Charles Clifford Robertson (1892-1982) served in the Southern States Mission from 1913 to 1916. In his mission acceptance letter to Joseph Fielding Smith, he wrote: “I received your letter and consider it an honor to have the privilege to serve a mission.” He was known for “his kind and gentle ways and concern for the people he served.” He returned home to Blackfoot, Idaho to farm the land where he left off before his mission. In 1920, he married in the Salt Lake Temple. They raised four children together. He held many positions in the Church, including home teacher, Bishop, and Scout leader. Elder Robertson’s complete mission journal is available on Family Search and select portions are transcribed below. Elder Robertson attended the funerals of three members and helped erect the tombstone of Sister Sarah Garland, which remains standing in the Millers Cove cemetery. He baptized Mary Lucinda Tefeteller, Rhoda Anna Whitehead, Stella Mae Whitehead and Cora Elverta Whitehead, and confirmed the last two named as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[Elder Robertson left on the train for his mission December 10, 1913. He arrived at the mission home in Chattanooga and began laboring.]
Funeral service for Sarah Garland
[Thursday] – 22 January [1914] Left Chattanooga [at] five o’clock in the morning. Arrived at Knoxville [at] nine o’clock and found the elders off attending a funeral service [for] Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s [wife, Sarah Margaret Cauble].
[Friday] – 23 January [1914] Received a new elder at Knoxville, Elder [Elmer Ephraim] Frasure [TN: Frasier] of Clinton, Utah.
[Saturday] – 24 January [1914] We saw some of the city but I was sick to my stomach, therefore we didn’t run about very much. At night, Elders Morler and [Frank] Sullivan came from Walland holding Sister [Sarah Margaret Cauble] Garland‘s funeral.
[Sunday] – 25 January [1914] Held two meetings and had a very joyable time.
[Monday] – 26 January [1914] We went out tracting, Elders [Frank] Sullivan, [Elmer Ephraim] Frasier and myself. We separated in several sections and commenced our labors. I did farely well and had given my last tract away and entered into a discussion on the gospel with two ladies (I thought). I was doing very good considering who was talking to tem. They had me cornered on polygamy, when the other two elders came up who had finished their tracting and was hunting me. They took of the spat and soon got the best of them, which was too much for them, and told us to get out, which we could not do fast enough, so she tried another method. She threatened to kick Elder [Frank] Sullivan in the lower jaw if he didn’t get out of the lot, but he was hunting the gate as fast as possible and her at his heals where they reached the sidewalk. She was not satisfied with his progression, so she picked up a club and hit him with it and knocked his books out of his hand. By this time, I was around the corner picking a clear road for my retreat.
[Tuesday] – 27 January [1914] Went tracting and got along fine.
[Wednesday] – 28 January [1914] The day to go down in my history as being the day of the sale of my first Book of Mormon and also a little book and found a lady that was interested in our teachings and held a meeting at night.
[Thursday] – 29 January [1914] Today I was for the first time in the mission field and tracted half of the way.
[Friday] – 30 January [1914] We tracted part of the aristocratic part of Knoxville.
Saturday – 31 January [1914] Was a very miserable day and we did not tract.
Sunday – 1 February [1914] The day of rest. We, Elders [Frank] Sullivan and Marler and [Elmer Ephraim] Frasier and myself, held four meetings – one at Bro[ther] David [Hamilton] Smith, Frost’s, Evans’, and Andy [Johnson] Smith‘s, and enjoyed the day very much.
[Monday] – 2 February [1914] A very success[ful] day tracting.
[Tuesday] – 3 February [1914] Today, we lost one of our dear friends. Elder Marler, a man everyone loved. He made friends everywhere.
[Wednesday] – 4 February [1914] An exceptional good day of tracting at Knoxville (West side).
[Thursday] – 5 February [1914] Held a meeting at Chittum after a good day’s labor and at night set up all night with Sister Chittum’s little boy who was sick with pneumonia.
