A Short History of this letter. The following document was found amongst the papers of David D. Marchant, my father. Family rumor says that this letter was found amongst his grandmother’s things. This grandmother likely received it from her mother, who received it from her mother, whose father was John Briggs. (The Recipient of this letter).
It would
appear that A.P. Shumway was the man who first presented John Briggs with the Latter-day
Saint church as an LDS Missionary in England.
John Briggs
resided in Over Darwen, Lancashire, England. This city is mentioned in the
following letter. John Briggs and his wife Ann did not emigrate to the United States.
However, all of their children took that journey between 1873 and 1878. John Briggs has
several thousand descendants alive today, most of which live in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and
California.
The owner of
this document, Bradley Marchant, transcribed this letter and tried to explain it as well
as possible.
My
comments, spelling corrections, etc. are in Brackets.
Page 1 (image)
Kaysville Feb 27 1872
Davies County, Utah Territory
US America
Elder John Briggs
My Dear Brother in the Lord and in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, It is with great pleasure that I take my Pen at this time to write you a few lines hoping they will find you and Family all well. Has the Leave us at this time for which blessing I feel to thank God my Heavenly Father, although my Health has been very Poor most Part of this winter. It is much improved at this time for which I feel to thank God my Heavenly Father and has. My Stay in Scotland was much shorter then Expected on account of my ill Health. I had not time to visit you in Person. I thought I would drop you a few Lines to Let you know how I feel towards you and the Great Latter
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Latter day work my Breathren [Brethren] and Sisters in Over Darwin. [Darwen] I feel now how I fealt [felt] when I was with you it in the kingdom of God with me as Nothing the short time I was in. You might I did I did the beast I know and tould you the truth has it was in Christ Jesus. I could not do much at Preaching but I did the beast [best] I could to Roll on the work of the Lord in my humble way. I have borne my testimony faithfully and warned Saints and siner [sinner] that the Comeing [Coming] of Christ was nigh at hand the day and the hour no man knowest. I warned you and and all the Saints were ever [wherever] my Lot was cast diligently to come out of Babylon lest you be partaken of his sins and Receive of his Plagues and father yourselves with the People of God to the Land of Zion to Assist in building up the kingdom of God on the Earth and Prepare yourselves for the Reception of Jesus Christ
Page 3 (image)
When he cometh to Reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his Ancients gloriously and although I am now in my mountain Home, Allow me my Breathren [Brethren] and Sisters Again to warn and Eschort [Escost] you and all People in whos [whose] hands this may fall to take warning. Repent [and] Prepare to meet your king and your Redeemer. Gather to Zion that you may Escape the Judgments of God that are Coming upon the Nations for the hour of God’ s Judgements [Judgments] is Come. Then my Dear Breathren [Brethren] and Sisters do all in your Powers to healp [help] yourselves. And the Lord has Promised to healp [help] them that healp [help] themselves and I hope soon to see many of you in the Land of Zion. Were [Where] I shall have the Pleasure of Bidding you welcome to that happy Land. And believe me there is one who whatever may be his circumstances will still Extend
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Extend a cheerful and willing hand to all whom I may have the Pleasure of meeting there in Zion. But again my Breathren [Brethren] and Sisters Let me Return unto you my heart fealt [felt] thanks for all your kindship [kinship] to me while I was with you. For believe me my Breathren [Brethren] and Sisters I loved your society and although we are fare [far] apart you are dear to my heart. I have seen your tails* and your hard Labours and appreciation, and my heart has mourned over your afflictions. I Love you because of your sincerity in Receiving the Masage [Message] of truth which God sent his humble servents [servants] to Proclaim. I Love you for your strong desire to work Righteously and hearken to the Counsels of the servants of God who are sent in your midst from time to time. And I feel to say in my heart Oh my Father Look upon these my Breathren [Brethren] and Sisters who have surely toiled these
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While a Stranger in a strange Land to do my Master’s bidding that prompts me thus to write to you--- My final exortation [exhortation] to you and Mother is to settle up your business. Sell your Goods and Chattle and go to Zion. But if you cannot bear to leave the Land of your birth yourselves and prefer stoping [stopping] till God’s judgments fall uppon [upon] this Nation for his wickedness and abomination. Send your Children all that will go, that they may Escape the distress that will shortly make its appearance for it is better that part should be saved than all be lost--- I cannot in justice to my own feelings close this brief letter without again thanking you
Page 6 (image)
and Mother And all the family for your great kindness to me for which
I pray the Lord to reward you.
Please accept my undiing [undying] love for yourself and family with an affectionate
farewell.
And May God bless you with Eyes to see, And a heart to understand. And realize your true
position as the Father of a family, A Servant of God. And an Elder in Israel which is the
prayer of Your Brother in the Gospel
A.P. Shumway
(Good by)
*Tails in this definition may mean an
interruption. According to an old definition of the word. Source: American Dictionary of The
English Language, published
by Noah Webster in 1828. A facsimile reprint was used to clarify the use and definition of
this word.
Although not
a Shumway myself, I feel very honored and privileged in helping the Shumway family by
sharing of this letter.
SPECIAL NOTICE: The materials found on this web page are the property of Bradley Marchant, Olean, NY and may be freely copied and further distributed provided there is no charge for the material beyond the usual cost of photocopying. The material, as presented, may not appear in any other work where a fee is charged for that material in whole or in part. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact Bradley D. Marchant at Dean5779@aol.com or AncestorBoy@hotmail.com. The purpose of this rule is to make sure the material remains free.