Carter/Jackson Families Crossing the Plains

Our great x3 grand mother Ellen Jackson Carter’s family came from across the ocean from Liverpool, England to join the Saints in the West. Her son, John Carter, was born in Preston. Lancashire, England on the 26th of January 1846. It was here at Preston that John heard the gospel and was baptized at the James Craig Conference on the 22nd of March 1856 when he was a lad of 10 years old. Great Great grandfather, John Carter’s father, John Carter, had died when his son was but three weeks old, leaving his young wife, Ellen and infant son. Ellen was also born in England at Pennworthen, Lancashire County on the 21st of August 1814.

The migration to this new country, America, was really moving rapidly. This new land, blessed by the Lord to become a free country, held all promises for the future. To live with the Saints was their greatest desire. So it was in the spirit of love of the Gospel, a desire for freedom to worship and by divine guidance that great grandfather Carter, together with his mother, Ellen Jackson Carter, her parents, Charles and Mary Loxum Jackson and Ellen’s brother left the English waters and set sail for America from Liverpool, England on May 22, 1856 on the ship Horizon, with Captain Reed and 856 passengers. They were six weeks crossing.

The perpetual immigration fund had been under way for some time and it had helped many to realize this momentous task of gathering the Saints to Zion. Now the P.E. Fund was exhausted and there were many who were poor in circumstances and could not arrange their own passage fund. The Presidency of the church realized this fact and decided to follow a less expensive mode of transportation being used in England. After much deliberation, plans were executed to use handcarts to cross the plains. They were of simple wood construction, usually of Iowa hickory or oak. On this cart was often loaded 40-500 pounds of flour, bedding, clothing, utensils and sometimes a tent. A limit was set of 17 pounds per person and all other possessions must be discarded. (Note: 17 pounds was for adults over 18. Children were allowed less.) So they left with their handcarts and only the barest of necessities for their long arduous journey ahead.

Our great grandmother and her family, together with the rest of the company, landed in Boston and went by rail to the end of the line in Iowa City, Iowa. There the handcarts were made, and the immigrants prepared for their long 1000 mile walk. But the best laid plans can sometimes go astray. The frontier agents had not been wholly successful in providing the equipment to meet the needs of the immigrants as they came. Great grandmother’s company had arrived in Iowa in June after a delay in departure from Liverpool. Another delay of six weeks confronted them now. The carts were not ready. There were tents and yokes yet to be made. They were the fifth and last company to leave Iowa City that year. Departing July 20th under Captain Edward Martin with 576 saints. (Note: If you want to read a good account of what really went amok with these handcart companies, read “Fire of the Covenant” by Lund.) The James Willie Company of 404 immigrants was just ahead of them having left July 15th. Throughout the journeys these two companies helped one another and suffered their hardships together. (Note: There were also two wagon companies with them. Visit Martin’s Cove sometime.)

The next stopping place was Florence, Nebraska nearly 300 miles west of Iowa city. With dust stained garments and sunburned faces they came into Florence singing the song that was to keep them going in the coming Months. “Some Must Push and Some Must Pull”. (The Handcart Song page 220 Children’s Song book published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.) (Note: the 300 mile walk from Iowa City was the “Practice stroll” compared to what was coming.) All had gone quite well so far, although a few days back the Indians had run off the cattle belonging to the Willie Company and their provisions were running low. An ox-team company was instructed to keep in the rear of the handcart companies for any needed assistance.

Fall came early with frosty nights. Aspen and oak had turned to brilliant yellow and crimson heralding the approaching winter. The companies moved hopefully up the Platte as word was brought to them that supplies would await them at Laramie. The morning of October first dawned upon a disappointed camp of men and women at Fort Laramie. The promised provision so food and clothing upon which they had depended were not awaiting them. Their scan 17 pounds ration of clothing gave little comfort on that cold frosty morn. They pushed painfully forward conscious of the threatening storms and decreased rations. On October 9th as the ox-team company passed Martin’s handcart company near Deer Creek. They found the handcarts food supply had run dangerously low and their carts were falling to pieces. The Martin Handcart Company seemed to be made up of more aged men and women and children than seemed wise. It was a pathetic sight as many of the weary drew their carts along side of the wagons. October 19th, the Willie Company had used their last flour and dark clouds were hovering over the mountains.

The next two days it snowed heavily and so deep it almost prevented the companies from traveling. It was very cold and many of the oxen had died; others were weak and poor. In order to lighten the loads, the bedding had been discarded and burned. The limit was set at 10 pounds total goods for adults and 5 pounds for children. There were many deaths from exhaustion, cold, and the lack of food. Drawing their shawls a little closer, bowing their head a trifle lower, the Saints plodded onward. The treacherous snow piled up its death-trap. Shoes, worn through, exposed bare feet to the damp cold. On October 19th, they forded the Platte River, the snow fell heavily and they were forced to wait three days. Ahead lay the Sweetwater Valley.

