James Abraham served in the Southern States Mission from 1908 to 1910. He saved money many years for his mission and to pay for his father’s funeral expenses by working in the fields of Utah as a farmhand. Elder Abraham briefly served in Blount County and documented in his mission journal his time meeting with several of the first Smoky Mountain Saints. He also journaled about attending the Northcutts Cove Chapel dedication, on October 24, 1909. This is the oldest standing LDS chapel in the southeastern United States. James was the youngest of 13 children. His mother was 47 years old when he was born. In 1921, he married Edna Hunt – in the Salt Lake Temple – who served in the Western States Mission from 1913 to 1915. They raised three children together in Utah. Elder Abraham baptized John Robert Davis in Tuckaleeche Cove, in 1910.
Mission Acceptance Letter
[Saturday to Saturday] – 10-[17] July [1909] Elder [Alva Willmott] Keller and I walked to Sales Creek and rode the train to Dayton, where we held [a] street meeting that night. But the people refused to take many tracts. We were now [at the place] where the Elders had been ordered out of town different times. [I] was disappointed in not receiving money from office. So, I left Dayton walking away back on account of my picke-a-boo trousers. But held a stiff upper lip and walked thro[ugh] the hot sun on my way to Kingston. But now I am sitting in the shade of a tree with Elder [Henry Randolph] Atkin. I don’t know where I [am] going but I am on my way. Goodby[e]. Made it thro[ugh] to Kingston but was awful sick. Spent the night at Andy Johnson[‘s]. Left Kingston feeling awful bad. Walked until after dark before we found a place to stop. Did not eat much of anything for two days. Arrived at J. N. Colv’s house.
[Sunday to Monday] – 18-[19] July [1909] [We] enjoyed a day of rest. Very fine old folks. When Elder [Henry Randolph] Atkin and I left, the lady furnished us with a lunch to take with us. It was the first I had in the South till this writing. On my way to Philadelphia, we tracted. I sold and gave away all the books and tracts I had. [We] found a place where 4 old ladys (sic) lived by theirselves (sic) who had never been married. We were the first Mormons they had ever seen. It took fifteen minutes for us to drink what water we needed.
[Tuesday to Friday] – 20-[30] July [1909] [Henry Randolph] Atkin and I arrived in Knoxville. Spent the night walking the streets. B. R. O. K. E. During our stay, 16 elders, President [Charles A.] Callis, and two lady missionaries came into town, and we held some fine meetings. Went to Fountain City Park and enjoyed a big feed and celeberated [the] 24th with the Saints of Knoxville. Held street meeting that night where hundreds of people crowded around to listen. Next morning, a piece came out in the Centinial (sic) paper, an account of the meeting with special mention of the fine singing the Mormons can do. The elders left town after the 24[th]. But I stayed to help hold some more meetings and canvass.
Blount County Visit
[Saturday & Sunday] – 31 July [to 1 August 1909] Elder [Thomas] Jones and [Hyrum James] Maxwell and I went over to Maryvill (sic) 16 miles from Knoxville, and held a big street meeting. Came back early next morning and held two meetings that day. During my stay in Knoxville, I meet (sic) good success in tracking (sic), while out in North Knoxville.
[Monday & Tuesday] 2-[3] August 1909 [I] met a lady, Mrs. Nora Brown, who was the mother of 19 children. Had a fine talk with her and she gave me her word that she would come and bring her family to church. That’s a bringing them in, isant (sic) it?
[Wednesday] – 4 Aug[ust 1909] [We] went to hold a cottage meeting but no one came, so we went and visited a revival meeting. Saw a lot more foolishness.
