​Journal of Ralph Smith
February 9th 1878
I here give a brief synopsis of my Father Thomas Watkins Smith who was born October 5th 1812 at Gateshead Lowfell in the County of Durham, England, the son of Ralph Smith and Ann Watkins.
Commencing at the year 1845, my Father held a good situation under Mr. William Elliot, a
Coal Viewer at Etherly Colliery’s County Durham England belonging to Henry Hobart Esq. At this place, my father was Overman and Under Viewer and had a great many men under his charge and had (been) overman upwards of six years at this time and place when a Priest of the Latterday Saints named Henry Campbell came to Father’s house to interview Father in regard to iron Stone as Witton Iron Works were about to be erected, and Mr. Campbell was hunting items in regard to ore for this projected iron Works Company. After attending to business, he then taught the Gospel to us and made repeated visits to Father’s House but was not able to lead Father to the waters of Baptism.
Yet, Mother and her two eldest children went on January 4th 1846 and were baptized. When the Elders George P. Waugh came to confirm us, February 1846, Father invited the whole neighbourhood to come and hear this Elder preach. (Father) opened his home for the Elders to preach the Gospel in and on account of his assisting to spread Mormonism, he loosed his situation and stirred the torrent of persecution which was hurled against him.
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January 1, 1850
Father was Baptized at Thrislington, Durham, England, by Elder John McCaffery and confirmed January 6th and on March 3rd 1850 was ordained an Elderly by elder John McCaffery and appointed President over the Thrislington Branch and laboured zealously to spread the Gospel throughout the Neighbourhood.
My Father went to Australia with two nephews who had sought him to go with them and the work being very slack where we resided, the Traveling Elders advised or counseled Father to go and help to raise means to emigrate his family and meet them at Salt Lake Valley which he did to a great extent. The last news we received from him, he was very ill or sick and about
to go to the Hobert Town Hospital 170 miles from the place he was living at in Tasmania where he had been in that county laying a rail. And the last word we had from Father, he expressed his faith in the gospel and desired us to be faithful and pray for him in his troubles which may our Heavenly Father over see for all our goods is my prayer.
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LOGAN CITY UTAH JANUARY 4, 1876
At this date having being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for thirty years. I desire to give a brief sketch from my Journal at the commencement of this Book, and in my weak way have tried to fill every office off trust called to perform holding both Priesthoods and acting from Deacon to Priest last named office ordained December 26th 1835. (I was) appointed a field of labor to which I gave much attention and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I led twelve persons to go and be baptized under my hands in the short space of three months.
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April 1st 1854
(I) was ordained an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by C.G. Webb at the Newcastle Upon Tyne Conference held at Sunderland County off Durham, England. The President of the Branch where I resided at Durham appointed me a new field of labor at Brumside and Cairville
April 9th 1854:
Notified the inhabitants of those places that I was coming to preach the Gospel to them and made appointments to preach April 14 which were faithfully attended to.
April 15
(I) went to my old field of labor and baptized one more person and assisted to confirm her a member in the Church April 16, 1654.
May 10th:
I had got two young men ready for baptism near home and Brother Mark Fletcher, a Traveling Elder came to our house and desired me to let him baptize them. On account of opposition and persecution they did not come forward to be confirmed members in the Church at this time. We had a Mr. Theobald lecturing against Mormonism and two apostates join in with him. Their names James Neesham and John Hughes.
I continued my duties as an Elder and filled my appointments but was not able to lead any more to Baptism while I stayed in England but have the satisfaction knowing that I did my duty in bearing testimony to the truth of the Gospel and teaching its principles wherever I had opportunity. Likewise, with Mother
(Mary Usher Smith) had kept our house a home for the traveling Ministry,
so that the principles of the Gospel might be taught that those, what would, could obey, but few would listen to the servants of God.
(Note: About October 22, 1854, Ralph married the first time)
November 19, 1854
Myself and wife (Hannah Dodds) and Mother with the rest of the family left our home (I may say I had being married four weeks) and arrived at Liverpool.
November 23, 1854:
Went aboard the Ship.
