PIONEER HISTORY OF

Samuel Park Sr. (1795 – 1833) &

Isabella Gray (1793 -1879) Files of: Erma P. Gordon Anderson (additions by Joe Anderson)

Joe Anderson: A great great grandson

Samuel Park Sr.,

Born: 15 Oct 1795

Newtownstewart, Tyron, Ireland

Died: Apr. 1833

Newtownstewart, Tyron, Ireland

Isabella Gray Park

Born: 1 Oct 1793

Newtownstewart, Tyrone, Ireland

Died: 20 Dec 1879

Skull Valley, Tooele Co., Utah

Buried: City Cemetery, Salt Lake City,

Salt Lake Co., Utah

Married: about 1820 at Newtownstewart or

Douglas Bridge, Tyrone, Ireland

Children: Newtownstewart to Douglas Bridge

about 3 Miles apart

1- William Born: 1821 Douglas Bridge, Tyrone,

Ireland

2- John Born: 1821 Douglas Bridge, Tyrone, Ireland

3- Hamilton Gray Born: 25 Nov 1826

Newtownstewart, Tyron, Ireland

4- Mary Jane Born: 17 Sep 1827 Newtownstewart,

Tyron, Ireland

5- Samuel Jr. Born: 14 Aug 1828 Newtownstewart,

Tyron, Ireland

6- George Born: 1832 Douglas Bridge, Tyrone,

Ireland

The above images are from Google Earth in 2011. As can be seen the towns of Newtownstewart and

Douglas Bridge are, even today, small villages in a predominantly agricultural region.

Newton Stewart (or Newton-Stewart),

Tyrone, Ireland. This spelling, and

others, appears in several genealogical

listings. The correct spelling is

Newtownstewart, Tyrone, Ireland.

I suspect when folks from the “Old

County” pronounce the name they say

“NewtonStewart”

Newtownstewart geographical

coordinates are 54° 43' 0" North, 7° 24'

0" West

Newtownstewart is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is overlooked by hills called Bessy

Bell and Mary Gray and is at the confluence of the River Strule and the Owenkillew River. It lies within

the Strabane District Council area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newtownstewart

King James II spent the night here in 1689 on his way back from the unsuccessful assault on Derry

(Londonderry). He got up next morning in a bad mood and ordered the Stewart castle, and the town, to

be burnt down. In the main street a piece of the castle wall still stands.

Half a mile south-west of Newtownstewart, on a hill, is ruined Harry Avery's Castle, a 14th century

Gaelic stone castle - most unusual in Ulster. Only the massive D-shaped twin towers of the keep, built by

Henry Aimbreidh O' Neil (Harry Avery O'Neil - died 1392), are left.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Avery's_Castle

Harry Avery's Castle, County Tyrone

A curiously enigmatic castle named after and possibly built by Henry Aimbreidh O'Neill, a Gaelic chief

celebrated by the Four Masters for his justice, nobility and hospitality who died in 1392. The castle

commands wide views over the Mourne Valley and is unusual in being a stone-built stronghold located

deep in the heart of pre-Plantation Ulster. It consists of a two-storey rectangular block fronted by a pair

of massive D-shaped towers - resembling a gatehouse - projecting from the south face of an artificially

scarped knoll, whose sides have been revetted by a wall to form a polygonal enclosure, now ruined to a

low level with traces of a latrine tower on the north side. Excavations in 1950 and 1962 confirmed that the

keep-like structure functioned more as a tower house than as a true gatehouse, though the only access

into the enclosure behind seems to have been up a narrow mural stair and through the hall at first-floor

level.

The entrance has a draw-bar slot, while other features include vaults with traces of wickercentering and

latrine shafts in one of the towers.

The castle was captured by the English in 1609. Subsequently, it was used as a quarry for building

material. Located three-quarters of a mile SW of Newtownstewart in a field off the Rakelly road.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --

Samuel Park Sr and Isabella Gray were Married: about 1820 at Newtownstewart or Douglas Bridge,

Tyrone, Ireland. They probably lived somewhere between these two towns Samuel Park Sr. worked as a

Webster of Pure Irish Linen. “Webster-Operator of looms; weaver”.

Samuel Park, Sr., died April 1833 at Newtownstewart, Tyrone, Ireland – The record is not clear whether

he died in Ireland or Scotland.

During 1832 or 1833 the family moved to Kilburnie, Ayrshire, Scotland

In 1821, the village of Kilbirnie contained

about 800 people and in 1871: 3,313 people.

Park’s lived here from 1833 to 1855-56.

At the beginning of this century it was only

a small, quaint village; and its importance

has been attained chiefly by enterprise in

various branches of manufacture, and in

mining. The principal manufactures are

winceys, (Wincey: noun, a plain or twilled

fabric of wool and cotton used especially for

warm shirts or skirts and pajamas)

ginghams, woolen shirting’s, flannels, linen

thread, linen yarn, ropes, and fishing nets;

and there are engineering and iron founding

works.

