Pioneer 1868 ship “ Emerald Isle  “

 Anne Shill Bird married Andrew Bird

 

Tny in stature, but great in heart was "Granny" Bird. Although she had undergone many trials and great hardships in her own life, she was always cheerful and ready to give encouragement and help to others. Everyone loved her, young and old. Anne Shill Bird was born January 21, 1823, at Syde, Gloucestershire, England. Her father was Robert Chappell Shill and her mother was Prudence Golding. She was one of a family of twelve. When the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to England preaching the Gospel to the people, many accepted and were baptized. Among them were Anne Shill and her family: her father, mother, sisters and brothers. Anne joined the Church on February 6, 1848, at Caudle Green.

When Anne was 27 years old she met and fell in love with Andrew Bird, son of Richard and Phoebe Norton Bird. They were married December 8, 1850 at the Parish Church in the Parish of Syde in the county of Gloucester.

May 25, 1851 a baby daughter was born to Andrew and Anne. They named her Elizabeth. In 1853, on the 13th of August, another daughter was born to them, and they named her Ann.

On September 29, 1855, Phebe was born. On January 21, 1859 another daughter, Mary Marie was added to the family. Hiram was born June 7, 1861 and Mary Louisa, September 27, 1864. Tragedy struck the family the following year when on September 8, 1865 Phebe was taken ill with diphtheria and died at the age of ten years. A week later Elizabeth died of the same disease.

One day Andrew was walking past a church which was being built when he saw a group of boys pull some pegs from under a scaffold. A few minutes later a man started to get onto the scaffold. Andrew called to him and told him of his danger. The man was a minister and was so grateful to Andrew that he gave him a Bible on the first page of which was written, "Presented to Andrew Bird by Thomas Wolstencroft, Rector of Syde, Gloucester church in grateful remembrance of the kind manner in which he pointed out the great danger to which I was exposed when removing a portion of the scaffolding of the new Rectory, November 28, 1866."

The Bird family was very kind to the Mormon Elders and they were welcomed into their home at any time. One Elder in particular seemed to be their favorite; he was Elder Charles W. Penrose. They confided in him and he helped them in many ways. He often stayed with them for a week at a time. To converts who are active, a desire seems to grow in their hearts. This desire is the Spirit of Gathering into one great body, to be with the Saints in the Rocky Mountains. This was the desire of the Birds. They received a setback when the father's health failed and they had to rely on the support of the community.
 

Financial Help From Brother to Immigrate

Finally George Shill, brother of Anne, sent sufficient money to bring them across the water. On the 20th of June, 1868 they set sail on the Emerald Isle for America. Captain Gillespie was in charge of the boat which was crowded to the fullest capacity. At this time Andrew was 39 years of age, Anne, 45 years; Ann, 15 years; Mary, 9 years; Hiram, 7 years; and Emma, 4 years. Also on the boat were Richard Shill, 58 and his wife Phoebe, 53. Richard was a brother of Anne. George Beard who later resided in Coalville, Utah, and a friend, Mr. Kimber were also on the boat. Due to the crowded quarters most of the family was sick during the crossing. The boat had to rely on the wind to sail it, and many times the winds were contrary so that they were driven back over the same course they had already traveled. Water became scarce, and sea water was used for domestic purposes. Richard who was by trade an expert glass blower, died on the way over and was buried at sea. They finally reached New York harbor in September, 1868.
 

Upon landing, they were taken through the Customs and Emigration office. All the family, except Andrew, were taken to the hospital on Ellis Island. They were not given very good care while in this institution and almost starved to death. They also suffered from Cholera Morbus. They had been at the institution two weeks when the baby, Emma Louisa, age four, passed from this earthly existence on her birthday.

One day Mr. Kimber, the friend who accompanied them across the ocean, visited them. He brought and gave to Anne Bird a watch, chain, knife and a few articles. She exclaimed, turning pale, "Why, these are Drew's. Where is he? The Lord will care for the homeless and the widowed," said Mr. Kimber, looking at her with tears in his eyes. He then related this story: As soon as Andrew saw his wife and children placed in the hospital, he went to an office where he was supposed to receive some money to help them across the plains. When he inquired for his money, the clerk informed him there was none for him. Fearful and heartbroken Andrew left the office without speaking. The next Mr. Kimber heard was of his death, probably caused by heart trouble. His valuables were given Mr. Kimber to deliver to the family. He had died August 8, 1868.

This was indeed a shock to Anne and placed an added burden upon her. She must now support her little family and find a way to bring them to Utah where her brothers and sisters were living. Elder Penrose, hearing of their trouble visited them. He brought food and other things for their comfort. His promise was given to them that they would be out of the hospital in a short time. He was true to that promise and within a week they were released.