November 27, 1854:
Set sail.
November 29, 1854:
Were back in the River Mercy on account of a heavy gail
and had to stay on account of contrary winds.
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December 6, 1854:
We, the Saints, appointed a fast for twenty-four hours to
call upon our Heavenly Father to prosper us on our journey.
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December 7, 1854:
The wind changed, and we were again tugged out to sea and landed in New Orleans on the 11th of January 1855.
September 6, 1855:
Arrived at Great Salt Lake City, Utah. Mother and brothers and sister having stayed in the United States until they could get an outfit, I driving team in a merchant train to get myself and wife here on account of not having wisdom enough to use our names aright to come so long a journey on leaving my situation to come to this country my Master gave me twenty
pounds a good recommend or character. On arriving here, my wife left me,
and looking ‘round for work that I desired to work at, the chances were slim except to go with the U.S. Surveyors and not very much chance at that until the next spring would come. So I determined to take hold of anything that
presented itself that I thought I could do and keep where I could attend the meetings for the testimony of the truth was with me, and the things that I had passed through were of God, and His every ruling hand had being over me for good knowing the blessings were in the Church for I had being healed from sickness and had administered to others and seeing them healed. Had been able to speak in tongues and heard them interpreted and being able to
interpret tongues by the power of God myself and had enjoyed the Holy Spirit and sought the Lord’s blessing to be with me for which I can truly testify it has being over me.
January 3rd 1856: Went to live with John Sharp and hired to him for six months, passed through the scarcity and suffered not. Labouring on the canal and in
the quarries and wherever desired to work and appointed an acting teacher in the 18th ward of Salt Lake city November 8th 1856.
I married Hannah Hodgetts and went to live in the 11th Ward of Salt lake City, and on Dec. 28th 1856 was called to be a teacher in that ward by Bishop Alexander McRae and as such sought to faithfully magnify my calling. And participated in the reformation march 3 1857 was Rebaptized with my wife and many others.
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March 15th 1857:
Ordained a Seventy Apostle by Benjamin Clapp and others in the Seventys Council Hall Salt Lake City and received and made a member of
the Seventh Quorum of Seventys. In the fall of the same year, participated in
the Echo Canyon Campaign and tried to fill my place as a faithful officer.
1858: Moved as far south as Payson. Helped to move many things belonging to the Church from Brigham City and salt lake city to Provo and back again to
Salt Lake City where I brought my family back to and stayed over winter.
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April 25th 1859:
Left Salt Lake City for Cache Valley
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May 1st 1859:
Arrived at Maughan Fort, now Wellsville.
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May 2nd and May 3rd 1859:
We built a bridge over the Muddy River which was very high with the spring rains and a large company had gathered. Near thirty families crossed the bridge and muddy bottoms and when we got on the rising ground. Brother Peter Maughan came and appointed a committee of three:
John P. Wright, John Nelson and Israil J. Clark for the purpose of seeing the
land surveyed and each to have their equal portion and attend to all public matters for the company. We then proceeded on our journey, yet it was very heavy traveling as the snow was not quite all gone.
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May 7th 1859:
Brother Maughan wished us to stay at Logan but the most of the company desired to go to Summit Creek now Smithfield and some got there
that night, but others did not reach until the evening of the 8th inst on
account of the mud or heavy traveling.
May 9th 1859:
We commenced to survey the land.
May 11th 1859:
Commenced to plow and sow.
May 12th 1859:
Some of the families left and went back to different places
which caused us to alter our field and through some of the best land out.
May 25th 1859:
Bro. Peter Maughan sent us word that it was wisdom for us to move our families to their fort on account of Indians. We started that evening and camped near Logan.
May 28th 1859:
We commenced to build a bridge across Black Smith Fork River.
May 29th 1859:
Finished it and went over to Maughan Fort. The majority left their families and went back to finish putting in their crops.
June 6, 1859:
Most of those who had put crops in at Summit Creek gathered on the banks of Logan. Had a fort surveyed off and got logs for houses etc.
And before the middle of June 1859, a number of families had gathered to
Logan to settle.
