Do you have ticklish toes? Willard did! [and he helps save a life]

Shortly after the new year, Willard’s companion, Elder Cottrell, received word that he was to be transferred. In those days, I guess companions were not necessarily always together as Elder Cotterll needed to go to Middlesborough for a week while Willard continued on in the work.  One night, Willard stayed with a temporary companion, James Fitches, at a members home - Brother Smith’s.

Below is Willard’s entry from Monday, Jan. 16, 1905 while staying at Brother Smith’s home.

Cold and windy in Grange Villa. 

About 5 o’clock this morning Bro. Smith came down stairs to go to work.  He came over where James and [I] were asleep and began to tickle our feet and woke us up.  But we went to sleep after he went to work and slept till 7:30 [A.M.] at which time we arose.  Had breakfast.  James [Fitches] went to word as a barber.  I stopped at Sister Smiths till dinner.  After taking dinner, I started for Chester [le St.].  On my way. stopped in at the barber shop.  [the same one that James works at?]  While there we heard someone crying.  Went our and found a little girl crouched down in a corner nearly frozen. It was a bitter cold day and the child was half clad and starved.  We brought her into the ship.  Built a hot fire and got her some hot cocoa and she was soon all right.  I think her parents were drunkards and had neglected her.  I went on my way till I came to Chester [le St.] where I spent the remainder of the day studying at Lodge.  Retired at night.

Home by Midnight?

http://willardneeley.org

With holidays just around the corner, I thought it very appropriate to share some snippets in the coming weeks from Willard's first holiday season as a missionary.

Below is his journal entry from Friday, December 30, 1904 while he was serving in Chester le St., England.

This morning we took the 9:18 train for Newcastle.  From there took the Electric Railway to Wallsend.  Walked a short distance to the Elders Lodge.  Found Elders Davis, White, and Lowe home.  They prepared a nice dinner for us.  Elder Davis was just released to go home and he had to go on business to see Pres. Wilkins at Sunderland.  So, Elders Cottrell, Lowe, White, and I went to Newcastle afoot to spend the day in sightseeing. We first visited the Marketplace.  From there we went to the Old Castle, but it was closed.  From there we visited St. Nicholas church, thence to the Fire department of Newcastle.  We were shown all through.  In the evening we went to the Tyne Theatre.  It rendered Cinderella in a most striking manner.  Scenery and costumes were excellent.  We enjoyed it very much.  It began at 7 P.M. [and] closed [at] 10:30 P.M.  After theatre, we bade Elders White and Lowe goodbye.  Went to the station and caught the 11:30 P.M. train to Chester le.  Retired soon after arriving.

Looks like they may have made it home shortly after midnight, just like Cinderella!

Newcastle Fire Department in early 1900's.

St. Nicholas Cathedral in the background and the Old Castle of Newcastle in the foreground.

Another view of the St. Nicholas Cathedral.

The seats at the Tyne Theatre.

The stage at the Tyne Theatre.

Darn My Socks

Not that kind of darn.  I’m talking about the type of darn where you mend and strengthen your socks so that you can keep wearing them!  http://www.wikihow.com/Darn-a-Sock

Just a couple months after arriving in England, Willard had already walked many miles along picturesque English lanes and through the beautifully verdant countryside.  Some days were a pleasant stroll during the nice weather, but on the rainy or snowy days, instead of simply traversing, he trudged.  Below is an entry from a day that was more trudging and another entry from Willard noting his repairs to his worn socks.

Thursday Nov. 24/04 Chester Le St. snowing & raining 

In the forenoon we wrote and studied.  In the afternoon set out for Grange Villa through the storm.  Slush and mud was fearful.  Arrived at Sister Smiths who had a nice warm fire in the grate.  We were wet and the fire felt fine.  After drying ourselves, tea was prepared after which we spent a pleasant evening by the fireside chatting and talking.  We should of held Mutual tonight, but as he weather was so stormy we postponed a week.  We took our journey homeward and retired on arriving. 

Wednesday December 7/04. 5 Wesley Terrace. Chester le St. 

