Letters from George Cannon to his Sister Leonora Taylor

Liverpool, 15 Oct., 1840

Dear Sister:

I bless the Lord that I ever saw your husbands face, and I now see plainly our dear mothers prayers has not only been answered for you, but extended to me and my family, thro you, for if my dear brother had not come to live with me (so much have I preached against the various sects and parties warring against each other.) I should never I fear have embraced the Gospel in its fullness as it was, I tried to consider it another new sect added to the number that wrest the word of God to their own purposes, but faith comes by hearing, and of his infinite mercy he showed me that I was poor and miserable and blind. Ann was a believer from the first time of her hearing their testimony. We entered by the door into the sheepfold and George, Mary Alice, and poor Anny has been baptized since. You will be tired my dear sister with so much of myself and family, but I am a wonder to myself and see the hand of the Lord so visible in all that has happened to me these last four years, that I cannot help telling you of it. I left off drink at that time and have drank nothing stronger than coffee since. This was principally on my childrens account, as I knew example was better than precept and with all my faults I loved my children. I was happy in all, affectionate wife, promising children, health, plenty of work, and always a pound to spare, but still there was a want of something what made me very low spirited at times. I strove to pray and to return God thanks for the mercies, particularly after some escape from danger of myself or family. In the month of September last my poor John died of a brain fever. Dear Nora I shall never forget that boy--he was three years and a half old, the countenance of Brother John, particularly about the mouth, but his eyes were black but such a boy. Well I shall see him yet, my hard heart was softened with the death of this child when Brother Taylor came to Liverpool I was humbled before the Lord and sincerely desirous to lead a new life. We had the words whereby I might be saved and tho slow of belief at first, and not seeing the necessity of Baptism yet God of his infinite mercy opened my eyes.

(Oct. 25) Dear Leonora, I had just read your letter which came by the postman, over when I received your other second letter by B. F. Snow. He landed last night after a six weeks passage in good health. Your dear husband is in the Isle of Man with Br. Clarke. They went there the 16th of September he is well and doing well. Bro. Clarke came to conference by Bro. Taylor could not come, as he had to answer some of their pious men. He says the harvest is ripe there and they have only to put in the sickle. Bro. T. has sent me some Manx papers. I have forwarded two to you of different dates. One to Bro. Joseph, one to B. S. Rigdon, and one to Messrs Smith and Robertson. I cannot get your letters sent to Brother until Monday, as the packet only sails twice a week, and I received them a few hours too late. Dear Sister I am grieved to hear you have been ill and your dear little ones. I have felt a great deal for your situation and I know that nothing but the Lords work could keep your husband from you, but I have a belief that I shall see you yet in this life. Bro. T. had wished in one of his letters from the Island that I would write to you, as he was so occupied he had not a moment to spare. He says I find Mr. A. Clarke is a Methodist, Miss Brannan I have not called on. I find it here as in other places, those that are very pious do not need anything. He has a room over the market in Douglas that will hold one thousand people and has only to give out a meeting to have it filled. He has all kinds of hearing him big and little, friends and foes, Holy people and ungodly, you will see by the papers that he has many to oppose him but truth will stand without propping, and they all go to the ground. There has been a good many baptized and many at the edge of the water. Dear Sister I know this will give you pleasure.

