Morning Birds are Singing

Dear Family,

I hope this note finds you all doing very well.  Last year, our family moved to Ireland and we have been thoroughly enjoying the Irish life...cooler weather, wonderful hiking and outdoors, history, beautiful landscape, and delightful people.

With the arrival of spring, the morning birds have come out in full force.  The start singing just before the sun arises which is quite early here...usually around 5 am now with us being so far north.  The journal entry below made me think of the mornings here, although I am very surprised that Willard was able to sleep until 9 am!

Sunday, May 14, 1905 - Carlisle - Fine day.

This morning was a beautiful morning. On awaking the birds were singing by our window.  Everything seemed to be so fresh and beautiful.  It was about 9 am when we arose as we had been up so late the previous night.  We fasted this morning, therefore did not wait for breakfast but came down to join the other Elders.  At 11 am we Elders and the Saints met in the Stanley Hall in choir practise. Practising the songs we were going to sing in Distict meeting.  At 2:30 pm the first meeting began.  There were present about eighty strangers, the saints, and six of us Elders namely Pres. Adams, Elders Hazen, Choules, Everett, Taylor and myself.  The speakers in this meeter were Elders Taylor and Everett who treated the first Principles of the Gospel and Pres. Adams who treated the Restoration.  Text being Nebuchadnezzar's dream.  Meeting adjourned till 6:30 pm.  At this meeter were about 120 strangers.  Speakers were Elder Haven, Pres. Adams and Elder Choules all treating the Gospel as the Latter-Day Saints teach it.  I offered closing prayer.  The meetings throughout the day were very interesting and instructive.  The singing was also nice.  We Elders all went up to Sister Atkinsons for supper after the meetings and from there Elder Hazen and I went on to Upperby to stop over night at Lightfoot's.  It was about midnight when we retired.

Family Picnic

Dear Family, Here's some info for tomorrow's picnic: When: Monday, July 10 - reservation is from 4 pm to 10 pm. Most will start to arrive after 5pm - 6 pm. Location: Sugar Beet pavilion @ Sugarhouse Park. Entrance is located at 1500 (15th) east and 2100 (21st south). There are two playgrounds, the one we are at is the 2nd one you come to while driving around. Food: Bring a picnic dinner for your own family and a dessert to share. Memories: bring a story, picture, or other family memento. See you tomorrow! Loren

You're Invited to the Willard Neeley Family Picnic

Dear Family, You're invited to the Willard Neeley family picnic on Monday, July 10 at Sugarhouse Park in Salt Lake City. We will meet at the Sugar Beet pavilion located on the east end and is right next to a playground. Sugarhouse Park entrance is located at 1500 (15th) east and 2100 (21st south). There are two playgrounds, the one we are at is the 2nd one you come to while driving around. Thanks Bonnie for arranging! Please feel free (but not obligated) to bring a story, photo, or other family heirlooms to share. See you soon! Loren

2017 Family Picnic and The Dungeons

Dear Family,

Hope this note finds you doing well.

We're planning a Willard Neeley Family picnic on Monday, July 10 from 5 pm to 9 pm and would love to see you there.  More details to come, but we're thinking of meeting again at Antzak Park in Cottonwood Heights, Utah.  Everyone can bring their own dinner for their family and a little desert to share.  I'll send out an update once we have the park reserved.

To celebrate the occasion, here's an entry from Willard's journal:

Saturday, May 13, 1905 - Carlisle - Fine day.

Elder Hazen and I came from Upperby (spelling?) arriving at the lodge about 10 am. While at the lodge Pres. Hill and wife and Elders Glen and Baird of the Leeds conference called on us, then also the Atkinson girls. We all went through the old Carlisle Castle visiting the dungeons and other historical points. Our guide explained much to us of events that had transpired within the walls of that ancient place where hundreds of prisoners had perished, the death list raising to forty in a night. He also related events accompanying the imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scots which lasted about eight years when she finally received her death sentence and was taken outside of Carlisle and beheaded. After leaving the castle, we went to the state to see our visitors off to Scotland. While waiting in the station seen Pres. Grant in a train that had only stopped a minute, we waived at him. After seeing our friends off, Elders Everett, Taylor, Hazen, and I went to the Carlisle Cathedral, attended services at 4 pm. After which we went to the museum, went through it. There seen many ancient relics and articles of interest, we returned from the museum to the lodge. Had supper after which we all went to hold street meetings. After holding three meetings we came to the lodge. It was quite late when Elder Hazen and I went to Sister Lightfoot’s to go to bed.

First Few Days in Carlisle

Here are Willard’s entries from the first few days that he was in Carlisle.  His new mission companion would eventually return to Utah and eventually become a relatively well known artist.  See the link below for Joseph Everett.