At that time the Church loaned money from an Emigration Fund to aid destitute families across the plains to Salt Lake City. Members who drew from the fund repaid the money when financially able to do so. Anne Bird and her family received aid through this fund. They decided to come on to the West even though they were in poor health. Part of the way was covered by train and the other portion they had to walk. Because they had very few clothes they suffered greatly from the cold. Anne had the extra burden of carrying most of their necessities and tending the children. She missed Andrew so much and needed the comfort and love he always gave her, but she was brave and went on from day to day making the best of her troubles. It took them a month or more to make the trip.

Trip Ends on Weber River

In October, 1868 they were met in Echo Canyon by Thomas H. Stephens, who took them to friends in Coalville, Utah. They remained overnight and the next day went to Croyden, where Anne's relatives lived. They spent two or three months in Croyden and then moved to Henefer, where Louisa Shill Richins lived. Here they settled.

Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1868
Fred C. Anderson Company

The Anderson company has the distinction of being the last emigrant company to cross the plains during the years of Mormon overland travel. Most of the members of this company sailed on the Emerald Isle. They were detained at Ward's Island hospital in New York because of sickness. Anderson was returning from a 3-year mission to Scandinavia and England. The health of the company gradually improved after leaving New York on October 4. They traveled by train from New York to Green River, Wyoming, arriving on October 13. From there they met Church teams and 11 wagons that transported them to Salt Lake. The small company that left New York with 61 people arrived in Salt Lake on October 24. Five died in the company between Chicago and Salt Lake.

Bird, Ann Shill (45)

Bird, Ann (14)

Bird, Mary Maria (9)

Bird, Hyrum (8)

BIRD, Ann            <1823>Age:   45            Origin:            England

BIRD, Andrew <1829>Age:   39            Origin:            England, Note: BMR, p. 330; Customs, p.16.

BIRD, Ann             <1854>Age:   14            Origin:            England, Note:"Daughter" (EECI)

BIRD, Mary           <1861>Age:   7            Origin:            England                       

BIRD, Hyrum         <1862>Age:   6            Origin:            England                       

BIRD, Emma          <1865>Age:   3            Origin:            England

 

Ship:            Emerald Isle

            Date of Departure:         20 Jun 1868    Port of Departure:            Liverpool, England

            LDS Immigrants:            876            Church Leader: Hans Jensen Hals

            Date of Arrival: 14 Aug 1868    Port of Arrival: New York, New York

            Source(s): BMR, Book #1048, pp. 322-332,370 (FHL #025,692); Customs (FHL #175,654)

            Notes:            "DEPARTURES. -- The magnificent packet ship Emerald Isle sailed from this port for New York on the 20th June, with a company of Saints numbering in all 876 souls.  Of these 627 were from Scandinavia, and the rest from the British Isles.  The following named returning missionaries were in the company: -- Elders Hans Jensen Hals, John Fagerberg, and Peter Hansen, from the Scandinavian Mission; and James Smith and Henry Barlow, from the British Mission; also Samuel Southwick, James Stuart, Andrew Simmons, and Elisha Peck, native elders, who have been travelling in the ministry.  Elder Hans Jensen Hals was appointed president of the company, and Elders James Smith and John Fagergerg his counsellors.  Previous to sailing, a meeting was held on deck, when the Saints were addressed by Elder Carl Widerborg in Danish, and Elder Charles W. Penrose in English.  Everyone was in good spirits, and was thankful to the God of Israel for deliverance from Babylon. . . . "
<MS, 30:27 (July 4, 1868), p.426>

"Sat. 20. [June 1868] -- The packet ship Emerald Isle sailed from Liverpool, England, with 876 Saints, under the direction of Hans Jensen Hals.  It arrived at New York harbor, after an unpleasant voyage, Aug. 11th.  The emigrants landed on the 14th and arrived at Benton, on the Union Pacific Railroad, about seven hundred miles west from Omaha, Aug. 15th  Thirty-seven deaths occurred on the ocean, and others died in the hospital in New York."
<CC, p.78>