[Friday] – 6 February [1914] Did some tracting, but very sleepy.
Saturday – 7 February [1914] The clean up day and wash day, both clothes and body.
Sunday – 8 February [1914] We held a very good meeting at Bro[ther] David [Hamilton] Smith‘s at Knoxville.
[Monday] – 9 February [1914] We had a little experience with a man who was poisoned or drunken.
[Tuesday] – 10 February [1914] Stormed most all day, couldn’t get out.
[Wednesday] – 11 February [1914] Weather favorable and we did some canvassing.
[Thursday] – 12 February [1914] Today I sold a small book to a Catholic family after a long conversation.
[Friday] – 13 February [1914] Stormed all day, so we studied.
[Saturday] – 14 February [1914] Elders [George Alma] Sampson and [Archa Willard] King arrived here at Knoxville from Crossville.
Sunday – 15 February [1914] Held four meetings.
[Monday] – 16 February [1914] Tracted most of the day.
[Tuesday] – 17 February [1914] Also a good tract report.
[Wednesday] – 18 February [1914] Elder [Archa Willard] King left for Chattanooga and I changed from Smith’s to Hayne’s boarding house. Sold 2 little books, 40 tracts, and held a meeting at a new friends, Bro[ther] and Sister Miller’s.
[Thursday] – 19 February [1914] Stormed all day, couldn’t work.
[Friday] – 20 February [1914] Today we received our mail and oh what a happy day is mail for a young elder.
Saturday – 21 February [1914] General repairing.
Sunday – 22 February [1914] We held three meetings, two at [Andrew Johnson] Smith‘s, [David Hamilton Smith’s] and one at Frost’s.
[Monday] – 23 February [1914] Raining today and not able to work.
[Tuesday] – 24 February [1914] Very cold but did some tracting.
[Wednesday] – 25 February [1914] Today we gave away about 40 tracts, sold a book each, and it began to snow, so we visited some friends, and on our way to see our friends, [East Tennessee Conference] Pres[ident Frank] Sullivan said that 16 months from today I would be able to preach an hour. I am going to put him to the test. If so, it will be worth a new hat.
[Thursday] – 26 February [1914] A very successful day tracting. At evening held a meeting with a preacher.
[Friday] – 27 February [1914] Received our mail and did our tracting and held a very good meeting at Bro[ther] Chittum’s.
Saturday – 28 February [1914] Visits with friends and saints.
Sunday – 1 March [1914] Held meetings at Bro[ther] Smith’s and new Smiths.
[Monday] – 2 March [1914] Very cold and not able to tract.
[Tuesday] – 3 March [1914] Very successful day tracting.
[Wednesday] – 4 March [1914] Stayed in and studied. It was raining too miserable to work.
[Thursday] – 5 March [1914] Raining, not able to tract but held two meetings at Davis’ and the preacher.
[Friday] – 6 March [1914] Fair and at work again. Meeting at Cheetum’s.
Saturday – 7 March [1914] Tracted about two hours.
Sunday – 8 March [1914] Held three meetings at D[avid] H[amilton] Smith‘s and one at Bro[ther] Frost’s at evening.
[Monday] – 9 March [1914] Miserable day. Making our reports and studying most of today.
[Tuesday] – 10 March [1914] Two o’clock, began work. We did 3 hours of tracting. In the evening, we held a meeting at Bro[ther] Lee’s on “Flagpole Hill,” many present. After [the] meeting, we was asked (sic) to administer to a lady suffering with her head, whom we had never met. We did, and she immediately was relieved of her pain. Then my companion, Elder [George Alma] Sampson, and I set up all night with a dead man and read the Book of Mormon.
[Wednesday] – 11 March [1914] The morning after the night before, trying to sleep, and raining pitch forks. Meeting at Bro[ther] Miller’s.