The 28th of October was a truly memorable day for the weary Saints. Three men of the relief part, being sent out from Salt Lake to help them arrived bringing the glad news that assistance, warm clothing and provisions were near. Amid cheers and tears the group set out the morning of the 29th to ford the severe Sweetwater River, the last big river to ford. The river was wide and the current strong. The ox-wagon company had taken some of the aged men and women of Martin’s handcart company across and the remaining hundred began to ford the icy river. It took courage to start out into the stream. After getting into the rope harness prepared for them, they were soon wading waist deep in the icy water, sometimes slipping off rocks they would feel the ice cut into their necks. The ice bit into their bare shins with every step. One man’s legs were so badly cut by the floating ice, he carried the scars to his grave. Owing to the heavy snow, they were compelled to camp for several days. Most of the company made the ford success fully without mishap; although many never regained their health for their clothes were frozen to their bodies by mud and snow. Not only did they suffer from cold but they suffered the agonies of hunger as well. Rations had been cut to 8 ounces of lour and four ounces for children per day. It was here at the last crossing of the Sweetwater that Great Grandmother Ellen Jackson Carter saw her parents perish in their attempt to gather with the Saints. (Note: Actually Mary Loxum died a month before they reached Martin’s Cove and her husband Charles Jackson died after they left this area.) The ground was so frozen and the Saints so weakened by privations they were unable to dig a grave for them. They were forced to resume their journey leaving their bodies lying in the snow with the wolves howling close by.

The company moved on into Martin’s Ravine. There with a little shelter of the mountain they rested for two or three days. Again the cold snow set in. Captain Martin attempted to get to the relief wagons at Devil’s Gate but became lost and nearly perished. He was brought back into the freezing camp a few days later by some of the relief wagons that had managed to reach them. The first relief wagon was met with a pathetic spectacle. Shouts of joy rent the air; strong men wept until tears ran freely down their burned cheeks. Not all rejoiced for many had perished. One of the relief party remarked that in all the mobbings and driving of the Mormons he had seen nothing to compare with the pathetic sight he beheld at Martin’s Ravine. There was considerable crying of women and children and some of the men whom the wagons could not accommodate. After a time a start was effected and the march was resumed along the valley of the Sweetwater toward the setting sun. They had found the courage and strength to continue on frozen bleeding feet. The Rock Ridge and South Pass were crossed on the 18th of November, a bitterly cold day, the blizzard seemed more and more intense. The wind blew piercingly from the North. More relief teams were met along the way. Warm food and clothing were welcomed, and urged on by Joseph Young there were finally sufficient wagons to carry all the immigrants. On the 29th of November the first of the ill-fated Martin and Willie Handcart Companies arrived in Salt Lake City. The last of them were all in by December 16th, four months later than planned. Over 150 of the Martin Handcart company had perished.

John Carter – The Utah Years
After surviving the long trek, leaving her parents out on the prairie, Ellen and her son, John Carter, our Great Grandfather, traveled south to Mount Pleasant. (Originally called Pleasant Creek. See; Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Lesson for November 1998 History of Sanpete County) to become one of the first to pioneer and settle Mount Pleasant. Soon after Ellen Carter married and became the third polygamist wife of William Stewart Seely, who was bishop at that time. Two sons were born of this covenant. So it was that Great grandfather, John Carter, grew up to manhood in the Mount Pleasant area. He was given 20 acres and began to cultivate and till his land. He was one of the first to be active in the first playhouse and dramatic company. (Note: from November 1998 lesson Daughters of the Utah Pioneers: a group of settlers, led by Isaac Morley and consisting of fifty families left Salt Lake City and drove their wagons and stock 125 miles and camped just west of what is now known as Temple Hill. Among the original pioneers of Sanpete County were the following men, some being accompanied by their families: Isaac Morley, Seth Taft, Charles Shumway, Dimick B. Huntington, Barney Ward, John Lowry Sr., Titus Billings, George W. Bradley, Albert Petty. O.S. Cox, Albert Smith, Jezreel Shomaker (spelling used by Andrew Jenson, Church Historian) Cyremus H. Taylor, Azsariah Smith, Abraham Washburn, John D. Chase, Isaac Chase, Sylvester Hewlett, William Potter, Gardner Potter, Harrison Fugate, Sylvester Wilcox, Gad Yale, JOHN CARTER, Isaac Behunin, William Mendenhall, Edwin Whiting, William Tubbe, John Hart, John Baker, John Elmer, John Butterfield, Amos Gustin, John Cable, and W.K. Smith. These pioneers came through Salt Creek Canyon, which is the pass south of Nephi. They cleared roads, forded streams, built bridges, and arrived at their destination on November 22, 1849. Their camp site was later named Manti.)

On the 30th of March 1868, John Carter, took his chosen mate, Almeda Janette McArthur to the temple to be united by one having authority and sealed for time and all eternity. Their nine children were born under the covenant and our Grandmother, Ella Orania Carter was their second child, born on the 19th of September 1870 at Mount Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah. Great grandfather freighted merchandise and also conducted a very successful honey business with Melvin McArthur. He was also one of the early teachers and taught the youth in a humble one room log hut. Great grandfather was elected Mayor of Mount Pleasant for two years in 1891. He also lived in the United Order and was faithful to it. (According to family lore he was also the sheriff of Sanpete County at one time.)