John Morley served in the Southern States Mission from 1910 to 1912. In his mission acceptance letter to Joseph F. Smith, he wrote: “I will accept the call.”Elder Morley kept a journal of his time in Blount County. He married in the Manti Temple in 1901. They already had four children at the time of his call to serve in the East Tennessee Conference. In a 1910-postcard to his family, he wrote: “Live your religion, for it is the power of God unto salvation to all those who live and obey.”He returned home and they raised seven children in Sanpete, Utah. Elder Morley baptized Martha Elizabeth Russell, in Maryville, and confirmed Eliza Lee Hicks and Rachel Tennessee Hicks members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tuckaleechee Cove, in 1911.
Arrival to Blount County
[Monday] – 27 February 1911 Arrived in Blount County. Left Knoxville at 7 AM for Walland. Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland met us at [the] depot with [his] rig and drove us to his home 4 miles. President Stailey, Elder [Heber Ewer] Palmer, Sister Harvey, and myself were in the company. Got here OK. Had a fine dinner. Went and caught some fish. Had cottage meeting in evening. All’s well.
[Tuesday] – 28 February [1911] Helped Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland load manure. Helped Jonathan [Lowery] Perkins split some pickets in [the] evening. Walked about 2 miles to Bro[ther Samuel Patterson] Harmon‘s and held a cottage meeting.
Wednesday – 1 March 1911 After breakfast, helped Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland take some potatoes out of his cellar, which were very rotten and stunk awful.
Thursday – 2 March 1911 Got up early. Had breakfast and took Pres. Stailey and Sister Harvy (sic) to Walland in [the] back. Come (sic) back to Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s and wrote to Morley and I. J. (sic). Got news and journals and read part of them. Gears (sic) up mules and helped get load of wood.
Friday – 3 March 1911 Jonathan [Lowery] Perkins caught a oposom (sic) alive last night and brought it up to Sister [Sarah Margaret Cauble] Garland‘s this morning. It had 12 young ones in its pouch, the first this one I ever seen. I worked our chores in forenoon. In afternoon, rode Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s gray mare to Walland after our [illegible] and some [illegible]. Read letters from [my] wife along [illegible]. Read with pleasure and wrote to [my] wife.
Saturday – 4 March 1911 Helped Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland sow oats. In forenoon, wrote letters to Jonathan Morley and E. C. Curtis. Held cottage meetings in [the] evening.
Sunday – 5 March 1911 Fast day. Held sacrament meeting at 10 AM. [In the] afternoon, went to Bro[ther Samuel Patterson] Harmon‘s. Had [a] pleasant time. Saw a ground hog returning. Thanked the Lord for his mercies to me this day.
Monday – 6 March 1911 On account of [the] storm we did not get out canvassing. Studied most of forenoon. After dinner, I went and helped Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland cut some trees.
Tuesday – 7 March 1911 Left Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s at 7 AM for Happy Vallie (sic). Elder [Heber Ewer] Palmer fell in the creek. Walked 10 miles and canvassed on [our] way. Got dinner at William [Edgar] Tucker‘s [at] about 2 PM. Come (sic) down to David [Lafayette] Whitehead‘s. Had supper and talked on [the] gospel until 9 PM. Slept in [illegible].
Wednesday – 8 March [1911] Left Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead in [the] morning. Went down to Chill Howie (sic). Was invited and had dinner with Dr. George Robbins. Saw [the] Tennessee River. Canvassed on [our] way back to Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead. Met some good friends. Walked about 10 miles.
Thursday – 9 March 1911 Went over across Abraham’s Creek canvassing. Walked about 6 miles. Met [illegible]. Had a long gospel conversation with him. Come back to Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead‘s. Held a cottage meeting in [the] evening. Not many come.
Blessings of Lamon Whitehead & Ernest Tucker
Friday – 10 March 1911 Ate breakfast with Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead, after which we blessed Layman Ralph [Whitehead], their baby – [of Mary Lucinda Tefeteller and David Lafayette Whitehead]. From there went to Ms. Mary [Jane Harmon] Tucker‘s and blessed Earnest Adam [Tucker], her baby [and of William Edgar Tucker]. Walked about 5 miles, and was invited and took dinner with Mr. Spencer [illegible]. Was treated well. Walked another 3 miles to M[ary] J[ane Davis] Harmon‘s. Had supper and held a cottage meeting, after which we walked 1 mile to Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s to sleep. Reed (sic) and read letters from [my] wife, sister, Mary, mother and Delena.
