Autobiography of David Lewis [microform]: 1854 | Collections | The Huntington

OPEN TODAY: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.

Manuscripts

Autobiography of David Lewis [microform]: 1854

1 of 44

Description: Microfilm of the autobiography of David Lewis, written in 1854. The front page includes an unidentified photograph. The text begins with an account of Lewis' birth and childhood in Kentucky, including his family history (with physical descriptions of family members), his family's agricultural pursuits, his knife fights with his brothers, and his working at spinning cotton from the age of 12. Most of the manuscript focuses on the expulsion of the Mormons from Missouri and the events of the Haun's Mill Massacre, during which David's brother Benjamin Lewis was killed. Lewis thoroughly describes the event and its aftermath, including a latter meeting with James Campbell. He also writes of being captured by Missouri soldiers and interrogated about whether he was a Danite. Lewis also describes traveling to Illinois in 1838-1839, returning to Kentucky in 1839, and finally ending up back in Illinois in 1840. The account ends with a brief mention of the death of Joseph Smith. It also includes a patriarchal blessing for Lewis from 1839. The next portion of the volume begins with clippings from the Vernal Express on Sinley Lewis Sr. (1931). It is followed by a biography of David Lewis' son Siney Lewis Sr. (1848-1928) written by his daughter-in-law Crystal P. Lewis. It describes his birth in Council Bluffs, his father's work as a cooper, the death of his mother's father, who left her enough money to emigrate to Utah along with "one negro slave called Jerry" (who spent the rest of his life with the family), their journey to Utah in 1850, Siney's school days, and his leading emigrants to Utah in 1866 with a company of "bull whackers" (teamsters).

You might also be interested in

Journal of David Lewis [microform] : 1852-1857
Manuscripts
Microfilm of David Lewis' notes while serving as an Indian agent for Brigham Young on the Parley P. Pratt exploring trip to Southern Utah and from an 1855 trip he was called on to search the mountains of northern and central Utah for minerals used in glazing. In both instances Lewis describes his travel and exploration, recording the ordinary occurrences of each day in addition to noting experiences with Native Americans. Of particular interest is Lewis' 22-page dictionary of an unidentified Native American language.
MSS MFilm 00268
Autobiography and diary of David Candland [microform] : c.1841-1900
Manuscripts
Microfilm of the autobiography and diary of David Candland, which covers the years from 1841-1860 and 1900. The autobiography describes Candland's conversion to Mormonism, his immigration to the United States, a brief account of his mission to Britain in 1846, notes on his time in Winter Quarters and Kanesville, his 1853 mission to the Green River, his involvement in theatre work, and his work as a store clerk. The diary entries describe the arrival of Col. Thomas Kane in Utah and the coming of the Utah War from 1857 ("I am ready for the War of Independence," Candland wrote, "I hope to be brave"), the 1859 opening and closing of the Globe Hotel ("The hotel enterprise has failed," Candland lamented), and his dislike of work at the mercantile store ("The place does not suit me," he wrote, "I hear so much profanity and see so much drinking that I am ill at ease"). The diary entries end in 1860 before briefly resuming in 1900. Included in the volume are genealogical notes; lists of Candland's ecclesiastical, military, and legislative offices; and lists of marriages, births, baptisms, and deaths.
MSS MFilm 00062
Diary and autobiography [microform] : 1854-1855 1909
Manuscripts
Microfilm of two volumes kept by William Fotheringham. The first - kept at Milford, Beaver County, Utah, in 1909 - includes the text of patriarchal blessings given by Fotheringham from 1907-1909, notes on the St. George Temple, and part of Fotheringham's autobiography, including accounts of his leaving Scotland, traveling through Utah, and settling Beaver County. The second volume describes Fotheringham's mission work in India from 1854-1855. It includes references to his time at Manickpatna, Cuttack, Kunderpara, Calcutta, and the Bay of Bengal. The diary concludes with Fotheringham's return voyage to San Francisco by way of Singapore and the China Sea, as well as his travels through San Jose, Union City, Soledad, and Santa Clara.
MSS MFilm 00204
Autobiography and diary of William Athol McMaster [microform]: 1854-1887
Manuscripts
Microfilm of an autobiography and diary by William Athol McMaster. The autobiography recounts McMaster's life through 1854, including his early years in Scotland, conversion to Mormonism, proselytizing work in Scotland, voyage from Liverpool to New Orleans, and his overland travels to Utah. McMaster describes facing hardships during the journey, and while traveling to Utah endured illnesses, supply issues, and the death of one of his sons. The autobiography is followed by some miscellaneous notes dated 1855-1857, as well as a diary volume describing McMaster's life in Utah from 1882-1886. The diary volume also contains excerpts from "Brigham Young's Important Discourse on Priesthood," dated 1877.
MSS MFilm 00383
Autobiography of James McBride [microform] : 1876
Manuscripts
Microfilm of the typescript autobiography of James McBride, written in 1874 and 1876. McBride traces his genealogy and family history in Virginia and Ohio, describes his family's conversion to Mormonism, and recalls their moves throughout Missouri from 1834-1836. He gives a detailed account of his father's death in the Haun's Mill Massacre of 1838 and of his own examination of the area in the following weeks. McBride describes anti-Mormon sentiment in Missouri and his family's move to Illinois, where he rented a farm near Nauvoo in 1841. He writes of traveling westward in 1846, living in Iowa until 1850, and traveling overland to Utah (including inscribing his name on Chimney Rock). He then describes his life in Tooele and Grantsville, conflicts with Indians and the building of a fort in 1853-1854, and the Utah War. Includes table of contents and index.
MSS MFilm 00192
Autobiography of Edward Walker Clark [microform] : c.1820-1904
Manuscripts
Microfilm of Edward Walker Clark's autobiography, kept through 1904. Clark begins with describing his young adulthood in England, including working as an attendant for a wealthy family and as an apprentice carpenter. He traveled to London in 1840 and describes his conversion to Mormonism in 1847. He mentions working at a furniture store in 1848 before he and his family sailed to the United States on the ship Ellen. Clark arrived in Council Bluffs in 1851 and worked as a coffin maker for emigrants to the gold fields until 1852, when the Clarks traveled to Utah with the Henry Miller company (Clark's eldest daughter was killed by a wagon wheel during the trip). The Clarks settled in Provo, and in 1858 Clark was posted at Echo Canyon during the Utah War. He describes his 1874 mission to England, followed by notes on his life in Utah through 1904.
MSS MFilm 00094