William Barratt

Who was William Barratt?

William James Barratt was an English convert to Mormonism and became the first Latter Day Saint to live in Australia when he was sent there as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. However, he ultimately apostatized from Mormonism.

Barratt was born in Burslem, North Staffordshire, England. The date of Barratt's conversion to Mormonism is unknown, but Latter Day Saint missionaries first preached in the Burslem area in 1839. He was the only member of his family to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. On 11 July 1840, apostle George A. Smith recorded in his diary that he had ordained the 17-year-old Barratt to the office of elder and had set him apart to preach as a missionary in Australia. Barratt's parents had already decided to emigrate to Australia and Barratt had decided that he would accompany them and eventually join the main gathering of Latter-day Saints in Utah Territory. On 17 July, Barratt's ship left London for Australia.

The Barratts arrived in Adelaide on 16 November 1840. Barratt found employment as a shepherd's cook in Mount Barker.