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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<July 2> “At a meeting of the Saints of Crooked Creek Branch on the 2nd. of July 1840 to take into consideration the propriety of having a stake of appointed or located some where in the bounds of this branch. Brother was called to the Chair. Meeting was opened by prayer, after which several remarks were made, and the following resolutions were passed—[HC 4:143] Resolved that it be our wishes that a Stake of Zion be appointed or located within the bounds of this branch, provided it should meet the minds of the First Presidency of this Church. Resolved that a Committee of three be appointed to ascertain the minds of the First Presidency and report to the Branch. Resolved that , Nathaniel Frampton, and compose said Committee. It was ascertained that there were about 2525 acres of land owned by the Brethren, and wherever the Stake should be appointed, the lands should be donated or purchased for a very small compensation, and that there are one hundred and twelve members belonging to this Branch. Resolved that we meet on Thursday next at one o’clock P.M. to receive the report of the Committee Resolved that the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the President and Clerk— Prest.— William Whiteman— Clerk.”

3 July 1840 • Friday

<3> Friday 3 High Council met at my Office.

“The subject of the Memorial of President Joseph Smith Junr. was again brought up for a rehearing according to the decision of the last Council (June 27) when the following resolutions were entered into— 1st. Resolved that we feel perfectly satisfied with the course taken by Joseph Smith Junr., and feel a disposition, as far as it is in our power to assist him so as to relieve him from the temporalities of the Church, in order that he may devote his time more particularly to the Spiritualities of the same, beleiving by so doing, we shall promote the good of the whole Church. But as he (Joseph Smith Junr.) is held responsible for the payment of the Plot and knowing no way to relieve him from that responsibility at present, we would request of him to act as Treasurer for the Plot, and to whom, those persons whom we may appoint to make sales of Lots and attend to the business affairs of the Church may at all times be responsible and make true and correct returns of all their proceedings, as well as to account for all monies, properties &c which may come into their hands— Therefore resolved That Elder act as Clerk for the same. That Bishop be appointed to provide for the wants of the Presidency, and make such appropriations to them, and to their Clerk or Clerks which they may require. Resolved that the funds of the Plot shall not be taken to provide for the Presidency or Clerks, but that the Bishops be instructed to [HC 4:144] raise funds from other sources to meet the calls made on them— and monies received for lots shall be deposited in the hands of the Treasurer to liquidate the debts of the Plot.”

4 July 1840 • Saturday

<4> Saturday 4. The resolutions of the Crooked Creek Branch of the second,

“were taken into consideration by President Joseph Smith Junr. and it was thought proper to establish a Stake on Crooked Creek agreeably to the request of said Branch and [p. 1070]

2 July 1840 • Thursday

July 2 “At a meeting of the Saints of Crooked Creek Branch on the 2nd. of July 1840 to take into consideration the propriety of having a stake of appointed or located some where in the bounds of this branch. Brother was called to the Chair. Meeting was opened by prayer, after which several remarks were made, and the following resolutions were passed—[HC 4:143] Resolved that it be our wishes that a Stake of Zion be appointed or located within the bounds of this branch, provided it should meet the minds of the First Presidency of this Church. Resolved that a Committee of three be appointed to ascertain the minds of the First Presidency and report to the Branch. Resolved that , Nathaniel Frampton, and compose said Committee. It was ascertained that there were about 2525 acres of land owned by the Brethren, and wherever the Stake should be appointed, the lands should be donated or purchased for a very small compensation, and that there are one hundred and twelve members belonging to this Branch. Resolved that we meet on Thursday next at one o’clock P.M. to receive the report of the Committee Resolved that the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the President and Clerk— Prest.— William Whiteman— Clerk.”

3 July 1840 • Friday

3 Friday 3 High Council met at my Office.

4 July 1840 • Saturday

4 Saturday 4. The resolutions of the Crooked Creek Branch of the second,

“were taken into consideration by President Joseph Smith Junr. and it was thought proper to establish a Stake on Crooked Creek agreeably to the request of said Branch and [p. 1070]

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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. 707
  See 2 July 1840 entry in History Draft.
2. 708
  Minutes, 2 July 1840, in JS Letterbook 2, p. 154.
  
  JS Letterbook 2 / Smith, Joseph. “Copies of Letters, &c. &c.,” 1839–1843. Joseph Smith Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155, box 2, fd. 2.
3. 709
  See 3 July 1840 entry in History Draft.
4. 710
  Minutes, 3 July 1840.
5. 711
  See 4 July 1840 entry in History Draft.

History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]

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