TRUE FRIENDS
JOHN MARRIOTT &
CHRISTOPHER LAYTON

The following words are taken from Christopher Layton's writings. One of his most cherished friends was our ancestor, John Marriott. Note the accounts of their travels, trials, times of hunger, despair, enemies, illnesses, and also their receiving assistance from God through prayer. It can be said of them that through prayer they remained close to the Lord and were blessed from day to day.

"We were enrolled with many of the other Saints on the good ship 'Swanton' (with ship) Captain Davenport, our destination Nauvoo. It was the 19th company of LDS emigrants with Lorenzo Snow as the company captain. We were held in Liverpool (England) for two weeks for repairs of the ship. We were given permission to live on the ship during this time. We did our own cooking there, we held our own prayer time together giving thanks to our Lord and asking for his care while over the water not forgetting those among us who were not in good health.

On January 16, 1843, we set sail from Liverpool, and we slowly saw the land disappear in the distance. We sang the songs of Zion and tried to cheer each other up. (It was here upon this journey that Christopher Layton met John Marriott)

Brother John Marriott and his wife Susannah (Houghton Fowkes) were in our company and although conditions were not of the best on the boat my wife gave birth to a son and Brother Marriott's wife blessed him with a child.

We were proud of our children and grateful to our wives.

We sailed for seven weeks and three days arriving at New Orleans. Here we transferred to a steamer called 'Amaranth.'

We sailed another four weeks up the Mississippi River. Later we were transferred to a barge. Here we had to stay two weeks waiting for ice on the river to break up. This part of the journey was hard; cold weather, low provisions, and the delicate strength of the women gave us worry.

Sometimes we were threatened with danger on this boat, but we consoled ourselves with faith and prayers to the Lord to protect us. Many times we kneeled and implored the Lord to console and give us courage. We could not help but think about Nauvoo and wonder what awaited us there.

About the 7th of April, a small steamer fastened a cable onto the barge and tugged us up the river toward Nauvoo. On April 12, 1843, what rejoicing when we landed. There stood the Prophet Joseph Smith on the river bank to welcome us. He grasped our hands and said "God bless you all." His love and concern for us sank deep into our heats, giving us a feeling of peace such as we had never known before.

The Saints had congregated in front of the old post office building to welcome us to the beautiful city of Nauvoo. Here they offered us the hospitality of their homes and the love of their hearts. Brother Phileman C. Merrill, Brother Sam Price, Brother Jacob Butterfield, it is these people I pray to never forget.

The first work given to us was digging a well. Mr. Marriott and myself were hired by a Brother Wilson to do this. We received cash for this and you can be sure we were glad to see that. After this work we were hired to fence a whole farm for a Bishop Hunter.

Brother Marriott and I started to plan how we could get homes for our families. About this time, we were given a chance to build on some community property but we felt that we were not being dealt with fairly so we drew out of the deal.

Later we consulted with the prophet and he agreed with us, after that he counseled and instructed us in business matters, then he gave each of us one and one half acres of land and said to us: "If you live the Commandments of the Lord you shall live to see the day when you can buy-out everyone who has ever oppressed."

Brother Marriott and I went to work at Big Mound and built a room 10 feet by 12 feet. We cut out the sod for a floor. We worked hard all summer and completed this one house. As this first house was Brother Marriott's, we both planned to live in it until we built the second house.

The first winter we had dirt floors, quilts for doors, and beds made on the floor. When they were made down they just about filled the room. We were very thankful for a roof over our heads and we never overlooked thanking God for our blessings.

The next morning after the first night in the house I asked Brother Marriott what did you dream last night? He said, I didn't dream anything. I continued, I did. I dreamed you and I bought a horse. He laughed and said: It takes money to buy horses! I told him I dreamed that we bought a horse, you traded your clock and I traded my dress coat for one. He laughed at this.

Well, we went to a man named Hamilton who did not belong to the Church. I told him I had a dream that I offered him the clothes as a trade for a saddle horse. He said: Young man, I take no stock in dreams, but as to the horse you shall not be disappointed. We made the trade and rode away rejoicing on a nice four year old mare. We showed our horse to our wives. They laughed and then they cried. Again we did not forget that night to thank God for prospering and blessing us.

John and I were given another job making ditches on a farm, and for this we were given another horse. We then worked at another job cutting hay and earned a wagon with harness to fit. With our harness and wagon, we hauled in wood for winter. We felt rich in the Lord's blessing and again told Him so.

Brother John and I started another house of the same nature as the first for me and my family. We worked on it when we were not otherwise employed.

At this time our prophet was going through many trials. O how wonderful it was to see him and talk to him as we did from time to time. The touch of his hand was uplifting to us and gave us much courage.

When we expressed fear for him he said, "Do not be alarmed, I have no fear, I shall not flee, I am among friend and my enemies cannot slay me. I tell you this in the name of Israel's God."

Joseph seemed to always be surrounded by his friends. Brother Marriott and I were called at times to guard him in some of his darkest hours. He was subjected to 38 law suits against his person, but was never convicted.

At this time Brother Marriott made room in our crowded house for a homeless couple, Brother and Sister Shultz, but our house was soon done, and we moved in it with grateful hearts to God.

In this diary I must write the saddest news of my heart for God's call has come to our dear beloved Prophet Joseph. We felt when we last talked to him that he knew his time was short. We heard a whole city wailing because of his death, our grief cannot be explained. Take sheep without fold, everyone wondered where to look for authority. A Priesthood Council was called and not long after Brigham Young arose to continue the foundation Joseph had made, the foundation of a Kingdom whose equal there never was in the world. With the new leader, Brigham Young, we lifted our hearts and minds to God and feeling at peace, we returned to our work.

In the fall of 1844, John and I were given work by a Mr. White. We worked on his farm until winter drove us in then in the spring we rented farmland from him, put in a crop of corn, and had a good yield. We did not forget to thank the Lord for this.

There were two Coleman brothers who also planted corn. They stored their grain with us in a place we prepared for it. They paid us well for this favor. We were thankful for it. Later we returned to Big Mound with good returns from our work.

About this time, Brigham Young received word from Governor Ford of Illinois to get ourselves off to California as soon as we could.

Plans were made to leave because of the unrest that was growing worse for the Saints. The companies began leaving some only with small carts, some with cows tied to wagons. This was a sad time for us all, but I tell you all it was not unexpected. Our Prophet had many times prepared us to be watchful. We always felt very thankful to be taught by our Prophet, may God rest his soul, until we meet again."

John Marriott at this time left to go to St. Louis to get his father and sister, but both had passed on by the time he arrived there.

Christopher Layton joined the Mormon Battalion. Thus the two men went their separate ways. Years later both come to Utah to help build Zion here, to love God, and help build and sustain His Church to the end of their days.