History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, created 24 Feb. 1845–3 July 1845; handwriting of
Thomas Bullock
23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...
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,
Franklin D. Richards
2 Apr. 1821–9 Dec. 1899. Carpenter, businessman, newspaper editor. Born at Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Phinehas Richards and Wealthy Dewey. Raised Congregationalist. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Phinehas ...
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, Jonathan Grimshaw, and
Leo Hawkins
19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...
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; 512 pages, plus 24 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the third volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This third volume covers the period from 2 Nov. 1838 to 31 July 1842; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, D-1, E-1 and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction

This document, “History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842],” is the third of six volumes of the “Manuscript History of the Church” (in The Joseph Smith Papers the “Manuscript History” bears the editorial title “History, 1838–1856”). The completed six-volume collection covers the period from 23 December 1805 to 8 August 1844. The narrative in this volume commences on 2 November 1838 with JS and other church leaders being held prisoner by the “
Governor
14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...
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’s forces” at
Far West
Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...
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, Missouri, and concludes with the death of Bishop
Vinson Knight
14 Mar. 1804–31 July 1842. Farmer, druggist, school warden. Born at Norwich, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Rudolphus Knight and Rispah (Rizpah) Lee. Married Martha McBride, July 1826. Moved to Perrysburg, Cattaraugus Co., New York, by 1830. Owned farm...
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at
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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, Illinois, on 31 July 1842. For a more complete discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to this history.

Volume C-1 was created beginning on or just after 24 February 1845 and its narrative was completed by 3 May 1845, although some additional work continued on the volume through 3 July of that year (Richards, Journal, 24 and 28 Feb. 1845; Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 May 1845; 3 and 4 July 1845). It is in the handwriting of
Thomas Bullock
23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...
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and contains 512 pages of primary text, plus 24 pages of addenda. Additional addenda for this volume were created at a later date as a supplementary document and appear in this collection as “History, 1838-1856, volume C-1 Addenda.” Compilers
Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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and Thomas Bullock drew heavily from JS’s letters, discourses, and diary entries; meeting minutes; church and other periodicals and journals; and reminiscences, recollections, and letters of church members and other contacts. At JS’s behest, Richards maintained the first-person, chronological-narrative format established in previous volumes, as if JS were the author.
Brigham Young
1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...
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,
Heber C. Kimball
14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...
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,
George A. Smith
26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...
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, and others reviewed and modified the manuscript prior to its eventual publication in the Salt Lake City newspaper Deseret News.

The historical narrative recorded in volume C-1 continued the account of JS’s life as prophet and president of the church. Critical events occurring within the forty-five-month period covered by this text include the
Missouri
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...
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Mormon War; subsequent legal trials of church leaders; expulsion of the Saints from Missouri; missionary efforts in
England
Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...
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by the
Twelve
Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...
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and others; attempts by JS to obtain federal redress for the Missouri depredations; publication of the LDS Millennial Star in England; the migration of English converts to
America
North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
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; missionary efforts in other nations; the death of church patriarch
Joseph Smith Sr.
12 July 1771–14 Sept. 1840. Cooper, farmer, teacher, merchant. Born at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Nominal member of Congregationalist church at Topsfield. Married to Lucy Mack by Seth Austin, 24 Jan. 1796, at Tunbridge...
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; the establishment of the
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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city charter; the commencement of construction of the Nauvoo
temple
Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...
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; the
Wisconsin “pinery”
Also known as the “pinery.” Collective term for regions in Wisconsin where lumbering operations were located, especially along Black, Chippewa, St. Croix, Wisconsin, and Wolf rivers. Latter-day Saints established lumber camps and mills on Black River to provide...
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expedition that facilitated temple construction; the introduction of the doctrine of proxy baptism for deceased persons; the dedicatory prayer by
Orson Hyde
8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...
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on the Mount of Olives in Palestine; publication of the “Book of Abraham” in the Nauvoo Times and Seasons; publication of the JS history often referred to as the “Wentworth letter;” the organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo; and the inception of Nauvoo-era temple endowment ceremonies.

