On my mother’s side I descend from a long line of Latter-day Saint pioneers. I wrote about two of them back in 2018, Robert and Seviah Egbert. Their daughter, Sarah Catherine married William Joseph Despain in 1874. This was William’s second marriage. His first wife, Ann, passed away in 1872 leaving him with three children ranging in age from 3 to 6. William and Sarah would go on to have an astonishing 13 more children.
The lives of my pioneer ancestors fascinate me. Honestly, the lives of any of my ancestors fascinate me. I wish I knew more about all of them. It is remarkable to think that I am the latest story in a long history of stories. Stories that range from triumphant to sad. As I learn about those that came before me I do my best not to judge.
Life is hard. Catching glimpses of the lives they led is exciting while occasionally disconcerting. Such as a few stories from the life of my great grandfather from my father’s side, George Andrew McDonald. His time in WWI is heart breaking. The period right afterward doesn’t seem to get much better for him. Still, he managed to find love enough with someone, with just as difficult a past, to produce a single child. She would go on to be my grandmother. The little windows into the lives of our ancestors captivate me. I want to know their stories. I want to sit down and relive the joy and the sorrow with each of them. Obviously, that is not possible at the moment. Yet, maybe there are ways to make some connections.
William was just 18 when his family left Florence, Nebraska by wagon for the Great Salt Lake Valley. It was 1861. This would have been the tail end of pioneer emigration to the Valley. Just a few months earlier the American civil war began. Less than a decade later the railroad would reach the valley. The Saints had been making the journey for more than 15 years when they set out. It was an established route by this time. Still, it must have been a phenomenal journey. As well as desperately boring at times. It would have been an adventure! Thankfully the David H. Cannon company appointed Bartlett Tripp as the company clerk. He kept a fairly faithful daily journal of their approximately 890 mile (1425 km) exodus. From it we learn that Solomon and Ruth Despain, their six children (including William), and a family friend Susan Dean, headed to the valley with 2 oxen, 2 cows, 2 horses, and 2 wagons. I think I’d like to tag along.
I’m training for a few ultra-marathons this summer. I can’t think of a better training plan than to run the same daily distance as this pioneer company travelled. I’m going to try and post Tripp’s daily entry on this blog. They are generally short, and where they are not, I’ll pair them down a bit. I’ll also put in a few lines about my run for the day. I am going with my grandparents to the promised land!
They set out well and truly on June 1st, 1861. They were a little delayed from Tripp’s first entry of May 19th due to a dispute between the local sheriff and a member of the party, William Wilcox. The Sheriff had rounded up some cattle that William claimed were his. The pending trial kept the company encamped at “Deep Springs,” about 1.5 miles from the initial Florence camp. But let’s allow Tripp to tell the tale:
May 19, 1861
Dance in camp in the evening seemed to afford much pleasure to the participants, who consisted not only of members of company but many of their friends come out to bid Members adieu.
Thursday morning finds ours a busy camp. All are preparing for their long journey across the American Plains. The little camp presents a varied appearance. Families from many nations are now assembled in one great family. Some are in want. some in plenty—some happy—others, alas are never so—what a variety of characters have already exhibited themselves!
All have been busy during the forenoon making their preparations for departure—camp broke up about 1. P.M. and came out about 1½ miles to Deep Springs then we went into camp again. Plenty of good water. Green Sumac wood—Three new wagons came into came tonight from Florence. Sheriff came in to claim some cattle from the loose herd—Wm. Wilcox owner of the stock will not allow his to be taken without trial.
Today is May 20, 2024. I ran a half marathon today (21.1 km). I’m ready to run with these saints. I’ll try to keep up. My rendering of Tripp’s journal will be cleaned up some. For a more faithful transcription you can view it directly on the Church History Biographical Database.
Feel welcome to join me if you like. More the merrier. I love Tripp’s description of the party, “families from many nations… assembled in one great family. Some are in want. Some in plenty – some happy – others, alas are never so…” I’m going to the promised land and I’ll be singing all the way. If you’d like to join me in the fun here is the daily travel schedule.
The file is an Excel document. Where mileage is in red it is because Tripp failed to record the actual distance travelled. You’ll note all those instances are 12 miles. I chose twelve as that is the average daily distance of those recorded. Given that a half marathon is 13.1 miles, this is going to be a challenge. Personally, I’m not going to fuss over going exactly the distance they travelled. I might make some miles up on days they didn’t get far and my ultras are bound to throw me out in front. The point is to get to know these saints a little better.
My journey, like theirs, will begin on June 1st.
MacAdventures.ca 
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