Appendix 1: Agreement of Josiah Stowell and Others, 1 November 1825
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Source Note
, , William Hale, Charles A. Newton, William I. Wiley, “Widow Harper,” , JS, John F. Shephard, Elihu Stowell, and John Grant, Agreement, , Susquehanna Co., PA, 1 Nov. 1825; signed by Charles A. Newton, , , , JS, and William I. Wiley; witnessed by , David Hale, and P. Newton. Featured version reprinted from Susquehanna (PA) Journal, 20 Mar. 1880, as quoted in “An Interesting Document,” Salt Lake Daily Tribune (Salt Lake City, Utah Territory), 23 Apr. 1880, [4]. The copy used for transcription is currently part of a bound volume held at CHL.Each issue of the Salt Lake Daily Tribune (1871–) comprises two leaves (four pages) that measure 27 × 22 inches (69 × 56 cm). Each page is set in ten columns. The copy used for this transcription has presumably been in continuous institutional custody.
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Historical Introduction
This document is an agreement allegedly made between two groups of investors who had hired JS, , and three laborers to find and uncover buried “Gold or Silver . . . [or] coined money and bars or ingots of Gold or Silver.” JS and Joseph Smith Sr., both of whom apparently signed the agreement, were together guaranteed two-elevenths of whatever was found. This document does not appear among this volume’s featured texts because it cannot be authenticated. No manuscript of the contract exists, and it is known only through its publication in Utah’s then avowedly anti-Mormon Salt Lake Daily Tribune, fifty-five years after it was purportedly written and two thousand miles distant. Even copies of the 20 March 1880 issue of the Susquehanna Journal, where it reportedly first appeared in print, cannot be located. Nevertheless, substantial corroborating evidence supports the plausibility of such an agreement, which if authentic provides a glimpse of the folk world in which JS lived, as treasure seeking was widespread throughout New England during JS’s youth.According to the Tribune, B. Wade, a resident of Yellowstone Valley, Montana Territory, forwarded the Susquehanna Journal article to the Tribune in correspondence dated 12 April 1880. On 23 April, the Tribune published “An Interesting Document,” which featured the “Articles of Agreement” along with Wade’s letter and several paragraphs of commentary on the document. The agreement was reportedly drawn up on 1 November 1825 in , Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, and was said to be in the possession of a citizen of Thompson Township, Susquehanna County, at the time of its publication in 1880. Wade stated that he had obtained a printed copy from “a slip cut from the Susquehanna, (Pa.) Journal” dated 20 March 1880, which he enclosed in his letter to the editors. The Tribune’s commentary likely drew on the original article from the Susquehanna Journal, but without the original article it is impossible to know what editorial material was written by the Tribune and what was borrowed from the Journal. The Tribune presented Wade as a believing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who expected a positive response to the document, and the article speculated that “Brother Wade” may have intended to send his letter to a church-owned newspaper.The agreement seems to be generally consistent with the historical record. Most of the fifteen persons named in the agreement can be identified. One of the signers, , hired JS to assist him in the search for buried treasure, and one of the witnesses, , provided boarding for JS during that period. JS was in , Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1825, and the agreement could have been created during his employment with Stowell. By 1825 JS had a reputation in and , New York, for his activities as a treasure seer, or someone who used a seer stone to locate gold or other valuable objects buried in the earth. Stowell apparently visited Manchester and hired JS to help him in his search for a Spanish silver mine on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. Isaac Hale later explained that JS and a group of “money diggers” boarded at his house in November 1825, at which time JS began courting Hale’s daughter .JS’s employment and the nature of his work during that period are well documented. JS’s history stated, “In the month of October Eighteen hundred and twenty five I hired with an old Gentleman, by name of who lived in , State of New York. He had heard something of a silver mine having been opened by the Spaniards in , Susquahanah County, State of Pensylvania, and had previous to my hiring with him been digging in order if possible to discover the mine.” remembered that Stowell enlisted JS’s assistance “in digging for a silver mine . . . from having heard, that he was in possession of certain means, by which he could discern things that could not be seen by the natural eye.” , who met JS in April 1829, later explained that the objective of the search was to find “a cave or subterraneous recess . . . where a company of Spaniards, a long time since, when the country was uninhabited by white settlers, excavated