Building The Approaches And Foundation 27

We left a beautiful home (in P.E.l.). My grandfather (John Maxfield, Sr.) owning land four miles around, making lumber and rafting it down the river; and also farming; the timber being so thick they made slow progress planting mostly with the hoe. The winters were extremely cold. The snow fell so deep it would cover the houses. [I was the custom to take the shovel in the house at night so we could shovel our way out in the morning. The spring weather was lovely and one of the most beautiful places in summer..

We left our home in June... on way to Utah sold everything but one horse, his favorite horse, and went to a town on the St. Lawrence, stayed there one week sailed up the St. Lawrence River, through the Great Lakes to Chicago. Then overland to Council Bluffs arriving too late to catch the last company of emigrants who came to Utah in 1850.

Our outfit consisted of 9 yoke of oxen and cows, one span of horses and four wagons. We travelled 18 to 20 miles a day. One child being born on the way...at Sweet Water, Wyoming, laying over only two days. When we crossed the Missouri River my brother Jesse was drowned. He was going down to get something to eat for a sick brother and slipped on a plank. Boats were lowered but he never came in sight. His hat was seen later. The sick brother died and was buried on the bank of the Missouri River a few days after the brother drowned. We arrived at Salt Lake September 15 and wintered near Murray. Our Captain’s name was Abraham Day. Each ten had a captain under him which was essential as each ten took their turn in standing guard against the Indians, gathering in the cattle and other duties required around the camp.

Two families in the group did not complete the caravan trip to Utah. Their journey ended at Council Bluffs, Iowa probably due to sickness. William Maxfield died one month after the caravan arrived there leaving a widow and five young children. A few months later Richard Maxfield and his thirteen year old son died also. In later years some members of these families completed the journey and resided in Utah.

John Ellison Maxfield, true to his convictions received his en- dowments and was ordained an elder. He was made a priest and served in the Salt Lake Temple until the time of his death.

Information for this article was from the Maxfield History, compiled by Alice M. Johnson andfrom a copy ofa section of the Diary of Wilford Woodruff, supplied by Mr. Jeffery 0. Johnson, Historical Departmenl, 50 East North Temp/e Salt Lake City. Utah, U. S.A.