Blount County Visit
[Thursday to Friday] 5-[13] Aug[ust 1909] The luckiest day of my life! Was thrown from a street car and drug (sic) for about 20 feet. Had my clothing torn but only received a few bruises and the only cost was a new suit of clothes. It was lucky that I was not killed. Elder [William Martin] Hunter and I left Knoxville for the sticks. Rode as far as Maryville and then walked to Cha[rle]s [Harrison] Russel[l‘s] 7 miles. I am feeling tough. We went out with the intentions of holding some meetings, but the preacher had told the people, if they came to hear the Mormons he would cut them of[f] from his church, so no one came to our meetings. So we went over and visited Bro[ther Isaiah James] Franklin who was very low with the fever. He had not spoken for a week. We administered to him. He was feeling much better [the] next morning and began to mend. We spent a week visiting among friends and Saints and came back to Knoxville. While out at Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland’s place [in Millers Cove], he being gone to Utah, we went to see his daughter, [Lona Mae Garland], who is a member. But her husband, [John Lowery Perkins], wouldn’t let us have any dinner. But she left the house took us with her and cooked some dinner at her father’s place. While we were in Knoxville we went up and had a swim in the Tenn[essee] River. That evening we spent at Mr. Southers listening to music. Spent a few days in Knoxville resting up and planning for our company trip.
[Saturday] – 14 Aug[ust 1909] [We] left town and arrived in Loudon. [We] held [a] street meeting. Sold a Book of Mormon.
[Sunday] – 15 Aug[ust 1909] [We] went to a furneal of a mason. Their ceremonies were something grand, showing a great deal of respect.
[Monday to Thursday] – 16-[26] Aug[ust 1909] Had a bath in the Tenn[essee] River just before we commenced tracting the town. I sold a few books but received a few turn-downs. Had a long talk with a Methodis[t] Minister. He admittd that our doctorin (sic) was O.K. if plyagmy (sic) had never been interdouced (sic). I have often met intelligent men that said the same thing. Sold 27 books in Loudon, a good record for a small town. We stopped at [the] Rev[erand] J. W. Cassady Hotel. Found them to be very fine people who treated us royal if we were Mormons. “Something new.” After visiting every house in town, we left for Paint Rock. After Elder [Christopher Bodily] Layton and I had walked until dark, we were unable to get entertainment. So we spent the night in an old school house. No supper, no breakfast, and still walking. The last man I hit for to stay with I had the pleasure of telling him what I thought of a man who would listen to fals[d]hoods and not learn for himself. He apolo[gi]zed before he left us. We then walked to the top of the m[oun]t[ain] after dark. Alas, we found our roosting place in an old house! We walked to Paint Rock without breakfast. Ate dinner with Mr. Hedrick after crossing the Tenn[essee] River. [We] held a well-attended hall meeting at Wards Grove and another at Mr. Viars a cottage meeting. Consisted of a short talk by Elder [Christopher Bodily] Layton on prayer, and then we sang a number of songs. Spent most of our time at Mrs. Beals. [We] enjoyed a big feed on mellons. Sixteen months ago today since I left my home out in the golden West.
[Friday] – 27 Aug[ust 1909] Baptized W. F. Beals and blessed all of his children.
[Saturday] – 28 Aug[ust 1909] Dedicated a grave of one [of the] little boys of Bro[ther] Beals that had burnt to death, and then left for Kingston. Walked 11 miles hot hot and still heating. Stopped on our way and had a bath in the Tennessee River. Arrived at Kingston and am now spending the day suffering with the heat.
Northcutts Cove Chapel Dedication
Monday & Tuesday – [12-11 October 1909] I am all stuck up today. “Go away molasses, you have lost your taste.”
Wednesday [to Friday] – 13-[15] Oct[ober 1909] We ate breakfast at 4 AM. Left Bro[ther] Petters in a hurry to catch the train at Marlow, but just got on top of the hill in time to see her pass by. So we then walked to Oliver Springs. Took the evening train for Harriman. Arrived there after dark. Only had 50 c[ents] between us, so the only thing we could do was to get us a two-bit bed each and go without eating. We left Harriman [the] next morning without eating breakfast and walked all day until we arrived at H. G. Redwine, where we enjoyed a big feed and a fine bed. It commenced raining Wednesday evening and continued until Friday morning. So we had the mud and rain all the time. Was good and wet, tired and hungry when we found a friend. So from Wednesday morning at 4 AM until Thursday evening at 9 o’clock PM all Elder [William Reuben] Moyes and I had to eat was 5 crackers, 4 lumps of candy, and a touch-me-not, with a few water chaisers. “The Touch-Me-Not” was a hamburger we saw in a restaurant, but we didant (sic) have the price. So much for that. We are now sitting by the roadside talleying up and looking wise tat tat. Elder [William Reuben] Moyes and I arrived at Sister Carpenter’s Friday night just at dusk after spending the day feasting on wild grapes, walnuts, hickory nuts, ches[t]nuts and persi[m]mons. Got lost and walked five miles out of our way.