June 21st 1859:
The first drawing for pieces of land was got up for the first Settlers.
July 3, 1859 (Sunday):
We had made a bowery for meeting purposes. Bishop
Peter Maughan came to see us. Had a meeting called. Read a letter he had received from President Young. Appointed John P. Wright, John Nelson and
Israil J. Clark a committee to give out land, and John P. Wright to receive
tithing, butter etc. and forward to Maughan’s Fort to be forwarded to Salt
Lake city and called on Brother I.J. Clark to organize the brethren into companies for self defense which was attended to the same evening.
June 10th 1859:
At a meeting a council was called by the brethren and the High Priests chose Brother Dilley for their President. And the Seventies desired myself to preside over them for the time being. It was moved and sustained
that the High Priest hold meetings on one Sunday afternoon and the Seventies the following. Brother Israil J. Clark moved that the Logan Precinct Stakes be stuck which sustained and also moved that I be clerk for Logan and write a sketch of our travels in Cache Valley. And that we open the Canyon North of Logan and some rules were adopted for the Canyon July 27th. Lots to build
a fort on were drawn for. Sabbath meetings were held regular for some length
of time in the bowery. The appointed committee presiding on the forepart of
the day, the High Priests in the after part and Seventies, the next Sabbath afternoon enjoying themselves much as a people.
September 6th 1859: My Mother and three Brothers came here having crossed the Plains that season, all in good health. My sister (Ann Smith Warren) stayed
in Salt Lake City.
October 30th 1859:
3 o’clock p.m., President Peter Maughan came to Logan. Called a Seventys meeting according to President Joseph Young’s request. Organized the Seventys Mass quorum for this side of Cache Valley. Israil J. Clark for President Ebenezer Landers and A.T. Caldwell his counselors and Ralph Smith, clerk.
November 6th 1859:
The Sacrament was administered for the first time in Logan, and, at the same meeting, the brethren agreed to start and build a school house.
November 13th 1859:
Attended an outdoor meeting at Maughan’s Fort when the place was renamed by Orson Hyde. E.T. Benson and all present and William Maughan appointed Bishop of Wellsville.
November 14th 1859:
Orson Hyde, E.T. Benson and Lorenzo snow of the Twelve Apostles and President Peter Maughan and organized Logan Ward. Appointed and ordained and set apart William B. Preston (as) bishop. Also ordained
Thomas E. Ricks, Ebenezer landers, John E. Jones and John Nelson members
of the High Council and Peter Maughan was sustained as President of Cache Valley then six settlements. After meeting, General West of Ogden organized
the Militia of the Valley. Appointed Israil J. Clark major for this side of the
Valley and Ralph Smith his adjutant. (He) sent us to work enrolling all able to bear arms in at Logan and the north settlements. We sent in our report to Colonel West.
November 28th 1859: We commenced to build the log school house.
December 8, 1859: Bishop Preston called six teachers to visit the stakes as
ward teachers. Brother Joel Ricks, their presiding teacher; Thomas E. Ricks, John B. Thatcher, John E. Jones, Morgan Evans, John Nelson and Ebenezer Landers.
December 18th 1859:
We held our first meeting in the log school house and Deacon’s Quorum was called. Brother henry Ballard appointed president over it.
January 5, 1860:
We held our first fast meeting and brought in our offerings for the poor.
January 19, 1860:
Our second son, born. The first male child in Logan.
January 22, 1860:
The first day (of) school in Logan was started in our school house. Edward W. Smith (Ralph’s brother) teacher.
January 23, 1860:
Brother I.J. Clark, myself and others went to Providence and preached in the forepart of the day and in the after part held a Seventies revival meeting.
January 25, 1860:
I cut my left knee very severely while cutting timber in Green Canyon which caused me to lay on my bed until the third of March and some
of the time it seemed that I must die after the inflammation set in my leg and fever in my body. But, thanks to my Heavenly Father for bringing me through, and the kindness of my brethren, especially Father Brownell who was so kind
in his administrations. Likewise, my dear wife and mother and brothers.
