After being ordained an Apostle, Elder John Taylor was called to
perform a mission in England, and preceded for there in company with Elder
Wilford Woodruff in the late autumn of 1839.
He bore a letter of introduction from his wife, Leonora Cannon Taylor,
to her brother and sister-i- law in Liverpool and to other relatives in the
Isle of Man. He arrived in Liverpool
early in January, 1840, and called at the Cannon home and made himself known to
her brother, George and his wife, Ann.
The following is a letter from George Cannon ”The Immigrant” to Leonora
Cannon Taylor in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, United States dated 15
October 1840 from Liverpool.
Dear Sister:
I bless the lord that ever I ever saw your husband’s face and I now see
plainly our dear Mother’s prayers has not only been answered for you, but has
extended to me and my family through you.
For if my dear brother had not come to live with me (so much was I prejudiced
against the various sects and parties warring against each other) I should
never, I fear, have embraced the gospel in its fullness, as it was. I tried to consider it another new sect added
to the number that wrest the work of God to their own purposes – but faith, comes
by hearing and of His infinite mercy He showed me that I was poor and miserable
and blind. Ann was a believer from the
first time of her hearing their testimony.
We entered by the door into the sheepfold and George, Mary Alice and
poor Anny has been baptized since. You will be tired dear sister with so much
of myself and family - but I am a wonder to myself and see the hand of the Lord
so visible in all that has happened to me these last four years that I cannot
help telling you of it. I left off drink at that time and have drank nothing
stronger than coffee since. This was
principally on my children's account, as I knew example was better than precept
- and with all my faults I love my children.
I was happy in an affectionate wife, promising children, good health,
plenty of work and always with a pound to spare. But still there was a want of something which
made me very low spirited at times. I strode
to pray and to return God thanks for his mercies particularly after some escape
from danger of myself and family in the month of September last. My poor John died of a brain fever - dear
Nora. I shall never forget that boy. He
was three years and a half old, the countenance of brother John particularly
about the mouth but his eyes were black, but such a boy - well I shall see him
yet-My hard heart was softened with the death of this child when Brother Taylor
came to Liverpool I was humbled before the Lord and sincerely desirous to lead
a new life. He had the words whereby I
might be saved and though slow of belief at first and not seeing the necessity
of Baptism yet God, of his infinite mercy, opened my eyes.
October 23rd Dear Leonora. I had just read your letter over which came
by the postman when the I received your other second letter letter by Brother Snow
–he landed last night after a six weeks passage in good health . Your dear
husband is in the Isle of Man with Brother Clarke. They went there the 16th
of September. He is well and doing well.
Brother Clarke came to conference but brother T. could not come as he
had to answer some of their pious men.
He says the harvest is ripe there and they have only to put in the sickle. Brother T. has sent me some Manx papers. I have forwarded two to you of different dates,
one to Brother Joseph one to Brother S.
Rigdon and one to Mrs. Smith and Robertson. I cannot get your letters sent to Brother
until Monday as the packet only sails twice a week, and I received them two
hours too late. Dear sister, I am grieved
to hear you have been ill and your dear little ones. I have felt a great deal for your situation
and know that nothing but the Lord’s work could keep your husband from you, but
I have a belief that I shall see you yet in this life. Brother T. had wished in one of his letters
from the Island that I would write to you, as he was so occupied. he had not a
moment to spare he says.
I find Mr. Clark is a Methodist. -------- Miss Brannon I have not
called on. I find it here as in other
places those that are very pious do not need anything. He has a room over the market in Douglas that
will hold 1,000 people and has only to give out a meeting to have it
filled. He has all kinds hearing him,
big and little friends and foes, holy people and ungodly - you will see by the
papers that he has many to oppose him but truth will stand without propping they
all go to the ground. There has been a
good many baptized and many at the edge
of the water. Dear sister I know this
will give you pleasure.
November the fourth I have just received a line from Brother Taylor it
is only a line saying that he is well
and three newspapers which I forward (to you, Br. Joseph Smith and brother Sidney Rigdon). I think by this time some of the Methodists
begin to find their craft in danger. Miss
Brannan has sent to B.T. for two books
she lent you and he has bought them for her – so you may guess how she
feels. There never was such an
excitement in the Island before, the people begin to have their eyes and ears
opened to the truth and wonder they did not see these things before. He has not mentioned receiving your letters—and
I waited expecting some word to send you.