Funerals of Sister Lucinda Burchfield Davis
[Thursday] – 12 March [1914] More favorable today and able to resume our labors as usual. Held a meeting at Bro[ther] Eddington’s and, after the meeting, sat up all night. Elder [George Alma] Sampson and I with Sister [Lucinda Josephine Burchfield] Davis.
[Friday] – 13 March [1914] Resumed our labors, though very sleepy.
[Saturday] – 14 March [1914] Tracted about two hours.
[Sunday] – 15 March [1914] Set up all night with Sister [Lucinda Josephine Burchfield] Davis. Held two meetings.
[Monday] – 16 March [1914] Tracted out in North Knoxville. Sold Book of Mormons (sic). Sister [Lucinda Josephine Burchfield] Davis died. Elder [George Alma] Sampson and myself set up with Sister Lawsen and Evans.
[Tuesday] – 17 March [1914] Held funeral services of Sister [Lucinda Josephine Burchfield] Davis at their home.
[Wednesday] – 18 March [1914] Went out to Walland, Elder[s] [George Alma] Sampson, [Frank] Sullivan, [Elmer Ephraim] Frasier and myself, to hold another funeral services of Sister [Lucinda Josephine Burchfield] Davis. Two meetings at night.
[Thursday] – 19 March [1914] Took up our usual labors.
[Friday] – 20 March [1914] Mail day again and all is well with a coat of snow of 9 inches.
[Saturday] – 21 March [1914] Too much snow to work.
Sunday – 22 March [1914] Held our meetings as usual at Bro[thers] Smith’s and Frost’s.
[Monday] – 23 March [1914] Bright summer day. Tracted out at Oakwood. Sold two books.
[Tuesday] – 24 March [1914] Held meeting at Andy [Johnson] Smith‘s. Canvassed back home, Hayne’s House.
[Wednesday] – 25 March [1914] Spent two hours tracting at Oakwood. Meeting at Evans’.
[Thursday] – 26 March [1914] Elder [Frederick Montgomer] Bird came today from Virginia, six months old [TN: six months in the mission].
[Friday] – 27 March [1914] We washed our clothes. Tracted. Held [a] meeting at Cheetum’s.
[Sunday] – 29 March [1914] Raining but we held our meetings. I sold a song book to Sister Smith’s aunt – 25 cents.
[Monday] – 30 March [1914] Today, Elders [Marion George] Stephens, [Orson Marion] Sprague, [Elmer Ephraim] Frasier and [Frederick Montgomery] Bird left Knoxville for the sticks. Raining.
[Tuesday] – 31 March [1914] Still at the Haynes House, 506 1/2 Market Street, Knoxville.
[Wednesday] – 1 April [1914] APRIL FOOL. Raining.
[Thursday] – 2 April [1914] Tracted the aristocrats of East Knoxville. Every other door was slammed in our face.
[Friday] – 3 April [1914] Canvassed West Knoxville. Beautiful day but a little windy.
Saturday – 4 April [1914] Elder [Frank] Sullivan and I went down to administer to Sister Chittum and her son. On our way back, we visited the Tenn[essee] Marble Produce Company.
Sunday – 5 April [1914] Took dinner with Chittums. Held two meetings.
[Monday] – 6 April [1914] Today, Elder [Frank] Sullivan left for Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead‘s for a few days.
[Tuesday] – 7 April [1914] Elder [George Alma] Sampson and I did our daily tracting. Held a meeting at [the] Lees.
[Wednesday] – 8 April [1914] Very cold and disagreeable, so Elder [George Alma] Sampson and I did not do any tracting but held meeting at Bro[ther] W. H. Miller’s, 1123 Alex.
[Thursday] – 9 April [1914] I tracted forenoon and afternoon to make up for yesterday. 2 books.
[Friday] – 10 April [1914] Mail day. Received a letter from Lila, first for a year. Did our tracting in Central Knoxville. Held [a] meeting at Chittum’s.
[Saturday] – 11 April [1914] Today, I got mine and a little bit more from a young preacher from Johnson’s Bible College (a law – forgive me, I knew not).
