Escape from Prosecution: Ralph Smith's Journal
The following journal was typed from a handwritten copy made by Elmire Smith Brown and typed by Bonnie Brown Young.
Ralph Smith was born June 24, 1835 at Reckington County, Durham, England. Ralph was the eldest son of Thomas Watkin Smith and Mary Usher Smith. he had three brothers George Usher, Edward, Thomas (Tommy). His father held a "good situation" as "overman and under viewer" at Etherly Collierys, Durham, England. He had held this position about six years, whenhe became acquainted with Henry Campbell, through business connected with his work. Mr. Campbell was a LDS missionary. After their business was transacted Elder Campbell taught them the Gospel. He made many visits to their house. Ralph's father was not baptized at that time, but his mother and he himself and brother Edward were on Jan 4, 1846. They were not confirmed until a month later.
Ralph's father invited all the people of the neighborhood to come to his home and hear the Elders preach the Gospel. Because he assisted the Elders to spread Mormonism, he lost his position and was persecuted by the people who didn't believe the Gospel. Ralph's father Thomas was baptized January 1, 1850, Thrislington, Durham County, by John McCaffery and confirmed January 6, 1850. He was ordained an Elder March 3, 1850. He was appointed President over the thrislington Branch and "labored zealously" to spread the gospel throughout the neighborhood.
July 1, 1852, Mr. Smith went to Australia with two of his (Irwin) nephews, since work was very slack for him since losing his good position and upon the advice of the Elders. He wanted to earn enough money to emigrate his family to America. The last word the fmaily had from him, he was in poor health and was about to go to the Hobert Town Hospital, in Tasmania, 170 miles from where he had been employed laying a rail-road, in the country. Inhis last letter he expressed his faith in the Gospel and desired his family to be faithful and pray for him in his troubles.
Ralph mentions his first marriage very casually. They had been married but four weeks, when he with his wife Hannah Dodds, mother and the rest of the family, left their home for Liberpool, arriving November 23, 1854, left their home for Liberpool, arriving November 23, 1854, and went aboard ship November 27th. They set sail on the 29th They wer blown back into the River Mercy, on account of a heavy gail and had to stay on because of the adverse winds. December 6, the Saints appointed a fast for 24 hours. They prayed for favorable winds and to prosper them on their journey. The next day, the winds changed and they were agina tugged out to sea. They landed at new Orleans, Jan. 11, 1855, and at Salt Lake September 6, 1855.
Ralph's Mother, brothers and sister, Ann, stayed in "the United States" until they could get an outfit. Ralph and his wife drove a team in a merchant train to Salt Lake since he hadn't "sufficient wisdom" in the use of their funds on such a long journey. His former employer had given him 20 pounds and a good recommend of character. he states that upon his arrival at Salt Lake, his wife left him. Her name isn't mentioned (in this copy, but is in other journal references) or what became of her (I've searched the net for her without success. There are a lot of Hannah Dodds.) A family source said she married ralph only to get to Salt Lake. They were divorced Jan. 12, 1856.
Work was hard to find especially where Rlaph could be with the Saints, attend meetings. He said "The testimony of the truth was with me, and the things I had passed through were of God and His ever ruling hand had been over me for good, knowing the blessings were in the church, for I had been healed from sickness and administered to others and seen them healed; had spoken in tounges and heard them interpreted and had interpreted for others, by the power of God. "
November 8, 1856 Ralph Smith married Hannah Hodgetts and went to live in the 11thWard in Salt lake City. He was called to be a teacher by Bishop Alexander McRae, magnified his calling and assisted in teh reformation.
Marchg 16, 1857, Ralph was ordained a Seventy apostle and made a member of the Seventh Quorum of Seventies. In the fall of the same year, he participated in the Echo Canyon campaign, "And tried to fill my place as a faithful officer."
