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 22> Elders and organized a branch of the Church at Frooms Hill, Herefordshire.

<23> Thursday 23 Elders and returned to — visited at Moor Ends Cross and 24th. preached at Malvern Hill went to Eccleston and continued some days visiting the Churches around .

25 April 1840 • Saturday

<25> Saturday 25. went to , found the Prospectus ready, for the Millenial Star— returned to Froomes Hill, and staid at Brother s till the 30th. preaching and writing Letters to his friends in .

29 April 1840 • Wednesday

<29> Wednesday 29. Elders and were at — Ill: wrote as follows

“Ledbury, Herefordshire, England. April 29. 1840. Elders and — Brethren, as is writing, I am privileged with a space of a few lines; knowing that our friends are desirous to hear of the work of the Lord in this land, I make the following remarks concerning the mercy of God and my labors since I last wrote you (I wrote you a lengthy letter dated Feb. 27 in which I gave you an account of my travels; voyage and labors; from the time I left unto the date of my letter, which I trust you — — — have received I continued laboring in Staffordshire, until the first of March, when I felt it to be the will of the Lord that I should go more to the South part of England. I left the care of the Stafford<shire> Church in the hands of , and travelled 80 miles south in a region where the word had not been preached. I commenced preaching near Ledbury, Herefordshire: this is — — about 40 miles of Bristol, [HC 4:122] 40 of Birmingham, 14 of Worcester, 120 of — As soon as I began to teach, many received my testimony. I there preached one month and five days, and baptized the superintendent of the Church of the United Brethren, a branch of the Methodist Church, and with him forty five preachers mostly of the same order; and about 114 members, making 160 in all. This put into my hands or under my care more than forty established places of preaching, licensed according to law, including one or two chapels: this opened a large field for the spread of the work in this Country; among the number baptized are some of most all churches and classes, as well as preachers: there is one Constable, and one Clerk of the Church of England, with numbers of their members— But in the midst of my labors I received a letter stating that the Twelve had just arrived and wished me to come to and meet with them in Conference; consequently I travelled 160 miles to , and was once more permitted to strike hands with my brethren from , and set in conference, with them, the minutes of which you have. After Conference I returned to Herefordshire in company with ; we have again commenced our labors here, and there will be many baptized in this region; I have now more than 200 on my list, and scores are now waiting for an opportunity to receive the ordinance of baptism; and the work is progressing in all parts of this Country, where it is faithfully proclaimed. I understand that Elders [Alexander] Wright and [Samuel] Mulliner, are opening some permanent doors in Scotland; and we have many calls through many parts of this Country, even more than we are able to fill. I desire the prayers of the Saints, that I may have wisdom and grace according to my day, and do the work of God in meekness and humility. ”— [p. 1054]

April 22 Elders and organized a branch of the Church at Frooms Hill, Herefordshire.

23–24 April 1840 • Thursday–Friday

23 Thursday 23 Elders and returned to — visited at Moor Ends Cross and 24th. preached at Malvern Hill went to Eccleston and continued some days visiting the Churches around .

25 April 1840 • Saturday

25 Saturday 25. went to , found the Prospectus ready, for the Millenial Star— returned to Froomes Hill, and staid at Brother s till the 30th. preaching and writing Letters to his friends in .

29 April 1840 • Wednesday

29 Wednesday 29. Elders and were at — Ill: wrote as follows

“Ledbury, Herefordshire, England. April 29. 1840. Elders and — Brethren, as is writing, I am privileged with a space of a few lines; knowing that our friends are desirous to hear of the work of the Lord in this land, I make the following remarks concerning the mercy of God and my labors since I last wrote you (I wrote you a lengthy letter dated Feb. 27 in which I gave you an account of my travels; voyage and labors; from the time I left unto the date of my letter, which I trust you — — — have received I continued laboring in Staffordshire, until the first of March, when I felt it to be the will of the Lord that I should go more to the South part of England. I left the care of the Staffordshire Church in the hands of , and travelled 80 miles south in a region where the word had not been preached. I commenced preaching near Ledbury, Herefordshire: this is — — about 40 miles of Bristol, [HC 4:122] 40 of Birmingham, 14 of Worcester, 120 of — As soon as I began to teach, many received my testimony. I there preached one month and five days, and baptized the superintendent of the Church of the United Brethren, a branch of the Methodist Church, and with him forty five preachers mostly of the same order; and about 114 members, making 160 in all. This put into my hands or under my care more than forty established places of preaching, licensed according to law, including one or two chapels: this opened a large field for the spread of the work in this Country; among the number baptized are some of most all churches and classes, as well as preachers: there is one Constable, and one Clerk of the Church of England, with numbers of their members— But in the midst of my labors I received a letter stating that the Twelve had just arrived and wished me to come to and meet with them in Conference; consequently I travelled 160 miles to , and was once more permitted to strike hands with my brethren from , and set in conference, with them, the minutes of which you have. After Conference I returned to Herefordshire in company with ; we have again commenced our labors here, and there will be many baptized in this region; I have now more than 200 on my list, and scores are now waiting for an opportunity to receive the ordinance of baptism; and the work is progressing in all parts of this Country, where it is faithfully proclaimed. I understand that Elders [Alexander] Wright and [Samuel] Mulliner, are opening some permanent doors in Scotland; and we have many calls through many parts of this Country, even more than we are able to fill. I desire the prayers of the Saints, that I may have wisdom and grace according to my day, and do the work of God in meekness and humility. ”— [p. 1054]

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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. 644
  Young, Journal, 22–25 Apr. 1840, pp. [25]–[26]; Woodruff, Journal, 22–25 Apr. 1840.
  
  Historian’s Office. “History of Brigham Young.” In Manuscript History of Brigham Young, ca. 1856–1860, vol. 1, pp. 1–104. CHL. CR 100 150, box 1, fd. 1.
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
2. 645
  See 23 Apr. 1840 entry in History Draft.
3. 646
  See 25 Apr. 1840 entry in History Draft.
4. 647
  See 29 Apr. 1840 entry in History Draft.
5. 648
  Orson Hyde and John E. Page, Quincy, IL, 28 Apr. 1840, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, June 1840, 1:116–117.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
6. 649
  Wilford Woodruff, Ledbury, England, 29 Apr. 1840, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, June 1840, 1:122.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.