Since Kilbirnie was not a large town before

the 1840s, there is not much written history

except for the farms in the area.

Kilbirnie, Ayr, Scotland

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilbirnie

https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Kilbirnie,_Ayr,_Scotland

http://www.ayrshirescotland.com/genealogy/relatives.html

On Nov1840 Isabella’s son, Hamilton Gray Park was baptized a member of the LDS Church. In about

1844 Hamilton Gray Park married Agness Steele at Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland. During 1850 he and his

family immigrated from Scotland to SLC, Utah aboard the LDS chartered ship “North Atlantic”.

Park, Hamilton G, 1850, NA, North Atlantic, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 200165 25690

Vessel Rig Registry Tons Master

No.

LDS

Pass.

Depart.

Port

Depart.

Date

Arrival

Port

Arrival

Date

Passage

Days

Comp.

Leader

North

Atlantic Ship U.S. 799

H.

Cook 357 Liv. 9-4-50 N.O. 11-1-50 58

D.

Sudworth

The family made their way to from New Orleans to Kanesville, Iowa and joined the Joseph Outhouse

Company. They spent approx 1½ years in St Louis or Iowa before proceeding. They arrived in Salt Lake

City, Utah on 6 Sept. 1852.

Departure

Post

Departure

Date

Company Captain -

Company Name or No.

Number of

People Wagons

Arrival

Date Roster

Kanesville,

Iowa

About 10-

Jun-1852 Joseph Outhouse 230 50

6-Sep-

1852

J.H. Supp. after 31 Dec

1852, p. 19-24*; D.N. Vol 2,

p. 90

Isabella’s son, Samuel Jr., married Jean Harvey at Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland on 31 Dec 1849

During 1850-51 Samuel, Jr became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints being

baptized in 1851. Later his wife (Jean); mother (Isabella) and other family members joined the church

and, over several years, responded to the call from Brigham to "Come to Zion."

In 1853 a grandson (Samuel) was born to Samuel, Jr. and his wife Jean. In late 1854 or early 1855, with

his wife and sick child, Samuel Jr. left home and friends in Scotland and started to Utah. They sailed on

the "Charles Buck," a sailing vessel bound for America. (departed Liverpool, England 17 Jan 1855 and

arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana 14 Mar 1855) After a hard voyage of six weeks they ultimately

reached St. Louis, Missouri. There their son (young Samuel) died, and was buried with the Mormon

dead. Samuel and wife, Jean, joined the Gill Greer Company. They left St. Louis on March 27, 1855, and

arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah September 11, 1855, travel stained but happy.

Daughter, Mary Jane Park Draney was Baptized on 24 Mar 1852

During 1855-56 Isabella Gray Park and her daughter and family (husband, John Draney plus two

children, Samuel and Isabella) made the decision “Come to Zion” and to emigrate to Salt Lake City,

Utah.

[Draney also spelled Dreamy, Dreaney, Dreney in various records]

They made their way to Liverpool, England. There, along with 500+ LDS Church members, they

boarded the ship “Enoch Train” and began their journey to Utah. This group became part of the 1st &

2nd

Handcart Company’s

LDS Immigration

23 March 1856, DEPARTED: Liverpool, England; Aboard ship “Enoch Train”.

30 April 1856 ARRIVED: Boston, Massachusetts

2 May 1856 DEPART: Boston, Massachusetts; via train

mid May ARRIVE: Iowa City, Iowa

11 June, 1856 DEPART: Iowa City, Iowa, with 2nd

Handcart Company

26 September 1856 ARRIVE: Salt Lake City, Utah

Come, Come, Ye Saints - Mormon Tabernacle Choir http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ia3gYSvG8M

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Son: William Park – Emigration: about 1857-58 based on place and date of children’s birth.

Isabella’s son, William married Margaret Allen 5 Dec. 1845 at Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland.

He and his family emigrated to U.S.A. aboard the ship “Constitution” which arrived at Castle

Garden 18 Sept 1857. They staying in Maryland for a few years then moving on to Illinois. At a

later date the family moved on to Utah. William Park died 1863 at Salt Lake City, Utah

Son George is show have been born 1832 Douglas Bridge, Tyrone, Ireland and to “probably” died

at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. However details are not known.

Isabella Gray Park lived with her children in Utah.

Her son, Samuel Park Jr. lived in and around Tooele, Utah.

Her son Hamilton lived in Salt Lake City, Utah

Her daughter, Mary Jane Park Draney, and family lived in Plain City, Weber Co., Utah (1870 U.S.

Census)

Isabella Gray Park Died: 21 Dec 1879 at the home of her son, Samuel, at Skull Valley, Tooele Co, Utah.

================================================================

The balance of this account includes a summary of the “Enoch Train” voyage and the 2nd

Handcart Co.

