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F. G. Williams & Co. Account Book, October 1833–November 1835

Source Note

F. G. Williams & Co.

A firm established by the United Firm on 11 September 1833 to print newspapers in Kirtland, Ohio. In December 1833, F. G. Williams & Co. resumed the interrupted printing of the church newspaper The Evening and the Morning Star. After the United Firm was reorganized...

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, Account Book,
Kirtland Township

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Geauga Co., OH, Oct. 1833–Nov. 1835; handwriting of
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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,
Frederick G. Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

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, and JS; thirty-four pages; CHL.
Receipts and expenditures for the F. G. Williams & Co. printing firm in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Ohio, were inscribed in a narrow, commercially produced account book with boards covered in marbled paper. The book was originally used as a financial record book for F. G. Williams & Co. beginning in January 1834; twenty-five pages were inscribed with business records dating from October 1833 to May 1835. After a new arrangement was reached in May, a further twelve pages were inscribed with business records for the firm until November 1835. After the firm of F. G. Williams & Co. was dissolved,
Warren A. Cowdery

17 Oct. 1788–23 Feb. 1851. Physician, druggist, farmer, editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Married Patience Simonds, 22 Sept. 1814, in Pawlet, Rutland Co. Moved to Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., New York, 1816...

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used the book to record his personal financial accounts from 1838 to 1839. In January 1849, Patience Simonds Cowdery, the wife of Warren A. Cowdery, inverted the book and used 167 pages to record diary entries from 1849 to 1851. Accounts from 1850–1851 were recorded on several of the pages originally containing business records for the firm of F. G. Williams & Co.; these later entries have been omitted from the featured transcript.

Historical Introduction

The printing firm of
F. G. Williams & Co.

A firm established by the United Firm on 11 September 1833 to print newspapers in Kirtland, Ohio. In December 1833, F. G. Williams & Co. resumed the interrupted printing of the church newspaper The Evening and the Morning Star. After the United Firm was reorganized...

View Glossary
was organized in September 1833.
1

Minutes, 11 Sept. 1833.


When the
United Firm

An organization that supervised the management of church enterprises and properties from 1832 to 1834. In March and April 1832, revelations directed that the church’s publishing and mercantile endeavors be organized. In accordance with this direction, the...

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was dissolved in April 1834,
Frederick G. Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

View Full Bio
and
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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received the printing firm as their
stewardship

One who managed property and goods under the law of consecration; also someone given a specific ecclesiastical responsibility. According to the “Laws of the Church of Christ,” members of the church were to make donations to the bishop, who would record the...

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and continued to operate the
printing office

Following destruction of church printing office in Independence, Missouri, July 1833, JS and other church leaders determined to set up new printing office in Kirtland under firm name F. G. Williams & Co. Oliver Cowdery purchased new printing press in New ...

More Info
in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Ohio, until June 1836.
2

Revelation, 23 Apr. 1834 [D&C 104:1, 29–30]; “Notice,” Messenger and Advocate, June 1836, 2:329; see also “Notice,” Messenger and Advocate, Aug. 1836, 2:364.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

Although the firm was involved in many important church printing endeavors, most of its business records have not survived. One of the few extant records is an account book, which does not appear to be comprehensive. It contains the firm’s receipts and expenditures from October 1833 to November 1835. No one clerk appears to have been solely responsible for keeping this account, as it contains entries written by most of the men involved in the United Firm in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
. Much of the income recorded in the account book came from subscriptions to the church’s newspapers The Evening and the Morning Star and Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate.
3

The Evening and the Morning Star was printed from June 1832 to July 1833 in Independence, Missouri, and from December 1833 to September 1834 in Kirtland. The Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate was printed in Kirtland from October 1834 to September 1837. In January 1835, F. G. Williams & Co. began reprinting all issues of The Evening and the Morning Star, with editorial changes, under the shortened name Evening and Morning Star. (Introduction to F. G. Williams & Co.; Masthead, The Evening and the Morning Star, June 1832, [8]; Masthead, The Evening and the Morning Star, July 1833, 112; “Prospectus,” Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1837, 3:571.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

Additionally, the account book records not only specific business expenses for the printing firm but also entries related to other events occurring in 1834 and 1835. Because money was scarce, funds from the firm were used to pay for other needs like travel expenses or litigation. The book records ongoing financial difficulties for the firm in 1835, ultimately leading to its dissolution.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Minutes, 11 Sept. 1833.

  2. [2]

    Revelation, 23 Apr. 1834 [D&C 104:1, 29–30]; “Notice,” Messenger and Advocate, June 1836, 2:329; see also “Notice,” Messenger and Advocate, Aug. 1836, 2:364.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

  3. [3]

    The Evening and the Morning Star was printed from June 1832 to July 1833 in Independence, Missouri, and from December 1833 to September 1834 in Kirtland. The Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate was printed in Kirtland from October 1834 to September 1837. In January 1835, F. G. Williams & Co. began reprinting all issues of The Evening and the Morning Star, with editorial changes, under the shortened name Evening and Morning Star. (Introduction to F. G. Williams & Co.; Masthead, The Evening and the Morning Star, June 1832, [8]; Masthead, The Evening and the Morning Star, July 1833, 112; “Prospectus,” Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1837, 3:571.)

