Blythe, John Law, 1829-1893

File — Box: 5, Folder: 5

Identifier: III

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Journal, 1858-1863. The Journal to March 21, 1860, is during the time Blythe is living in California attending his mining claims, a tannery business, and other work. There is no indication of how or when he arrived in California. In January 1861, after nearly a year, he resumes his diary. A sampling of entries follows:

January 1, 1861: Attended dedication of Thirteenth Ward--W. Woodruff, Brigham Young, and Heber C. Kimball speaking. "Brother Brigham gave us the key to his power and capacity to transact the duties encumbent upon him . . . that he had so trained his mind as to concentrate it entirely upon the present business and as each suckseeding peace of business was attended to . . . it was immediately discharged from his mind striving at all times and under all circumstances to be guided by the spirit of God and by so doing at night when he lay down to rest his mind felt as clear and blank as a sheet of white paper."
January 6, 1861: "Monday returned to the Accadimey and resumed my studies in arithmetic and grammar."
January 7, 1861: Attended the academy during the day went to the So-La and Fa Singing School commenced by David A. Calder.
January 29, 1861: Told of Baptiste the grave robber.
February 4, 1861: Blythe consecrated himself "and all that my maker has blessed me with...."
February 5, 1861: Attempted to consecrate his possessions to the church but was put off by Brigham Young.
February 10, 1861: Albert Carrington reviewed the news from the states--six states have seceded. Margaret Blythe gave her jewelry to Brigham Young as her contribution to the emigrants.
February 12, 1861: Margaret Blythe took two of her finest bonnets and a blue silk mantilla to Bishop Woolley to dispose of for the same purpose.
February 18, 1861: Blythe had Bishop Woolley draw up his deed of consecration: two houses, five Spanish mares, two wagons, three sets of harnesses, and sundry goods to the total of 3,000 dollars.
February 19, 1861: A Sister Taylor came to his house "and seemingly would like to become a member of my family, but I feel it repulsive to my feelings, but I feel to submit myself unto the hands of my maker and hope and pray that He will guide and direct me . . . ."
February 27, 1861: Delivered to Brigham Young the deed of consecration, as trustee-in-trust for the church.
March 4, 1861: "This is the day that Abraham Lincoln takes his seat as president of the Disunited States."
March 8, 1861: "There was a request made upon the brethren to render what aid they could in cash to buy the glass for the Hall of Science." Blythe gave 10.00 dollars.
January 15, 1862: Brother Savage lectured on the daguerotype business.
February 2, 1862: "... people urged to unite in sending back 300 teams and 200 yoke of cattle to help bring up the poor."
February 9, 1862: Received a package of three pounds of pear seeds from Dr. Bernhisel.
February 26, 1862: "I attended a lecture delivered by Bro. Wm Godbe on education..."
March 2, 1862: President Young spoke on completing the temple "in order to get the stones hauled we had to fix the State road. He suggested to cut a ditch on the upper side of the road 19 feet wide and 6 deep to drain off the water." Blythe sent 50.00 dollars to Dr. Bernhisel in Washington to purchase apple and pear seeds for him.
March 3, 1862: "Today is the first general election for the State of Deseret."
March 6, 1862: "I and my family went to the dedication of the new theater built by Bro. Brigham Young." Dedication prayer by Daniel H. Wells and an address by Brigham Young.
May 1, 1862
President Lincoln sent word to President Young to furnish one hundred men to protect the mail route.
May 4, 1862: William Godbe spoke.
May 7, 1862: Blythe received a large span of mules from Brigham Young valued at 500 dollars, which was deducated from the amount due him from the church. He and Margaret planted in lot 2 and 3.
May 24, 1862: "... attended the endowment rooms for the purpose of refreshing our minds of the duties and obligations we owe to our God."
June 12, 1862: "Was called upon to furnish a man and team to go up to Weber with a posse of men sent to take Joseph Morris the professing prophet of that district. I furnished a good team and man."
June 12, 1862: Had heads examined by Mr. Stark, professor of phrenology.
June 17, 1862: "... the man and teams that was sent to Weber Fort returned with 95 prisoners. Joseph Morris the would be prophet and Banks and two councilors was killed and buried at 10:00 o'clock last night."
June 19, 1862: "Bro. Joines [sic] went to the canyon to burn charcoal."
1886: Day-to-day activities--mainly planting and harvesting of fruit trees, vegetables, beets, cane, etc.

Dates

1829-1893

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.