trouble. Adjourned until tomorrow at 5 A. M. I stood guard at H. C. Kimball’s. (7th), the police met with the officers of the Legion according to appointment and were addressed by General Brigham Young and others who made such remarks as were necessary and they adjourned. 8th, the police assembled and took an account of our arms to know that all was in order. Afterward I was on guard at H. C. Kimball’s part of the night

May 9th, 1845 Brigham Heber Hambleton was born at 25 minutes after 8 o’clock P. M. Witnesses: Roxane Repsher, Emily Haws, Harriet Parker and Mrs. Winslow Farr.

May 12th, 1845I was appointed constable and was qualified. 15th, searched the house of Amos Hodges and Mr. Bruffet for stolen property and assisted in the arrest of William Badges and his brother for murder. Attended court in the examination and they were found guilty and delivered to the sheriff of Lowey Territory and afterward suffered the extreme penalty of the law. Charles Sherwood got home from New Orleans and brought with him three pieces of the iron cannon for the Legion, not mentioned. Hasa Stout sent spies to the surrounding parts of the country to learn the movements of our enemies as they began to make threats again and to trouble us. 18th, the cannon was moved to the basement of the Temple for the purpose of boarding and mounting on carriages ready for use. May 24th, 6 A. M. the capstone of the Temple was laid by Brigham Young.

June 25, 1845 there seemed to be some jealousy arising on the part of Wm. Smith (the brother of Joseph) against the police and some words passed between him and policeman Tuffts and some blows issued. 10 P. M. Irvine Hadger was knocked down and stabbed with his own knife 5 or 4 times and died in a few minutes.  24th, Gen. Deming of Carthage in dispute shot one Doctor Marshall in the Court House who died in a few minutes. Said Marshall is one of the persons concerned in the murder of the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The disputes took place about Deming not serving a writ on Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball when they were not to be found in the city of Nauvoo.  25th, the Twelve met with the police and also bishops and some others to hear from William Smith concerning his disapprobation of the police saying his life had been falsely and without provocation taken. After getting a sharp rebuke from Pres. Brigham Young he stated he had no feelings against the police and claiming their protection. We agreed to accept his acknowledgement on our part so long as Bro. William does the work of righteousness.

 

27th— Mother Smith told of a vision reporting to be the police with the twelve assembled in a room with weapons of death, with the intention of taking the life of William Smith, and there was among the number, some more wicked than the rest and they were Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball.  I was one of the number and know that there was no such thing contemplated, and if she had such a vision it was from the devil.

 

August 16, l845 Brigham Heber Hambleton died, son of Madison Daniel and Chelnecha Smith Hambleton, age three months and seven days. We buried him in the garden west of the house.

 

Sept. 10th, 1845 we are informed that a meeting of the mob was held on the 9th at the school house in Green Plains Precinct, Hancock Co.  We have not been apprised of the nature of the meeting but can judge from their former conduct a preconcerted plan had been entered into.  Several shots were fired by their own party through the windows and doors of the school house where they assembled.  Nothing was known of the pretended pretext until the next day when the mob commenced firing on the houses in the Morley settlement.  Eleven dwelling houses and three outhouses have been burned.  Sept. 11, a messenger has just arrived bringing word that the most of the settlers of the East part of the settlement have moved to the West part in order to protect themselves from the mob.

Sunday Sept. 28th, 1845 the Governors troops under command of General Hardin, 320 in number, arrived at Carthage and took possession of the Court House, which was under the command of Captain Egan, who returned to Nauvoo on Sunday night.  Monday morning the Nauvoo Legion was disbanded and each went to their usual occupations.  Tuesday 29^th, General Hardin arrived in Nauvoo with his troops at 11:30.  They searched the Temple for the dead body of a Mr. Willcon but did not find it. From there they went to the Masonic Hall and searched there with the same result; from there to a camp ground down the river some three miles. Wednesday they marched into the city again and searched some houses for State arms but found none.

Oct. 5th, 1845 a meeting was called in the Temple on the first floor (a temporary one). Some four thousand persons were present. In the afternoon the male members only were requested to meet to organize some companies for our removal from the city to some place unknown by us.  Oct. 11th the Nauvoo Legion was called together, each regiment by itself, to hold a prayer meeting and to see that each one had his arms in good order. This, in order that in case of an attack we might be ready for the worst. We were instructed to continue in prayer to almighty God by day and night, that he would deliver us from this place and from our

December 21st, 1845— the Temple was dedicated by the twelve Apostles.  That is, the upper part of it.  Dec. 22nd my wife and myself were called upon to go to the Temple and receive our washings and annointings and our endowment, which we cheerfully obeyed. After we had received our blessings we were requested to stay there and assist in the labor of the endowment, which we also cheerfully obeyed, and continued to do for the best part of the time until the endowment was closed.

 

February 6, 1846, my wife Chelnecha was sealed to me at the altar in the Temple under the hands of President Brigham Young.  Then was sealed to us an adopted child, for all eternity under the hands of Pres. Heber C. Kimball.  Feb. 8th the endowment was ended in the Temple at Nauvoo and we danced before the Lord.  Feb. 9th, the Temple took fire from the stove pipe through the roof. Although extinguished in a very few minutes the fire did considerable damage. In the evening we enjoyed a dance in the endowment room after the canvass was taken out.  Pres. Brigham Young, Pres. Heber C. Kimball and Pres. Orson Hyde of the Twelve with the other brethren. We had a good time of social recreation and partook of a glass of pure wine of our own making.

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A week later, Madison Daniel Hambleton and his family left Nauvoo.  They were not quite sure where they were going.  But one thing they did know, they were going to follow the Prophet Brigham Young.  Next week I will conclude with his crossing the Plaines and life in Utah.

Madison Daniel Hambleton was sometimes called Crook-neck Hambleton because of an abscess he had had on his neck and which had shrunk the cords of his neck until it pulled his head to one side.