from the bowels of the earth ore, and coined a large quantity of money; after which they secured the cavity and evacuated, leaving a part still in the cave, purposing to return at some distant period.” stated that the workers, including JS, stayed at his house for only a short time before they “became discouraged, and soon after dispersed. This took place about the 17th of November, 1825.” JS continued to work on Stowell’s farm for several months to contribute to the Smith family income; whether he helped Stowell with other treasure searches is not known, but early in 1826 JS reportedly said that he “did not solicit business of this kind.”The Salt Lake Daily Tribune’s commentary incorrectly assessed several aspects of the agreement and was wrong about the timing of JS’s involvement in treasure seeking in . This may provide evidence that the agreement was a valid 1825 document being misinterpreted in an 1880 context. If the document had been forged by the Tribune or the Susquehanna Journal, it seems likely that the commentary and the document would have corresponded more closely. For instance, the Tribune’s commentary overstates JS’s role by claiming he was a major party in the document, describing it as “Articles of Agreement Between Joe Smith, the Father of Mormonism and Other Persons in 1825.” The agreement, however, required that all the profits be split between two groups, likely the investors. The first group, , , and William Hale, was to receive two-thirds of the profit, and the second group, Charles Newton, William I. Wiley, and “the Widow Harper,” was to receive the other one-third of the profits. (The commentary in the Tribune misstated the share Harper was to receive.) JS, on the other hand, was supposed to be paid equally by the two groups and would share two-elevenths of the total profits with his . Further, the Tribune claimed that the “old humbug, Joseph Smith,” wrote the agreement, a highly unlikely scenario. JS was likely one of the youngest members of the company and had little education. Nothing in the agreement suggests that he wrote it or even appears consistent with him writing it.The commentary in the Tribune also included implausible claims about a relationship between the death of Oliver Harper, a “peddler” murdered in 1824, and this agreement. Oliver Harper was never mentioned in the agreement, but the commentary assumed, probably correctly, that the “Widow Harper” was his wife, Tryphena (Phena) Stone Harper. The commentary claimed that JS received two revelations that encouraged the investors to sign the agreement. The first revelation reportedly provided the location of the buried treasure, which led to the initial organization of a “stock company” predating the agreement featured here. JS then allegedly received a second revelation “advising the treasure seekers to suspend operations, as it was necessary for one of the company to die before the treasure could be secured.” The Tribune article provided this explanatory addendum: “[Oliver] Harper the peddler, who was murdered soon after . . . was one of the original members of the company, and his death was regarded by the remainder of the band as a Providential occurrence, which the ‘powers’ had brought about for their especial benefit. The death of Harper having removed the only obstacle in the way of success, the surviving members re-commenced operations, and signed an ‘agreement,’ giving the widow Harper the half of one third of all the treasures secured.”This account includes a number of apparent anachronisms. There are no known JS revelations until several years later, for example, and those revelations occurred in a religious rather than treasure-seeking context. More significant, court records indicate that Harper died on 11 May 1824, and, contrary to the claims of the Tribune, there is no credible evidence that JS participated in digging for buried treasure in before 1825. In contrast, his treasure-seeking activities in for that period are well documented. and explained that they first met JS in 1825, and in the accounts JS and wrote about that visit, noted earlier, neither mentioned that JS had engaged in any treasure seeking in Pennsylvania before 1825. Nearly fifty years later, Emily C. Blackman’s History of Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, published in 1873, included a statement from Oliver Harper’s laborer, R. C. Doud, who claimed that he heard JS had predicted where treasure could be found in Pennsylvania as early as 1822. Such late accounts, however, too conveniently rely upon each other for support and contradict the statements made much earlier by individuals more closely familiar with JS’s whereabouts before 1825.
Footnotes
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1
See Taylor, “Early Republic’s Supernatural Economy,” 6–34.
Taylor, Alan. “The Early Republic’s Supernatural Economy: Treasure Seeking in the American Northeast, 1780–1830.” American Quarterly 38, no. 1 (Spring 1986): 6–34.
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2
Likely Bert Wade. (1880 U.S. Census, East Gallatin Valley, Gallatin Co., Montana Territory, 26.)
Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.
