ORIGINAL GREEN GILT EDGED JOURNAL OF CHARLES HENRY JOHN WEST

Charles Henry John West b1833 (his brother was my Great Grandfather John West 1830) Charles Henry John West was born in Old Street St. Lukes London Town Middlesex County England on the 12th of January 1833. And was the third son of John b1799 and Lydia Johnson West. John West 1799 my father was a native of Middlesex County England and was born the 12 day June 1799. My mother was a native of Middlesex County England and was born the 15 day of February 1803. In giving an account of my parents I am at a loss to know of what origin I am. From the motto of the crest of my name, I am of an Opinion that I am of American descent as Delaware is an American State. Delaware was named in honor of Thomas West, Lord De la-warre, and Governor of Virginia 1610. The estate La-warre Warwick, was in Gloucestershire, England. But from what I know from my parents I am of English descent. My Father was a Vellum Binder and lived in London. My Gt. Grandfather John F West in London Middlesex County England, don't know time of birth.. My grandfather, Charles West, was born 1 Dec 1775; Middlesex County his wife Elizabeth Hayes was born about 1772. They had two sons and one daughter, Charles, John, & Maria all of London Middlesex County, England.. My mother Lydia Johnson was the 5th or 6th child of John Francis Johnson and Martha Hayes. They had six children Richard, Martha, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary Ann and Lydia, all born in London. I learned from my parents that my Grandfather Charles West lost his life while glazing in an upper story house; fell from the window, his attention being distracted by something going on in the street. My father met with my mother a Silk Weaver and they were married after the ceremony of the English Church at St.. Mathews Bethnell Green on the 25th day of April 1823. Their offspring were eight children five sons and three daughters. Their sons were called John Francis, John, Charles Henry John, Benjamin & William. Their daughters were called Lydia, Elizabeth & Maria. My Brother John Francis died young at 20 in 1828. Nothing very remarkable took place in my youthful days; suffice it to say I continued at home with my parents following the occupation of Stationer with my father until I was sixteen years of age.

About this time I began to think of an existence in another state, I began to have a religious frame of mind, being brought up in a church Sunday School I thought most of that faith. My parents belonging to the sect called "Independence" My eldest brother John being a Latter Day Saint (Mormon) and my Sister Lydia a Baptist. I knew not which was right. By the help of God I was determined to find out. I several times with my companion went to hear the Latter Day Saints at Theobalds Road Branch. More for curiosity than to find out the truth. After hearing what was said, I had no fault to find with them. At this period I was keeping company with a young woman Eliza Dangerfield the third daughter of 9 children of Thomas and Caroline Buckwell Dangerfield, a leather cutter, her father a deacon of a Baptist Church. One day while we were visiting the house of my cousin John Hyde who was an Elder of the Latter day saints. We were invited to attend again the church and read their works, which we did and we both felt convinced of the truth and felt to thank God for making those truths known to us. We felt it a duty to be baptized for the remission of our sins, accordingly we ere Baptized on the 16^th Day of October 1849 in Pentonville Baths, Islington by Elder John Hyde Sr. and confirmed by Eliza Dangerfield and Elder Orson Pratt, an Apostle. I continued in the Church and rejoiced in the signs following, I felt I had become a member of the Church and Kingdom of God and that I was not to be idle but was to be up and doing.

On Friday evening the first day of December 1850, we had a good meeting. Elder Wallace from Utah or Zion being present spoke upon the subject of young men going out to preach, towards the close of his remarks he asked whether there were any young men who would offer their services, upon so glorious an undertaking. Elder John Hyde who was president of the meeting pointed out my brother John and myself as suitable, we were asked our feeling about it, said we felt weak but had no objection to go. The same evening I was called and ordained by Brother Wallace to the office of an Elder. To leave home and go out preaching I was promised that if I kept faithful to my calling I should be of great use in my generation and should be gathered home to Zion. Elder Eli B. Kelsey who was' president of the London Conference told my Brother John and myself to labor in the Bedfordshire Conference under the presidency of Elder Squires. My parents who had joined the church was quite willing to our going. They done their best to help us out. My young woman's parents had no objections to my going although her Father was a member of another church. (the Baptist). They thought it advisable for me to first get married as that would bind us together, accordingly on the 25th day of December 1850, we were married at St. Andrews Church Holborn (Holborn correction per Pallot's marriages) by the rector Mr. I. I. Ivogood. My wife Eliza was the third daughter of Thomas and Caroline Dangerfield born 7th day of September 1832 in cottage lane St. Lukes Parrish. We introduced the gospel to the Dangerfield family, a few of the family after hearing and proving for themselves they felt convinced of the truth of the work. They were accordingly baptized for the remission of their sins, although the mother had been a member of the Baptist Church thirty years, she knew that her sins were not remitted. I felt glad that so many of the family (in all five) had joined the church. About this time a portion of the Saints at Theobalds Road Branch was removed to Goswell Road Branch 23 Ratcliff Terrace, that hall being taken for the Islington portion of the Saints, about the 28th day of December 1850. My brother John and myself started on our mission from the Euston Road Station to Bedford, we arrived the same day, the weather being very cold. We went direct to the house of Elder Squires and was well received by the Saints in Bedford. I shall never forget my feeling, when arriving here 62 miles away from home. I had never before been one night away from home. I was there to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, had never stood up before a number of people to speak. I felt determined by the assistance of God to do the best I could. On the Sunday following I spoke before the Bedford Saints a short time about 10 minutes. I bore my testimony to the truth of the latter day work, In the evening I went to the house of one of the Saints and had some singing. I found the Saints on hand to assist me. I visited Eversholt in Woburn, went through Woburn Park (the seat of the Duke of Bedford). It's a beautiful park although it was the month of December it looked like spring all along the road the trees being evergreens. When going through the park a gentleman on horse back stopped us an offered us money. We supposed that the Lord had put it in his heart to do so. I stopped at a house in Eversholt, was well received by the Saints who lived there. They had entertained us on the quiet as the place was Priest ridden. If it was known that they harbored any Mormon Elders they would be discharged from the Dukes services. After stopping there two or three days we walked to Bedford a distance of 11 miles. We saw Brother Job Smith. I asked President Squires permission to labor in Stoney Stratford as my wife's brother wife had friends there. Accordingly we went and stayed at Mr. Browns my wife's Brother's wife's Father & Mother and were well received by them.

We migrated to USA, we left London docks 1^st June 1863 aboard the Amazon and arrived in Salt Lake City Utah 4^th Oct 1863 just in time for Conference.