WILLIAM HEMMING Born June 8, 1927 Arrived in Utah August 27, 1860 101 HISTORY OF WILLIAM HEMMING HANDCART PIONEER William Hemming was born June 8, 1827 in Hooknorton, Oxfordshire, England to John Hemming and Sarah Embra. When only a boy he went as an apprentice for a carriage painter. Later he moved to Stratford-on-Avon, Worwichshire, England. Here he became acquainted with a young lady by the name of Emma Sanford and they were married August 31, 1851. It was at Stratford-on-Avon where he heard missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints preach the gospel and became interested in their church, which he joined on November 16, 1852. Like many others he was anxious to come to America, so on November 27, 1855 he with his wife and two daughters left Liverpool with a group of Saints for America, sailing on the ship "Emerald Isle", landing in New York two months later, January 2, 1856. They stayed in New York until May 6, 1860. After arriving in New York he took the vocation of painter and Glazier. Their youngest daughter died at Williamsburg, New York. Later a boy was born to them, but he died the same day. Another daughter was born on June 10, 1859 at Williamsburg, New York. On May 6, 1860 they left by rail for St. Joseph, Missouri and from there to Florence, Nebraska by boat. There they joined the Daniel Robison Handcart Company for the long walk across the plains. The following is taken from William Hemming's trip across the plains: "They were ready to commence the trip June 6, 1860, but a thunder storm came up and stopped them, so they started the next day, with 43 carts and 4 wagons loaded with provisions. They traveled 100 miles and came to the Pawnee River where the Pawnee Indains lived. They were ferried across the river and camped a short distance from the river. Brother Joseph W. Young came with 50 wagons and teams. While getting ready for the evening meal a thousand Indians came on horseback on their way to fight the Pawnee Indians. After pulling camp they traveled until they reached the Lacorn River, a big rain storm came up making the roads very muddy and hard pulling, but when it dried up traveling was fairly good. When they reached Wood River they were fortunate to have buffalo meat. After many days of traveling they reached Chimney Rock in Wisconsin. From here they had to travel through sand two or three inches deep. After they got out of the sand traveling was fairly good and they finally reached the Platte River. There were a great many buffalo, some deer and antelope here. They had to wade all the creeks until they reached Fort Laramie. Here they bought some corn meal to help out with the provisions. Later on as they were traveling they came upon many grasshoppers as large as a persons thumb. They reached South Pass where the water runs both ways. This is the highest point on the continent. They traveled another 15 miles and reached Green River and were ferried across. The next day they passed Devil's Gate and came to Fort Bridger. Here they camped for the night. Men from Salt Lake met them and helped them over Bear River and down through Echo Canyon until they reached Henefer where they camped one day. Borhter Hennefer gave them some potatoes. The next day they traveled up the divide to Canyon Creak and camped for the ni:;ht. The next sorning they traveled up Big Mountain. A man who was living on the top of the mountain sent an Indian down with seven yoke of oxen to pull the carts to the top of the mountain. They camped at the foot of the other side of the mountain over night and the next morning they commenced to ascend the Little 102 Mountain and reached the bottom the next day. They arrived in Salt Lake on August 27, 1860. All were well and only one child was buried during the entire journey." They lived in Salt Lake with Colonel Jesse C. Little's family for one year, then came to Morgan County where they lived on Colonel Jesse C, Little's fans for two years. They moved to Richville or Monday Twon, as it was then called, where they resided for about three years. Then they moved to South Morgan where they lived the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of nine children. He bought a farm which he operated successfully. He always had a nice garden, raising his own tomato and water melon plants. Before a grist mill was built in Morgan he would walk over the mountains to a place called the "Hog's Back" carrying a sack of grain on his shoulder, for which he got flour to bring back. He also worked at painting and masonery. He held the office of City Councilman for two years. He was a diligent church worker, was ordained a High Priest on January 10, 1870 and in 1900 became president of his quorum. He was ordained a Patriarch on June 1912, by Apostle Orsen F. Whitney, which he held at the time of his death on January 10, 1916 at the age of 89 years. By - Ella Hemming His granddaughter