Saturday – 11 March 1911 Wrote letters to [my] wife, mother, Mary, [and] Delena. In [the] afternoon, went out and leveled land for Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland with team until 9:30 AM. Then come in, shaved, took bath, and read papers and [the] Liahona. Went up to Bro[ther] Sam[uel Patterson Harmon’s] and Polly [Ann Davis] Harmon‘s and stayed all night.
Sunday – 12 March 1911 After breakfast at Sister [Polly Ann Davis] Harmon‘s, went down to Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s. Went to Mary J[ane Davis] Harmon‘s, who is sick. Held [a] cottage meeting at 10 AM. Had [a] talk with [illegible]. Read [the Improvement] Era and other books most of [the] afternoon.
Monday – 13 March 1911 Left Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s at 9 AM. Canvassed as we went down the creek at 11 AM. We come to Mr. C. C. Caghorn who invited us to have dinner, which we accepted and appreciated, after which we went on canvassing. Got down to a gentleman by the name of Marton who was cutting stove wood with [a] small [illegible]. I ask[ed] him if I could interest him in religion. He got very angry and said I could not throw off on him. I told him I was not trying to, then he ordered me off. I told him he did not have the fruit of the spirit, upon which he picked up a club about 5 ft. long and drawed (sic) back to strike me. I said: “Don’t do it, bro[ther].” He told me again to go, upon which I started slowly, him telling me I barly (sic) saved my life. I pray the Lord will forgive him. Came on up to Townsend and got entertainment of Mrs. Andrew [Louella Garland] Parham, a member.
Tuesday – 14 March 1911 After breakfast, went out canvassing. Was treated very well. Was invited to eat dinner with Mr. Cameron who had been out West. After dinner canvassed and come back up to Bro[ther] Job[e] A[braham] Harmon‘s and held [a] meeting.
Wednesday – 16 (sic) March 1911 Went tracting across [the] Little River. Met with far success. Helped an old gentleman shell some corn who was friendly to the elders. Held a cottage meeting with Mr. Webb Grant and staid (sic) with them all night.
Thursday – 17 (sic) March 1911 After breakfast, come back to Bro[ther Samuel Patterson] Harmon‘s. Got news and [the] Liahona, read until noon. After dinner we went tracting. I canvassed me (sic) gentleman who offered to let us speak in the Junior Hall at [the] evening, which we [illegible]. After meeting, we was invited to go stay with Mr. William [Riley Thomas] Tipton, which we did and was treated well.
Friday – 18 (sic) March 1911 Read letter from mutual with order of 7.65. Was very thankful for same. Wrote to wife… Come down to Mr. [Toliver] Andy Parh[a]m and held [a] cottage meeting.
Saturday – 18 March 1911 Slept at Sister [Louella Garland] Parham‘s. After breakfast, [illegible] had dinner at Mrs. Lee Grant’s, after which went out in Dry Valley canvassing. It started raining. Met a Mr. Henry Miller, who bought [a] Book [of Mormon] and treated us fine. Come back down to Mr. [Lee] Grant’s and held meeting.
Sunday – 19 March 1911 Left Mr. [Lee] Grant’s [at] about 10 AM. Went up to H[ughes Thomas] Hicks and held meeting and had dinner. After [the] meeting, went down to Bro[ther] Joseph [Franklin] Harmon‘s and held [a] meeting.
[Monday] – 20 March 1911 Left Bro[ther Joseph Franklin] Harmon‘s for Cades Cove after climing (sic) [a] steep mountain. Reached the head of Dry Valley at 11:30 AM, and was invited and had dinner with Mr. J. L. Walker. After dinner talked on about war. Got in Cades Cove [at] about 5:30 PM. Was invited to stay with James Manuel [Ledbetter]. Am here as [of] this writing.
Tuesday – 21 March 1911 Left [James] Manuel [Ledbetter]’s at 7 PM [TN: the previous day]. Canvassed upper part of Cades Cove until about 2 PM. Then [illegible] about two miles to [William] Chas Garland‘s.
Wednesday – 22 March 1911 Went out canvassing. [Was] invited and [ate] dinner. Canvassed until 5 PM. Come back to Bro[ther William Charles] Garland‘s, held [a] meeting.
Thursday – 23 March 1911 Sawed some wood for [William] Chas Garland. Took [a] walk around his place. Walked 3 miles to [the] P. O. but got no mail. Held [a] cottage meeting in [the] evening.
Friday – 24 March 1911 Finished canvassing Cades Cove. Went to [the] P. O. and got letters from [my] wife, R. Blackham. [Got the] Liahona. Came back to [William Charles] Garland‘s. Held [a] meeting.
Saturday – 25 March 1911 Left [William] Chas Garland for Townsend. Canvassed Dry Valley. On [the] way, reach[ed] Bro[ther] Job[e Abraham] Harmon‘s [at] about 6. Had [a] good supper and will stay with him tonight.
