Accounts of Thomas Fitt, his wife and two children migrating to America. Their two oldest children, Sarah & Thomas sailed two years earlier.

From the passenger list of the steamship Nevada.
Departure date: 4 Jun 1873

FITT, Thomas <1827>, Age: 46 Origin: Sheffield
Note: BMR, p.270

FITT, Ann <1829>, Age: 44 Origin: Sheffield

FITT, George <1856>, Age: 17 Origin: Sheffield

FITT, Felix <1862>, Age: 11 Origin: Sheffield

Voyage Notes:
"DEPARTURE. -- On Wednesday, June 4th, the first company of through Saints for Utah, numbering 246 souls, in charge of Elder C. H. Wilcken, assisted by Elder James G. Bleak, left Liverpool for New York on Messieurs Guion & Co.'s steamship Nevada, Captain Forsyth. Elders John A. Lewis, John Parker, William Birkenshaw, and James Williamson, return with this company. With the exception of Elder Lewis, whose health is rather delicate, occasioned by a severe fall last Christmas, all the returning elders, and Saints accompanying, were in excellent health and spirits. A feeling of cheerfulness manifested itself throughout the entire company, occasioned by a release from Babylon and the prospect of so soon meeting families and friends in the valleys of Utah. We wish them health and prosperity, and a safe and speedy arrival."
<MS, 35:23 (June 10, 1873), p.361>

"Wed. 4. [June 1873] -- The steamship Nevada sailed from Liverpool, England, with 246 Saints, in charge of Charles H. Wilcken. The company arrived at New York June 16th, and at Salt Lake City June 26th."<CC, p.90>

PERSONAL ACCOUNTS:
Letter from C. H. Wilken and James G. Bleak - June 5, 1873
Letter from C. H. Wilken and James G. Bleak - June 16, 1873

Letter from C. H. Wilken and James G. Bleak - June 5, 1873
Off Queenstown, steamship “Nevada,” Thursday, 12 Noon, June 5, 1873 President Carrington.

Dear Brother -- Last evening we called a meeting of the Saints and organized our company by dividing the compartment, which they exclusively occupy, into four wards, and by appointing a chaplain and a captain of the guard. Brother Thomas Godfrey of Glasgow is chaplain, and Brother Daniel Smith of Birmingham, captain of the guard. The presidents over the wards will be appointed this evening.
Our people feel well, and are evidently full of gratitude to the Giver [p.631] of All Good, that the hour of their deliverance from Babylon has come.
The sea, so far, has been smooth as a river. The officers of the ship continue to deserve their previously acquired good character.
Our people are quite secluded from the intrusion of strangers, which is, to them, an esteemed privilege. All seem hopeful now that their faces are in reality turned Zion-ward.
Praying that you may continue to be directed in all your labors and duties by the Good spirit of our father, and uniting in sending our brotherly love to you and to all our fellow-laborers,--
We remain,
Your brethren in the gospel of peace,
C.H. Wilcken
James G. Bleak [p.362]
BIB: Bleak, James G. and Wilcken, C.H.[Letter] Latter-Day Saints’ Millennial Star 35:23, (June 10, 1873), pp.361-62. (HDL)

Letter from C. H. Wilken and James G. Bleak - June 16, 1873
New York, June 16, 1873

President A. [Albert] Carrington.
Dear Brother--We arrived here today, and are thankful to the Giver of All Good that we have been blessed with a prosperous journey across the Atlantic. Excepting the usual amount of sea-sickness, we have, as a company, enjoyed good health. No accident or death has occurred among our people.
On the night of Friday, the 6th instant, Sister Sarah S. Webster, wife of brother Richard Webster, late of the Upholland Branch of the Liverpool Conference, was safely delivered of a fine son. Mother and child have done exceedingly well. The little fellow was blessed in public meeting yesterday, and received from his parents the name of William Nevada Webster.
The Saints have had their times of enjoyment with vocal and instrumental music, and dancing, but have been also prompt and regular in attending their prayer meetings, morning and evening, and in attending their occasional preaching meetings.
Captain William Forsyth and Dr. M.. J. Callan, and the other officers of the Nevada, have manifested the utmost courtesy to us, and attention to the wants of our people.
We are happy in stating that Brother John A. Lewis is decidedly improved in health. He, with brother William C. Staines, who is also well, joins us in brotherly love to you and to all your co-laborers in Europe.
We leave here for the West at noon tomorrow.
Praying that the good spirit of the highest may continue to guide you in all you labors, we remain your brethren in the covenant of peace,
Charles H. Wilcken
James G. Bleak [p.426]
BIB: Bleak, James G. and Wilcken, Charles H. The Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star 35:27, (July 8, 1873), p. 426.

