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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<August 7> A Conference of the Church was held at , <Prest. was unanimously acknowledged as the Prest. of the Stake in , , , Counsellors. was sustained as Bishop, also & Joseph Mecham his Counsellors.> and the branches in so far as represented consisted of 750 members

8 August 1841 • Sunday

<8> <Shocks of an Earthquake felt, at several places in Spain.>

9 August 1841 • Monday

<9> Monday 9 The Steam Boat Erie was burned on Lake Erie, 30 miles from , and 8 from the American shore, 200 persons on board, <of whom> 175 — — — — — — perished.

The funeral of was attended — — — — by a vast concourse of friends and relatives. He was buried with Military honors [HC 4:399] time of his death the office of Brigadier General of the second Cohort, Nauvoo Legion. He was also President of the High Priests Quorum, and Editor and Publisher of the Times and Seasons, and was universally beloved by his numerous acquaintance. His attachment to the cause of truth was immoveable.

The Conference <appointed , Church Recorder,> and was addressed by Elders and <on building the , and <on> Temperance.>

10 August 1841 • Tuesday

<10> Tuesday 10 <I spent the day in Council with , , , , and and appointed a special conference for the 16th. inst. and directed them to send Missionaries to , Charleston, S. C. Salem, Mass: Baltimore, Maryland; and and also requested the Twelve to take the burden of the business of the Church in , and especially as pertaining to the selling of Church Lands.>

The department of English Literature and Mathematics <of the university of the City of Nauvoo> is in operation under the Tuition of Professor —

“General Orders, Head Quarters, Nauvoo Legion, City of , Aug. 10. 1841 It becomes our painful duty to officially notify the troops of our command of the untimely decease of that noble chief, Brigadier General, — he fell, but not in battle— he perished, but not by the weapons of war— at his burial, you paid him honor, but he is gathered to his fathers to receive greater honor. In consequence of this afflictive dispensation of Divine Providence the Commissioned Officers of the Staff and line will wear crape on the left arm for thirty days. The commissioned Officers of the 2nd. Cohort will convene at General Smith’s office, on Saturday the 4th. day of September, — — — — — — at 10 o’clock A.M. for the purpose of electing a Brigadier General; at which time and place the Court of Appeals will sit. The Legion will assemble at the usual place of rendezvouz, in the City of , on Saturday the 11th. day of September, — — — — — — at 10 o’clock A.M. for the purpose of general parade— the militia Officers of the County of [HC 4:400] , Illinois; and the County of Lee, Iowa; are respectfully invited to attend. The Adjutants of Regiments will form their respective Regiments at 9 o’clock, and at 10 o’clock the Adjutant of the Legion will form the line by Regiments, and not by companies as heretofore. A Special Court Martial will convene at the usual place, on Saturday the 28th. day of August at 10 o’clock A.M. for the transaction of business. Joseph Smith, Lieutenant General;<”>

Letters from various parts of England and Scotland show that numbers are daily added to the Church; while Shipwrecks, Floods, houses and workshops falling, great and destructive fires, sudden deaths, Banks breaking, men’s hearts failing them for fear, because no man buyeth their merchandize, shopkeepers and manufacturers. failing, & many accidents on the Railways. betoken the coming of the Son of Man.

12 August 1841 • Thursday

<12><— see Addenda book page 10.> [HC 4:401]

14 August 1841 • Saturday

<14> <Sir J. M. Brunel the Engineer, with 50 ladies and gentleman, made the first passage under the river Thames, England.>

15 August 1841 • Sunday

<15> Sunday 15 My infant Son died aged 14 months 2 days.

16 August 1841 • Monday

<16> Monday 16 Elder arrived at this morning— [p. 1220]

August 7 A Conference of the Church was held at , Prest. was unanimously acknowledged as the Prest. of the Stake in , , , Counsellors. was sustained as Bishop, also & Joseph Mecham his Counsellors. and the branches in so far as represented consisted of 750 members

8 August 1841 • Sunday

8 Shocks of an Earthquake felt, at several places in Spain.

A Water spout destroyed 20 houses at Portpatrick, Scotland.

9 August 1841 • Monday

9 Monday 9 The Steam Boat Erie was burned on Lake Erie, 30 miles from , and 8 from the American shore, 200 persons on board, of whom 175 — — — — — — perished.

The funeral of was attended — — — — by a vast concourse of friends and relatives. He was buried with Military honors [HC 4:399]

The Conference appointed , Church Recorder, and was addressed by Elders and on building the , and on Temperance.

10 August 1841 • Tuesday

10 Tuesday 10 I spent the day in Council with , , , , and and appointed a special conference for the 16th. inst. and directed them to send Missionaries to , Charleston, S. C. Salem, Mass: Baltimore, Maryland; and and also requested the Twelve to take the burden of the business of the Church in , and especially as pertaining to the selling of Church Lands.

The department of English Literature and Mathematics of the university of the City of Nauvoo is in operation under the Tuition of Professor —

A Shower of Meteoric Stones fell at Iwan in Hungary.

Letters from various parts of England and Scotland show that numbers are daily added to the Church; while Shipwrecks, Floods, houses and workshops falling, great and destructive fires, sudden deaths, Banks breaking, men’s hearts failing them for fear, because no man buyeth their merchandize, shopkeepers and manufacturers. failing, many accidents on the Railways. betoken the coming of the Son of Man.

12 August 1841 • Thursday

12— see Addenda book page 10. [HC 4:401]

14 August 1841 • Saturday

14 Sir J. M. Brunel the Engineer, with 50 ladies and gentleman, made the first passage under the river Thames, England.

15 August 1841 • Sunday

15 Sunday 15 My infant Son died aged 14 months 2 days.

Conference met in , and were addressed by Elder and , on building the in .

16 August 1841 • Monday

16 Monday 16 Elder arrived at this morning— [p. 1220]

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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. 1084
  See 9 Aug. 1841 entry in History Draft.
2. 1085
  “Death of General Don Carlos Smith,” Times and Seasons, 16 Aug. 1841, 2:503.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
3. 1086
  See 10 Aug. 1841 entry in History Draft.
4. 1087
  General Orders for Nauvoo Legion, 10 Aug. 1841.
5. 1088
  “Communication from William Miller,” Times and Seasons, 15 Nov. 1841, 3:598.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
6. 1089
  See 15 Aug. 1841 entry in History Draft.
7. 1090
  Obituary for Don Carlos Smith, Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1841, 2:533.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
8. 1091
  See 16 Aug. 1841 entry in History Draft.
9. 1092
  Richards, Journal, 16 Aug. 1841.
  
  Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.