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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<December 19 & Ordained> Apostleship to fill vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve. When they came forward and received their ordination under the hands of and — Voted that we send a petition to the general government, and send it by mail— voted that and be a committee to draft the above mentioned petition; also it is their privilege to cho[o]se another person to assist them— Council adjourned until next Wednesday at 1 o clock at this place

— Clerk” <addenda page 15. and 19.> [HC 3:241]

26 December 1838 • Wednesday

<26> having returned to made report—— when the High Council voted that they were satisfied with his proceedings.

27 December 1838 • Thursday

<27 Anson Call whipped> Thursday 27— Anson Call went to near Elk Horn to sell some property and was taken by ten of the Mob and one Old negro, the names of some of the Mob were two of Judge Dickey’s sons, a Mr. Adams, and a constable, they then ordered him to disarm himself, he told them he had no arms about his person, they ordered him to turn his pockets wrong side outwards, they then said they would peel off his naked back, before morning with a hickory gad, they beat him with their naked hands times without number, they struck him in his face with a bowie knife, and hurt him much a number of times, after tantalizing him about four hours saying he was a damned Mormon, and they would serve him as they had others, tie him with a hickory withe and gad him, and keep him till morning, they then started and came to a hazle grove, while consulting together what course to take with him, he leaped into the brush, when they pursued him, but he made his escape and returned to —

After much legislation, disputation, controversy, and angry speechifying, as the papers of , published at the time, abundantly testify, the petition and memorial were laid on the table until the July following; thus utterly refusing to grant the memorialists their request, thereby refusing to investigate the subject—

After we were cast into prison we heard nothing but [HC 3:242] threatenings, that if any judge or jury, or court of any kind should clear any of us, that we should never get out of the alive—

<2,000 dollars> The appropriated two thousand dollars, to be distributed among the <people of & .> poor the Mormons, <of not excepted, the people of thought they could live on mormon property & did not want their 1000, consequently it was pretended to be given to those of > Judge Cameron, Mc.Henry, and others attended to the distribution, Judge Cameron would drive in the brethren’s hogs, (many of which were identified) and shoot them down in the Streets; and without further bleeding, and a half-dressing, they were cut up and distributed by Mc.Henry, to the poor, at a charge of four and five cents per pound, <the cash price of pork being a cent or a cent and a quarter per pound> which together with a few pieces of refuse goods, such as calicoes, at double and treble price soon consumed the two thousand dollars, doing the brethren very little good, or in reality none, as the property destroyed by them, was equal to what they gave the Saints.

<Legislature> The proceedings of the Legislature were warmly opposed by a large minority of the house, among whom were , of , and all the members from , and Messrs. Rollins and Gordon, from , and by various other members from other counties, but the mob majority carries the day, for the guilty wretches feared an investigation, knowing that it would endanger their lives and liberties— [p. 876]

December 19 & Ordained Apostleship to fill vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve. When they came forward and received their ordination under the hands of and — Voted that we send a petition to the general government, and send it by mail— voted that and be a committee to draft the above mentioned petition; also it is their privilege to choose another person to assist them— Council adjourned until next Wednesday at 1 o clock at this place

— Clerk” addenda page 15. and 19. [HC 3:241]

26 December 1838 • Wednesday

26 having returned to made report—— when the High Council voted that they were satisfied with his proceedings.

27 December 1838 • Thursday

27 Anson Call whipped Thursday 27— Anson Call went to near Elk Horn to sell some property and was taken by ten of the Mob and one Old negro, the names of some of the Mob were two of Judge Dickey’s sons, a Mr. Adams, and a constable, they then ordered him to disarm himself, he told them he had no arms about his person, they ordered him to turn his pockets wrong side outwards, they then said they would peel off his naked back, before morning with a hickory gad, they beat him with their naked hands times without number, they struck him in his face with a bowie knife, and hurt him much a number of times, after tantalizing him about four hours saying he was a damned Mormon, and they would serve him as they had others, tie him with a hickory withe and gad him, and keep him till morning, they then started and came to a hazle grove, while consulting together what course to take with him, he leaped into the brush, when they pursued him, but he made his escape and returned to —

After we were cast into prison we heard nothing but [HC 3:242] threatenings, that if any judge or jury, or court of any kind should clear any of us, that we should never get out of the alive—

2,000 dollars The appropriated two thousand dollars, to be distributed among the people of & . the Mormons, of not excepted, the people of thought they could live on mormon property & did not want their 1000, consequently it was pretended to be given to those of Judge Cameron, Mc.Henry, and others attended to the distribution, Judge Cameron would drive in the brethren’s hogs, (many of which were identified) and shoot them down in the Streets; and without further bleeding, and a half-dressing, they were cut up and distributed by Mc.Henry, to the poor, at a charge of four and five cents per pound, the cash price of pork being a cent or a cent and a quarter per pound which together with a few pieces of refuse goods, such as calicoes, at double and treble price soon consumed the two thousand dollars, doing the brethren very little good, or in reality none, as the property destroyed by them, was equal to what they gave the Saints.

Legislature The proceedings of the Legislature were warmly opposed by a large minority of the house, among whom were , of , and all the members from , and Messrs. Rollins and Gordon, from , and by various other members from other counties, but the mob majority carries the day, for the guilty wretches feared an investigation, knowing that it would endanger their lives and liberties— [p. 876]

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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. 58
  See 26 Dec. 1838 entry in History Draft.
2. 59
  See 27 Dec. 1838 entry in History Draft.
3. 60
  Anson Call, Statement, 30 Dec. 1885, p. 3, CHL.
  
  Call, Anson. Statement, Bountiful, Utah Territory, 30 Dec. 1885. CHL. MS 4875.
4. 61
  [Rigdon], Appeal to the American People, 49–58.
  
  [Rigdon, Sidney]. An Appeal to the American People: Being an Account of the Persecutions of the Church of Latter Day Saints; and of the Barbarities Inflicted on Them by the Inhabitants of the State of Missouri. Cincinnati: Glezen and Shepard, 1840.
5. 62
  Theodore Turley, ca. Feb. 1845, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1880, CHL.
  
  Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.
6. 63
  Pratt, History of the Late Persecution, 56–57; Pratt, Late Persecution of the Church,110–111.
  
  Pratt, Parley P. History of the Late Persecution Inflicted by the State of Missouri Upon the Mormons, In Which Ten Thousand American Citizens were Robbed, Plundered, and Driven From the State, and Many Others Imprisoned, Martyred, &c. For Their Religion, and All This by Military Force, by Order of the Executive. By P. P. Pratt, Minister of the Gospel. Written During Eight Months Imprisonment in that State. Detroit: Dawson and Bates, 1839.
  Pratt, Parley P. Late Persecution of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter Day Saints. Ten Thousand American Citizens Robbed, Plundered, and Banished; Others Imprisoned, and Others Martyred for Their Religion. With a Sketch of Their Rise, Progress and Doctrine. By P. P. Pratt, Minister of the Gospel, Written in Prison. New York: J. W. Harrison, 1840.