Houston, Isaac, to Brigham Young, 18 Aug. 1851

Two hundred sixty one and a half miles
From Salt Lake City August 18th, 1851

President Brigham Young

Dear Sir
I heard yours of the 1 st Inst. read on the 10 th, with much pleasure and satisfaction, and in answer to your request would say that on the 22nd Day of June last I left Bullocks Grove 8 miles south of Kanesville with my Family with my Son in law and Daughter Brother John Riggs & Family also Br. Edward Duckworth and Lady[.] we came to Platt[e]ville[.]

Crossed the Mo. River on the 26th[.]

Left the River 27th and on the 29th lef[t] Council Grove, 12 miles this side of s d River. Our little Band consists of the above mentioned together with Isaac Sampson & Family[,] James Lemmon & Family[,] W m Nelson & Family[,] (& Capt. W m McPhirson & Family[,] also four men with him (viz) Perly Dickinson[,] Thomas McFarlin[,] W m Reas & Adam--he has two thrashing Machines with him all from wisconsin)[.] we have all had good hea[l]th as usual and have been blessed of our Heavenly Father and prospered thus far on our way for which we have great re[a]son to be thankful[.] we have not been hindered from traveling but 3 hours by high waters since we crossed the Mo. River[.] we have heard of no sickness on the
south Route this Season[.] the Roads have been Dry most of the way[.] Feed not Plenty since we were 100 mils below Fort Laramie. Capt. Mcp[h]erson went throug[h] to the Gold mines last year.

In haste [I] Remain y obet. Servt,
 
ISAAC HOUSTON


Brother Houston was traveling in the William McPherson Company of 1851. Another company, that of Isaac Bullock that traveled to the Salt Lake Valley in 1852 contained at least four families who lived in Bullock’s Grove at some point. Benjamin Bullock was the Frontier Guardian representative.

Used with permission of the Winter Quarters Project.