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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<May 27> aggrandizement, but rather that of the community: We feel warranted in commissioning him to go forth amongst the faithful, as our Agent, to gather up, and receive such monies in money or otherwise as shall enable us to meet our engagements which are now about to devolve upon us, in consequence of our purchases here for the Church, and we humbly trust that our brethren generally will enable him to come to our assistance before our credit shall suffer on this account— Joseph Smith Jr. P. E.” [HC 3:367]

28 May 1839 • Tuesday

<28 Prisoners petitioned for > Thursday 28 I was at home— When the Prisoners arrived at Columbia, they applied to for a special term of Court to be holden for their trials— The Petition was granted and July first was appointed for the Sitting of the Court

29 May 1839 • Wednesday

<29 Joseph to > Monday 29. I was about home until the latter part of the week when I went to in company with my Council—

June 1839

<June> I continued to assist in making preparations, to lay our grievances before the General Government, and many of the brethren were making their reports of damage sustained in . I wrote as follows

4 June 1839 • Tuesday

<4 Joseph’s Bill of Damages in > “ June 4. 1839 Bill of Damages against the State of on account of the Sufferings & losses sustained therein March 12th. 1838. I with my family arrived in , Caldwell County, after a journey of one thousand miles, being 8 weeks on my Journey enduring great affliction in consequence of prosecution &c and expending two or three hundred dollars. Soon after my arrival at that place I was informed that a number of men living in (on the Grindstone Forks) had offered the sum of one thousand dollars for my scalp. Persons to whom I was an entire stranger & of whom I had no knowledge. In order to attain their end, the roads were frequently waylaid for <me> &c at one time in particular, when watering my horse on I distinctly heard 3 or 4 guns snapt at me. I was credibly informed also that of the Fifth Judicial Circuit gave encouragement to individuals to carry into effect their diabolical designs, and has frequently stated, that I ought to be beheaded on account of my Religion, In consequence of such expressions from and others in authority, my enemies endeavored to take every advantage of me, and heaping abuse, getting up vexatious law suits, and stirring up the minds of the people against me and the people with whom I was connected, altho’ we had done nothing to deserve such treatment but were busily engaged in our several avocations & desirous to live on peaceable & friendly terms with all men. In consequence of such threats and abuse which I was continually subject to, my family were kept in continual state of alarm, not knowing any morning what [HC 3:368] would befal me from day to day particularly when I went from home: On the latter part of Sept. 1838 I went to the lower part of the County of for the purpose of selecting a location for a town when on my journey I was met by one of our Friends with a Message from in Carrol County stating that our Brethren who had settled in that place were, & had for some time been, surrounded by a mob, who [p. 948]

May 27 aggrandizement, but rather that of the community: We feel warranted in commissioning him to go forth amongst the faithful, as our Agent, to gather up, and receive such monies in money or otherwise as shall enable us to meet our engagements which are now about to devolve upon us, in consequence of our purchases here for the Church, and we humbly trust that our brethren generally will enable him to come to our assistance before our credit shall suffer on this account— Joseph Smith Jr. P. E.” [HC 3:367]

28 May 1839 • Tuesday

28 Prisoners petitioned for Thursday 28 I was at home— When the Prisoners arrived at Columbia, they applied to for a special term of Court to be holden for their trials— The Petition was granted and July first was appointed for the Sitting of the Court

29 May 1839 • Wednesday

29 Joseph to Monday 29. I was about home until the latter part of the week when I went to in company with my Council—

June 1839

June I continued to assist in making preparations, to lay our grievances before the General Government, and many of the brethren were making their reports of damage sustained in . I wrote as follows

4 June 1839 • Tuesday

4 Joseph’s Bill of Damages in “ June 4. 1839 Bill of Damages against the State of on account of the Sufferings & losses sustained therein March 12th. 1838. I with my family arrived in , Caldwell County, after a journey of one thousand miles, being 8 weeks on my Journey enduring great affliction in consequence of prosecution &c and expending two or three hundred dollars. Soon after my arrival at that place I was informed that a number of men living in (on the Grindstone Forks) had offered the sum of one thousand dollars for my scalp. Persons to whom I was an entire stranger & of whom I had no knowledge. In order to attain their end, the roads were frequently waylaid for me &c at one time in particular, when watering my horse on I distinctly heard 3 or 4 guns snapt at me. I was credibly informed also that of the Fifth Judicial Circuit gave encouragement to individuals to carry into effect their diabolical designs, and has frequently stated, that I ought to be beheaded on account of my Religion, In consequence of such expressions from and others in authority, my enemies endeavored to take every advantage of me, and heaping abuse, getting up vexatious law suits, and stirring up the minds of the people against me and the people with whom I was connected, altho’ we had done nothing to deserve such treatment but were busily engaged in our several avocations & desirous to live on peaceable & friendly terms with all men. In consequence of such threats and abuse which I was continually subject to, my family were kept in continual state of alarm, not knowing any morning what [HC 3:368] would befal me from day to day particularly when I went from home: On the latter part of Sept. 1838 I went to the lower part of the County of for the purpose of selecting a location for a town when on my journey I was met by one of our Friends with a Message from in Carrol County stating that our Brethren who had settled in that place were, & had for some time been, surrounded by a mob, who [p. 948]

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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. 270
  See 28 May 1839 entry in History Draft.
2. 271
  JS, Journal, 27 May–8 June 1839;
3. 272
  Pratt, Late Persecution of the Church, 126.
  
  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.
4. 273
  See 29 May 1839 entry in History Draft.
5. 274
  JS, Journal, 27 May–8 June 1839.
6. 275
  See June 1839 entry in History Draft.
7. 276
  See 4 June 1839 entry in History Draft.
8. 277
  Bill of Damages, 4 June 1839.