Sunday, May 7, 1905 - Carlisle - nice day
Arrived here last evening from Chester le St. to take up labor here, Elder Joseph Everett being my companion. Today being Sunday, we arose at 7 A.M. Prepared to attend some baptisms that were to be held at the baths. Elder Choules officiated in baptizing three souls into the fold. After leaving the baths we came to the lodge at #2 Aglionby St. At 2:30 we went to Sunday School at the Hall, 47 Scotch Street after which we went to Sister Atkinson’s for dinner. Then in the evening at 6 P.M. held services in the Hall the saints and friends being present. After services we went down to the Cross and held a street meeting. There were quite a few people came to hear us. A man jumped on Elder Choules about polygamy but we evaded a discussion on the street. Leaving the crowd who had gathered to hear the discussion we went to the lodge. It was quite late when we retired. Those who were baptized were confirmed in Sunday School. I confirmed Andrew Eland Armstrong. Monday, May 8, 1905 - Carlisle - fine day
We arose quite early. Went to visit some of the Saints after which Elder Everett and I started billing the District meeting that was to be held the following Sunday. We quit tracking quite early in the afternoon and with a number of the saints took the trains out to Wetherel then walked a mile or so to the home of Bro. Porter. Held a singing practice and a cottage meeting afterward. We had supper before leaving for Carlisle. Our journey to Carlisle was five miles which was accomplished by walking. It was 11:30 when we got to lodge and were tired enough to sleep good. 

Tuesday, May 9, 1905 - Carlisle - Fine day
It was about 9 o’clock when Elder Everett and I arose this morning. We made speedy preparations to begin our tracking which continued the remainder of the day. We had quite a number  of conversations. Our being with a minister (Church of England) we had it up and down for a short time. After which we shook hands and parted. We spent the evening in the lodge writing. Retired late.

Their Missionary Lodge

Journal Entry Page 1

Journal Entry Page 2

Farewell Chester-le-Street and Pelton Branch. Hello Carlisle.

Willard’s first six months of his mission were spent in Chster-le-Street and the Pelton Branch.  After serving there, he was transferred to Carlisle where he would serve the remainder of his 2 year mission.  On his first day in Carlisle, he met his future mother-in-law and future wife, Hannah Atkinson.

Below are his journal entries during this transition time of his mission:

Thursday, May 4, 2905 - Nice day

On coming downstairs this morning, found a letter from Pres. Adams releasing me from my labors in Pelton and appointing me to labor in Carlisle with Elder Everett.  I was given two days to get ready … and to visit the Saints and my friends.  Elder McFarlane and I sat out to do the visiting as I had no time to lose and Saints were very scatter[ed].  We visited the people at Newfield, West Pelton, and Grange Villa.  In the evening attended Mutual at the Store Hall where I preached my farewell sermon.  I regreted leaving my friends and work in Pelton, having become attached to it.  But I suppose the people were glad to get rid of me.  After Mutual we went to Jordans and took supper then home. 

Friday May 5, 1905 - Beautiful day 

We spent the whole day investing and bidding the Saints goodbye.  We first went to Waldridge Fell.  Called on Bro. Green. Had dinner then through the fields to Sacriston.  Spent the afternoon at Bro. White’s.  Took tea while there.  Bro. White took my photo.  Leaving Sacristan we went by Edmondsly to Grange Villa.  Called on Sister Smith and Bro. Wiseman.  From there we returned to Chester le St. Visited Bro. and Sister Lindsley.  From there we came to lodge.  Elder Walter G. Paul who had been appointed to labor in my place was awaiting our return after talking together a while we retired. 

Saturday May 6, 1905 - Chester le & Carlisle - nice day 

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 for Carlisle.  The train followed up the Tyne Valley for fifty miles.  The scenery was beautiful.  Arrived at Carlisle at 4:30.  Was met at the station by Elder Choules and Everett.  Elder Choules was released to go home and I was to take his place.  I [saw] that my trunk was taken to the lodge 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 on Market place.  We had a nice meeting.  I was called on to preach.  It being my first time on the street, I felt shaky.  Elder Choules next spoke.  There was a good crowd present.  After meeting, we went and listen to a Gospel Hall Evangelist preach.  After he finished, we went up and asked him some questions.  A long conversation followed.  The people crowed 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 Choules 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 Choules there.

Continued in Volume 2

Carlisle Cross and Market where Willard Preached

Sister Atkinson and her four daughters

Tea Time in England

As I’ve read Willard’s journal entries, almost every day he speaks of stopping in “for tea” at someone’s home.  All along, I assumed that indeed they were having English tea, however I read this journal entry from March 22, 1905:

We remained at lodge and studied till 2 P.M. today.  Then went to No. 5 Ivenho Terrace, Chester le St. to meet a minister who had desired to meet us.  Our conversation lasted three and a half hours.  We were able to meet his arguments.  He invited us to stop to tea which we did.  He thought it strange for us to take water instead of tea, but we explained the Word of Wisdom to him, which he could not but acknowledge was a benefit to any class of people.  We left his home after tea with an invitation to return and visit some future time.  We went to lodge and fot our books and tracts and then to Waldridge to hold a cottage meeting.  There were quite a number present.  I presided and was the first speaker occupying 30 min. on the First Principles.  Elder McFarlane then spoke 40 min. on the Personality of God.  We enjoyed a good Spirit and were _____ by meeting together.  After meeting, supper was prepared. When we had partaken of it we went home.

5 Ivanhoe Terrace in Chester-le-Street, England

Journal entry from 22 March 1905