History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. E-1, created 20 Aug. 1855–5 Apr. 1856; handwriting of Robert L. Campbell,
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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, and Jonathan Grimshaw; 392 pages, plus 11 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the fifth volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This fifth volume covers the period from 1 July 1843 to 30 Apr. 1844; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, C-1, D-1, and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction

History, 1838–1856, volume E-1, constitutes the fifth of six volumes documenting the life of Joseph Smith and the early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The series is also known as the Manuscript History of the Church and was originally published serially from 1842 to 1846 and 1851 to 1858 as the “History of Joseph Smith” in the Times and Seasons and Deseret News. This volume contains JS’s history from 1 July 1843 to 30 April 1844, and it was compiled in Utah Territory in the mid-1850s.

The material recorded in volume E-1 was initially compiled under the direction of church historian
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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, who was JS’s cousin. Smith collaborated with
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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in collecting material for the history and creating a set of draft notes that Smith dictated to Bullock and other clerks.

Robert L. Campbell, a recently returned missionary and member of the Historian’s Office staff, transcribed
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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’s notes into the volume along with the text of designated documents (such as letters and meeting minutes). The Church Historian’s Office journal entry for 2 May 1855 pinpoints the beginning of his work: “R. L. C. on Book D forenoon, afternoon began book E.” Campbell’s work on the volume apparently concluded on 5 April 1856; entries in the Historian’s Office journal indicate that he then moved on to other assignments while another clerk, Jonathan Grimshaw, began work on volume F-1, the last manuscript in the series. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 May 1855; 5 and 9 Apr. 1856.)

Volume E-1 contains 391 pages of primary text and 11 pages of addenda. The initial entry on page 1637 is a continuation of the 1 July 1843 entry that closed volume D-1. The final entry in volume E-1 is for 30 April 1844.

The 391 pages of volume E-1 document a crucial period of JS’s life and the history of the church. Important events recorded here include

• An account of JS’s 2 July 1843 meeting with several Pottawatamie chiefs.

• JS’s 4 July 1843 address regarding his recent arrest, 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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Legion, and Mormon voting practices.

• JS’s 12 July 1843 dictation of a revelation regarding eternal marriage, including the plurality of wives, in the presence of
Hyrum Smith
9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...
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and
William Clayton
17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...
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.

• The 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment of
Sidney Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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and revocation of his priesthood license.

• Dispatch of the first missionaries to the Pacific Islands on 20 September 1843, led by
Addison Pratt
21 Feb. 1802–14 Oct. 1872. Sailor, farmer, carpenter. Born in Winchester, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of Henry Pratt and Rebekah Jewell. Married Louisa Barnes, 3 Apr. 1831, in Dunham, Lower Canada. Settled on banks of Lake Erie, in New York, where he...
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.

• JS’s 1 October 1843 announcement of
George J. Adams
7 Nov. 1810–11 May 1880. Tailor, actor, clergyman. Born in Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Lived in Boston during 1820s and 1830s. Became Methodist lay preacher. Married Caroline. Moved to New York City, before 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...
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’s appointment to a mission to Russia.

• Minutes of a 6–9 October 1843 general conference inserted under the date of 9 October at which
Sidney Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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pled his case in regard to his 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment and was permitted to continue as counselor in the First Presidency.

• Text of JS’s appeal to the Green Mountain Boys of
Vermont
Area served as early thoroughfare for traveling Indian tribes. French explored area, 1609, and erected fort on island in Lake Champlain, 1666. First settled by Massachusetts emigrants, 1724. Claimed by British colonies of New York and New Hampshire, but during...
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, inserted under the date of 29 November 1843.

• A 20 January 1844 entry that includes a poem by
Eliza R. Snow
21 Jan. 1804–5 Dec. 1887. Poet, teacher, seamstress, milliner. Born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Daughter of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Moved to Mantua, Trumbull Co., Ohio, ca. 1806. Member of Baptist church. Baptized into Church...
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commemorating the presentation of two copies of the Book of Mormon to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert by
Lorenzo Snow
3 Apr. 1814–10 Oct. 1901. Schoolteacher. Born in Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio. Son of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Attended Oberlin College. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John F. Boynton, 19 June 1836, in Kirtland...
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.

• JS’s nomination on 29 January 1844 as an independent candidate for the presidency of the
United States
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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.

• An account of JS’s
King Follett
24/26 July 1788–9 Mar. 1844. Born at Winchester, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of John Follett and Hannah Oak (Oake) Alexander. Married Louisa Tanner, by 1815. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spring 1831. Member of Whitmer branch...
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sermon, 7 April 1844.