Sunday – 26 March 1911 Spent most of [the] day talking with friends. Held 2 cottage meetings and went down and stayed with Mr. William [Riley Thomas] Tipton all night.
Monday – 27 March 1911 Studied and wrote [a] letter to [illegible]. In [the] afternoon, went down to see Garfield Smith, who is sick. Come back up to Mr. Shurman [Ulysses] Birchfield‘s. Held [a] cottage meeting and stayed all night.
Tuesday – 28 March 1911 Went tracting above Townsend. Ate dinner with Mr. [illegible]. Come back to Bro[ther] Job[e Abraham] Harmon. Helped him make [a] pig pen. Went down to Lew Grant’s. Held cottage meetings and stayed all night.
Wednesday – 29 Mar 1911 Came back up to Bro[ther Jobe Abraham] Harmon‘s. Studied all forenoon. In afternoon, went down to see Lou[el]la [Garland] Parham. Held [a] meeting at William [Riley Thomas] Tipton‘s. Come up to Job[e Abraham] Harmon‘s tonight.
Thursday – 30 March 1911 Left Townsend [at] 8 AM on [a] train to Walker [Station]. From their (sic), walked up to Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s. Canvassed on [the] way in storms. Arrived OK. Got news and journaled.
Friday – 31 March 1911 Studied in forenoon. Cut wood. Went fishing. Reed (sic) and read letters from [my] wife [illegible] and W. Morley.
Saturday – 1 Apr 1911 Wrote letters to [my] wife. Washed clowse (sic). Was visited by Job[e Abraham] Harmon and [his] wife [Mary Jane Garland], [Toliver] Andy Parham and [his] wife [Louella Garland], Ms. Sallie Bry and Dora Tipton and Mrs. S[he]rmon B[u]rchfield [Ruth Jane Hicks]. Held [a] cottage meeting.
Sunday – 2 April 1911 Held sacrament meeting at 10 AM. Also [a] meeting at 1 PM, after which all Townsend people went home and we went up to Mr. Sam[uel] Hodge‘s. Stayd (sic) all night.
Monday – 3 April [1911] Helped Bro[ther Samuel] Hodge get some wood. Went up to Bro[ther] Sam[uel Patterson] Harmon‘s. Had dinner and got some wood for him. Came back to Sister [Sarah Margaret Cauble] Garland‘s.
Tuesday – 4 April [1911] Stormed nearly all day. She nt (sic). Most of day [was] reading and fishing.
Wednesday – 5 April 1911 Studied. Got wood. Fished and sheered 10 sheep for [Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland.
Thursday – 6 April 1911 Studied [in the] forenoon. Fished and went to Rouleh [in the] afternoon.
Friday – 7 April 1911 Helped plant [a] bed of sweet potatoes. Studied and fished.
Saturday – 8 April 1911 Wrote [a] letter to [my] wife [illegible]. Studied and fished.
Sunday – 9 April 1911 Held sacrament meeting at Sarah [Margaret Cauble] Garland‘s at 10 AM and in [the] afternoon at Polly [Ann Davis] Harmon‘s. Come back to [Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s and packed our grips to start for Knoxville.
Monday – 10 April 1911 Left Sister [Sarah Margaret Cauble] Garland‘s [at] 7 AM. Walked to Walland. Took [the] train. Come to Knoxville. Spent rest of day visiting Saints.
Tuesday – 18 April 1911 Left Knoxville at 8 AM. Canvassed on [the] way. Ask[ed] for [illegible]. Was refused. Stopped at Jackson Hotel in Maryville.
[Wednesday] – 19 April 1911 Left Maryyille [at] 8 AM in [a] rain storm. Walked 13 miles to [Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s.
Thursday – 20 April [1911] Went out. Sawed down timber. Read news and [the] Liahona.
Friday – 21 April [1911] Helped fix up [illegible]. Reed (sic) and wrote [a] letter. [illegible]
Saturday – 22 April [1911] Wrote letters. Studied and held [a] cottage meeting in evening.
Sunday – 23 April [1911] Held sacrament meeting. Took [a] walk in [the] afternoon.
Monday – 24 April 1911 Left Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland’s at 8 AM. Come over on Crooked Creek canvassing. Stayed at [Charles Harrison] Russell‘s.
Tuesday – 25 April [1911] Went up to attend furnell (sic) but learned that [the] woman was not dead. Went canvassing in [the] evening. Listened to [illegible].
Wednesday – 26 April [1911] Went out canvassing and held [a] cottage meeting at Chas [Harrison] Russell‘s.