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March 11, 1860:
Able to attend meeting by the aid of crutches.
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March 13, 1860:
Jesse W. Fox surveyed the Logan City Plot. Bishop William B. Preston gave out the city lots and much land to new Settlers that flocked here.
March 25th, 1860: E.T. Benson came to Logan to settle as President of this
Valley, and the people turned out en masse and fenced in his city lot, and I
dug a well for him.
March 27th, 1860:
We commenced to dig the first water ditch on the hill side known as the Logan and Hyde Park Canal.
April 2nd, 1860:
We built Peter Maughan a log house on his lot and, shortly after, he moved from Wellsville as Presiding Bishop of Cache Valley.
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April 3rd, 1860:
Attended meetings and enjoyed myself. Can walk without crutches or stick.
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April 5th, 1860:
Attended Fast Meeting accompanied by my wife and blessed my second son Ralph H. Smith.
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April 29th, 1860:
The first Minute Mens Company was organized, Thomas E. Ricks, Captain.
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May 15th, 1860:
Bros henry Ballard and James Harmison measured off the first field fence from Logan to Hyde Park, and it was finished during the summer. Likewise West Field fenced.
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May 18th, 1860:
We finished our side Hill Ditch and got the water into town.
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June 14th 1860:
E.T. Benson was elected Colonel of Cache Valley Militia.
July 24th 1860:
The Indians rushed into Logan much excited because we had taken on of their number as a prisoner for killing some brethren at Smithfield, but the citizens of Logan was all in readiness for them, and it all eased off without any trouble.
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Oct. 6th 1860:
At Salt Lake city attended General Conference.
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1860 passed away, paid my tithing, also back areas of tithing and took two city lots on the head of my farm. Moved my house or cabin and stock yards. Logan having spread to quite a town.
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February 19th 1861:
The first call was made for teams and teamsters to go to the Missouri River after the Emigration Saints.
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April 10th 1861:
The teams started out of Logan, five in number.
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April 14th 1861:
Logan City was divided into four wards with presidents over
each ward: B.M. Lewis, President over the First Ward: Henry Ballard, President over the Second Ward; John B. Thatcher, President over Third Ward; Thomas
H. Smith, President over the Fourth Ward.
In September, Bishop Preston called on myself and Brother Edward to make four thousands adobies which were made. Also called on the Brothers. Adam who responded to his call and Swen Carlson and John E. Jones for tithing office.
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September 27th 1861:
An Agricultural Fair was held in Logan. Seth M. Blair, President.
October 1st, 1861:
The Timber was commenced to be got for Logan Hall.
October 25th 1861:
At Salt lake City with my wife and received our Endowments and sealed together for Time and Eternity by President Daniel H. Wells.
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February 16th 1862:
The Hall was so far completed as to be dedicated and used for meeting purposes.
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March 1862:
The Logan Canon Waggon Road was commenced to be worked.
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June 15th 1862:
A cloud burst and washed out Logan and Green Canon Roads.
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December 13th 1862:
Miss Emma Girdlestone was sealed to me for Time and Eternity by Apostle Wilford Woodruff at Salt Lake City. (Emma is my second great-grandmother).
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January 28, 1863:
Colonel Conner passed through Logan with 450 soldiers and
on the 29th went on the North side of Bear River North of Franklin and
attacked the Indians in their camp for bout four house and killed 200 Indians and took 150 ponies. It was much needed for us as a people or some other intervention of our Heavenly Father for they had been a great annoyance to us as a people in causing us to stand guard over our stock and our out settlements.
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April 19, 1863:
Bishop William B. Preston started back on the plains after the Emigration as Captain of Cache Valley Company of 50 teams, 11 from Logan during this month, Joseph Hodgetts, my wife Hannah’s brother and wife left Logan for California. (Joseph Hodgetts) who was very careful to leave his standing good in the Church.
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September 13, 1863:
Captain Preston and company got home again. In August of this year, went to the North to Virginia city Idaho Territory. Sold my load of Provisions, worked a spell returned home near Christmas. Late in December, went to Salt Lake City with my wife Hannah. Did our trading and returned home.