Accounts of Thomas Fitt's two oldest children, Sarah & William, immigrating to America.

From the passenger list of the steamship Nevada. Departure date: 4 Jun 1871

FITT, Sarah <1851> Nevada 1871
Age: 20
Note: BMR, p.195.

FITT, William <1853> Nevada 1871
Age: 18 Origin: Sheffield Conference
Note: BMR, p.193.
Children of Thomas & Ann Grennhalgh, they were to sail two years later, see above notes:

Voyage Notes:
Letter from George H. Peterson - November 2, 1871

"FOR ZION. -- Shortly after noon on Wednesday, 18th instant, the magnificent steamship, the Nevada, steamed out of the Mersey with 300 souls of the Saints on board, under the presidency of Elder George H. Peterson. Of this company about 70 souls were from Scandinavia, the remainder from various portions of the British Mission. When we left the ship the Saints appeared quite content and very happy, the arrangements for their comfort being excellent. Besides Elder Peterson, Elders Thomas Woolley, N. C. Edlefsen, Peter Brown and W. C. Anderson, returning missionaries, left with this company; also Elders J. Alford, N. P. Jensen, James Lavender and James Gale from Utah who have been paying visits to their friends in Europe. . . ."
<MS, 33:43 (Oct. 24, 1871), p.680>
"Wed. 18. [Oct. 1871] -- The steamship Nevada sailed from Liverpool, England, with 300 Saints, in charge of George H. Peterson. The company arrived at New York, Nov. 11th."
<CC, p.86>
". . . Still another company of emigrating Saints from Scandinavia, numbering 71 souls (the third company of the season), sailed from Copenhagen per steamer 'Najaden' Oct. 13, 1871, in charge of Elders Peter A. Bruun, Niels C. Edlefsen and Niels P. Jensen (the latter having visited relatives in Skane, since May 28, 1871). This little company of Saints had a successful voyage to England and in Liverpool the Scandinavian emigrants joined about 230 British Saints and sailed from that port per steamer 'Nevada' Oct. 18th, in charge of Elder George H. Peterson. Elder Peter A. Bruun was placed in charge of the Scandinavian Saints. After a rather rough and unpleasant voyage across the Atlantic, the company arrived safely in New York, Nov 1st. Thence the journey westward was resumed on the 3rd by railway, via Pittsburg and Chicago. On the plains, at Pole Lodge station, the train got stuck in the snow for 12 hours. Finally, by the assistance of four locomotives with snow plows, the track was cleared and the train proceeded on its way, arriving in Ogden and Salt Lake City, Nov. 11, 1871. . . ."
<HSM p.211>

PERSONAL ACCOUNTS:
A Compilation of General Voyage Notes
Letter from George H. Peterson - November 2, 1871

Letter from George H. Peterson - November 2, 1871
New York, November 2, 1871.
Elder George Reynolds

Dear Brother,--We left Queenstown about noon Oct. 19. The sea was rough and continued so for several days. We shipped many a heavy sea, and the water occasionally poured down amongst the passengers. At such times there was a pleasing contrast between the Saints and the other emigrants on board--whilst others were restlessly manifesting their fears, with us all was serene and calm.
We encountered a detestable headwind during the greater portion of our voyage, which caused the vessel to labor heavily, and resulted in considerable seasickness amongst the passengers.
The first Sunday we were on board we did not hold any meetings, owing to the unfavorable state of the weather, but on Oct. 29 we assembled at 2:30 and 6 p.m. Many of the sailors and passengers came and listened to us. [p.747]
We arrived at New York last evening, and landed this morning. We start west at noon tomorrow. All the Saints are in good health, except one Danish sister, who was somewhat sick when she embarked at Liverpool, but she is mending fast.
We have been abundantly blessed by the Lord on our voyage, and have been treated with great kindness by the captain and officers of the Nevada.
Elders John Sharp and W. [William] C. Staines are in New York, they report all well in Zion.
All join in kind love to the brethren in the office. Yours faithfully,
George H. Peterson [p.748]
BIB: Peterson, George H. [Letter], Latter-day Saints Millennial Star 33:47 (November 21, 1871) pp. 747-48. (HDL)