In the forenoon I went to Wilsons Store.  Bought some yarn. Came home and darned my socks.  Then studied till noon.  After dinner I went to West Pelton to tract. Elder Cottrell went to Waldridge. I distributed the tracts I had and sold all the books I had.  Then I called on Sister Warren.  Had tea there then went to Mr. Jordans at Newfield.  Met Elder Cottrell there at 7 P.M. We commences our cottage meeting.  Had a nice meeting.  A good spirit was present.  After meeting, Mrs. Jordan prepared supper.  We ate, then went home.

Conference Weekend

http://WillardNeeley.org

I’m not sure what General Conference weekend was like for those that lived outside of Utah before radio, television, satellites, and the internet made live communications and broadcasts more ubiquitous.  Today, we can video chat with family and friends in California, Canada, China, or virtually any part of the world.  When Willard was in England, they didn’t directly participate in the proceedings of a General Conference, but they did have regular mission conferences, frequently attended by leaders of the Church.

Conferences at that time were opportunities for missionaries to be taught and to invite friends and interested people in the surrounding area to hear their message.  Below is Willard’s account of his first mission conference in the Newcastle Conference of the British Mission attended by Heber J. Grant, who while serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve was also serving as the President of the British Mission.  I’ve also attached a summary of the conference from the Millennial Star.

Saturday Nov. 19/04 5 Wesley Terrace Chester-le-St 

[attached a picture of this residence on this post].
Prepared this morning to go to Sunderland to attend conference.  Took the train to Newcastle, changing cars there for Sunderland arriving at 12 noon.  Went to the office.  Pres. Wilkins and Elder Taylor were leaving to meet Pres. [Heber J.] Grant at the station.  Elder Lincoln took Elder Cottrell and myself to dinner at Bro. Middleton’s.  After dinner we returned to the hall for Priesthood meeting.  Meeting there Pres. Grant and all the Elders, we had a fine meeting.  Many valuable instructions were given us.  After the Priesthood meeting, we all went out on the street to hold meeting.  There being about fifteen of us, people did not know what was coming.  As soon as we began to sing, people would flock around by herds.  The more experienced Elders would do the speaking while we younger Elders distributed conference notices.  We distributed about twelve thousand bills, [and] sold many books. After meeting we met at the Hall and were assigned a place to lodge.  Elder Hardy, Riches, and I went to Washington top stay with Sister Diston [sp?].  A distance of seven miles from Sunderland, went by train to Cox Green station, cross the river Wear by ferry. Walked two miles and arrived.  Had supper.  Afterward retired to rest.

Sunday Nov. 20/04 Sunderland.  Nice day. 

After breakfast, we walked to Coxgreen station.  Took the train for Sunderland.  Went to the Park Hall to attend morning service.  Meeting began at 10:30 A.M.  After the opening exercises, Pres. George E. Wilkins read the statistical report of the conference for the five preceding months.  Elder Horace T. Godfrey was first speaker—subject being obedience.  Pres. Grant occupied the remainder of the time, exhorting the Elders and Saints to so live that their lives would be a credit and power to the world.  Meeting concluded till two thirty.  Myself and other Elders went to Bro. Middleton’s for dinner, returning at 2:30.  Meeting commenced in usual way.  Elder William W. Hardy was first speak relating the religious confusion that existed throughout the world and that unity was necessary.  Elder Orson John Hyde when spoke on the mission of John the Baptish and our Savior.  Pres. Grant occupied the remainder of the time speaking on the Authority of the Bible.  A number of us Elders went to Bro. Hardy’s for tea. At 6:30 P.M. we returned at which time the evening meeting began.  Elder Alexander Adams offered opening prayer.  Elder Choules was first speaker.  After him Elder Cottrell spoke upon the Gospel.  Pres. Grant spoke last upon the divinity of the Bible and the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  The Middlesboro [Middlesborough] Choir rendered beautiful music through the meetings.  Elders Riches, Lowe, Wooton, and I returned to Distons to stop over night.

Chester-le-St flat or residence where Willard Neeley lived while serving as a missionary

Summary from the Millennial Star, Vol. 66 - 1904

Willard's Journal Entry

A Prayer by Alma Cottage

Most of us have felt a little apprehension the first time we had to do something, especially when we had to do it by ourselves.  Maybe it was a talk in church or a presentation to a large group. Willard was no different.  Just a couple weeks after arriving in England, he found himself in his first area, his companion a half mile away, and needing to share his beliefs with complete strangers.

