A Daily Record of the Journey of the Original Company of "Mormon"Pioneers from Nauvoo, Illinois, to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake
Copyright 1921 by Lawrence Clayton, trustee for the Clayton FamilyAssociation.
Electronic edition produced by the Mormon Texts Project. To reporttypos or formatting errors, you can email mormontextsproject@gmail.com.
Volunteers who helped with this book: Eric Heaps, Meridith Crowder, BenCrowder, Tod Robbins, David Van Leeuwen, Lili DeForest, Jude Ogzewalla,Byron Clark.
Version 1.0
William Clayton was one of the remarkable characters of early Utahhistory. Born in the county of Lancashire, England, July 17, 1814,he was educated in one of the schools of his native town, and grewto manhood with a love for books and nature. An early convert ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he conducted oneof the first companies from England to Nauvoo, and there became oneof the trusted secretaries of the Prophet Joseph Smith. With theexodus from Nauvoo, he was Clerk of the Camp of Israel, and when theMormon pioneers left Winter Quarters in April, 1847, he was appointedby Brigham Young one of the historians of that noted company. Hisjournal of that memorable expedition over the plains is one of themost valuable diaries we have of that early period of western history.He kept careful account of the distances traveled each day, and hiswritings are full of descriptions of the country over which theytraveled. He has noted the topography, the fauna and flora of thetrail; and his descriptions of the activities of the company indicatea well trained intellect in social study. His language is simple anddirect, and his care in keeping each day's distance and important factsof the journey show order and method.
His hymn, "Come, come, ye Saints" takes its place as one of the mostbeautiful hymns of western history, for it is full of joyfulness,and expresses an optimism and faith in God that will always be aninspiration to the one who sings it. It indicates that William Claytonhad much of the artistic in him, although we do know that he took avirile part in the activities of life.
His journal should be read by all people who are interested in thewest's development. It is certainly one of the distinct contributionsof that early day, and shows that a man of strength of character wroteit. It will inspire many people to a greater love and regard for thework of the pioneers of Utah.
Levi Edgar Young
Salt Lake City, Utah
April 1921
The Claytons of England originally came from France. During the timewhen William the Conqueror and King Harold were quarreling, a call camefrom the former for volunteers among his chieftains to go to war. A mannamed Robert was among those who responded. Robert was skilled in arms.
After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, in which Robert rendered heroicservice, William the Conqueror conferred upon him the English Manor ofClayton as a mark of merit. Robert was afterwards known as Robert deClayton and Lord of the Manor of Clayton. From Lord Robert Clayton cameall the Claytons of England and America and by genealogical research,the line has been brought down to the subject of this sketch.
William Clayton was born July 17, 1814, in the village of CharockMoss, Township of Penwortham, County Palatine of Lancaster, England.He was the son of Thomas and Ann Critchley Clayton, who were born inLancashire, England. William was the eldest of fourteen children. Threeof these children died in infancy and were buried in England. Throughthe influence of the eldest son, the father, mother and survivingchildren joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latt