Perhaps I may get some before I send this. Dear Sister you are anxious
to have all the news about us .
In the first place Br. T is comfortable in the Island, he has a comfortable
little sitting room and bed room with a Mr Cowill- and he says he has many warm friends there.
Sister Elinor is in service in St. Georges square. She has two children living Boys, one by the
first husband he is with his friends in Stafford Shire and one by the second
husband 3 years old he is at nurse. She is well and will have another husband
before long or I am mistaken.
I
have had a letter from David and one from John last march. They were both well when they wrote. David is in Sydney and doing well. John is in Port Phillip and is getting a
small vessel between himself and a carpenter poor John is going to make a
fortune directly. He always counts the
chickens before they are hatched. He
wishes we were out there with him. - joiners wage is 14 shillings a day.
We
have seven children living – George 14 years next 11th Jan. Mary
Alice 9th Dec next, Ann 9 years 2nd Jan. next –Angus 6 years
17th May last-John born 3 March and died 13th Sepbr 1839
– David born 23d April 1838- uncle calls him the Squinter Boy.- He squints
badly – poor fellow- and Leonora born 11th Sept 1840 – a fine little baby – we are all well
at present and am going to make winkers to put on David’s eyes to cure him of squinting.
Mary Alice learned him two squint after he
was nine months old.
Aunt
Corkill is dead and Thomas Corkill died sometime before her, Unkle Corkill is
in the preventive service in Bangor in Ireland-Aunt Corkill died in Ireland – Ann
is grown a fine young woman-Unkle Kaighin is dead five years – and Aunt Kaighin
died last June very soon after her sister-You
have heard of Pebby’s death – all the children are married but Lenny John
married a daughter of Quaggin the Millers in Peel and they lived with the old
man-they could not agree – and John sold Unkle Mylehreests place – which so
angered the old man that he sold his own place to Michell Oates for twenty
pounds a year while he lives – he is likely to live many years but is troubled with pains – Lenny was out here about 4 months since, -- they are a queer squad although she says ….the thoughtful fellow
– her father may live a hundred years. I have just heard of Mr. Ratcliffs death
he was …. Popular man in Liverpool and had three or four hundred for different
offices which he held in Bible Societies and other religious institutions – you husband called
on him and preached the Gospel to him he did not deny anything but said these
are tremendous conclusions then we must be all wrong – Bro. T said he did not condemn
anyone it was the everlasting Gospel he preached-Miss Brannan came to Liverpool
she did not come to our house but sent for Br T to Mr Ratcliffs they had a long
discourse in presence of Mr.R when about
to leave them he asked Mrs B. if he should call on her in the Island as
he meant to visit it she said if he preached like other men she would be happy
to see him but hoped hoped he would not come to the Island to preach what
he preached to her – She told Henry wife
(Miss Calliste; that was )– that she cried and prayed greatly to the Lord that
he might shew him the error of his ways
– Mrs Gill and her sister both attended our meetings before Miss Brannan came
to Liverpool – she is much blinded and opposed to the truth – I have just
received 6th Nov. another line from Br. Taylor he has got your letters
and will be here the beginning of next week and will write you a letter
himself, dear sister you may expect a number of the saints from Liverpool in
spring – if it is the Lords will I am ready to go any time and I have as much
money as will take me there and perhaps a little to spare – you have never
mentioned what sort of a country it is or how
people are employed there- how land is sold whether it is a good fishing
or fowling country write me a letter soon as you receive this Ann and the
children send their kind love to you and their little cousins I remain your
loving brother George Cannon.
More
items written in the margins:
Dear
sister, remember us in your prayers to the throne of grace as we do you and
yours. I think I could talk to you for
days without being satisfied. I have so much to say and to ask. And may God of
his infinite mercy help to protect you and yours
Please
to let us know what is the most necessary things to take to America in respect
to clothing and utensils.
And may God of his infinite mercy help to
protect you and yours
Uncle
Traubmgin is married to a Mrs. Hunter who keeps the Rail-road Inn. She has nine children most of them grown up.
He does nothing but step about and looks well.
Nora Vale is well she is in the Isle of Man with her step mother’s
mother. William Yale is a complete sot
and minds nothing but drink. His wife is
a decent woman.
END
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