Here's his entry from November 17, 1904:

Thursday Nov. 17/04. Chester le St. 

Today we went to Grange Villa.  Called on Sister Smith.  While there stamped some tracts and went to West Pelton to begin tracting. Elder Cottrell told me to start in at West Pelton and he went to Twizell [Lane].  This was my first experience [tracting] and I felt very timid.  I didn’t even know what to say when I delivered a tract, but before beginning I uttered silent prayers to my Heavenly Father to aid me in this unaccustomed labor.  I believe my prayers were answered because I received courage and begin my labors with fear and encouragement.  The first tract I delivered was at the Alma Cottage.  Was not received very kindly by the man who came to the door, but I finally persuaded him to accept a tract.  The fifth door I went to the lady received me very kindly, invited me in, and I explained our doctrines to her the best I could.  When I was leaving, she invited me to return and have another chat with her.  Told her I would and left.  After going to several more doors I left off tracting having distributed thirty six tracts, sold three books, [and] had three conversations.  I returned to the Rail Road crossing to wait on my companion.  When he came we went to Newfield.  Had tea with Sister Wears and at 7 P.M. went to Mutual at the Store Hall.  Had a nice meeting.  There were about forty enrolled members.  Leaving there, we went to Mr. Jordans for supper, then out to Chester [le St.]. Retired at 11.

Where Willard's companion, Elder Cottrell, was tracting.


Where Willard was tracting.


Original journal entry.

Happy Birthday, Doris (Neeley) Smemoe

My grandmother, Doris (Neeley) Smemoe, was born 104 years ago today, on September 21, 1911.  She was the oldest child of Willard Neeley.  I am grateful for my grandmother and for the good example she was to me.  Many of you may have memories from her life--I would love to hear more about her from her earlier years.

Here are a few pictures from her life:

Chester-le-Street

Willard’s first area was in an old city called Chster-le-Street in northern England.  His first companion was Elder Cottrell, a middle-aged man from Farmington, Utah.  After a few days in his area, he gives an overview of the area and its people.  I've numbered some of the areas he mentions in his journal entry from 1 to 11.

Map of Willard Neeley's first area in his mission.

Tues. Nov. 15, 1904. Chester le St. 

It might be in order here to give a description of my field of labor, now being here a few days, I have an idea of the country and conditions.

First of all, the town we are lodging in known as (1) Chester le St. has a population of nearly fourteen thousand.  It is located on the main Railway Line between London and Glasgow, Scotland (North Eastern railway), also the main wagon road between these points—which was built by the Romans.  In Chester-le there is a church dating back eleven hundred years.  Also out from the town a half mile the (2) Lumly castle, same age.  The castle is now owned by the lady Scarborough.  Principal occupation of Chester le is commercial trade, jam factories, and coal mining.  Our labors are not confined to this town alone, but encompasses about twenty small towns and villages ranging from two miles to twenty miles from here.  The main industry of these towns is coal mining and two thirds the number of towns named can be classed as mining camps or towns.  A person walking along the road, when a shift comes off work, can see nothing but black muge [sp?] dirty smutty miners, jabbering away in their fulmatic [sp?] twang. 

The majority of the Saints live in the town of (3) Grange Villa while others live in the following: (4) Ebchester, twenty miles to the west; (5) Spennymoor fourteen miles to the south; (6) Sacriston, four miles to the south; (7) Burn Hope, eight miles to the southwest; (8) Crag-Head five miles west; (9) Stanley, six miles northwest; (10) Birtley, three miles north; (11) Waldridge Fell, two miles southwest; (3) West Pelton, three miles northwest.  Much walking is required.  Many of the roads and lanes we walk leading to these towns are clothed with grandeur.  In regard to the coal mining in the County of Durham, there is an employment of one hundred seventy thousand mend and boys ranging from 12 years to 65 years old. 

Today we called on Mr. Wilson, the tailor.  I tried on my prince albert [a dress coat fashioned after Queen Victoria’s husband Albert’s coat].  Went on to Grange Villa.  Elder Cottrell did some tracting.  I remained at Sister Wisemans while he was gone.  He returned.  We called on Sister Lizzy Warren who was ill.  Then returned to Bro. Wiseman’s for supper.  After supper we went to West Pelton.  Found Tommy Warren sick.  We administered to him while there.  Word came for us to return to Grange Villa to administer to Lizzy Warren which we did.