These are abbreviated accounts. Other accounts of the 2nd

Handcart Co. are included in the History files

of Margaret Jessie Jackson Meikle

Passengers aboard Enoch Train and members of 2nd

Handcart Company Include:

Name Birth Date Age

PARK, Isabella <1794> 62 (Family Search shows birth: 1 Oct 1793)

Isabella Park’s daughter (Mary Jane Park Dreaney and family)

DRANEY, John <1825> 31

DRANEY, Mary Jane <1828> 28 (Isabella Gray Park’s daughter)

DRANEY, Samuel <1854> 2 1/2

DRANEY, Isabella <1856> 4 mo.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also aboard the “Enoch Train” and with the 2nd

Handcart Co. were ancestors:

MEIKLE, Margaret <1799>, MEIKLE, William <1826>

MEIKLE, Isabella, <1837> MEIKLE, James <1839>

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also aboard the “Enoch Train” and with the 2nd

Handcart Co was Corrine. Baldwin’s. ancestors.

Corrine. Baldwin is Duane Baldwin’s wife. (Refer to Hazel Gordon Baldwin, Erma Gordon Anderson’s

sister)

Corrine Baldwin is a descendant of: ELIKER, Barbara <1832> Age 24

ELIKER, Heinrich <1797>, ELIKER, Margaratha <1802>, ELIKER, Margaratha <1808>,

ELIKER, Heinrich, Jr <1830>, ELIKER, Barbara <1832> EELIKER, Elizabeth <1832>,

ELIKER, Konard <1836>, ELIKER, Susanna <1842>, ELIKER, Johannes <1842>

An account from the Second Handcart Company. “John and Nancy McCleve, natives of Ireland, took

their seven children across the plains with this caravan. Sharing the tent with them was a German

family, none of whom could speak English. It comprised Mr. and Mrs. Elliker and their seven

children. Mr. Elliker and three children died on the journey. John McCleve was buried two days before

the party reached Salt Lake City.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“ENOCH TRAIN” Source - The Cork Examiner, 28 March 1856 -

THE MORMON EXODUS.--On Wednesday last an extraordinary scene was witnessed at the New-street

railway station, Birmingham. A fine ship, the Enoch Trail, having been chartered to convey a cargo of

Mormons to the United States, en route to their settlement in Utah territory, three hundred men and

women, boys and girls, formed the contingent supplied by the Birmingham district. They left by the half-

past ten train. All seemed to belong to the working classes, and the proportion of the sexes was about

equal. Many hundreds of their relatives and fellow-saints assembled at the station to bid them fairwell;

and in spite of the efforts of the instrumental bands to cheer the spirits of the females, some very affecting

scenes were witnessed. They sail to-day from Liverpool. There will be some 900 on board.

--Birmingham Journal. SHIP NEWS--QUEENSTOWN.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FROM LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND TO BOSTON, MASS., USA

The ship Enoch Train, Captain Henry P. Rich, cleared on Saturday the 23 March 1856, hence for Boston,

with 534 souls of the Saints on board, all under the presidency of Elder James Ferguson, Edmund

Ellsworth, and Daniel D. McArthur (McArthur also the leader of 2nd

Handcart Co).

The company included the first emigrants for Utah by the P. [Perpetual] E. [Emigration] F. [Fund] in

1856 -- who were to cross the plains with 1st and 2

nd Handcart Co.’s. There were four hundred and

thirty-one (431) of these [PEF] emigrants, and one hundred and three (103) called 'ordinary' passengers.

There were 4 births and 2 deaths during the voyage.

A SAMPLING OF DIARY ENTRIES

21 Mar 1856 while the ship was lying at anchor at Liverpool, Friday night, March 21, Mary Ann, wife of

Elder Thomas Lyon, was delivered of a daughter, who was named Christina Enoch.

Ships Routine

23 Mar 1856 At 6 o’clock, a.m., the horn

was blown for the Saints to rise, the decks

were then cleaned, and at half-past seven

prayers were attended to. About eight

o’clock we weighed anchor; wind North

Northeast, and the weather fair. The ship

was towed down the river by the steamtug

“Independence.” At half-past nine

o’clock, all the company were mustered,

to see if there were any stowaways found

none.

23 March 1856, DEPARTED: Liverpool, England; Aboard ship “Enoch Train”.

23rd Mar 1856 As the gov’t. inspectors leave the ship. They gave us three cheers and we all returned it

and the band played a lively air. At 8 o’clock the guard was posted. ½ past 8, prayers were attended to.

All went to rest. A fresh breeze filled our sails and we glided merrily.

27 Mar 1856. Nearly all the sick were on deck, chatting, singing, and running about. We had a splendid

run for a few days, and expected to be in Boston in four

weeks, but it was ordered otherwise by a kind

Providence. The captain steered south to escape the ice.

