WELCOME TO SALLY’S DIARIES:
Before I get started describing this piece, I want to let you know that I have a podcast. I’ve taken some diaries from my private collection and shared them on our podcast called “Diary Discoveries.” We’ve got 48 episodes out now and you can find it on all the usual podcast venues. So if you enjoy the compelling and adventurous stories from vintage diaries then please check it out.
Plus, I was asked to do a TEDx talk in Vienna about this very thing, collecting diaries, and if you are interested in this sort of thing just put into the search engines “10,000 diaries” and you should come up with it. It was a privileged and blessing to be able to share what I’ve learned in the last 36 years. And with all that said……
Up for auction today are 28 vintage postcards, most of which have handwritten notes, and all of them belonged to an LDS Mormon Missionary of Smithfield, Cache County Utah. These postcards tell quite the story too. Before I quote from and describe the postcards I want to tell you the story behind this Mormon pioneer family.
Their name was Albert and Ellen McCann. Albert was born on October 4th, 1881 in Smithfield, Cache County Utah to the parents of Joseph Nephi and Ellen (Cantwell) McCann. He had 11 siblings. On June 10th, 1903 he married Lauretta F. Fishburn (1885-1958). They had 6 children. Albert and his wife Lauretta had something in common, both of their mothers were a part of two different Mormon “Handcart Companies” that headed west. (The Mormon handcart pioneers were participants in the migration of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to Salt Lake City, Utah, who used handcarts to transport their belongings. The Mormon handcart movement began in 1856 and continued until 1860.)
Albert’s mother Ellen was a part of the James G. Willie Handcart company of 1856 and she was just 7 years old and supposedly got bit by a rattlesnake while traveling with them but of course survived. Lauretta’s mother Laura Matilda Noble was a part of Captain Israel Evans Handcart Company of 1862 when just 12 years old. And here’s the interesting part, one of the men pulling the cart was Robert Leeming Fishburn (he was 28) who married Laura’s older sister (Eliza Nobel who was 26) while in England and they traveled with the Nobel family in Captain Evans group. Seven years later in 1869, Laura Nobel would become the second wife of Robert Leeming Fishburn and give birth to Lauretta, the receiver of some of these postcards and the wife of Albert McCann. Albert’s father Joseph did not come from England but was born in Iowa and came to Utah sometime in the early 1860’s.
The story these postcards represent are when Elder Albert McCann is on his two year mission to England, called the “British Mission” and that was from 1909-1911. His wife Ellen stays home and the notes on the back are from various people, many from England also. Two I found were from Albert himself writing home to his mother.
Then you’ll find an envelope addressed to Retta McCann (which of course is Lauretta) and it dates 1909. She is staying with her folks in Brigham City, Utah while her husband Albert is in England. There were 6 unused postcards inside this envelope representing the Earls Court Exhibition which was also called The Golden West and American Industries Exhibition that was like a World’s Fair held in London. Not sure who sent them but maybe Albert attended the fair.
Hopefully I haven’t been too confusing. I also found a brief bio on Rev. Albert McCann on the web, and I quote….
When Albert McCann was born on 4 October 1881, in Smithfield, Cache, Utah, United States, his father, Joseph Nephi McCann, was 37 and his mother, Ellen Cantwell, was 33. He married Lauretta Fishburn on 10 June 1903, in Logan, Cache, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 2 daughters. He lived in Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah, United States in 1910 and Smithfield Election Precinct, Cache, Utah, United States in 1940. In 1933, at the age of 52, his occupation is listed as president of the cache county board of education in Cache, Utah, United States. He died on 23 May 1959, in Smithfield, Cache, Utah, United States, at the age of 77, and was buried in Smithfield City Cemetery, Smithfield, Cache, Utah, United States.”
The highlights of this group (to me) are the three photo postcards showing Rev. McCann’s church in Sheffield. One is blank, one quotes what the sign in front of the church says, “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Public Services. Bible Class 2:30. Evening Service 6:30. Every Sunday. Mutual Improvement. Every Friday at 7:30. Seats Free. No collections. Rev. Albert McCann.” Then on the third one is written, “This is a photo of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Meeting House. Corner of Ellesmere Rd. and Lyons Rd. Pitsmoor, Sheffield. All invited, seats free. Rev. Albert McCann.”