Arrival in Liverpool, England

This past week, I returned from a business trip to China. While the Chinese culture is quite a bit different than our own, I also felt a strong reminder that we are also alike in many ways.  On the street  and in the markets, I saw mothers and fathers with their children, I saw people that were quickly moving through the streets on their way to work, and I saw those who were struggling to provide for themselves. While I’m sure there are signifiant differences in thoughts and culture, I think we also have many similarities and an inherent desire to do and be good.

How did Willard feel when he arrived in England?  Of course, the English culture was probably not completely foreign to him as his mother (Maud Mary Treseder Neeley) was born in England.  However, it was a country he had never visited before.

Below are entries from his first couple days in England.  Note the President Grant mentioned below is Heber J. Grant, who was serving as the president of the British Mission of the church, and would later become President of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Nov. 5/04.  Liverpool Dockyards.  Fine day.
We arose this morning.  Took breakfast.  Was towed to the landing pier where we came off board at 7 A.M.
There were come to meet us Elders Anderson and McAlister from the Liverpool office.  After having our baggage inspected, we were conducted to 10 Holly Road, Mission Headquarters.
Pres. Grant and a number of Elders were at the office and gave us a hearty welcome.  A meeting was held at 2 P.M.  Pres. Grant instructed us upon the important positions we were about to assume.  Telling us to keep humble and prayerful.  Be obedient to those over and, and above all to shun evil and temptation.  After meeting we were assigned to our respective fields of labor.  Elder Wootton and I were appointed to labor in the Newcastle conference.  Headquarters being at Sunderland Geo. Elder Wilkins as president. As it was too late to catch a train for Sunderland, we were obliged to lay over in Liverpool till Monday.  This being the case, we secured lodgings at the Iles Hotel.  The remaining part of the day we spent in sight-seeing.

Here's his entry from the next day.

Sunday. Nov. 6 1904. Liverpool.  Gloomy day.
The first Sunday spent in England.  How odd it seems, even in this large city of Liverpool.  Everything is quiet.  Nothing can be heard by the toll of church bells.  Traffic is stopped, even street cars, and railway trains which help to solemnize the Sabbath day.  In fact great lesson is taught to the rest of the world in Sabbath breaking.  How strange it seemed.
Elder Wooten and I went to Sunday School which was held at 10 Holly Road commencing at 11 A.M.  Elder Denniston conducted the theological class.  After Sunday School, we went though the Botanical Park which was beautiful and pleasing to the eye.  We returned at 2 P.M. to attend fast meeting.  We all bore our testimonies to the Gospel and the goodness of the Lord toward us.  After meeting, Elder Wooten and I went in search of a restaurant to get something to eat.  Most the eating houses were closed as it was Sunday, but after a long walk, we succeeded in finding a place to eat.  At 6:30 we returned to 10 Holly Rd for evening services.  The speakers were principally the new arrivals, me being among them, but I did not weary the people long.  After services, we returned to the Hotel and retired.

Clock tower built in 1848 overlooking the Liverpool Docks

Hannah

As I learned more about Willard Neeley, and that he served a mission to England, I always wondered if he had met Hannah Atkinson, his future wife while there.  Willard served his mission in northern England from 1904 to 1906.  Some of the cities he served in include: Chester-le-Street, Pelton, Carlisle, and Penrith.

Hannah was born in England.  She, along with her mother and three sisters, immigrated to the United States in September 1906, just a few months before Willard would return from his mission.

Willard and Hannah Atkinson were married in September 1910 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

As I’ve been reading Willard’s journals, I can see that he definitely knew the Atkinson family for much of his mission.  They even sent a postcard to him (and his companion) as they were leaving England for the United States.

The first six months of Willard’s mission, he served in Chester-le-Street and Pelton which are in northeastern England.  Then, on May 6, 1905, he was transferred to Carlisle in northwestern England.

