Robert Meiklejohn

Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel 1847–1868 Company Unknown (1855)

Secondary sources generally place Robert Meikeljohn in the Andrus company however there is no supporting primary documentation to justify placing him in that company. His name does not appear on the Andrus roster. There is only a "David Micklejohn, wife, and 5 children" on the Andrus roster. David settled in the Salt Lake 7th Ward with his family. To make it even more confusing, there is a "D. Meiklejohn" on the Harper roster with no wife or children. A handwritten biographical sketch in the Tooele Stake high priest records states Robert came in the Harper company, but the undated sketch appears to have been written after the death of Robert and his wife. Until additional primary documentation surfaces which can resolve this problem, we shall not place Robert or his family in a specific company.His travel to Utah is mentioned in his daughter's obituary.

Age at departure: 43

Robert Meiklejohn, son of Peter and Janet Wilson Meiklejohn, was married to Mary McLachlan (1812-1878, see other entry). Their children were Peter Meiklejohn (1836-1837 died in Scotland); Agnes Meiklejohn (1838-1850 died in Scotland); Janet Meiklejohn (1840-1905, married Philip Francis DeLaMare 1857 Utah, see other entry); Mary Meiklejohn (1842-1902, married John Anderson Smith 1863 Utah, see other entry); Jane Meiklejohn (1845-1907, married John Cunningham Shields 1865 Utah, see other entry); Catherine Meiklejohn (1851-1852 infant); adopted Robert A. Meiklejohn 1872 Utah. Source - Mormon Immigration Index; Ship Samuel Curling under the leadership of Israel Barlow; left Liverpool, England 22 Apr 1855, arrived New York, NY 22 May 1855. Passenger list includes: Robert age 42 Engine Keeper ordered from G.S.L.V., Mary 42 Wife, Janet 15, Mary 13, and Jane 10, all of Alexandria [Scotland]. Source - Diaries of George Wilcox Burridge; ^22nd May. Landed at New York all well and happy. Proceeded by rail and steamer via Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to St. Louis where we were detained 16 days before the necessary arrangements could be made for all the remainder of our journey. When we took the river steamer Nebo and landed at Atchison, Kansas Territory, and thence to Mormon Grove where we remained to make arrangements for the great journey over the plains. 1st August 1855. We left Mormon Grove with the last emigration company for that season, Elder Milo Andrus being the captain. We had a somewhat hurried passage but otherwise pleasant through to the Valley of Great Salt Lake. 24th Oct. Arrived in Great Salt Lake City and felt heartily glad and very thankful to behold the chief city of the Saints of God ...^ Source - Deseret News 1997-98 Church Almanac page 172 [1855] 103- Milo Andrus (8) [P.E.F.] left Mormon Grove, Kan. 4 Aug with 461 people and 48 wagons arrived 24 Oct. Roster, JH 24 Oct 1855, p.1-13.