April 25, 1859, Ralph left Salt lake City and came to Cache Valley, arriving at Maughn's Fort, May 1, 1859. A bridge was built over the Muddy River. About 30 families crossed the bridge and muddy bottoms. President Peter Maughn appointed John P. Wright, John Nelson and Israil J. Clark to survey the land. Each family to have an equal portion. Heavy travel in the early spring, mud, but most of the company went on to Summit Creek (now Smithfield).
May 9, 1859, the land was surveyed and on teh 11th, they commenced to plow and sow grain.
Brother Maughan sent word they had better bring their families back to the fort because of Indians. The men returned and finished putting in their crops, then surveyed a sight and finished putting in their crops. They surveyed a sight for a Fort and commenced getting out logs for the fort, houses and etc. By the middle of June a number of families had gathered to Logan to settle.
June 21, 1859 they heldthe first drawings for land for the settlers. Wright, Nelson and Clark again were in charge. John P. Wright was to receive tithing and butter which was sent to Maughan's Fort, then on to Salt Lake City.
A bowery for meeting purposes was built, and Peter Maughan called the people together. The men were organized into a company for self defense. Ralph was sustained as clerk for Logan and asked to write a sketch of their lives in Cache Valley. Sabbath meetings were held for some time in the bowery. He says they enjoyed themselves very much as a people.
September 6, 1859: Ralph's Mother and three brothers arrived in Logan, after crossing theplains. They were all in good health. His sister Ann remained at Salt lake City.
November 6, 1859: The Sacrament was administered for the first time at Logan, Utah. At this same meeting, they decided to build a school house.
November 11, 1859: The Logan Ward came into being. William B. Preston as bishop. Peter Maughan was sustained as President of the Cache Valley, then six settlements. After meeting, General West, of Ogden, organized the militia of the valley, and Ralph Smith his adjutant. All men able to bear arms were enrolled.
November 28, 1859: Commenced to build a log school house. The first meeting was held December 18, 1859. The people brought in their offerings for the poor.
January 10, 1860: The second son of Ralph and Hannah was born. He was the first male child born in Logan.
January 23, 1860: The first day of school was started in Logan. Edward W. Smith, Ralph's brother was the teacher.
January 25, 1860: Ralph cut his left knee very severly, while cutting timber in Green Canyon. He wrote "which caused me to lay on my bed until march 3 and some of the time it seemed that I must die after the inflammation set in my leg and fever in my body. Thanks to my Heavenly Father for bringing me through and the kindness of my brethren, Mother, Wife and Brothers.
March 11, 1860: Was able to attend meeting again, with the aid of crutches.
Many new settlers have come to Logan.
March 25, 1860: E. J. Benson came to Logan to settle as president of the valley. commenced to dig first water ditch on hill side.
April 3, 1860: Can now walk without crutches or cane.
April 29, 1860: First company of Minute Men organized. Thomas E. Ricks Captain.
May 18, 1860: The ditch was finished and water into town.
July 24, 1860: The Indians rushed into Logan because one of their members had been takenprisoner because he had killed some brethren at Smithfield. The settlers were prepared for them and the incident passed of without further trouble.
September 27, 1861 and agricultural fair was held in Logan.
October 1861: Commenced to log timber for the Logan Hall.
October 25, 1861: Received endowments for wife Hannah Hodgett and self. We are sealed for time and eternity, by President Daniel H. Wells.
February 16, 1862, the Hall completed and dedicated for meeting purposes. Logan Canyon road commenced, but a cloud burst washed both it and Green Canyon roads out.
December 13, 1862: Miss Emma Girdlestone (My great-great-grandmother) was sealed to me for time and eternity by Apostle Wilford Woodruff.
January 28, 1863: Col. Conner passed through Logan with 450 soldiers. On the 29th, on the north side of Bear River, north of Franklin, the soldiers attacked the Indians and took 150 ponies. This intervention was much needed by the people for they had been annoyed greatly by the Indians, having to guard their stock and out settlements all the time.
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