Witnesses to the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies

Did you know our ancestors witnessed the death and suffering of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies first-hand? I didn't until recently. I have grown up hearing of the unimaginable sacrifices of these pioneers - they were composed of mostly converts from Scandinavia and the British Isles who were taken across the plains very late in the season. That, combined with an unseasonably early snowfall led to great suffering and death.

Tragic Incline by David Linn

Prairie Angels by Leon Parson

Ever Onward by Joseph Brickey

Hallowed Ground by Ron Richmond

In 1856, 23 year-old William Woodward (Barbara Hatch --> Spencer Hatch --> Marinda Woodward --> William Woodward) was traveling home from a mission to England and because of the timing, he ended up traveling home with the James G. Willie Company.  He helped build handcarts, was appointed as leader of a group of hundred and served as clerk for the company from October 1 until arrival in Salt Lake Valley, writing for a time in the official journal for the journey. William Woodward spoke and preached at evening gatherings and dealt first-hand with leading and watching over the sick, dying, dealing with the dead and all the stresses of that journey. They arrived in Salt Lake City on Sunday, November 9, 1856. William recorded in his journal “we were dirty & lousy, body lice by the hundreds were on our people.” (source)

Elizabeth Ann Player (Kenneth James Raleigh Sr. --> Harold James Raleigh --> Hyrum Blandchard Raleigh --> Elizabeth Ann Player) at age 17 immigrated from Wales (a convert of Dan Jones’ mission) along with her sister Emily. They came with the John A Hunt Company which traveled most of the way with wagons, not handcarts. The Hunt Company started behind the Martin Handcart company and stayed in close proximity most of the journey, arriving Dec. 10, 1856. This company may have been one of the latest arriving companies of pioneers to the valley during the period of Mormon migration. No one died in this company, but suffered the extreme cold, frostbite, hunger, other hardships. Another girl her same age writes of her experience here, giving us a glimpse of what it may have been like for Elizabeth. Imagine camping in freezing temperatures for two months and going through Emigration Canyon in December, through drifts of snow so deep you repeatedly fall. As these freezing and starving saints were arriving, Brigham Young asked local church leaders and members to take those in who had no place to go. Elizabeth and sister Emily were taken in by Bishop A.H. Raleigh and Elizabeth married Raleigh in 1857.

I like to imagine what lasting impact that unforgettable journey had on these ancestors of mine. I wish (and look forward to) asking them more about their experiences some day.