Thursday – 27 April [1911] Stayed around and studied, and did not do any canvassing.
Friday – 28 April [1911] Left Bro[ther Charles Harrison] Russell‘s at 10 AM. Went over and had dinner with Sister [Ellen Morley, AKA Minnie Sisera Winters] Franklin, then come (sic) over [the] mountain to [Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s.
Saturday – 29 April [1911] Studied. Went out in [the] creek and had [a] bath, and eat dinner up at Sam[uel Patterson] Harmon’s.
Sunday – 20 April [1911] Held [a] meeting in [the] afternoon. Went up to [Toliver Andrew] Parham‘s for [the] night.
Monday – 1 May [1911] Saw some ginsang (sic) and tasted a[n] Indian turnip. Went up and stayed with Sam[uel Patterson] Harmon.
Tuesday – 2 May [1911] Left Bro[ther Samuel Patterson] Harmon‘s and walked about 9 miles to Townsend. Held a cottage [meeting] at William [Riley Thomas] Tipton‘s in [the] evening.
Wednesday – 3 May 1911 Went out up Gosple Holer (sic). Went down and seen Garfield. Held [a] meeting at Job[e Abraham] Harmon‘s.
Thursday – 4 May [1911] Studied in [the] forenoon. Went over and visited an old gentleman who has been ill for 9 years. Come back and held [a] meeting at S[herman Ulysses] B[u]rchfield‘s. Staid (sic) with him.
Baptisms of Rachel & Eliza Hicks & Dora Tipton
Friday – 5 May 1911 Went down [the] Little River and [illegible] a place to baptize. Went down in [the] afternoon. Held [a] meeting at Sherman Seats, after which were baptized in the fold: Sister [Rachel] Tennie Hicks Davis [and] [E]Liza [Lee] Hicks, and Elder [Heber Ewer] Palmer officiating. We then went to Bro[ther Hughes Thomas] Hicks’ home and confirmed [them]. Then, Sister [Rachel] Tennie [Hicks] and Eliza [Lee Hicks], being confirmed by myself, and Dora [Tipton] by Elder [Heber Ewer Palmer]. Held [a] meeting in [the] evening.
Saturday – 6 May 1911 Left Townsend [at] 7:45 AM. Walked to Brother [Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s.
Sunday – 7 May [1911] Fast day, it is [a] very pleasant day. Wrote letters and held cottage meetings in [the] afternoon.
Monday – 8 May [1911] Layd (sic) off corn ground. Elders [Jerold Styles] Bennett and [John Claude] Lee came.
Tuesday – 9 May [1911] Spent most of [the] day canvassing. Helped kill [a] pig. Held [a] meeting at Bro[ther] Sam[uel Patterson] Harmon‘s at night.
Wednesday – 9 May [1911] After eating breakfast with Bro[ther Samuel] Hodge, went and helped Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland with his mules. Held [a] cottage meeting in [the] evening.
Thursday – 11 May [1911] Elders [Jerold Styles] Bennett and [John Claude] Lee left for Knoxville. Helped Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland haul rock in [the] forenoon. Read news journal and [the Improvement] Era in [the] afternoon.
Friday – 12 May [1911] Helped haul rock. Helped put out [a] forest fire. [illegible]
Saturday – 13 May [1911] [Sherman Ulysses] B[u]rchfield and wife [Ruth Jane Hicks], Eliza [Lee Hicks] and [Rachel] Tennie Hicks, Dora [Tipton] and Lord [William Riley Thomas] Tipton came from Townsend. Spent [the] day with them. Held [a] cottage meeting in [the] evening.
Sunday – 14 May [1911] Held sacrament meeting in [the] forenoon. In [the] afternoon, took Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s team and hauled the Townsend people down to Walker [Station].
Monday – 15 May [1911] Left Bro[Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s. Went over [and] had dinner with Sister [Ellen Morley, AKA Minnie Sisera Winters] Franklin. Went to Chas [Harrison] Russell‘s. Had [a] long talk with Abe J[acob] Lane. Stayed at [illegible]
Tuesday – 16 May [1911] Went out in [illegible]. [While out] canvassing met a Mr. Wilkinson. Came back and staid (sic) with Bro[ther Charles Harrison] Russell.
Wednesday – 17 May [1911] Went down Crooked Creek toward Hafford Station canvasing. Ate dinner with John Riddle. Came back to R.
Thursday – 18 May [1911] Went out through [illegible]. Canvassing. Took dinner with John Riddle. Held [a] meeting at Sister [Ellen Morley, AKA Minnie Sisera Winters] Franklin‘s.