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<4> by an Elder whose name I do not know, which was followed by rich strains of vocal and instrumental music; then followed the oration, which was an elegant, eloquent and pathetic one, as much so ever I heard on a similar occasion. We started home about six o’Clock all evidently much pleased [HC 5:491] with and gratified by the kind reception of her citizens.

A citizen of .”

5 July 1843 • Wednesday

<5> I called in the and heard the testimony of my brother before the Municipal court read. and returned from , found but little excitement there, wrote a piece for the paper in my defence, and the justice of the decision of the Municipal court. <The> Remainder of the day I was at home.

6 July 1843 • Thursday

<6> I remained at home all day. wrote the following letter

“Executive Department July 6th. 1843. Esqr.. Sir, I have received your Petition for a detachment of Illinois Militia to assist you in retaking, Joseph Smith Jr representing him to have escaped from your custody after having been arrested on a warrant granted for his apprehension. I have also received a , and some affidavits adverse to the prayer of your Petition. I have also to inform you that I had heard before your arrival in this city of the escape of Smith, and rumors that he had been rescued by a military force. Deeming these rumors of sufficient importance to justify me in so doing, I did, on the 4th. day of this present month, dispatch a trusty and competent person, as my Agent to collect information of the various matters contained in your Petition; and you will I hope at once see the propriety of all action being suspended on my part, until I can receive the most authentic and unquestionable information, as to the movements complained of.

I am most Respectfully, your obedient Servant

.”

and endorsed on the back of it

“. The annexed letter to , is all the answer which I can at present make to either of the parties touch[HC 5:492]ing his application for a detachment of Militia to assist him in retaking Joseph Smith said to be a fugitive from justice. I have the honor to be very Respectfully your obedient Servant.

.”

7 July 1843 • Friday

<7> Friday 7 Mr. Braman a Messenger from the arrived in requesting a copy of all the testimony that was given before the Municipal court, and other affidavits concerning the expulsion of the Mormons from .

I therefore employed , Samuel Gully, and in addition to my other Clerks who sat up all night to copy the testimony.

In addition to the above, I made the following affidavit.

“State of Illinois)	ss
Hancock County Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ... More Info )

Personally appeared before me , a Notary Public within and for said , Joseph Smith Senr. who being duly sworn, says that in the year 1838 he removed with his family to the State of — that he purchased land and became a resident of , that he was an Elder and teacher of the church of Latter day Saints, that the religious Society of which he was an Elder, numbered several thousand people, who were remarkably industrious in their habits , quiet in their manners and conscientious observors of the laws, that they had been for some years prior to his removal thither purchasing and improving lands, and were possessed of a vast amount of property, probably to the value of $3–500,000 of real and personal estate— that prejudices had for a long time existed in the minds of the rough and uncultivated people, by whom his people were surrounded on account of their [p. 1662]

4 by an Elder whose name I do not know, which was followed by rich strains of vocal and instrumental music; then followed the oration, which was an elegant, eloquent and pathetic one, as much so ever I heard on a similar occasion. We started home about six o’Clock all evidently much pleased [HC 5:491] with and gratified by the kind reception of her citizens.

A citizen of .”

5 July 1843 • Wednesday

5 I called in the and heard the testimony of my brother before the Municipal court read. and returned from , found but little excitement there, wrote a piece for the paper in my defence, and the justice of the decision of the Municipal court. The Remainder of the day I was at home.

6 July 1843 • Thursday

6 I remained at home all day. wrote the following letter

I am most Respectfully, your obedient Servant

.”

and endorsed on the back of it

.”

7 July 1843 • Friday

7 Friday 7 Mr. Braman a Messenger from the arrived in requesting a copy of all the testimony that was given before the Municipal court, and other affidavits concerning the expulsion of the Mormons from .

I therefore employed , Samuel Gully, and in addition to my other Clerks who sat up all night to copy the testimony.

In addition to the above, I made the following affidavit.

“State of Illinois)	ss
Hancock County Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ... More Info )

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]
ID #
8112
Total Pages
448
Handwriting on This Page
- Robert L. Campbell
Footnotes
1. 31
  See 5 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
2. 32
  JS, Journal, 5 July 1843; “Statement,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 12 July 1843, [1].
  
  Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.
3. 33
  See 6 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
4. 34
  Thomas Ford to Jacob B. Backenstos, ca. 6 July 1843.
5. 35
  See 7 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
6. 36
  JS, Journal, 7 July 1843.
7. 37
  JS, Affidavit, Hancock Co., IL, 7 July 1843, JS Collection, CHL.
  
  Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.

History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

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