Mormon Trail (1847-1868)Mormon Trail (1847-1868)

Highlights of the journey to Highlights of the journey to Zion Zion

Objective

Students will investigate aspects of the Mormon Trail.

General Facts about General Facts about the Mormon Trailthe Mormon Trail

_ The Mormon Trail is its own trail only in Iowa and parts of The Mormon Trail is its own trail only in Iowa and parts of Utah.Utah.

_ Mostly it follows the Oregon Trail and California Trail routes.Mostly it follows the Oregon Trail and California Trail routes._ The Mormon Trail extends 1,300 miles in Iowa, Nebraska, The Mormon Trail extends 1,300 miles in Iowa, Nebraska,

Wyoming, Utah.Wyoming, Utah._ Congress designated it the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Congress designated it the Mormon Pioneer National Historic

Trail in 1970s.Trail in 1970s._ The Trail functioned from 1846-1868 — 23 years.The Trail functioned from 1846-1868 — 23 years._ The Trail is not single file; its is a braided rope of trails.The Trail is not single file; its is a braided rope of trails._ Ave. covered wagon travel time to Utah from Missouri River Ave. covered wagon travel time to Utah from Missouri River

was 10-12 weeks.was 10-12 weeks._ Wagons often traveled 2-4 abreast, not single file.Wagons often traveled 2-4 abreast, not single file._ Most wagons were pulled by oxen, and averaged 12-14 Most wagons were pulled by oxen, and averaged 12-14

miles per day.miles per day._ Most Mormon Trail travelers walked rather than ride in the Most Mormon Trail travelers walked rather than ride in the

wagons.wagons._ Rough estimates are that some 6,000 Mormons died during Rough estimates are that some 6,000 Mormons died during

migrations to Utah.migrations to Utah.

Where does the Mormon Trail Begin? Where does the Mormon Trail Begin?

In the 19In the 19thth century, most Mormon century, most Mormon converts came from Great Britain (about converts came from Great Britain (about 55,000) and Scandinavia (about 25,000). 55,000) and Scandinavia (about 25,000). There were also many other converts who There were also many other converts who came from Europe. came from Europe.

For most thought the Mormon Trail began For most thought the Mormon Trail began in Iowa.in Iowa.

The Trail went through 4 states: Iowa, The Trail went through 4 states: Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah.Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah.

Methods of Travel

Covered wagons pulled by oxen. The wagon would be loaded with everything they

needed to make the journey and start their new life in the Great Basin.

Most walked alongside the wagon. Ship- The Brooklyn was a ship that was

chartered by Sam Brannan under the direction of LDS leadership. It was to sail around South America and land in San Francisco.

Handcarts- Used by poor Mormon immigrants.

Why use handcarts? Why use handcarts? Severe economic Severe economic

conditionsconditions Grasshopper Grasshopper

investations and investations and drought reduced drought reduced payment to the payment to the Perpetual Emigrating Perpetual Emigrating Fund (PEF) Fund (PEF)

In 1855, large number In 1855, large number of European of European immigrants depleted immigrants depleted the PEF the PEF

Desire to bring more Desire to bring more LDS immigrants to LDS immigrants to Zion Zion

Letter from BY to F. D. RichardsLetter from BY to F. D. RichardsSeptember 30, 1855September 30, 1855

““I have been thinking about how we I have been thinking about how we should operate another year. We should operate another year. We cannot afford to purchase wagons cannot afford to purchase wagons and teams as in times past, I am and teams as in times past, I am consequently thrown back upon my consequently thrown back upon my old plan – to make handcarts, and let old plan – to make handcarts, and let the emigration foot it . . . They can the emigration foot it . . . They can come just as quick, if not quicker and come just as quick, if not quicker and cheaper.”cheaper.”

Facts about HandcartsFacts about Handcarts

Used from 1856-1860Used from 1856-1860 Only a total of ten handcart companies Only a total of ten handcart companies There were about 3,000 of the 70,000 There were about 3,000 of the 70,000

LDS immigrants who crossed the Plains LDS immigrants who crossed the Plains (1847-1868) by handcart, or 4.3%. (1847-1868) by handcart, or 4.3%.