31 Mar 1856 The horn sounded at 5 o’clock. Decks were

cleaned as usual. Prayers at 8. Ship nearly becalmed. I

drew out a list to serve provisions by [-] 2 o’clock.

Attended meeting on deck. Had a very good meeting.

Towards night the wind blew pretty fresh. Ship about

three points off her course. Posted the guard at ½ past

7. Prayers at ½ past 8. During the night, Sister Esther,

wife of John Devereux, of the Herefordshire Conference,

died of consumption of the lungs.

1 April 1856 Rough day. Ship rolled and boxes rattled. Bottles upset. Bedsteads broke down and

cooking did not please all for the sauce pans upset in the jelly. Some scolded and some fell and hurt

themselves. A thing to try the patience of some. Went to bed. Ship rocked and rolled about. Did not

sleep well,

2 Apr 1856 The horn was sounded at 5 o’clock. At 6 the body of our sister was committed to the deep.

Water was served to the company. Prayers at 8. Wind southwest. Rough, cloudy, raining. Continued so

all day. Posted the guard at 7 ½ p.m. Attended prayers at ½ past 8.

3 April 1856 The horn was sounded as usual. Prayers at ½ past 7. Water served to the company. Ship

about one point off her course. Wind light. Weather fair. All the Saints on deck. The company were all

on deck. Several songs were sung. Towards evening we had a little dancing, while the band played

several lively airs. The Saints by this time began to enjoy their food. Posted the guard at ½ past 7 o’clock.

Prayers at 8 ½.

Funny things to amuse us children happened

every day. Once we watched two old men set

their table and lay our their lunch, in careful,

painstaking fashion. They asked the blessing on

the food. Just then a large wave came up and

threw the dishes right and left. Everybody

laughed, even the two old men. They had to

scramble under the benches and in the far

corners to pick up their cups and saucers.

After two weeks at sea, a terrible storm came

and drove them back until they could see the

spires of the buildings in Liverpool.

Jane Clotworthy, aged two years, died of consumption of the bowels and was buried at sea.

17 April 1856, Mary, wife of James Sheen, was delivered of a son.

24 Apr 1856 We enjoyed ourselves first rate and a general good feeling prevailed. The first 8 or 9 days we

had a good wind, after which we had to encounter head winds and squalls about 12 to 15 days,

consequently did not make much progress during the time of course. We had plenty of rolling about,

upsetting of dishes in the galley and being difficult to stand.

Sometimes some were sent sprawling across the deck or thrown down, which very near brought about

broken legs but thank God no one was seriously injured and only turned out to merriment on the part of

the Saints

Towards noon many of the Saints were very

sick, the wind was Southeast, blowing middling

fresh, and the ship making five knots an hour.

The general routine of cleaning, serving water,

was attended to. At midnight the ship rolled

heavily, and was going at the rate of eleven

knots.

When weather would permit we kept on deck

as much as possible. All kinds of games were

resorted to keep us in lively exercise during the

day. The band frequently playing and the

brethren & sisters collecting together, singing

or dancing, made the time pass away

agreeable, so that those who were sick got on

deck as soon as they could to join in the sport

29 April 1856 The horn sounded and prayers attended to as usual. [ … ] who informed us we were [ … ]

12 miles from Boston. 4 o’clock, the pilot boat, “Jane of Boston,” came alongside and put a pilot on

board of us. The band and all the company of Saints were on deck and gave three hearty cheers. The

band played “Yankee Doodle.” Land in sight. Water served today as usual. Posted the guard at 7 ½

o’clock. At 9 ½ we cast anchor.

1 May 1856 at eight a.m., the ship arrived at Constitution Wharf, Boston, and at four o'clock p.m., the

following day, the passengers disembarked the went by nine omnibuses to the railway station. They

started by train at five p.m., for New York, where they arrived on the third of May. After a short stay in

New York, where a few of the passengers remained temporarily, the company continued the journey by

rail to Iowa City, where they arrived on the tenth of June. http://richardpyoung.org/histories/MaryHay.pdf

Model of the ship Enoch Train created by

Kenneth R. Mays

After 39 days, on Thursday, 1st of May 1856 at

eight a.m., the ship arrived at Constitution Wharf,

Boston

FROM BOSTON TO IOWA CITY

BIB: Ferguson, J[ames], [Letter], Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star 18:23 (June 7, 1856) pp. 353-55

(HDL)

I was particularly anxious to make a good first impression upon the people of Massachusetts, in view, not

only of our emigration interests, but of our approaching struggle for admission into the Confederacy. I

am thankful to say that I am more than satisfied. When the quarantine doctor and government agent

came on board, you might have licked the “between decks” without soiling your tongue. They both

pronounced, it to the visiting strangers, as far ahead of anything they had ever seen. They were followed

by a number of members of the Massachusetts Legislature, who were all astonished at our cleanly,

healthy appearance, and though know nothings, declared their delight at seeing such a class of people

come to settle in their country. It was a rainy day on which we left Boston.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday 2nd of May 1856 at

four o'clock p.m., the

following day, the

passengers disembarked

they went by nine

omnibuses to the railway

station. They started by

train at five p.m., for New

York, where they arrived

on the 3rd of May. After a

short stay in New York,

where a few of the

passengers remained

temporarily, the company

continued the journey by rail to Iowa City, where they arrived on the 10th

of June 1856.