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3
The introductory text in the Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 Apr. 1880, [4], reads as follows:
“AN INTERESTING DOCUMENT.“Articles of Agreement Between Joe Smith, the Father of Mormonism and Other Persons in 1825.“Yellowstone Valley, Mt.,“April 12, 1880.“eds. tribune: Knowing how interested you are in any matter pertaining to the early history of our Church, I enclose a slip cut from the Susquehanna, (Pa.) Journal of March 20, which will throw some light on the subject. The Journal is published near the scene of our martyred Prophet’s early exploits.“Respectfully Yours,“B. Wade.“The following agreement, the original of which is in the possession of a citizen of Thompson township, was discovered by our correspondent, and forwarded to us as a matter of local interest.“The existence of the ‘buried treasures’ referred to was ‘revealed’ to Joe Smith jr., who with his father the Prophet, at that time resided on what is now known as the McCune farm, about two miles down the river from this place, and upon the strength of which revelation a stock company was organized to dig for the aforesaid treasure. After the company was organized, a second communication was received by Joseph, jr., from the ‘other world,’ advising the treasure seekers to suspend operations, as it was necessary for one of the company to die before the treasure could be secured.“Harper the peddler, who was murdered soon after, near the place where the Catholic cemetery in this borough is now located, was one of the original members of the company, and his death was regarded by the remainder of the band as a Providential occurrence, which the ‘powers’ had brought about for their especial benefit. The death of Harper having removed the only obstacle in the way of success, the surviving members re-commenced operations, and signed an ‘agreement,’ giving the widow Harper the half of one third of all the treasures secured. The following is the agreement, written by the old humbug, Joseph Smith, himself.”The text of the agreement is found at this point, followed by this concluding commentary:
“The place where treasure was supposed to lie buried was on the place now owned by J. M. Tillman, near the McKune farm, then the property of Wm. Hale. Excavations were also made on Jacob Skinner’s farm, some of which remain well marked to-day. It was while pursuing this unsuccessful search for treasures that the Prophet Smith pretended that he unearthed his famous ‘tablets.’“Brother Wade may have made a mistake in directing his letter to the proper Church journal. If he has, Granny [the LDS church–owned Deseret News] has our permission to copy the above by giving The Tribune proper credit.”Salt Lake Daily Tribune. Salt Lake City. 1871–.
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4
JS History, vol. A-1, 7–8; Oliver Cowdery, “Letter VIII,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Oct. 1835, 2:201; see also Blackman, History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, 103; and [JS], Editorial, Elders’ Journal, July 1838, 43.
Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
Blackman, Emily C. History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. From a Period Preceding Its Settlement to Recent Times. . . . Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen and Haffelfinger, 1873.
Elders’ Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Kirtland, OH, Oct.–Nov. 1837; Far West, MO, July–Aug. 1838.
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5
Trial proceedings, Bainbridge, NY, 20 Mar. 1826, State of New York v. JS, [J.P. Ct. 1826], in “The Original Prophet,” Fraser’s Magazine, Feb. 1873, 229–230.
“The Original Prophet. By a Visitor to Salt Lake City.” Fraser’s Magazine 7, no. 28 (Feb. 1873): 225–235.
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6
Isaac Hale, Affidavit, Harmony, PA, 20 Mar. 1834, in “Mormonism,” Susquehanna Register, and Northern Pennsylvanian [Montrose, PA], 1 May 1834, [1]; Knight, Reminiscences, 2.
Susquehanna Register, and Northern Pennsylvanian. Montrose, PA. 1831–1836.
Knight, Joseph, Sr. Reminiscences, no date. CHL. MS 3470.
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7
JS History, vol. A-1, 7–8.
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8
Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845, 95.
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9
Oliver Cowdery, “Letter VIII,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Oct. 1835, 2:201.
Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
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10
Isaac Hale, Affidavit, Harmony, PA, 20 Mar. 1834, in “Mormonism,” Susquehanna Register, and Northern Pennsylvanian [Montrose, PA], 1 May 1834, [1].
Susquehanna Register, and Northern Pennsylvanian. Montrose, PA. 1831–1836.
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11
“A Document Discovered,” Utah Christian Advocate, Jan. 1886, 1. In March 1826, Peter G. Bridgman, a nephew of Josiah Stowell, filed a complaint in Bainbridge, New York, charging JS with being “a disorderly person and an Imposter”—charges related to JS’s activities as a treasure seeker and his use of a stone to find buried objects. The supposedly defrauded Josiah Stowell himself, however, testified in JS’s favor at the resulting trial. Though not known or published until decades later, the lengthy account in the Utah Christian Advocate represents itself as being a transcript from the records of Justice Albert Neely, who conducted the proceedings. (Trial proceedings, Bainbridge, NY, 20 Mar. 1826, State of New York v. JS, [J.P. Ct. 1826], in “The Original Prophet,” Fraser’s Magazine, Feb. 1873, 229–230.)