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<January 9> preached at this evening, his health very poor yet, and almost blind— also was very feeble— <addenda page 15>

12 January 1840 • Sunday

<12> Sunday 12. Elders and held a meeting [HC 4:75] at Wm. Piersons, <addenda page 15>

13 January 1840 • Monday

<13> Monday 13. Elders , and arrived at , England—

14 January 1840 • Tuesday

<14> Tuesday 14. About this time, and arrived at

17 January 1840 • Friday

<17> Friday 17. A special Council was held at the house of in , , President, Scribe, present , , , and — Council decided that Elders and should go to the Staffordshire Potteries, Elders and to ; to , with ; and go where the Spirit directs— that the Elders of the Council communicate with the Presidency at once a Month: and write to Brothers [Alexander] Wright and [Samuel] Mulliner in Scotland and hold no general Conference until more of the Twelve arrive.

Elders and went to Canaan, with Edwin D. Pierson. < shaking very severely with the ague in the evening. >

18 January 1840 • Saturday

<18> Saturday 18 Elders and started for the Potteries.

19 January 1840 • Sunday

<19> Sunday 19. The High Council at voted to donate a City Lot to Brother James Hendrix [Hendricks], who was shot in , also voted to. build him a house— also donated a house and lot to Father [HC 4:76]

preached at Sheffield Mills, where he staid till the Twenty sixth—

22 January 1840 • Wednesday

<22> Wednesday 22. Elders and went to and commenced their Mission.

25 January 1840 • Saturday

<25> Saturday 25. About this time I visited the Saints at where I spent some days, and returned to

27 January 1840 • Monday

<27> Monday 27. Brothers <Gibson> Smith and , conveyed Elders and to where they tarried till the 31st.

About the last of this month I left , for in Company with Brothers , , and , Travelling by Railroad, having sold my Carriage, and having left Sick in .

31 January–1 February 1840 • Friday

<31> Friday 31. Elders and took Steam Boat from for ; when within 18 miles of the they took the Stage, and arrived at their destination about ten o’clock at night— When they alighted from the Carriage they had not funds to pay their fare, and asked Captain Stone to pay their bill, fifty cents, which he very readily did,— and they found Elder s house in about five minutes— where they staid Saturday February 1st.

2 February 1840 • Sunday

<February 2> Sunday 2. Elders and preached in the Columbia Hall— preached every evening during the week till Saturday; three times in the Columbia Hall, by which he injured himself so much, that he was not able to dress himself for four or five days— <on Monday went to > [p. 1013]

January 9 preached at this evening, his health very poor yet, and almost blind— also was very feeble— addenda page 15

12 January 1840 • Sunday

12 Sunday 12. Elders and held a meeting [HC 4:75] at Wm. Piersons, addenda page 15

13 January 1840 • Monday

13 Monday 13. Elders , and arrived at , England—

14 January 1840 • Tuesday

14 Tuesday 14. About this time, and arrived at

17 January 1840 • Friday

17 Friday 17. A special Council was held at the house of in , , President, Scribe, present , , , and — Council decided that Elders and should go to the Staffordshire Potteries, Elders and to ; to , with ; and go where the Spirit directs— that the Elders of the Council communicate with the Presidency at once a Month: and write to Brothers Alexander Wright and [Samuel] Mulliner in Scotland and hold no general Conference until more of the Twelve arrive.

Elders and went to Canaan, with Edwin D. Pierson. shaking very severely with the ague in the evening.

18 January 1840 • Saturday

18 Saturday 18 Elders and started for the Potteries.

19 January 1840 • Sunday

19 Sunday 19. The High Council at voted to donate a City Lot to Brother James Hendrix [Hendricks], who was shot in , also voted to. build him a house— also donated a house and lot to Father [HC 4:76]

preached at Sheffield Mills, where he staid till the Twenty sixth—

22 January 1840 • Wednesday

22 Wednesday 22. Elders and went to and commenced their Mission.

25 January 1840 • Saturday

25 Saturday 25. About this time I visited the Saints at where I spent some days, and returned to

27 January 1840 • Monday

27 Monday 27. Brothers Gibson Smith and , conveyed Elders and to where they tarried till the 31st.

About the last of this month I left , for in Company with Brothers , , and , Travelling by Railroad, having sold my Carriage, and having left Sick in .

