During the summer of 1855, Elder Edmund Ellsworth, who was serving a mission in England, received a letter from President Brigham Young asking if he would lead a company of Saints to cross the plains on foot. (Walker, p44)

On 29 October 1855 the First Presidency issued the Thirteenth General Epistle, regarding immigration to Zion: "The [Perpetual Emigrating] Fund is designed to deliver the honest poor, the pauper, if you please, from the thraldom of ages...Let all the Saints who can, gather up for Zion...Let them come on foot, with handcarts ...[Thereby] the main expense of the immigration will be avoided, consequently thousands more than heretofore can receive assistance." (Walker, p45) By this means of travel, the emigrants could journey from Liverpool, England to Salt Lake City for about forty-five dollars. (Berrett, p280)

Latter-Day-Saint Elders in England, instead of returning directly home, were informed that they were to aid those who planned to emigrate during the coming season. In March of 1856, Elder Ellsworth was with 529 Saints that embarked on the sailing ship Enoch Train. They set sail at Liverpool bound for Boston. This was the first group that would travel with the aide of the Perpetual Immigration Fund and cross the plains with handcarts. (Walker, p45)