Nov. 4th I have just received a line from Bro. Taylor. It is only a line saying that he is well, and three newspapers which I forwarded (to you, Bro. Joseph Smith and Bro. Sidney Rigdon) I think by this time some of the Methodists begin to find their craft in danger. Miss Brannan had sent to Br. T. for two books she lent you and he has brought them for her, so you may guess how she feels. There never was such an excitement in the Island before. The people begin to have their eyes and ears opened to the truth and wonder they did not see these things before. He has not mentioned receiving your letters and I waited expecting some news or word to send you. Perhaps I may get some before I send this. Dear Sister you are anxious to have all the news about us. In the first place Bro. T. is comfortable in the Island and has a comfortable little sitting room and bedroom with a Mr. Cowill, and he says he has many warm friends there. Sister Elinor is in service in St. Georges Square. She has two children in Stafford shore, and one by the second husband, three years old. He is at nurse, she is well and will have another husband before long or I am mistaken. I have had a letter from David and one from John last March. They were both well when they wrote. David is in Sidney and doing well. John is in Port Philip and he is getting a small vessel built between himself and a carpenter. Poor John is going to make a fortune directly. He always counts the chickens before they are hatched. He wishes we were out there with him. Joiners wages is 14 shillings a day. We have six children living. George 14 years next 11th Jan. Mary Alice 12 years 9th Dec. next. Ann 9 years 28th of Jan. next, Angus 6 years 17th May last. John born 3rd March 1836 and died 13th Sept. 1839. David born 23rd April 1838, Unkle calls him the Squinter beg.* He squints badly poor fellow, and Leonora, born 11 Sept. 1840. A fine little baby. We are all well at present and I am going to make winkers to put on Davids eyes to cure him of squinting. Mary Alice learned him to squint after he was 9 months old. Aunt Covkill is dead, and Thomas Covkill died some time before her. Unkle Covkill is in the preventive service in Banjor in Ireland. Aunt Covkill died in Ireland. Ann is grown fine young woman. Uncle Kaighin is dead 5 years, and Aunt Kaighim died last June very soon after her sister. You have heard of Aunt Pollus death, all the children are married but Leny, John married a daughter of Quaggin the Millers in Peel, and they lived with the old man, they could not agree and John sold Uncle Mylchreests place, which so angered the old man, that he sold his own place to Mickeal Oates for twenty pounds a year while (he) lives. He is likely to live many years, but he is troubled with pains. Lenny was out here about 4 months since. They are a queer squad altogether, She says that he, the old fellow her father may live a hundred years to vix Michael Oates. I have just heard of Mr. Ratcliffs death, he was deacon, class leader and a popular man in Liverpool and had three or four hundred a year for different offices he held in Bible societies and other religious institutions. You had called on him and preached the Gospel to him. He did not deny anything but said these are tremendous conclusions. Then we must be all wrong. Bro T. said he did not condemn anyone, it was the everlasting Gospel he preached. Miss Brannan came to Liverpool. She did not come to our house, but sent for Bro. T. to Mr. Ratcliffs. They had a long discourse in presence of Mr. R. shen about to leave them he asked Miss B. if he should call on her in the Island as he meant to visit it. She said if he preached like other men she would be happy to see him, but she hoped he would not come to the Island to preach what he preached to her. She told Henry Gills wife (Miss Collister that was) that she cried and prayed greatly to the Lord that he might show him the error of his ways. Mrs. Gilland her Sister both attended our meetings before Miss Brannan came to Liverpool. She is much blinded and opposed to the truth. I have just received 5th Nov. another line from Bro. Taylor he has got your letters and will be here the beginning of next week and will write you a letter himself. Dear Sister you may expect a number of the saints from Liverpool in spring. If it is the Lords will I am ready to go any time, and I have as much money as will take me there and perhaps a little to spare. You have never mentioned what sort of a country it is or how people are employed there, how land is sold, whether it is a good fishing or fowling country. Write me a letter soon as you receive this, Ann and the children send their kind love to you and their little cousins. I remain your loving

Brother George Cannon

6th Nov. 1840

Dear Sister, remember us in your prayers to the throne of Grace as we do you and yours. I think I could talk to you for days without being satisfied. I have so much to say and to ask. May God of his infinite mercy bless and protect you and yours. Please to let us know what is the most necessary things to take to America in respect to clothing or utincils. Uncle Taubman is married to a Mrs. Hunter who keeps the rail road inn. She has nine children most of them grown up. He does nothing but step about and looks well. Nora Vale is well, she is on the Isle of Man with her step mothers mother. William Wale (Vale?) is a complete sot and minds nothing but drink. His wife is a decent woman.

* "Beg" is the Manx word for little so "Squinter beg" would mean "little squinter."