{NOTE: I believe they arrived earlier than this date – Mid May probably 10 May 1856}.

The P. E. Fund emigrants who crossed the Atlantic in the Enoch Train, were forwarded from Boston to

Iowa City, via New York, for eleven dollars and fifty cents per head for adults -- those over fourteen

years old; and five dollars and seventy-five cents were paid for children between the ages of four and

fourteen; those under four years went free. One hundred pounds of luggage was allowed for each adult

and fifty pounds for each child over three years old.

Leaving by rail, they traveled to Rock Island, Illinois. The train being 15 minutes late saved all of them

from plunging into the Mississippi River as the bridge has broken with the train ahead of them. They

stayed at Rock Island until Monday morning crossing the Mississippi River by boat. Here they traveled

in box cars to Iowa City. From here they walked 4 miles to the Iowa camp grounds.

I was surprised to find many of the former company who were my companions across the sea still on the

camp ground; on inquiring the cause of their delay; I was informed; that the hand carts ordered from St

Louis had been delayed: and finally their purchase abandoned: under the impression that they could

manufacture them; with less cost: and so they were now constructing them

So, John, along with the rest of the men, made their handcarts on which they could haul the few things

necessary to make the journey across the plains, one thousand miles to Utah. John and family stayed in

Iowa City six weeks.

We remained in Iowa six weeks. All the men were busy making handcarts. Our bake kettle which father

had ordered had not come. We had to fry our dough in a pan over the campfire. Everything was so

different from the life in England and it was hard to stand such changed conditions.

A lady seeing me do it said, “Come into me tent and use my stove.” This lady was not a member of the

company. She lived in a tent nearby and owned a nice stove with a good oven which she allowed me to

use.

In the course of my acquaintance I learned that she was a relative of the Joseph F. Smith family.

The Handcart Song http://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200197139

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM4Rhz7N7YQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZIUn5dhuEo

Come, Come, Ye Saints - Mormon Tabernacle Choir http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ia3gYSvG8M

FROM IOWA CITY, IOWA TO SALT

LAKE CITY, UTAH Iowa City: 1856 The Handcart Pioneers

Iowa City was the end for the west-bound railroad

in 1856. It was here that the convert emigrants

were outfitted with handcarts to begin their trek.

With nearly empty carts they made good time

across Iowa to Council Bluffs, Neb.. Here they

acquired the remaining provisions for their long

march.

Thousands of immigrants from

England and Wales who joined the

Church and the trek west took on a new

form of transportation to Salt Lake

City. They couldn't afford wagons after

leaving their homeland, so they pulled

handcarts. The human-powered

handcarts, which were envisioned by

Brigham Young, proved to be one of the

most brilliant—and tragic experiments

in all western migration.

"To lead the second Handcart Company, Daniel D. McArthur (who was aboard “Enoch Train”), age

thirty-six, was chosen. ... he too was a returning missionary and was a native of New York state. He had

become a member of the Mormon Church at the age of eighteen, had experienced the persecutions in

Missouri and Illinois and had migrated to Utah in '48.

The Second Company numbered 222 (sic) souls. Train consisted of 12 yoke of oxen, 4 wagons, and 48

handcarts; we also had 5 beef and 12 cows; flour, 55 lbs. per head, 100 lbs. of rice, 550 lbs. of sugar, 400

lbs. dried apples, 125 lbs. tea, and 200 lbs. salt for the company. (Some of their provisions were

replenished along the way.)

http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompany/0,15797,4017-1-195,00.html

“... The first two Handcart Companies left Iowa City two days apart ... arrived in Salt Lake City on the

same day. ... "... Captain D. D. McArthur left on the 11th (June, 1856) with 221 (sic) souls, accompanied

by Elders Crandall and Leonard as assistants.

Brother McArthur reported that "while we were leading our Handcart companies through the States and

on the plains, we were called tyrants and slave drivers, and everything else that could be thought of, both

by Gentiles and apostates."

Small sample of this diary

http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/source/1,18016,4976-2836,00.html

Bermingham, Twiss, "To Utah--By Hand," American Legion Magazine, July 1937, 27, 58-61

Diary Notes 16th

th Aug 1856. This morning

an old woman (Mary Bathgate) belonging to

our company was bitten by a rattlesnake in

the leg and before half an hour her leg swelled

to four times its thickness. She was

administered to by the Elders and we started

again, (They anointed both her leg and head)

but unfortunately as we were starting another

old woman (Isabella Gray Park) was run

over by one of the wagons. The front wheel

went over her thighs and the back wheels over

her shins, not one of her bones was broken.

