See: 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “John Saxby,” Vermont, Franklin County, Bakersfield, p. 23; search words “John” or “Jno” “Saxby” in Words of the Pioneers.

a wealthy, homespun farmer; he is an Englishman, came into this country with nothing, is worth now somewhere about three or eight thousand.1EGWLM 735.4

We are very tired. [We] were awake this morn at three o'clock, arose at four, took breakfast half past four and were on our way to Northfield [Vermont] at five o'clock A.M. Brother Howard [Daniel Howard]⁴

Identity: It can with some certainty be concluded that it was Daniel Howard who drove Ellen and James White the seven miles (11 kilometers) to Northfield. In the 1860 census he is listed under Northfield, Vermont, together with “Clarissa,” age 41. About five years later the Review carried an obituary for “Clarissa, wife of Bro. Daniel Howard, aged 45 years and 8 months.”

See: Obituary: “Clarissa Howard,” Review, Feb. 14, 1865, p. 95; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Daniel Howard,” Vermont, Washington County, Northfield, p. 220.

carried us with his team seven miles [11 kilometers] to Northfield; took the [railroad] cars for St. Albans [Vermont]. Arrived at that place [at] half past 11 A.M. and found Brother Augustin Bourdeau [Augustin Cornelius Bourdeau] and Bro. Saxby waiting with easy teams to take us 14 miles [22 kilometers] to Brother Saxby's. We tarry here tonight, tomorrow we leave for Augustin Bourdeau's, who lives two miles [three kilometers] from this place.^{5
A. C. Bourdeau lived in Enosburg township, adjoining Bakersfield township, where John Saxby had his farm.
See: SDAE, s.v. “Augustin Cornelius Bourdeau”; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “A. C. Bordeau [sic],” Vermont, Franklin County, Enosburgh, p. 43.} Shall tarry there until Friday and then he will take us in his carriage ten miles [16 kilometers] farther to the meeting (to Berkshire) [Vermont].1EGWLM 735.5

I will now go back to give you a little history of the meeting.⁶

Ellen White is here returning to the events of the previous weekend, with the meetings in Roxbury, Vermont, which had been advertised in the Review for Sabbath and Sunday, October 8 and 9.

See: James White, “Appointments,” Review, Sept. 15, 1859, p. 136.

Meetings commenced Friday afternoon. We arrived at Roxbury [Vermont] Thursday noon. Next morn early one of Brother Pierce's [Stephen Pierce]^{7
Identity: According to the information given, “Brother Pierce” lives in the vicinity of Roxbury and (further on in the letter) is a powerful speaker. Stephen Pierce fits both of these specifications. He is mentioned in the Review as living in Roxbury during this period. He was also a prominent preacher and later church administrator.
See: J. A. and M. A. Spofford, “From Bro. & Sr. Spofford,” Review, May 20, 1858, p. 7; SDAE, s.v. “Stephen Pierce.”} sons was at the door of Brother Grant [Harrison Grant]^{8
Identity: Although there are a number of Sabbathkeepers with the surname “Grant” mentioned in the Review during this period, only Harrison Grant is said to live in Roxbury, Vermont.
See: Search term “Grant” in Words of the Pioneers; Harrison Grant, “To the Churches in Vt.,” Review, Aug. 5, 1862, p. 80.} with a team for to take us to his father's. It was climbing a mountain half a mile [.8 kilometers] long. We visited at Brother Pierce's until noon and then went back again to Roxbury about three miles [five kilometers]. Was obliged to shut myself from the company to write.1EGWLM 736.1

Sabbath morn it was very stormy. We had a snow storm and there fell above one inch [2.5 centimeters] of snow. Our congregation was quite large, and attention good. Sunday nearly all of Roxbury was out, the large courthouse was filled, and there was the deepest attention and interest. We had a good interview with old friends but so many wanted advice upon this matter and that, and I had so much writing to do to individuals, at the close of the meeting I was more exhausted than I had been to any previous meeting. My head was in a complete whirl.1EGWLM 736.2

James had good liberty in preaching. He talked three times Sabbath, and twice Sunday. I followed in exhortation. I had great freedom in talking upon faith, that faith and feeling should not be confounded together. They are distinct as the east is from the west. In the darkest hours it is then we should exercise faith, and not suffer our feelings to govern us, but press our faith through the dark clouds to the throne of God and claim the blessing of Heaven. When our faith grasps the blessing then the blessing is ours, for our faith has got hold [of] it, and when our faith brings the blessing down to us—when the dark clouds scatter and divine rays of light from Jesus illumine our darkness—then it is no more faith; it is feeling. The evidence has come and it is feeling that has swallowed up the faith. This view of faith and feeling seemed to enlighten some minds and we had a most powerful conference meeting. Brother Pierce talked with great freedom and power, also Brother Phillips [Daniel C. Phillips].⁹

Identity: An obituary notice in the Review reveals a Daniel Phillips living in Roxbury in 1859, so there is some likelihood that Ellen White is writing here of Daniel Phillips. The likelihood is increased by independent evidence that Daniel Phillips used to speak at meetings. (According to census information his middle initial was “C” and there are two or three references in the Review to a “D. C. Phillips” who delivered “stirring testimonies” and had a “gift in prayer and exhortation.”)