    The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

Page 10

Expenditures
August 21 for
F[rederick] G. Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

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’ expenses to
Cleveland

Cuyahoga Co. seat of justice, 1833. Situated on south shore of Lake Erie, just east of mouth of Cuyahoga River. First settled, 1797. Incorporated as village, 1815; incorporated as city, 1836. Became center of business and trade at opening of Ohio and Erie...

More Info
for paper <​p[er] Office​>
0.50
23 for Whiskey to work
O[liver] Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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& J. Smith jr.
0.06
26 for postage 0.25
31 for donation for Sister Strong
4

Possibly Olive Lowell Strong.


0.25
Sept. 3 for postage 0.25
5 to Joseph Smith jr. 25.00
[5] paid over to Joseph Smith jr. this amount which
Martin Harris

18 May 1783–10 July 1875. Farmer. Born at Easton, Albany Co., New York. Son of Nathan Harris and Rhoda Lapham. Moved with parents to area of Swift’s landing (later in Palmyra), Ontario Co., New York, 1793. Married first his first cousin Lucy Harris, 27 Mar...

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put in for printing
100.00
[5] for Licorice for
Wm. Cowdery

5 Sept. 1765–26 Feb. 1847. Farmer, physician. Born at East Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of William Cowdery and Hannah Emmons. Raised Congregationalist. Married first Rebecca Fuller. Moved to Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont, ca. 1787. Appointed surveyor...

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0.06¼
[5] for postage 0.06¼
11 for expenses to Conference 1.12½
[11] for medicine for
Wm Cowdery

5 Sept. 1765–26 Feb. 1847. Farmer, physician. Born at East Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of William Cowdery and Hannah Emmons. Raised Congregationalist. Married first Rebecca Fuller. Moved to Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont, ca. 1787. Appointed surveyor...

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0.43¾
[11] for postage 0.25
to this amount paid to J. Smith jr. 1.12½
15 to this amount paid to
N[ewel] K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

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for
B[righam] 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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13.00
[15] for wine for
O. Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
& J Smith jr
0.12½
16 to this amount paid to J. Smith jr. 13.00
[16] for Wheat for
Wm. Cowdery

5 Sept. 1765–26 Feb. 1847. Farmer, physician. Born at East Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of William Cowdery and Hannah Emmons. Raised Congregationalist. Married first Rebecca Fuller. Moved to Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont, ca. 1787. Appointed surveyor...

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0.75
16 for sash at
Richmond

Area settled, ca. 1814. Officially platted as Ray Co. seat, 1827. Population in 1840 about 500. Seat of Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri; also location of courthouse and jails. JS and about sixty other Latter-day Saint men were incarcerated here while...

More Info
for office
14.64
[16] for nails 1.50
[16] for mail bag 0.12½
[16] for bed cord for
O. Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
0.31¼
[16] for Sugar for
F. G. Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

View Full Bio
1.00
[16] [for]
F. G. Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

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other expense for family
1.44
[16] for expense for company 0.31¼
[16] for Webster’s Dictionary for
O. Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
4.87½
[16] [for] Ainsworth’s Lattin [for
O. Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
]
2.75
[16] [for] for postage 0.25
18 [for postage] 0.18¾
19 for phials at
N K Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
’s <​
OC

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
​>
0.18¾
[19] for Record book at
Cleveland

Cuyahoga Co. seat of justice, 1833. Situated on south shore of Lake Erie, just east of mouth of Cuyahoga River. First settled, 1797. Incorporated as village, 1815; incorporated as city, 1836. Became center of business and trade at opening of Ohio and Erie...

More Info
<​J. Smith jr​>
5.00
[19] to this amount to
F. G. Willams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

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’ family expenses
2.00
22 for silk for
S[eymour] Brunson

1 Dec. 1798–10 Aug. 1840. Farmer. Born at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York. Son of Reuben Brunson and Sally Clark. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Gould of Hector, Tompkins Co., New York, ca. 1823. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...

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0.06
29 for trimmings for Cloths for [
S. Brunson

1 Dec. 1798–10 Aug. 1840. Farmer. Born at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York. Son of Reuben Brunson and Sally Clark. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Gould of Hector, Tompkins Co., New York, ca. 1823. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...

View Full Bio
]
2.48 2.59
[29] for hot drops 0.12½
30 for postage 0.25
[30] for wollen sheet for
O. Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
1.50
Oct 1 to this amount for
O. Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
’s cloths at
O[rson] 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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s
11.19
[Oct 1] for J. Smith jr. 0.83
2 [for J. Smith jr.] 1.00
[2] for nails 0.16
3 for Molasses 0.09¼
5 for postage 0.06¼
[5] for wine for
O. Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
’s
wife

22 Jan. 1815–7 Jan. 1892. Born in Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Daughter of Peter Whitmer and Mary Musselman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Oliver Cowdery, 18 Apr. 1830, in Seneca Co. Moved to Jackson Co., Missouri, by 1832...

View Full Bio
0.12½
<​207.09​>
[p. 10]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 10

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
F. G. Williams & Co. Account Book, October 1833–November 1835
ID #
4105
Total Pages
45
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • Oliver Cowdery

Footnotes

  1. [4]

    Possibly Olive Lowell Strong.

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