". . . About 630 emigrants left Copenhagen by the steamer 'Hansia,' June 13, 1868.  On the departure the brethren had considerable trouble with the police authorities in Copenhagen.  After a successful voyage across the North Sea, the company arrived in Hull, England, on Tuesday, June 16th, and in the evening of the same day they went by train to Liverpool.  Here they found accommodations in seven different hotels, where they, with the exception of one place, received anything but decent treatment; and when they on the 19th went on board the ship 'Emerald Isle,' they were insulted in most every imaginable way.  On the 20th the ship sailed from Liverpool, carrying a company of emigrants consisting of 877 souls, of whom 627 were Scandinavians, all in charge of Elders Hans Jensen (Hals) as president with James Smith and John Fagerberg as assistants.  Elder Peter Hansen was appointed commissary for the Scandinavians, and Elder Mons Pedersen, who had labored faithfully for four years in the mission office in Copenhagen, was chosen as secretary.  Eighteen other Scandinavian emigrants sailed this year by other ships, some of them from Hamburg and some from Norway.   On June 26th the 'Emerald Isle' sailed into the harbor of Queenstown to take fresh water on board, as a certain machine on the vessel used to distill seawater for culinary purposes was out of commission and could not speedily be repaired.  While the ship waited at Queenstown Elders Hans Jensen (Hals) and James Smith had an excellent opportunity to accompany the captain on a railway trip to Cork.  On the 29th the ship left Queenstown, but the voyage after that was anything but pleasant.  The emigrants received very rough and harsh treatment, both from officers and crew, and only by the strong protest of Elder Hans Jensen (Hals) in their behalf did they succeed in getting a part of their rights according to the contract made.  On one occasion, when one of the ship's mates attacked a sister by the name of Sander, Brother Jensen took hold of the mate and pulled him away, while sharply reproving him for his conduct.  Soon a lot of sailors came up ready for a fight, but the incident ended when the offender got a severe reprimand from the captain, whom Brother Jensen reminded of the promises made.  No other company of emigrating Saints from Scandinavia are known to have met with such bad treatment as this on board any ship in crossing the Atlantic Ocean.  Fortunately it was the last company of Scandinavian Saints which crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel.  From that time on only steamers were employed in the transportation of the Saints.  It was not alone the rough treatment which the emigrants received from the ship's crew that made the voyage so unpleasant, but the water taken on board at Queenstown soon became stagnant and unfit for use, causing much sickness among the passengers, and no less than 37 deaths occurred on the voyage.  Many of these, however, were caused by measles among the children, but the stagnant water, which all the passengers had to use, was undoubtedly the real cause of the heavy death rate.  

On August 11th the ship arrived at the entrance of New York harbor and 30 of the sick were taken ashore on Staten Island.  The following day (August 12th) eight other sick people were landed, and finally, after being held in quarantine three days, the rest of the emigrants were landed at Castle Garden, August 14th.  On the same day a steamer conveyed the emigrants a few miles up the Hudson River, where they found shelter in a warehouse for a couple of days, while their baggage was being weighed.  While staying there a boy belonging to the company died.  On the 17th the journey was resumed by railway from New York and the emigrants traveled via Niagara, Detroit and Chicago to Council Bluffs, where they arrived on the 21st. 

The following day (August 22nd)  they were taken across the Missouri River by a steamboat and thence they traveled by the Union Pacific Railroad to Benton, seven hundred miles west of Omaha, arriving there in the morning of August 25th.  Here the Church teams met the emigrants and took them to their camp on the Platte River, about six miles from Benton, where they remained till August 31st, when the Scandinavian Saints took up the journey across the mountains by ox train led by Captain John G. Holman, while the English emigrants about the same time left by mule teams.  Elder Hiram B. Clawson acted this year as emigration agent for the Church.  The English Saints traveling with mule teams could ride, while the Scandinavians traveling with slow ox teams, walked most of the way to Salt Lake City.  Sickness continuing to rage among the Scandinavian emigrants, about thirty died between New York and Salt Lake City, where the surviving part of this, the 28th, company of emigrating Saints from Scandinavia arrived on the 25th of September, 1868. . . ."
<HSM, pp.201-03>  
              

Children of Ann Shill Bird and Andrew Bird

1 Prudence Elizabeth Bird Born: May 25, 1851 at Caudlegreen, Gloucestershire, England Tenn-ager Died: September, 16, 1865

2 Ann Bird (Jr.) Born: August 13, 1853 at Caudlegreen, Gloucestershire, England Married: Meredith Dawson on December 19, 1873 Died: December 23, 1938 at Henefer, Summit, Utah

3 Phoebe Bird Born: September 19, 1855 at Caudlegreen, Gloucestershire, England Child Died: September 8, 1865

4 Hyrum Bird Born: June 7, 1860 at Caudlegreen, Gloucestershire, England Married: Died: April 4, 1926

5 Emma Louisa Bird Born: September 27, 1864 at Syde, Gloucestershire, England Child Died: 1868

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