Normally five people or a family were Normally five people or a family were assigned a handcart and each assigned a handcart and each individual was limited to seventeen individual was limited to seventeen pounds of luggagepounds of luggage

Replaced by Church trains in 1861Replaced by Church trains in 1861

General Facts about General Facts about the Mormon Trailthe Mormon Trail

_ For vast majority, the trek was hard and taxing but not For vast majority, the trek was hard and taxing but not tragic or awful.tragic or awful.

_ An average of 14 LDS companies crossed the trail each year.An average of 14 LDS companies crossed the trail each year._ An est. 10,000 LDS wagons crossed the Mormon Trail to An est. 10,000 LDS wagons crossed the Mormon Trail to

Utah.Utah._ An estimated 70,000 Mormons traveled the Mormon Trail to An estimated 70,000 Mormons traveled the Mormon Trail to

Utah.Utah._ By comparison, 300,000 emigrants went to California and By comparison, 300,000 emigrants went to California and

Oregon.Oregon._ Ten handcart companies brought some 2,700 Mormons to Ten handcart companies brought some 2,700 Mormons to

Utah.Utah._ Voyages Liverpool to New Orleans averaged 54 days, to NYC Voyages Liverpool to New Orleans averaged 54 days, to NYC

38 days38 days_ Voyages Liverpool to NYC by steamer averaged 11 days.Voyages Liverpool to NYC by steamer averaged 11 days._ A church sponsored Perpetual Emigrating Fund provided A church sponsored Perpetual Emigrating Fund provided

loans and credits that assisted thousands to afford the sea loans and credits that assisted thousands to afford the sea and land journey to Utah.and land journey to Utah.

Some Uncommon Aspects of the Some Uncommon Aspects of the Mormon Trail by Dr. T. Edgar LyonMormon Trail by Dr. T. Edgar Lyon

1.1. A religiously motivated migrationA religiously motivated migration2.2. Economic status of the participantsEconomic status of the participants3.3. Mormons did not employ professional guidesMormons did not employ professional guides4.4. Non-Frontiersmen were quickly transformed into pioneersNon-Frontiersmen were quickly transformed into pioneers5.5. A migration of familiesA migration of families6.6. The Mormon trail was a two-way roadThe Mormon trail was a two-way road7.7. The magnanimous aspect of the Mormon migrationThe magnanimous aspect of the Mormon migration8.8. The organization of the Mormon wagon trainsThe organization of the Mormon wagon trains9.9. Respect for life and deathRespect for life and death10.10. The Mormon migration was the movement of a The Mormon migration was the movement of a

communitycommunity

Mormon Trail QuizMormon Trail Quiz1.1. About how many hundred miles long was the Mormon Trail?About how many hundred miles long was the Mormon Trail?2.2. How many (within 10,000) Saints came to Utah on the Mormon How many (within 10,000) Saints came to Utah on the Mormon

Trail by 1869?Trail by 1869?3.3. By Comparison, how many people went to Oregon and California By Comparison, how many people went to Oregon and California

on the overland trails?on the overland trails?4.4. About how many Mormons died during their journeys to Zion?About how many Mormons died during their journeys to Zion?5.5. How many pioneers came to Utah using handcarts? How many How many pioneers came to Utah using handcarts? How many

companies?companies?6.6. How many died in the Martin and Willie handcart companies?How many died in the Martin and Willie handcart companies?7.7. How long was the ocean voyage by sail from Liverpool to New How long was the ocean voyage by sail from Liverpool to New

Orleans?Orleans?8.8. How long was the ocean voyage by sail from Liverpool to New How long was the ocean voyage by sail from Liverpool to New

York?York?9.9. How long did the ocean voyage take from Liverpool to NY by How long did the ocean voyage take from Liverpool to NY by

steamer?steamer?10.10. Why was New Orleans dropped as the arrival point for LDS charter Why was New Orleans dropped as the arrival point for LDS charter

ships from Liverpool after 1854?ships from Liverpool after 1854?11.11. Once immigrants reached outfitting points, how did they obtain Once immigrants reached outfitting points, how did they obtain

wagons and teams?wagons and teams?12.12. About how many weeks was the typical Mormon Trail wagon trip?About how many weeks was the typical Mormon Trail wagon trip?13.13. In thousands, about how many Mormon wagon In thousands, about how many Mormon wagon companiescompanies used used

the Mormon Trail (1847-1869)?the Mormon Trail (1847-1869)?