(Note These two sisters were companions,

both were over 60 years old. They both

recovered from their injuries, and later,

happily and gratefully walked into the Salt Lake Valley on September 26th. )

16th

Aug 1856 SUNDAY: Camped all day at Chimney Rock. Spent the day mending my clothes and

baking and cooking while Kate was washing and mending the children's clothes. On the 22d while we

were on the road traveling, we were overtaken by a very heavy thunderstorm which wet us all to the skin,

but as soon as it was over we went at it again and made a journey of 7 or 8 miles before we camped and

then we had to lie on the wet grass all night, and go to bed supperless, there being no firewood to cook,

the Buffalo chips being all wet. We had to ford 20 streams this week.

21st Aug 1856 Passed Independence Rock. Crossed Green River which we had to ford with many smaller

ones. Met some other wagons and people coming to meet their friends in the Company. Travelled at the

rate of about 25 miles per day. Two days we traveled 32 miles each. Camped last night at Fort Bridger

where we remained until 10 o'clock today. We are now 113 miles from the city. Henry Bouning [Bowring]

fell down and fainted yesterday under the hand cart from fatigue. Had to be carried into camp which we

did not reach until 10 o'clock at night.

THE SECOND HANDCART COMPANY (Two more accounts of the accident) http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneerdetails/0,15791,4018-1-18112,00.html

This report was given by Captain McArthur to Wilford Woodruff on January 5, 1857, and is taken from

the L.D.S. Journal History, under date Sept. 26, 1856.

On the 16th

of August 1856 while crossing over some sand hills, Sister Mary Bathgate was badly bitten by

a large rattlesnake, just above the ankle, on the back side of her leg. She was about a half mile ahead of

the camp at the time it happened, as she was the ring leader of the footmen and those who did not pull a

cart. She was generally accompanied by Sister Isabella Park. They were both old women over 60 years of

age, and neither of them had ridden one inch since they left Iowa. Sister Bathgate sent a little girl back to

have me and Brother Leonard come with all haste, and bring the oil with us, for she was badly bitten.

When we got to her, she was quite sick, but said that there was power in the Priesthood, and she knew it.

So we took a pocket knife and cut the wound larger, squeezed out all the bad blood we could get and

there was considerable, for she had the forethought to tie a garter above the wound to stop the circulation

of the blood. We then anointed her leg and head, and laid our hands on her in the name of Jesus and felt

to rebuke the influence of the poison, and she felt full of faith. We then told her she would have to get in

the wagon, so she called witnesses to prove that she did not get in the wagon until she was compelled to do

so by the curse of the snake.

We traveled about two miles and when we stopped for refreshments, Sister Bathgate continued to be

quite sick, but was full of faith, and after stopping one and a half hours, we hitched up our teams. As

word was given to start the teams, old Sister Isabella Park ran in before the wagon to see how her friend

was. The driver, not seeing her, hollooed at his team and they, being quick to mind, Sister Park could not

get out of the way and the fore wheels ran over both hips. Brother Leonard grabbed hold of her to pull

her out of the way, before the hind wheels could catch her. He only got her part way, before the hind

wheels passed over her ankles. We all thought that her legs would be all broken up, but there was not a

broken bone. Although the wagon had something like two tons burden on it, a load for four yoke of oxen.

We went right to work and applied the same medicines to her that we did to the Sister with the

rattlesnake bite, and although sore for a few days, Sister Park got better so that she was on the tramp

before we got into the Valley. Sister Bathgate was right by her side to cheer her up. The two sisters

traveled together, they rode together and suffered together. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://heritage.uen.org/companies/Wc742f2e648c2a.htm - Heritage Gateway

Heritage Gateway 2nd

Handcart Co.doc”

Snake bite. In this same company, Aug. 16, 2/3 of the way to Ft. Laramie, according to Capt. McArthur,

"...while crossing over some sand hills, Sister Mary Bathgate was badly bitten by a large rattlesnake, [

…]. She was generally accompanied by Sister Isabella Park. They were both old women, over 60 years of

age, and neither of them had ridden one inch, since they had left Iowa camp ground.[ … ]

[ … ] We started on and traveled about two miles, when we stopped to take some refreshments. Sister

Bathgate continued to be quite sick, but was full of faith, and after stopping one and a half hours we

hitched up our teams.

