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Letter from John C. Bennett, 27 July 1840

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John C. Bennett
3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...
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Fairfield
Town in southern Illinois, approximately 150 miles southeast of Springfield. County seat. Laid out, 1819. John C. Bennett lived in town when he began corresponding with JS, July 1840.
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, IL, to JS and
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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,
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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, IL, 27 July 1840; in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 170–171; handwriting of
Howard Coray
6 May 1817–16 Jan. 1908. Bookkeeper, clerk, teacher, farmer. Born in Dansville, Steuben Co., New York. Son of Silas Coray and Mary Stephens. Moved to Providence, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, ca. 1827; to Williams, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania, by 1830; and...
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; CHL.

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Quarter Master General’s. office

, Illinois July 27th. 1840

To the

Rev &

" Joseph Smith Jr.

Respected Friends:—

I wrote you a few days ago from this place but I my great desire to be with you and your people prompts me to write me again at this time; and I hope it will not be considered obtrusive by friends whom I have always so highly esteemed as yourselves.

At the last district and circuit Court of the , holden at in June last I had the honor of being on the grand Inquest of the for the District of , and hoped to have seen you there; but was quite disappointed. I attended the meeting of your people opposite Mr Lowry’s Hotel but did not make myself known as I had no personal acquaintance in the Congregation.

It would be my deliberate advice to you to concentrate all of your at one point— If with for its commercial Emporium is to be that point, well,— fix upon it and let us co-operate with a general concerted action. You can rely upon me in any event. I am with you in Spirit, and will be in person as soon as circumstances permit, and immediately if it is your desire. Wealth is no material object with me; I desire to be happy and am fully satisfied that I can enjoy myself better with your people [p. 170]