Sunday – 12 April [1914] Held two meetings. One at Brother Lee’s and one at Frost’s.
[Monday] – 13 April [1914] Elder [Frank] Sullivan and I spent four hours tracting in Oakwood. At evening, held [a] meeting at Bro[ther William Houston] Davis‘ – Elders [George Alma] Sampson [and Frank] Sullivan.
[Tuesday] – 14 April [1914] We all tracted out at Oakwood and, on our way home, we got caught in a thunder shower.
[Wednesday] – 15 April [1914] Rained all day. Did no work. Elder [Frank] Sullivan left us in Knoxville [at] two o’clock. Held [a] meeting at Bro[ther] Miller’s, 1123 Alexandra St.
[Thursday] – 16 April [1914] Weather fair and at work. Gave away 70 tracts. Sold two little books. Sister Miller gave Elder [George Alma] Sampson and I each 30 cents.
[Friday] – 17 April [1914] Left Knoxville and went [to] Maryville. Started with Bro[ther] C[harles] H[arrison] Russell.
[Saturday] – 18 April [1914] Sat with Bro[ther] C[harles] H[arrison] Russell.
[Sunday] – 19 April [1914] Held [a] meeting with Bro[ther Charles Harrison] Russell.
[Monday] – 20 April [1914] At Bro[ther Joseph] J[ohn] C[alvin (JC)] Garland.
[Tuesday] – 21 April [1914] Still at Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland. Did some right smart fishing.
[Wednesday] – 22 April [1914] Distributed some tracts. Helped erect Sister [Sarah Margaret Cauble] Garland‘s tombstone at Walland.
[Thursday] – 23 April [1914] Elder [George Alma] Sampson and I helped build Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland build [a] fence.
[Friday] – 24 April [1914] I helped build [a] fence [in] forenoon. Elder [Elmer Ephraim] Frasier came from Chattanooga and held [a] meeting.
[Saturday] – 25 April [1914] Today, Elder [George Alma] Sampson left me, and Elder [Elmer Ephraim] Frasier took his place. I now begin as senior comp[anion].
[Sunday] – 26 April [1914] Elder [Elmer Ephraim] Frasier and I held [a] meeting at Mr. Murphy on Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s farm.
[Monday] – 27 April [1914] We began our work. We walked from Millers Cove to Cades Cove. 16 miles and canvas[sed] on our way.
[Tuesday] – 28 April [1914] We canvassed Cades Cove and held [a] meeting at Bro[ther] Sam[uel Patterson] Harmon’s. Caught a big trout.
[Wednesday] – 29 April [1914] Walked from Cades Cove to Townsend, 12 miles. Canvassed on our way (in rain).
[Thursday] – 30 April [1914] Canvassed Townsend. Went through saw mill. Sold another Book of Mormon.
[Friday] – 1 May [1914] Walked from Townsend to Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s. 14 miles.
[Saturday] – 2 May [1914] At Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s all day.
[Sunday] – 3 May [1914] Held [a] meeting at Mr. Murphey on Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s all day.
[Monday] – 4 May [1914] Elder [Elmer Ephraim] Frasier and I walked from Millers Cove to Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead‘s at Rasar about 15 miles in the rain.
[Tuesday]- 5 May [1914] Held [a] meeting with Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead‘s [family].
[Wednesday] – 6 May [1914] Left Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead‘s for our first day canvassing for entertainment. Ate dinner with Mr. (Dr.) Robins. The following afternoon, walked about 12 miles and stayed with Mr. McCroy Ben. Field R.D. #1.
[Thursday] – 7 May [1914] Arrived at Bro[ther Charles Harrison] Russell‘s.
[Friday] – 8 May [1914] Left Maryville for Knoxville.