So here’s how they lay out; there are 16 postcards that have handwriting on them, 6 not written on, the 6 blank ones from the London Exhibition and then the 1 Salt Lake City Souvenir Folder of pictures. And of the 28 represented at least 7 are real photo postcards.
Here are a few examples of some of the notes on the back…
“April 29, 1910. Mr. Albert McCann.
Dear Brother, On account of having some friends coming to see us Saturday will not be able to come to your social. I am going to move back to the office next Monday, 375 Moss Lane East, Whitworth Park, Manchester. Hoping you are well and enjoying your labors. I remain as ever your bro, etc. H. Done.”
“March 6, 1910.
Arrived safe at Eureka. Starting work tomorrow, 11th of March. Let Elder Bond know and tell him to write and don’t know his address and tell P. Herdly where I am. Hoping you are all in good health and doing much good. If you care to write to the post office it will find me. Best wishes from your friend and Bro in the Gospel. T. Bayliff.”
“Cardston, April 26, Elder McCann.
Your letter to hand very glad to hear of 82. That all is well. I do not gain very much yet. I have done nothing since I came home. I was quite sick for a while. I gess I will have to lay up for the summer and build my self up. I have seen nothing of Smith as yet. Got word from them that they were sailing on the 9 for Raymond. I went down and secured a house for them when they came. I was thinking of phoning down this morning. Tell Miss Larsen I am sending the money for her to come out to work for a cousin of mine which will be 75.00. It will follow in a week or less so if she wants to come to get ready they have advance the money and will pay her 12s-6d per week until paid back. So tell her to give dew notice. I will send it to you. Love to all the Elders and Saints and especially the Miles family. God Bless you all. Wm. Duce.”
“30 South Terrace Cork Ireland. August 23, 1910.
Dear Mother, You will perhaps be surprised to hear of me being in Ireland. Joe and I came over Sat. night landing in Dublin Sun. morning. We came to Cork Monday and today (Tuesday) we have been seeing some of the sights of Cork. Will leave for Kilarney tonight. Six of the Elders from this conference are with us. We expect to get back to Dublin for Thursday to attend a big horse and cattle show. We are having a fine time enjoying the sights in bonny Ireland, the land of the Shamrock and the home of Paddy. Trusting you are feeling much better and enjoying good health. I am your loving son, Al.”
“Dear Bro, If you are coming down here on Wednesday get down about 5 o’clock if you can also Elder Brown. Hoping you are well and oblige. Sis Smith. I hope President is much better, also Elder Duce.”
“This is where the first baptism took place in England.”
“Oct. 1911. Illinois Central Depot Chicago
My Dear Friends, You will see by this that we are at Chicago. We are having a royal time here. Have been round the town in sight seeing autos. I think it’s a nice place but so busy and you have to strain your neck so to see the top of the buildings as space is limited. I must close, kindest regards, Beatie.”
“August 23rd, 1910.
Dear Mother. We visited this church yesterday. The tower was built from 1590 to 1790. There are 133 steps which we went up. The bells are known for their sweet tones. We heard them play several times. Viz. Annie Laura, Blue Bells of Scotland, Old Black Joe and others. The weight of the largest bell in fact all respectfully is 3,000#, 2,000#, 1700#, 1500#, 1,100#, 900#, 750#, 500#. We saw just how the bells are played also saw the inside of the large clock shown in the tower which is 15 ft. in diameter. The minute hand is 7 ft. long, the hour hand is 5 ft. long. You will also see a copper fish on the top of the tower 12 feet long. While standing out on the tower we could see many women barefooted walking along the stone walks and it’s raining. Much poverty exists in this place. Your son, Al.”
There’s more than what I’ve quoted here but that should give you a good idea of the contents. Most are in good shape, some in great shape and some a bit worn.
Some of the names of the authors are E. B. Taylor, H. Done, T. Bayliff, Leonard, William Duce (Southern Alberta Latter-day Saint missionaries in Britain, 1908.) and more.