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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<April 18> kill us, We had little prayer Meetings, they said if we did not stop them, they would kill every man, woman and child, we had spelling schools for our little children, they said if we did not stop them, they would kill every man, woman and child, we did our own milking, got our own wood, no men to help us I started the first of February for without money (mob all the way) drove my own team, slept out of doors, I had four small Children, we suffered hunger, fatigue, and cold, for what? for our religion. Where in a boasted land of liberty, deny your faith, or die, was the cry; I will mention some of the names of the heads of the mob, two brothers by the name of Comstock, William Man[n], Benjamin Ashby, Robert White, one by the name of , who took an old scythe, and cut an old white headed all to pieces— I wish further also to state that when the mob came there (as I was told by one of them afterwards) their intention was to kill every thing belonging to us that had life; and that after our men were shot down by them, they went around and shot all the dead men over again, to make sure of their lives.

I now leave it with this Honorable Government to say what my damages may be, or what they would be willing to see their wives and children slaughtered for, as I have seen my , son, and others— I lost in property by the mob To goods stolen fifty dollars, one pocket book, and fifty dollars cash notes; Damage of horses and kine one hundred dollars, one gun ten dollars, In short, my all. whole damages are more than the State of is worth. Written by my own hand this 18 day of April 1839. Amanda Smith. , Adams County, Illinois.”

Thus are the cries of the Widow and the Fatherless ascending to Heaven. How long O Lord wilt thou not avenge the blood of the Saints.

19 April 1839 • Friday

<19> Friday 19. Elders and had travelled but a few miles when an axle tree broke, [HC 3:325] and had to go to after some boxes which hindered them some days.

20 April 1839 • Saturday

<20> Saturday 20. The last of the Saints left —

21 April 1839 • Sunday

<21> Sunday 21 I had still continued my journey— [HC 3:326]

22 April 1839 • Monday

<22> Monday 22 We continued on our journey both by night and by day, and after suffering much fatigue and hunger, I arrived in , Illinois, amidst the congratulations of my friends and the embraces of my family. whom I found as well as could be expected considering what they had been called to <Lawyers fees> endure, Before leaving I had paid the Lawyers at thirty four thousand dollars, in Cash, Lands &c one Lot which I let them have in for seven thousand dollars, they were soon offered ten thousand dollars for it, but would not accept it— for other vexatious suits which I had to contend against, the few months I was in this , I paid Lawyers fees to the amount of about sixteen thousand dollars, making in all about fifty thousand dollars— for which I received very little in return, for sometimes they were afraid to act on account of the mob, and sometimes they were so drunk, as to incapacitate them for business— but there were a few honorable exceptions—

Among those who have been the chief instruments, and leading characters, in the [p. 924]

April 18 kill us, We had little prayer Meetings, they said if we did not stop them, they would kill every man, woman and child, we had spelling schools for our little children, they said if we did not stop them, they would kill every man, woman and child, we did our own milking, got our own wood, no men to help us I started the first of February for without money (mob all the way) drove my own team, slept out of doors, I had four small Children, we suffered hunger, fatigue, and cold, for what? for our religion. Where in a boasted land of liberty, deny your faith, or die, was the cry; I will mention some of the names of the heads of the mob, two brothers by the name of Comstock, William Mann, Benjamin Ashby, Robert White, one by the name of , who took an old scythe, and cut an old white headed all to pieces— I wish further also to state that when the mob came there (as I was told by one of them afterwards) their intention was to kill every thing belonging to us that had life; and that after our men were shot down by them, they went around and shot all the dead men over again, to make sure of their lives.

Thus are the cries of the Widow and the Fatherless ascending to Heaven. How long O Lord wilt thou not avenge the blood of the Saints.

19 April 1839 • Friday

19 Friday 19. Elders and had travelled but a few miles when an axle tree broke, [HC 3:325] and had to go to after some boxes which hindered them some days.

20 April 1839 • Saturday

20 Saturday 20. The last of the Saints left —

21 April 1839 • Sunday

21 Sunday 21 I had still continued my journey— [HC 3:326]

22 April 1839 • Monday

22 Monday 22 We continued on our journey both by night and by day, and after suffering much fatigue and hunger, I arrived in , Illinois, amidst the congratulations of my friends and the embraces of my family. whom I found as well as could be expected considering what they had been called to Lawyers fees endure, Before leaving I had paid the Lawyers at thirty four thousand dollars, in Cash, Lands &c one Lot which I let them have in for seven thousand dollars, they were soon offered ten thousand dollars for it, but would not accept it— for other vexatious suits which I had to contend against, the few months I was in this , I paid Lawyers fees to the amount of about sixteen thousand dollars, making in all about fifty thousand dollars— for which I received very little in return, for sometimes they were afraid to act on account of the mob, and sometimes they were so drunk, as to incapacitate them for business— but there were a few honorable exceptions—

Among those who have been the chief instruments, and leading characters, in the [p. 924]

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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. 186
  Nehemiah and Hiram Comstock.
2. 187
  Thomas McBride.
3. 188
  See 19 Apr. 1839 entry in History Draft.
4. 189
  Theodore Turley, Memoranda, 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.
5. 190
  See 20 Apr. 1839 entry in History Draft.
6. 191
  Pratt, History of the Late Persecution, 114.
  
  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.
7. 192
  See 21 Apr. 1839 entry in History Draft.
8. 193
  See 22 Apr. 1839 entry in History Draft.
9. 194
  JS, Journal, 22–23 Apr. 1839; JS, “Extract, from the Private Journal of Joseph Smith Jr.,” Times and Seasons, Nov. 1839, 1:7–9.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.