31 January–1 February 1840 • Friday

31 Friday 31. Elders and took Steam Boat from for ; when within 18 miles of the they took the Stage, and arrived at their destination about ten o’clock at night— When they alighted from the Carriage they had not funds to pay their fare, and asked Captain Stone to pay their bill, fifty cents, which he very readily did,— and they found Elder s house in about five minutes— where they staid Saturday February 1st.

2 February 1840 • Sunday

February 2 Sunday 2. Elders and preached in the Columbia Hall— preached every evening during the week till Saturday; three times in the Columbia Hall, by which he injured himself so much, that he was not able to dress himself for four or five days— on Monday went to [p. 1013]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]
ID #
7513
Total Pages
562
Handwriting on This Page
- Thomas Bullock
Footnotes
1. 515
  Young, Journal, 9 Jan. 1840, p. [22].
  
  Historian’s Office. “History of Brigham Young.” In Manuscript History of Brigham Young, ca. 1856–1860, vol. 1, pp. 1–104. CHL. CR 100 150, box 1, fd. 1.
2. 516
  See 12 Jan. 1840 entry in History Draft.
3. 517
  Young, Journal, 12 Jan. 1840, p. [22].
  
  Historian’s Office. “History of Brigham Young.” In Manuscript History of Brigham Young, ca. 1856–1860, vol. 1, pp. 1–104. CHL. CR 100 150, box 1, fd. 1.
4. 518
  See 13 Jan. 1840 entry in History Draft.
5. 519
  Woodruff, Journal, 13 Jan. 1840.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
6. 520
  See 14 Jan. 1840 entry in History Draft.
7. 521
  See 17 Jan. 1840 entry in History Draft.
8. 522
  Woodruff, Journal, 17 Jan. 1840.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
9. 523
  Young, Journal, 17 Jan. 1840, p. [22].
  
  Historian’s Office. “History of Brigham Young.” In Manuscript History of Brigham Young, ca. 1856–1860, vol. 1, pp. 1–104. CHL. CR 100 150, box 1, fd. 1.
10. 524
  See 18 Jan. 1840 entry in History Draft.
11. 525
  Woodruff, Journal, 18 Jan. 1840.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
12. 526
  See 19 Jan. 1840 entry in History Draft.
13. 527
  Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 19 Jan. 1839.
  
  Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.
14. 528
  Young, Journal, 19–26 Jan. 1840, p. [22].
  
  Historian’s Office. “History of Brigham Young.” In Manuscript History of Brigham Young, ca. 1856–1860, vol. 1, pp. 1–104. CHL. CR 100 150, box 1, fd. 1.
15. 529
  See 22 Jan. 1840 entry in History Draft.
16. 530
  See 25 Jan. 1840 entry in History Draft.
17. 531
  Letter to Editor, 22 Jan. 1840.
18. 532
  See 27 Jan. 1840 entry in History Draft.
19. 533
  Young, Journal, 27–31 Jan. 1840, [23].
  
  Historian’s Office. “History of Brigham Young.” In Manuscript History of Brigham Young, ca. 1856–1860, vol. 1, pp. 1–104. CHL. CR 100 150, box 1, fd. 1.
20. 534
  See 31 Jan. 1840 entry in History Draft.
21. 535
  Young, Journal, 31 Jan.–2 Feb. 1840, p. [23].
  
  Historian’s Office. “History of Brigham Young.” In Manuscript History of Brigham Young, ca. 1856–1860, vol. 1, pp. 1–104. CHL. CR 100 150, box 1, fd. 1.
22. 536
  See 2 Feb. 1840 entry in History Draft.