Friday – 19 May [1911] Left Crooked Creek at 7.30 AM. Got letters from [my] wife. Did [illegible] and read [the Improvement] Era and news on [illegible]
Saturday – 20 May [1911] Went with Robert [Filmore Garland] to Walland with a load of eggs and chicken wool and potatoes. Got back before the storm, it is raining tonight.
Sunday – 21 May [1911] Went up to Sam[uel] Hodge and had a chicken for dinner. After which, went to Grandma [Mary Jane Davis] Harmon‘s and held [an] open-air meeting [TN: outdoor meeting]. Came back to [Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s.
Monday – 22 May [1911] Left Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s [at] 8 AM. Walked to Happie (sic) Valley to Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead‘s. Helped set out some sweet potatoes.
Tuesday – 23 May [1911] Left Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead‘s at 7:30 AM. Walked about 17 miles canvassing. Am stopping tonight with Mr. Ale Mackenturf.
Wednesday – 24 May [1911] Left Mr. Mackinturf at 7 AM. Canvassed all day. Was invited and ate dinner with Mr. Hall. Saw a mill that was nearly 200 years old. Stayed at G[eorge] H. Sparks.
Thursday – 25 May [1911] Left Mr. [George H.] Sparks [at] 7 PM. Canvassed nearly all day. Was invited to dinner. Came to Armona. Found Bro[ther] Lane had all the strawberries we could eat. Stayed all night with him.
Friday – 26 May [1911] Walked from Armona to Marvill (sic) and back, then to [illegible] for mail but did not get any. Started out canvassing toward Rockport. Got in to town. Met at Walter Bailly[‘s]. All’s well.
Sunday – 27 May 1911 Left Mr. [Walter] Bailey’s at 8 AM. Canvassed into Rockford. Sold 7 Books [of Mormon]. Walked about 10 miles and got [illegible] for a little about 10 PM. We got to Mr. Riddler[‘s]. They were all asleep, so we slept in the barn.
Baptism of Martha Russell
Sunday – 28 May [1911] Left Mr. Riddler[‘s]. Came up to Bro[ther] Chas [Harrison] Russell‘s in [the] afternoon. I baptized Sister Mattie L[ane] Russell. [Elder] Heber [Ewer] Palmer confirmed her. I blessed little Margaret Lane Russell.
Monday – 29 May [1911] Left Bro[ther Charles Harrison] Russell‘s at 8 AM. Walked over Chilhowie Mountain to Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s. Am here waiting [illegible].
Tuesday – 30 May [1911] Helped Lillie [Hayes Garland] do washing and studied most of [the] day.
Wednesday 31 May [1911] Left Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s [at] 8. Walked over Chilhowie [Mountain]. Ate dinner with Bro[ther Charles Harrison] Russell in [a] field. Canvassed and got to stay with Alf[red] Lane.
Thursday – 1 June 1911 Left Bro[ther Alfred] Lane. Canvassed down through [illegible]. Canvassed Walland. Got letter from [my] wife and walked up to Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s. Helped him set out some sweet potatoes.
Saturday – June 3 [1911] Went down below Walland to mill for Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland. Stopped at Walker Station and brought up Bro[ther William Riley Thomas] and Sister [Emily Cordelia Burchfield] Tipton [and] [E]Liza [Lee Hicks] and [Rachel] Tennie Hicks.
Sunday – 4 June [1911] Went on top of Chilhowie Mountain and held [a] meeting. Had a nice crowd. Went down to Bro[ther Samuel] Hodge‘s. Had [a] fine dinner. From there went down to Walker [Station] with Bro[ther William Riley Thomas] Tipton and folks, come back to Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s for the night.
Monday – 5 June [1911] Went and bid goodby (sic) to all the Saints in Millers Cove. Walked over Chilhowie [Mountain]. Bid goodby (sic) to Sister [Minnie Sisera Winters]. Staid (sic) at Bro[ther Charles Harrison] Russell‘s. All’s well.
Tuesday – 6 June 1911 Left Bro[ther Charles Harrison] Russell‘s. Walked about 10 miles.
Wednesday – 7 June [1911] [illegible] Canvassed. Sold [a] Book [of Mormon] to Mr. Davis and [I] think it will do some good. Stayed at Mr. Webb’s.
Thursday – 8 June [1911] Left Webb’s at 6:30. Canvassed as far as [illegible]. Took [the] train to Knoxville. Had [a] fire boat-side and swam in Tennessee River.
Source: Morley, John Isaac, 1874-1940. John I. Morley journal, 1911, https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LTDB-6P3/john-isaac-morley-1874-1940 (accessed: December 2, 2023).
Smoky Mountain Ward 