"As word was given for the teams to start, old Sister Isabella Park ran in before the wagon to see how her

companion was. The driver, not seeing her, hallooed at his team and they being quick to mind, Sister

Park could not get out of the way, and the fore wheel struck her and threw her down and passed over

both her hips. Brother Leonard grabbed hold of her to pull her out of the way, before the hind wheel

could catch her. He only got her out part way and the hind wheels passed over her ankles. We all thought

that she would be all mashed to pieces, but to the joy of us all, there was not a bone broken, although the

wagon had something like two tons burden on it, a load for 4 yoke of oxen. We went right to work and

applied the same medicine to her that we did to the sister who was bitten by the rattlesnake, and although

quite sore for a few days, Sister Park got better, so that she was on the tramp before we got into this

Valley, and Sister Bathgate was right by her side, to cheer her up.

From Samuel Park Jr. history (Isabella Gray Park’s son)

One year after Samuel Park, Jr. arrived in Utah, President Brigham Young issued an appeal to the

brethren to provide aid to the Handcart Companies (#1 and #2) who were in the Wyoming territory and

badly in need of supplies. Samuel was quick to respond because he knew that his aged Mother (Isabella

Gray Park) and sister (Mary Jane Park Draney) were in Company # two. The following paragraph

describes his meeting up with the Handcart Company and what happened the first meeting with his

Mother.)

At this time Father (Samuel Park Jr.) was one of the men sent out to meet the

Saints with food. Meeting the advance guards he was told to stop at the place

chosen for the night camp. Knowing his Mother and sister's family were in

the company, he walked on and met the train. His Mother had seen her son

last as a fair-faced boy. When he tapped her on the shoulder, she looked up

very indignant that this man with a long beard, brown from the sun, would

speak to her.

Someone said, "Is it your son Sister Park?"

"No," she, (Isabella Park), said; "I never reared a son like that."

At which Father (Samuel) laughed and his sister (Mary Jane Park Draney)

cried, "Mother, it is Samuel."

Ever after that they teased Grandma (Isabella) about her son,

"Imagine not recognizing your own son."

Report by Captain McArthur

They arrived in the Valley, with "only the loss of 8 souls, 7 died, and one, a young man, we never

could tell what happened to him."

26 Septermber 1856 - Arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah

"Wilford Woodruff, one of the Counselors of President Brigham Young, describes the reception:

One of the most interesting scenes that were ever witnessed in our Territory, was arrival of two of the

Handcart Companies on the 26th. Having heard the night previous that they were camped between the

two mountains, President Young and Kimball, and many citizens, with a detachment of the Lancers, and

the brass bands, went out to meet and escort them into the city. I must say my feelings were inexpressible

to behold a company of men, women, and children, many of them aged and infirm, enter the city of the

Great Salt Lake, drawing 100 handcarts. This sight filled our hearts with joy and thanksgiving to God."'

(The 100 handcarts included both companies 1 and 2.) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

. . . Arriving in Immigration Canyon 26 Sept. 1856 they were met by President Young and several

members of the quorum of Twelve Apostles. They brought watermelons for them. He told them not to

eat too much. John said, “Brigham Young was quite sensible.”. . . . [p.20]

http://www.ivrcd.org/lsp/Mormon_Handcart_Trail_low_res.pdf

Tour of the Mormon Handcart Trail – From Liverpool England (aboard Enoch Train)

Boston, Mass. Railrod from Boston to Iowa City, Iowa.

Handcarts from Iowa City, Iowa to Salt Lake City, Utah

Isabella Gray Park

26 September 1856 - Arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah.

1870 Isabella Park in household of Son-In-Law John Draney, "United States Census”

Later, Isabella Gray Park lived at her son Samuel’s home in Skull Valley, Tooele Co, Utah

DUP, Tooele Co, Utah “History of Utah’s Tooele County” Page 91

Tooele Dramatic Club provided lively entertainment for early settlers.

“The best lady characters were portrayed by Miss V. Claytin, Miss M. Huntington, Miss

Jeanette Park, Miss Isabella Park and Miss Susan Paul”.

Miss Isabella Park may be Hamilton Gray Park’s daughter, Isabella Gray Park’s

granddaughter.

Jeanette Park is Samuel Park’s daughter, Isabella Gray Park’s granddaughter.

Isabella Gray Park Died: 21 Dec 1879 at her son Samuel’s home in Skull Valley, Tooele

Co, Utah.

Find A Grave - Isabella Gray Park http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=90672404

Burial: Salt Lake City Cemetery , Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA

Plot: A_2_6_3E

Your tombstone stands among the rest neglected and alone.

The name and date are chiseled out on polished, marbled stone.

It reaches out to all who care. It is too late to mourn.

You did not know that I exist. You died and I was born.

Yet each of us are cells of you in flesh, in blood, in bone.

Our heart contracts and beats a pulse entirely not our own.

Dear Ancestor, the place you filled so many years ago.

Spreads out among the ones you left who would have loved you so.

I wonder as you lived and loved, I wonder if you knew

That someday I would find this spot and come to visit you.

Author Unknown

The Desert News October 1, 1856

The First Hand-Cart Companies Having learned that Capt. Edmund Ellsworth’s company camped at the Willow Springs

on the evening of the 28th inst., on the 26

th

Presidents Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, Liaut. Genl. D.H. Wells, and many others

citizens, in carriages, and several gentlemen

and ladies on horseback, with a part of Capt.