Feb. 5th 1864:
Hannah Hodgetts Smith, my wife, was confined of a daughter,
her fourth child. After the birth of the child, she took the childbed fever and
died on the ninth day the child been eight days and a few hours old February
13, 1864. Aged 25 years, eight months, 30 days, having been a faithful and affectionate wife and loving mother for seven years, three months (and) five days to await a glorious resurrection having being a martyr as it were with all her child bearing more or less.
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Sept. 19th 1863:
I had a son born when from hom named Frederick Girdlestone Smith.
Ralph Smith and Hannah Hodgetts were married at Salt Lake City on
November 8th 1856 by Bishop John Sharp at his house.
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October 25th 1861
Had our endowments and sealed together by President D. H. Wells.
Ralph Smith, son of Thomas Smith and Mary Usher. Ralph was born
June 24th 1835, at Rackington County of Durham England.
Hannah Hodgetts, daughter of John Hodgetts and Mary Ann Stuart. Hannah
was born May 14th 1838 in Kates Hill Dudley Worestershire England and
died Feb 13th 1864 in Logan, Utah.
Ralph and Hannah’s children are: Thomas Hodgetts Smith born January 10th 1858 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ralph H. Smith, January 10, 1860, Logan City, Utah, Mary Ann H. Smith
January 31, 1862; and Hannah H. Smith Feb. 5, 1864, died Feb. 21, 1865 in Logan, Utah.
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Feb. 5th 1864:
Hannah Hodgetts Smith, my wife, was confined of a daughter, her fourth child. After the birth of the child, she took the childbed fever and died on the ninth day the child been eight days and a few hours old February 13, 1864. Aged 25 years, eight months, 30 days, having been a faithful and affectionate wife and loving mother for seven years, three months (and) five days to await a glorious resurrection having being a martyr as it were with all her child bearing more or less.
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February 26th 1864:
President E.T. Benson started on his mission to the Sandwich Islands.
April 16th 1864:
Bishop William B. Preston was called again as Captain of 50 Teams from Cache box Elder and Weber Counties for the emigration and started out with six teams from Logan. In the latter part of June, Bro. E.T. Benson got home from the Sandwich Islands.
Sept. 19th 1864:
Captain Preston and company got home again. During this
year, we had two children blessed, Hannah (Hannah Hodgett’s daughter) and Frederick (Girdlestone Smith, Emma’s son), and I was rebaptized July 3rd by James Harmison and in the later part of the year, we had a good deal of
sickness amongst the little ones especially little Hannah. Likewise, I had the foundation of my house laid and the walls built up to the square off adobies.
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January 1st 1865:
Settled my Tithing and went and cut timber and slide logs for Logan Tabernacle of which a vast amount off was got. After the Tabernacle company had got what they
desired. I, with my Bro. George went up the same slide, got what finished the back apartments of my house.
Feb. 21st 1865:
My little child (Hannah Hodgetts) died which was sick more than five months. Likewise all the rest had passed through quite a sickness. During Early Spring, the Logan and Richmond Canal was commenced and by the first of June had it completed to Hyde Park. But great care was
necessary to keep the water from tearing out the hillside to which labor Bros Maughan and Preston desired at my hand.
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May 18th 1865:
Bishop William b. Preston and others from Logan started on a mission to Europe. Three weeks previous to this date, we had moved into the back apartments of our new
house and on this same date, I had a daughter born unto me.
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May the 18th
This season had ten acres of small grain taken by crickets and grass hoppers,
part of it planted the second time, but with the same result. Also three acres badly frostbiting in August.
August 4th 1865:
A Brigade was organized for Cache Valley, and E.T. Benson was appointed General. Thomas E. Ricks, William Maughan and Alvin Crockett were appointed Colonels with
a full quote of staff officers and majors, and company pretty much filled out. Also during this month, John B. Thatcher, George Watson and Ralph Smith were appointed Trustees of the Second Ward School District. The wells of a school house were reared the same fall.
December 2nd 1865:
A City Police of 100 men was organized to guard the city and be on the lookout. I among the number.
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