George: The last two of the 10 handcart companies crossed the plains from Florence (Omaha), Nebraska to Salt Lake City in 1860. My gg-grandfather, Daniel Robison, was captain of the 9th. Although a FEW people pushes handcarts alongside the wagons after that, the emigration system changed in 1861. Instead of buying equipment and food at the fitting-out point, wagons left SLC in early April, dropped off some supplies at depots along the way, picked up passengers and baggage in Florence, then headed back to the valley. This was called "down and back." As the trans-continental railroad construction progressed, the wagons met the emigrants at the railhead. By 1868, they traveled as far as Laramie, WY by rail. When the railroad was completed in 1869, emigrants went by rail as far as Ogden. Later, the Church built a connection from Ogden to SLC, so Brewers nephews probably came all the way from the east coast by rail. I found an article on the William Brewer who was connected with the organ, but I can't answer if he was the same as your William Brewer. If I find out anything more, I'll get back to you. I have cemetery records for Morgan Co. Here are the Brewers: North Morgan Cemetery, Section 2 Leslie Brewer, b. 15 Jan 1897, d. 14 May 1915 Nellie Jane Brewer, b. 1 Oct 1888, d. 14 Nov 1959 Ruben Brewer, b. 9 June 1901, d. 21 Aug 1901 Ruby Brewer, born & died 7 Aug 1902 Luella Brewer, b. 25 Dec 1903, d. 27 Dec 1903 Parley Brewer, b. 11 Oct 1894, d. 16 Apr 1912 Arthur E. Brewer, b. 15 Oct 1859, d. 19 Sep 1934 Mary Ann P. Brewer, b. 24 Apr 1867, d. 5 May 1904 The cemetery transcriptions do not give relationships. I presume Arthur and Mary Ann were husband and wife and the rest were their children. Perhaps Arthur was one of the nephews? ____________________Reply Separator____________________ Subject: Re: [HANDCART-L] Anybody out there? Author: George Brewer <george@brewhouse.demon.co.uk> Date: 7/15/98 11:33 PM When did 'Handcarting' end? As far as I can discover, my earliest immigrant relative was GG-Uncle William BREWER:- Emigrated from Essex, ENG to UT in March 1857 - probably on board the George Washington - with wife, Jane, and church leader James P. Park. William died, childless, 20 Nov 1878 at Henneferville having been joined, I believe, by two teen-aged nephews from Essex during the 1870s. Would William and Jane have been Handcarters? Was William the William BREWER who "....was chosen (with William F. PASKETT) to go to Great Salt Lake to purchase a new organ for the branch......William BREWER was selected as ward organist in 1877" (quotation from D.U.P. Our Valley Home - kindly sent to me by Kathy Willett) Are any of the 2 nephew's descendants still in Hennefer or Morgan or Ogden? I have names and dates for many of their children and some G-children. Have sent details before (and will gladly do so again) but to no avail. Hope you all enjoy your vacations - despite the heat!!!! -- George Brewer Hayling Island Hampshire, UK