[Laboring outside Blount County]
[Friday] – 23 October [1914] Mail day. Held priesthood meeting and we were apointed our new fields of labor. Elder [William Stanton] Hamblin and I was assigned (sic) Blount [County] and other joining [areas]. Elder [William Stanton] Hamblin and I left Mr. James Torbett at 207-3 Avenue and arrived at Marysville (sic) at 4 o’clock.
[Saturday] – 24 October [1914] Elder[s] [Samuel Erven] Rockwood and [Elmer Ephraim] Frasier left for White Co[unty].
[Sunday] – 25 October [1914] At the IngleSide Hotel studying.
[Monday] – 26 October [1914] Commenced our work in Blount Co[unty], west of Marysville (sic) among strangers. Met with many good people and left much literature, 1 book. Stayed along with Mr. Davis, one mile west of Ahwick switch.
[Tuesday] – 27 October [1914] Another successful day making friends and leaving literature. We tried to hold a meeting at Friendsville unsuccessful. Stayed all night with Mr. Grague, two miles northwest of Friendsville.
[Wednesday] – 28 October [1914] This morning we left Mr. Grague’s, we were invited back and was given (sic) our dinner to take with us. Last night was our first frost in this part of Tennessee. We met the same good success as usual and found a good place to stay, although it was late and getting cold. Mr. Love.
[Thursday] – 29 October [1914] Today, we walked into Maryville, about 7 miles. We got there at 2:30, then took a course northward and, it being late, commenced canvassing for entertainment among the well-to-do farmers and received rather cold treatment, except one home where the gentleman sympathized with us and gave us each 25 cents. Awe, then continued on our journey. We walked a few miles farther and found shelter.
[Friday] – 30 October [1914] After a good nights rest, we are to work again and rejoicing over our many blessings. We walked into Maryville again to get our mail and hear Gov[ernor Ben Walter] Hooper speak at Engleside Hotel.
[Saturday] – 31 October [1914] Walked to Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s from Maryville, 10 miles.
[Sunday] – 1 November [1914] We received word that Bro[ther John Goulder] Harmon was very ill, so we went immediately to see him. While there, we held a meeting and also one at Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s after we returned back.
[Monday] – 2 November [1914] Today I went to Walland for Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland after nails.
[Tuesday] – 3 November [1914] Helping Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland as his barn, feed, and most all his farm implements, were burned. Elder [William Stanton] Hamblin went to Maryville to get his check cashed.
[Wednesday] – 4 November [1914] Still busy hauling corn.
[Thursday] – 5 November [1914] Studying and helping on the farm.
Friday – 6 November [1914] Received our mail.
[Saturday] – 7 November [1914] Finished hauling corn and sent off our reports and washed.
Baptisms of Whitehead family members
[Sunday] – 8 November [1914] Studying and resting up for Monday’s hike over the hills to the Happy Valley to Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead‘s.
[Monday] – 9 November [1914] Today, it rained, so we could not get off, so we helped dehorn cattle and study.
[Tuesday] – 10 November [1914] Weather fair and we are at work again. Walked to Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead’s, canvassed our way. Held a meeting in the evening.
[Wednesday] – 11 November [1914] Today, we are making arrangements for baptizing Sister [Mary Lucinda Teffeteller] Whitehead and children: [Stella May Whitehead, Rhoda Anna Whitehead, and Cora Elverta Whitehead].
[Thursday] – 12 November [1914] Today, we visited about in Happy Valley and stayed with Gardener’s folks.
[Friday] – 13 November [1914] Back to Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead‘s.
[Saturday] – 14 November [1914] Helping gather wood as it is too stormy to travel. Held a fine meeting.
[Sunday] – 15 November [1914] Today, raining but, nevertheless, in the midst of the showers, we dammed the creed and got sufficient water to baptize. Sister [Mary Lucinda Teffeteller] Whitehead and her three daughters, [Stella May Whitehead, Rhoda Anna Whitehead, and Cora Elverta Whitehead], were baptized by me. Also caught a big fat [o]possum, but did not eat him. It was my first experience and was very successful.
