John Parley James Life History

John James was born 12 August 1852, at Pinvin, Worchester England. John's father was William James, an agricultural labourer, son of Lee James and Sarah Price. John's mother was Jane Haynes (Haines), gloveress, daughter of Celia Haynes. John's brothers and sisters are: Sarah, born 14 or 16 August 1837; Emma, born 3 June 1839; Reuben, born 16 June 1841; Mary Ann, born 15 or 16 December 1844; Martha, born 8 June 1846; George, born 16 June 1847; Jane, born 9 September 1853. John's family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints in Birmingham Branch in 1850. They wanted to come to America and Utah while all the family were together. Father, William, had health problems but they thought maybe they could make the trip. William James family sailed from Liverpool, England 4 May 1856, on the ship "Thornton". They arrived in New York Harbor, 14 June 1856. The company traveled by rail through Albany, Buffalo, Chicago, and reached Iowa City on 26 June 1856. On 15 July 1856, they set out for the trek. James G. Willie became the captain for the Fourth Handcart Company. The company comprised of 500 persons. They had 120 handcarts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, 45 beef cattle and cows. The company was divided into 100 persons to a group. They were led by a sub-captain. They had 5 round tents, with 20 persons to a tent, and 20 hand carts or one to every 5 persons, one Chicago Wagon, drawn by 3 yolk of oxen to haul provisions and tents. Each person was limited to 17 pounds of clothing and bedding.