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.