Below is his journal entry from that day:

Sat. May 6, 1905 - Chester-le & Carlisle nice day [referring to the weather]I spent most of the morning packing my trunk.  Had it sent by advance luggage. Elders McFarlane and Paul accompanied me to the station.  I left on the 1:19 train for Newcastle, waited in Newcastle an hour, then took the 2:55 [train] for Carlisle.  The train followed up the Tyne [river] valley for fifty miles.  The scenery was beautiful.  Arrived at Carlisle at 4:30.  Was met at the station by Elder Charles and Everett.  Elder Charles was released to go home and I was to take his place.  I seen [saw] that my trunk was taken to the lodge [or apartment] by a porter.  Then we three went to the lodge and had tea.  In the evening we went out on the street to hold a meeting.  It was held on the Cross or Marketplace.  We had a nice meeting.  I was called on to preach.  It being my first time on the street, I felt shaky. Elder Charles next spoke.  There was a good crowd present.  After meeting we went and listened to a Gospel Hall Evangelist preach.  After he finished we went up and asked him some questions.  A long conversation followed.  The people crowded around in hundreds.  They were very bitter towards us and we received many sneers.  I have cause to remember the first real opposition on the street and I could see I must brace up my shoulders for the future work on the street.  Elders Charles and Everett held their own with the opposing through it.  Was very late when we left the Cross, we went to a family of Saints to call on them.  They run a laundry—the lady (Sister Atkinson) and her four daughters.  We took supper there then Elder Everett and I returned to lodge leaving Elder Charles there.

The Darlington Bowling Club

Aunt Gloria had this picture among some of her mementos from Willard's life.  He served a mission to England from 1904 to 1906.  A few months before coming home, he, along with three other missionaries had this picture taken.  I was wondering what the occasion was and found the answer in Willard's journal:

Tues. Aug. 28/06 Darlington. Fine [referring to the weather].This forenoon we spent the forenoon at lodge. I cut Elder Aisncough's hair.  At noon, Elder Barton came who was to be my future companion.  He is a son of Bishop Barton of Kaysville.  We all took dinner together, after which we took a walk to the Park and had another game of Bowling.  Elder Ainscough beat this game also. Returning to the lodge I cut Elder Riches' hair.  We spent some time there when we left to get our train for Penrith.  Elder Ainscough accompanied Elder Barton and I to the station.  We took the 5:08 P.M. train.  Changed at Kirkby Station thence to Penrith.  We spent the evening at lodge, it being 7:40 when we arrived.  Retired at 10 P.M.

Hope you are all doing well.  I added a couple more descendants to our group email this week--welcome Kay and Kathy!  If there are others that you'd like me to add, please have them contact me or send me their email address.

Thanks,
Loren

Picnic Pictures and Journal Entries

Hello Willard Neeley Descendants!

Hope you all are doing well.  It was really wonderful to meet many of you earlier this month at the picnic.  The general consensus from those I heard from was that we have a picnic every couple years.  So, we'll tentatively pencil in summer 2017 for our next extended get-together.

While I was in Utah, I scanned all the pages from Willard's mission journals (1904 to 1906).  I did miss at least two pages from his 1st journal, so if one of you could get a scan or picture of those pages I would appreciate it.  They are pages 12 and 13, written between Nov. 4, 1904 and Nov. 7, 1904. Aunt Gloria has the journals. Also, if you're interested in the complete set of images (over 300 pages), I'm happy to share, just let me know--the files are rather large, so will probably need to upload to Dropbox or something like that.  As I find interesting experiences, I'll share them here as well.

Here's one entry I enjoyed reading:

Mon. May 14/06. Penrith Eng. Fine day.
Spent the forenoon writing a letter home.  After dinner we went tracking.  Nothing of consequence occurred.  Had fair success. Offered a man tract at a pub who had just called for a glass of beer.  Offered to sell him a book.  Just as his beer arrived, he took a penny and gave it for beer instead of buying my book.  I told him the book would do him more good than that, but he said “I am thirsty.” I told him that would only quench the thirst for time being, but the book would give water that would spring up unto everlasting life, but he rather have the pleasures of this life and cared not for the hereafter.  The conversation between us very much vexed the woman bartender, and she cussed us half way up the street. We came home to tea and spent the evening at lodge.

Please feel free to send me additional email addresses of people that you think would be interested in staying in touch and/or getting passages from Willard's journal.

All the best,

Loren

Here are a few pictures from the picnic.

Willard Neeley Family Picnic

Descendants of Willard Neeley are invited to a family picnic on Saturday, August 1, 2015 from 5 pm to 10 pm at Antzak Park at 1850 East 7200 South, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121.