Utah Christian Advocate. Salt Lake City. Jan. 1884–Nov. 1887.
“The Original Prophet. By a Visitor to Salt Lake City.” Fraser’s Magazine 7, no. 28 (Feb. 1873): 225–235.
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12
“An Interesting Document,” Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 Apr. 1880, [4].
Salt Lake Daily Tribune. Salt Lake City. 1871–.
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13
1830 U.S. Census, Chenango, Broome Co., NY, 21; Simon, “Notes on Oliver Harper.”
Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.
Simon, Stephen Eric. “Notes on Oliver Harper.” Unpublished paper. Windsor, CT, 16 Feb. 1991. Copy in editors’ possession.
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14
“An Interesting Document,” Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 Apr. 1880, [4]. In May 1824 Oliver Harper, a raftsman of Windsor, New York, who floated large quantities of timber downriver, was murdered by Jason Treadwell just below Martin Lane’s mill (Lanesboro), Pennsylvania, while returning up the Susquehanna with his profits. (“Trial for Murder,” Adams Centinel [Gettysburg, PA], 22 Sept. 1824, [3]; Blackman, History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, 96–97, 582–583.)
Salt Lake Daily Tribune. Salt Lake City. 1871–.
Adams Centinel. Gettysburg, PA. 1800–1867.
Blackman, Emily C. History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. From a Period Preceding Its Settlement to Recent Times. . . . Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen and Haffelfinger, 1873.
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15
See “Trial for Murder,” Adams Centinel [Gettysburg, PA], 22 Sept. 1824, [3]; see also Blackman, History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, 582.
Adams Centinel. Gettysburg, PA. 1800–1867.
Blackman, Emily C. History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. From a Period Preceding Its Settlement to Recent Times. . . . Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen and Haffelfinger, 1873.
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16
Josiah Stowell mentioned in a letter that he had not known JS before 1825. Isaac Hale claimed that he first met JS in November 1825. (Josiah Stowell Jr., Elmira, NY, to John S. Fullmer, Cambria Co., PA, 17 Feb. 1843, CHL; Isaac Hale, Affidavit, Harmony, PA, 20 Mar. 1834, in “Mormonism,” Susquehanna Register, and Northern Pennsylvanian [Montrose, PA], 1 May 1834, [1].)
Stowell, Josiah, Jr. Letter, Elmira, NY, to John S. Fullmer, Cambria Co., PA, 17 Feb. 1843. CHL. MS 2823 2.
Susquehanna Register, and Northern Pennsylvanian. Montrose, PA. 1831–1836.
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17
If JS had originally worked for Oliver Harper or others who were a part of the treasure-seeking agreement, this associated information would have likely been included in their accounts. In her history of JS’s early life, Lucy Mack Smith gave no hint of her husband or JS going to Pennsylvania before 1825.
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18
Doud claimed that on “the old Indian road from Windsor to Chenango Point, about four miles west of Windsor, men were digging, at the same time, for silver, upon Joe’s telling them where it could be found.” (Blackman, History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, 581.)
Blackman, Emily C. History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. From a Period Preceding Its Settlement to Recent Times. . . . Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen and Haffelfinger, 1873.
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19
See “W. R. Hine’s Statement,” Naked Truths about Mormonism (Oakland, CA), Jan. 1888, 2; “A Document Discovered,” Utah Christian Advocate, Jan. 1886, 1; Von Wymetal, Joseph Smith the Prophet, 78–79; and William W. Blair, Journal, 8 May 1879, in Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, 4:340–342.
Naked Truths about Mormonism: Also a Journal for Important, Newly Apprehended Truths, and Miscellany. Oakland, CA. Jan. and Apr. 1888.
Utah Christian Advocate. Salt Lake City. Jan. 1884–Nov. 1887.
Von Wymetal, Wilhelm [W. Wyl, pseud.]. Joseph Smith the Prophet: His Family and His Friends; A Study Based on Facts and Documents. Salt Lake City: Tribune Printing and Publishing, 1886.
Vogel, Dan, ed. Early Mormon Documents. 5 vols. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1996–2003.
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1
| , | (Chas. A. Newton, |
| David Hale, | (, |
| P. Newton. | (, |
| (, | |
| (Jos. Smith, Jr., | |
| (Wm. I. Wiley. |
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