Microfilm of five diaries kept by James Lovett Bunting between 1857 and 1920. The first half of the first volume is dated 1857-1858 and begins while Bunting was living in England. He writes of reading about the Mormon War in the newspaper, sailing to the United States, his arrival in New York, and traveling overland to Utah. The second half of the volume skips to 1866 and covers Bunting's life in Utah through 1874, including the Sanpete Expedition, the 1873 Southern Expedition, and the completion of a telegraph line, as well as containing some genealogy. The second volume, identified as Volume "A," begins while Bunting was living in Kanab in 1878 and covers the beginning of his British mission in the same year. The third volume, begun at Liverpool and dated 1879-1881, describes Bunting's British mission through 1880, his travels back to Utah on the Union Pacific Railroad, and his life in Kanab to 1881. The fourth volume is dated Kanab 1882, and records Bunting's daily activities, including working in a shoe shop, agricultural and irrigation work, and attending meetings. The fifth volume begins in 1905 and describes Bunting's life in Kanab sporadically through 1920. All inquiries about this item should be directed to the H. Russell Smith Foundation Curator of Western Historical Manuscripts at the Huntington Library, San Marino, CA. Microfilm. San Marino, Calif. : Huntington Library Photographic Dept., 1948. 1 microfilm reel : negative 35 mm. Forms part of the Manuscripts Department's Mormon file, c.1805-1995. James Lovett Bunting (1832-1923) was born in Norfolk, England. At the age of 20 he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and after serving as a home missionary immigrated to Utah in 1858. He served as a captain in the militia during the Black Hawk War and settled in Kanab, Utah. He served on mission to England from 1878-1880 and 1893 and worked in the St. George Temple from 1897-1909. Bunting died in Provo in 1923.
Bunting, James Lovett, 1832-1923 Frontier and pioneer life--Utah Mormon missionaries--England Mormon pioneers Mormons--England--History--19th century Mormons--Utah--History--19th century Overland joureys to the Pacific Transatlantic voyages Utah Expedition (1857-1858) England--Description and travel Great Britain--History--19th century Kanab (Utah)--History Utah--Description and travel Utah--History--19th century 1857-1920 1920 Diaries England 19th century. (aat) Diaries Utah 19th century. (aat)
Source
Mormon Manuscripts at the Huntington Library Mormonism and the West, Huntington Digital Library
Provenance
Microfilm of originals loaned by Mrs. Lavon Blackburn and others through Juanita Brooks, October 7, 1948.
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