Ellen G. White: The Early Years: 1827-1862 (vol. 1)

The 1853 Eastern Tour

Leaving Rochester with faithful Charlie pulling their carriage, James and Ellen White started on their eastern tour, which would take them as far as eastern Maine. The trip was similar to that of the autumn of 1852, taking about ten weeks, with a return to Rochester in mid-November. One feature was different—when they drove back into their yard at 124 Mount Hope Avenue, they had 6-year-old Henry with them. For the first time the family was now fully united. While at Topsham they had spent several days in the Howland home. For five years the Howlands had had the entire care of Henry, the Whites’ first child. Writing of this experience, James White stated: 1BIO 282.6

At first we left him with them for a short time only. Soon attachments between them became very strong; and having perfect confidence in their ability to train the child for heaven, we left him with them. Sister Frances, daughter of Brother Howland, has had the care of the child five years without the least expense to us, and now returns our Henry to us a well-trained, praying boy. We are not able to express the gratitude we owe that dear family, not only for their care and labor for our child, but for their labors of love to us in times past when the friends of the Sabbath were very few and the cause feeble.—Ibid., November 1, 1853 1BIO 283.1

How Ellen White reveled in having both boys with them in the Rochester home! Henry was 6 and Edson was 4 years of age. 1BIO 283.2