Saturday – 17 [October 1909] Spent doing the washing and held two cottage meetings.
Sunday – [18 October 1909] I talked in the afternoon for 45 minutes. Elder [William Reuben] Moyes talked in the evening for 90 minutes. During his talk, he read 2 pages in the Voice of Warning about Daniel’s dream, the 30th chapter of Alma [in the] B[ook] of M[ormon], and about 40 verses from the Erea (sic) (The Last Witness Vol #12, Oct. 1909) “Poterty” (sic).
Monday – 19 Oct[ober 1909] Left [the] Carpenters for Pikerville. It is now 2:30 PM o’clock and we have walked 15 miles. Have got a long way to get yet. And my feet are awful sore. Mighty tough. I am old but I am awfully tough. Spent the night with Lee Follett. Walked the next day until 11 AM and stopped and ate dinner with a Mr. W[illia]m Curtus (a fine man) and while walking toward Pikeville was overtaken by a young fellow by the name of Harvy Billergsley. So we rode in to Pikeville and he gave me 15 cents to buy a ticket from Pikeville to Let or Lee Station. (I sent him the money as soon as I got it). We walked to Andy Bedwell’s where we meet Elders [Alva Willmott] Keller and [William Reuben] Moyes. Spent a very enjoyable evening with the crowd. Singing and Laughing. A jolly crowd has meet again. I am now waiting while [William Reuben] Moyes has gone after the mail.
[Sunday] – 20 Oct[ober 1909] Ascended to the top of Cumberland Mountain.
[Monday] – 21 [October 1909] Walked 15 miles to H. Praters, where we held [a] meeting. I spoke for 40 minutes on the Kingdom of God and after [the] meeting sold 3 books and a Book of Mormon.
[Tuesday] – 22 Oct[ober 1909] We leave for Irving College, [a] 20-mile walk. Good buy (sic) to Gillintine.
[Wednesday] – 23 Oct[ober 1909] [We] arrived in Northcutts [Cove], where I meet (sic) the Elders, President [Charles A.] Callis, and [his] wife, [Grace Elizabeth Pack], Sister Jensen, and the Saints of Northcutts Cove. We meet in a Priesthood meeting. After [the] meeting, the quartet sang a few songs. And nothing would do but for me to sing the song about Elder [Alva Willmott] Keller being a married man. When I finished, [President Charles A.] Callis said, “Well, Elder [Alva Willmott] Keller, you are released to go home. Two years long is enough for a married man, but not so for the single.”
Sunday – 24 Oct[ober 1909] The church house was dedicated, and after [the] meeting [we] enjoyed a fine dinner. Upon the ground, had our pictures taken and then held another meeting, in which all the elders spoke.
Tuesday – [26 October 1909] I went with Bro[ther John Houston] Tipton to Coalmount in a wagon with some of the elders who were going to Zion.
Wednesday – [27 October 1909] We baptized John [Houston] Tipton, and that night took my first [o]possum hunt and caught two [o]possums.
Thursday – [28 October 1909] Went to Dark Holler and held [a] meeting where we stopped and held three meetings. [We], Elders C[harles] E[manuel] Jensen and Jim Abraham, we are now sitting in the schoolhouse writing some letters.
Source: James Abraham journal, 1908 April-1910 May; Journal, 1908 April -1910 May; Church History Library, https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/09efe424-01b0-455f-9ff1-8ae36dafd81c/0/1 (accessed: December 30, 2024)
Smoky Mountain Ward 