Comfort DAVIS - 1801 Newent and Mormon trek (General)

by unknown, Saturday, October 15, 2011, 14:33 (4795 days ago) @ mikedavies

Some of my ancestors born near Cliffords Mesne, Newent joined the Mormon trek to Salt Lake City in 1853. The two brothers William and Joseph Wadley were brought up as farm labourers but then went to work in Merthyr Tydfil in the coal mines. That is where they were converted to the Mormon faith. The Mormon prophets Brigham Young and Heber Kimball among others travelled extensively in England and Wales spreading their faith during that era.
The two brothers sailed from Liverpool to New Orleans then up the Mississippi to St Louis before making the overland trek.
There was (and still is, I believe) a perpetual fund which was used to aid the passage to USA in return for subsequent lifetime subscription to the fund by the recipient.
As another has written on this thread, the Chapel at Gadfield Elm was the very first of its kind for them when the United Brethren were absorbed in to the Mormon Church.
There are many stories and details about that time included in biographies that I have.
I am not a member of the LDS but admire their fortitude and determination in making those monumental journeys never to see their parents again.