H.B. Clawson’s company of Lancers and the

Brass Bands under Capt. William Pitt, left the

Governor’s Office at 9 a.m., with the view of

meeting and escorting them into the city. With about a mile and a half of this foot of

the Little Mountain, Pres. Young ordered the

party to halt until the hand carts should arrive,

and with prest. Kimball drove on to meet them.

Ere long the anxiously expected train came in

Sight, led by Capt. Ellsworth on foot, and with

Two aged veterans pulling the front cart, followed by

a long line of cart attended by the

old, middle aged and young of both sexes.

When opposite the reporting party, a halt was called and their Captain introduced the

new comers to Prests., Young and Kimball,

which was followed by the joyous greeting of

relatives and friends, and the unexpected treat of melons. While thus regaling, Capt. Daniel

D. McArthur came up with his hand-cart company,

They having traveled from the east: bow

of the Big Mountain.

From the halt to the Public Square on 2nd

?

West Temple street, the following order was

observed, under the supervision of Capt. Clawson’s –

Lancers; Ladies on horseback; Prest.

Young’s, Prest. Kimball’s and Lieut. Genl.

Well’s, carriages; the Bands; Capts. Ellsworth’s

and McArthur’s companies; Citizens in carriages

and on horseback. The line of march

was scarcely taken up, before it began to be

met by men, women and children on foot, on

horses, and in wagons, thronging out to see

and welcome the first hand-cart companies

and the number rapidly increased until the

living tide lined and thronged South Temple street.

The procession reached the Public Square

about sunset, where the Lancers, Bands and

carriages were formed in a line facing the line of hand carts; and after a few remarks by

Prest. Young, accompanied by his blessing,

The spectators and escorts settled? and the

Companies pitched their tents, at the end of a walk

and pull upwards of 1300 miles.

This journey has been performed with less

than the average amount of mortality usually

attending ox trains; and all, though somewhat

fatigued, stepped out with alacrity to the last,

and appeared buoyant and cheerful. They had

often traveled 25 and 30 miles in a day, and

would have come through in a much shorter

time, had they not been obliged to wait upon the slow motion of the oxen attached to the

few wagons containing the ??? and groceries.

Much credit is due to Capt. Ellsworth for

having walked the entire distance, thus cheering

and encouraging his company by example,

as well as precept, and saints with their

hand carts, aided by Capts. Ellsworth and

McArthur and their Assistants, Elders Oakly,

Butler, Crandal and Leonard, and guided and

Vastxtoed ?? by the Almighty, have preached in

the ungodly a sermon louder than the voice of

many thunders. And thus has been successfully

accomplished a plan, devised by the wisdom

and forethought of our President, for rapidly

gathering the poor, almost entirely independent

of the wealth so closely hoarded beyond

their reach.

Herein is exhibited a portion of the faith

and patience of the Saints’, but will the world

heed the lesson? Only the wise, for the wicked

will pass on and be punished.

.

.

The account of Handcart Co’s on Wikipedia. It’s a good summary.

Remember, the Gordon have two sets of ancestors (comprising a party of nine 9 people) in the 2nd

Handcart co. and Harriet Louisa Peacock’s brother (Alfred J. Peacock) was in the 4th

Willie Handcart

Co.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_handcart_pioneers

Mormon handcart pioneers

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Motivated to join their fellow Church members but lacking funds for full ox or horse teams, nearly 3,000

Pioneers used handcarts to transport their belongings.

Mormon handcart pioneers, were participants in the migration of members of the The Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the LDS Church) to Salt Lake City, Utah. The Mormon

handcart movement began in 1856 and lasted until 1860.

Mormon pioneers from England, Wales, Scotland and Scandinavia made the journey from Iowa or

Nebraska to Utah in ten handcart companies. The trek was disastrous for two of the companies, which

started their journey dangerously late and were caught by heavy snow and severe temperatures in

central Wyoming. Despite a dramatic rescue effort, more than 210 of the 980 pioneers in these two

companies died along the way. John Chislett, a survivor, wrote, "Many a father pulled his cart, with his

little children on it, until the day preceding his death."

Although less than 10 percent of the 1847–68 Latter-day Saint emigrants made the journey west using

handcarts, the handcart pioneers have become an important symbol in LDS culture, representing the

faithfulness and sacrifice of the pioneer generation. They continue to be recognized and honored in events

such as Pioneer Day, Church pageants, and similar commemorations. The handcart treks were a familiar

theme in 19th century Mormon folk music and have been a theme in LDS fiction, such as Gerald Lund's

historical novel, Fire of the Covenant, and Orson Scott Card's science-fiction short story, "West."

http://www.dorchesteratheneum.org/pdf/TrainEnoch.pdf