See: Obituary: “Amanda Phillips,” Review, Mar. 24, 1859, p. 143; 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Daniel C. Philips,” Vermont, Orange County, Randolph, p. 243; “Report of Meetings in Ohio,” Review, Feb. 25, 1862, p. 101; obituary: “D. C. Phillips,” Review, July 11, 1882, p. 446.

Brother Pierce exhorted and appealed to his townspeople and neighbors with power. He appealed to those with whom he had been engaged in business and in civil matters together and entreated them to examine the truth of the Sabbath.1EGWLM 736.3

Our meeting ended well, leaving a good influence. Monday we visited Brother Pierce's family but was obliged to write nearly all the time while there.1EGWLM 737.1

Tuesday morn we parted with Brother and Sister Hutchins [Alfred S. and Esther M. Hutchins], Brother and Sister Sperry [Charles W. and Rachel Ann Sperry]¹⁰

Identities: According to James White's report of this tour, Ellen and he did not just happen to meet two couples with the names Hutchins and Sperry in Roxbury, but “brethren Hutchins and Sperry” were evidently preachers. James White reported that they “tarried after the Conference to hold more meetings in the large town-house.” In the Review, between 1853 and 1861, there are a dozen or so reports of Alfred S. Hutchins and Charles W. Sperry teaming up together to give lecture series in Vermont, Canada, and New York.

See: J. W. [James White], “Eastern Tour,” Review, Nov. 10, 1859, p. 196; search terms “Hutchins” and “Sperry” in Words of the Pioneers; obituary: “Charles W. Sperry,” Review, Oct. 1, 1861, p. 143; SDAE, s.v. “Alfred S. Hutchins.”

and went into Roxbury three miles [five kilometers], took dinner, packed our trunks and then Brother Howard took us up to his house about four miles [six kilometers]; one mile [1.6 kilometers] was up a mountain a mile long. Next morn we awoke at three and took breakfast at four. At five o'clock A.M. Brother Howard helped us to Northfield seven miles [11 kilometers] with his team. Then we took the cars for Enosburg [Vermont] [and] arrived there at 11 o'clock A.M.^{11
Ellen White here returns to details of their journey from Roxbury on October 12 that she had already related in the opening two paragraphs. On one or two points, such as whether they got off the train at St. Albans or Enosburg, the two accounts disagree, and this can be attributed to simple error.} Found Brother Cornelius Bourdeau [Augustin Cornelius Bourdeau] waiting for us with two teams. James and self took one, and he the other, and we rode 14 miles [22 kilometers] to Brother Saxby's quite comfortably. But here again we had to climb mountains. In every direction we have yet traveled since we entered Vt. we have had to climb mountains.1EGWLM 737.2

Yesterday morn we came to Bro. Bourdeau's. Today we leave for Berkshire, but it rains now and we shall wait until it clears off. Excuse my scribbling, Martha [Martha Dormer Amadon (née Byington)].¹²

Identity: These closing sentences suggest that “Martha” was assisting in the White household. Eighteen months earlier, in March 1858, Ellen, while traveling, had written to her children about “sisters Jenny and Martha” who “care for you, that we may leave home feeling free.” “Martha” is almost certainly Martha Dormer Byington, who worked in the White household at least periodically from 1857 until her marriage in 1860. Her diary indicates that she provided private tutoring for the White boys.

See: Ellen G. White, An Appeal to the Youth, p. 43; Martha Byington, 1857 diary.

Much love to your parents and brothers.^{13
Martha's parents were John and Catherine Byington, who had moved to Battle Creek in 1858. Her two sisters had died in the early fifties. According to the 1860 census, Martha's brothers Luther (age 21) and William W. (age 19) were still living at home with their parents.
See: 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “John Byington,” Michigan, Calhoun County, Newton, p. 244; SDAE, s.v. “John Byington.”} I would say Martha, Edson [James Edson White] has new stockings somewhere at home in that old chest or in that basket of stockings. Don't let him want for anything.1EGWLM 738.1

Write us a long letter at Lapeer¹⁴

According to the schedule of appointments published by James White in the Review, the Whites would attend a conference at Lapeer, Michigan, on November 5 and 6.

See: James White, “Appointments,” Review, Sept. 15, 1859, p. 136.

[Michigan].1EGWLM 738.2

Lt 22, 1859

Lt 11, 1859