[Monday] – 16 November [1914] Today, we walked from Bro[ther David Lafayette] Whitehead‘s at Rasar to Mr. Powel’s at the Chestnuts Flats. About 16-20 miles through an uninhabited country of mountains covered with dense woods of beautiful scenery.
[Tuesday] – 17 November [1914] Today, we left Mr. Powell [at] six o’clock and cold enough that we almost froze and canvassed to Bro[ther] Sam[uel Patterson] Harmon‘s.
[Wednesday] – 18 November [1914] We canvassed the upper end of the cove, had a number of cospel conversations. One man who was a strong believer in predestination and I was obliged to tell him he did not believe the Bible. He was shocked by my statement, but nevertheless I spoke the truth. [Chapter] 15 of Corinthians: “In Adam all die even so in Christ all are made alive.”
[Thursday] – 19 November [1914] Walked to Townsend and canvassed the people the second time. Found the Hicks folks well, [Eliza Lee Hicks and Rachel Tennessee Hicks].
Death of Sister Mary Jane Davis Harmon
[Friday] – 20 November [1914] Last night we had the largest snow and the most home like since I came south. We received our mail then walked to Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s in the snow. When we arrived, we got the word that Sister [Mary Jane Davis] Harmon was dead.
[Saturday] – 21 November [1914] We got Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland‘s team and took Sister [Mary Jane Davis] Harmon to the graveyard. There we held the services, a very cold day.
[Sunday] – 22 November [1914] Spend (sic) the day studying by the old fashioned fire place.
[Monday] – 23 November [1914] Went to Will[iam Silver Edward] Garland‘s over the mountain from his father’s, [Joseph John Calvin (JC) Garland].
[Tuesday] – 24 November [1914] After a very pleasant and joyable visit with Will[iam Silver Edward Garland], we left for conference, first walking to Maryville, 8 miles, then to Knoxville. On the trains there, met Elder [Jorgen Peter Emil] Rasmussen from Denmark. From there, to Chattanooga, where we met all the elders of [the] East Tennessee [Conference] and also [the] Ohio [Conference], Virginia [Conference], and [the] Kentucky [Conference].
First Presidency visit to Chattanooga
[Wednesday] – 25 November [1914] Today, we heard our Pres[ident] of the Church, [Joseph F. Smith], and his counselors, [Charles W. Penrose and Anthon H. Lund], address a large crowd at the Lyrie Theatre. The service was very pleasing to all present.
[Thursday] – 26 November [1914] Thanksgiving day in the south. I had one meal for my feast but several spiritual feasts from the presidency of the Church. Year from today I was at Salt Lake attending a football game between the Aggies and the U[niversity] of U[tah]. Where will I be a year from today?
[Friday] – 27 November [1914] Spent today in Chattanooga.
[Saturday] – 28 November [1914] Left for Cleveland. Stayed with Bro[ther] John Crye.
Sunday – 29 November [1914] Raining. Not able to get about to hold meetings.
[Monday] – 30 November [1914] Visited as it was story. Could not get out to work. Held [a] meeting at Br[other] Jones’.
[Tuesday] – 1 December [1914] Got in one hour canvassing. Gave away 40 tracts. Very successful.
[Wednesday] – 2 December [1914] Good weather and able to work again. Staying with Bro[ther] Cry.
[Thursday] – 3 December [1914] Storming all day and muddy.
[Friday] – 4 December [1914] Still raining and have been (sic) for a week. Only studying.
[Saturday] – 5 December [1914] Still very bad weather and we are anxious to get to work.
Sunday – 6 December [1914] Raining all day. Held a sacrament meeting at Bro[ther] Cry’s. All [is] well.
Monday – 7 December [1914] No rain for a few hours and we took advantage of the opportunity and canvassed an hour or so and sold one book and gave away 40 tracts.
[Continued laboring outside Blount County remainder of mission]
Source: https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/memories/KWZS-RHG
Smoky Mountain Ward 