Archives West Finding Aid

John Hudson (1826-1850) was born in 1826 near Manchester, England. His father, a printer and book seller, sent him to private schools. At the age of twenty-two, Hudson embarked upon a career as American agent in his uncle's import business, sailing for New York City in 1848. During his stay in New York, Hudson recorded his impressions of the social scene. Of particular interest is the lively description of his introduction to the traditional New England Thanksgiving celebration, penned in December of 1848. Economic conditions in the city also figure prominently in his early letters. By early 1849 it became evident that Hudson lacked the necessary capital to continue in the import business. With his uncle's financial backing, he joined the Colony Guard as company chaplain and started for California, hoping to repair his fortunes in the gold fields. Prior to leaving New York, Hudson made out his Last Will and Testament, located in folder 10. His letters to his father describe the character of his fellow travelers as well as the organization of the company. Hudson's copy of the Colony Guard Constitution is also found in folder 10. The minute book in folder 11 gives further descriptions of the organization and personnel of the Colony Guard. Hudson kept an extensive record of the journey West, recording his impressions of the landscape in his letters as well as in a series of pencil sketches.

The company was seriously endangered by an outbreak of cholera on the trip west and was forced to reroute to Salt Lake City. A portion of the company went on to California, but Hudson remained behind, securing a job as artist for the Stansbury Expedition, a military survey of the Great Salt Lake. His letters to his father describe the expedition and his impressions of the Mormon community. The sketches prepared for Stansbury, as well as those produced on the trail west, are located in folder 9. Sometime during Hudson's stay in Salt Lake City he was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He died on December 14, 1850, in the Sanpete Valley where he had been among a number of Mormons colonizing the area. Letters of condolence to his family are in folder 8.