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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<August 21> placed it close to my ear, and swore if I attempted to get away, that he would blow out my brains, they then commenced to whip me with large Gads which they had for the purpose, and literally mangled me from my Shoulders to my Knees. there were in company as near as I could recollect twelve or fourteen, they were striped of their hats and coats, with their sleeves rolled up, and collars open, which made them look like murderers and robbers; the names as far as I can recollect were Monday, Uno, and Martin, the others I do not recollect, after keeping me tied in this condition I should think an hour and a half, they then brought to me, and after some consultation, loosed me from the tree where I was tied, and led us back to the Town, put us in a room where I saw Noah Rogers and , they then tied them about the neck, and led them out, and in the course of the night, they brought them back to the room where we were. Brother Rogers said they stripped him, and whipped him very bad, this was on the seventh of July, the next day Rogers and myself were taken before a magistrate, nothing proven against us, only that we were Mormons, and we were ordered to Prison. and by some means were liberated but we (Rogers and myself) were put into a Jail and put in Irons until the twenty first of August when through the kindness of God we made our escape and returned to Benjamin Boyce”

23 August 1840 • Sunday

<23> Sunday— <Uncle journalized: “Attended meeting at , Joseph and present, and a large assembly of Saints, who voted to commence building a city at and a place of worship.”> Ten were confirmed at the Carpenters Hall, . [HC 4:181]

29 August 1840 • Saturday

<29> Saturday. writes, the brethren are beginning to excite attention in some of the public grounds in . Outdoor preaching is common in England

30 August 1840 • Sunday

<30> Sunday <“Joseph Smith Jr preached at on eternal judgement and the eternal duration if matter.” -[From Uncle ’s journal]-> Twenty were confirmed at the Hall in .

The Electric Telegraph is beginning to be used on the Great Western Railroad in England, between Drayton and Paddington by which intelligence is communicated at the rate of 200,000 miles per second.

<See Addenda page 19> [HC 4:182] [HC 4:183]

This day was the first public preaching of the Gospel in the Streets of .

31 August 1840 • Monday

<31> Monday baptized Henry Connor, Watchmaker, 52 Ironmongers Row. <in Peerless. Pool> <being the first baptized in that place; and confirmed him the same evening.>

September 1840

“To the Saints scattered abroad— Beloved brethren:— We address a few lines to the Church of Jesus Christ, who have obeyed from the heart, that form of doctrine which has been delivered to them by the servants of the Lord, [HC 4:184] and who are desirous to go forward in the ways of truth and righteousness and by obedience to the heavenly command, escape the things which are coming on the Earth, and secure to themselves an inheritance among the sanctified in the world to come. Having been placed in a very responsible situation in the Church, we at all times feel interested in the welfare of the Saints and make mention of them continually in our prayers to our Heavenly Father, that they may be kept from the evils which are in the world, and ever be found walking in the path of truth. The work of the Lord in these last days, is one of vast magnitude and almost beyond the comprehension of mortals: its glories are past description and its grandeur insurpassable. It is the theme which has animated the bosom of prophets [p. 1091]

August 21 placed it close to my ear, and swore if I attempted to get away, that he would blow out my brains, they then commenced to whip me with large Gads which they had for the purpose, and literally mangled me from my Shoulders to my Knees. there were in company as near as I could recollect twelve or fourteen, they were striped of their hats and coats, with their sleeves rolled up, and collars open, which made them look like murderers and robbers; the names as far as I can recollect were Monday, Uno, and Martin, the others I do not recollect, after keeping me tied in this condition I should think an hour and a half, they then brought to me, and after some consultation, loosed me from the tree where I was tied, and led us back to the Town, put us in a room where I saw Noah Rogers and , they then tied them about the neck, and led them out, and in the course of the night, they brought them back to the room where we were. Brother Rogers said they stripped him, and whipped him very bad, this was on the seventh of July, the next day Rogers and myself were taken before a magistrate, nothing proven against us, only that we were Mormons, and we were ordered to Prison. and by some means were liberated but we (Rogers and myself) were put into a Jail and put in Irons until the twenty first of August when through the kindness of God we made our escape and returned to Benjamin Boyce”

23 August 1840 • Sunday

23 Sunday— Uncle journalized: “Attended meeting at , Joseph and present, and a large assembly of Saints, who voted to commence building a city at and a place of worship.” Ten were confirmed at the Carpenters Hall, . [HC 4:181]

29 August 1840 • Saturday

29 Saturday. writes, the brethren are beginning to excite attention in some of the public grounds in . Outdoor preaching is common in England

30 August 1840 • Sunday

30 Sunday “Joseph Smith Jr preached at on eternal judgement and the eternal duration if matter.” -[From Uncle ’s journal]- Twenty were confirmed at the Hall in .

The Electric Telegraph is beginning to be used on the Great Western Railroad in England, between Drayton and Paddington by which intelligence is communicated at the rate of 200,000 miles per second.

See Addenda page 19 [HC 4:182] [HC 4:183]

31 August 1840 • Monday

31 Monday baptized Henry Connor, Watchmaker, 52 Ironmongers Row. in Peerless. Pool being the first baptized in that place; and confirmed him the same evening.

September 1840

What date is this Epistle? There is no beginning of Sep. shown in this history!

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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. 771
  See 23 Aug. 1840 entry in History Draft.
2. 772
  “Later. News from the Elders,” Times and Seasons, 1 Dec. 1840, 2:230–231.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
3. 773
  See 29 Aug. 1840 entry in History Draft.
4. 774
  “News from the Elders,” LDS Millennial Star, Sept. 1840, 1:135–136.
  
  Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
5. 775
  See 30 Aug. 1840 entry in History Draft.
6. 776
  “New Invention,” LDS Millennial Star, Sept. 1840, 1:136.
  
  Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
7. 777
  See 31 Aug. 1840 entry in History Draft.
8. 778
  George A. Smith, Autobiography, 174.
  
  Smith, George A. Autobiography, ca. 1860–1882. George Albert Smith, Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322, box 1, fd. 2.
9. 779
  TEXT: Written sideways in left margin.
10. 780
  “To the Saints Scattered Abroad,” Times and Seasons, Oct. 1840, 1:177–179.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.