William Furlsbury Carter Circled the Globe in 1852-1853

William Furlsbury Carter, the great, great grandfather of Richard Velsa Gray, was an early convert to the LDS Church, three months following the baptism of his mother.  His first wife, Sarah York, is the great, great grandmother of Richard Gray.

After settling with the saints first in Kirtland, then in Missouri, then in Nauvoo, then in Iowa, he arrived in Salt Lake City in 1850.  He settled ultimately in the area of Santaquin, Utah--between Nephi and Provo. 

In 1852 he was called to serve a mission in India.  He left from the West Coast, sailing from San Francisco and, after facing all both physical and proselyting challenges, he returned home by sailing around Africa and landing on the East Coast, ultimately making a second trek across the plains in a wagon train.

At age 43, the effects of his travel had left him an old man, by appearance.  The captain of their wagon train was reluctant to have him along for fear he would be a burden.  A young woman, Elizabeth Howard, intervened on his behalf and he was allowed to travel.

A rather complete history exists and can be found here.

Additional information can be found at www.carterville.com.

Comments

[Buriarizalrig]

Whats up? New here and just figured that I should post and say hi.

[Jen Morrison]

Very neat info. I have visited his grave in Santaquin, Utah and my son Carter is obviously named after him. I am a descendant from his marriage to Roxena Meacham through Marybah, Irena, then my grandfather Clarence Edwards.

[LaRene Wood Layton]

My Mother in Law-Clella Joyce McBride, is a great grand daughter of William Fursbury Carter and Sarah York, a grand daughter to Edwin Lavan Carter and Betsey Larson and a daughter to: Bertha Almira Carter McBride and Ether McBride. I attended a Grafton Utah reunion for the Wood side of my family and was surprized to see a picture of William Fursbury Carter. A Mr. Manning from Roosevlet Utah has been doing alot of research on the early Mormon Blacksmiths. He is trying to find more info on the Mormon Puzzle hobbles. William was an early blacksmith who stayed in Cainsville to help outfit the Saints on their trip west. I would like to obtain more history of this time. Can't tell you how taken back I was to see William Carter's picture and some information on him, in Grafton.