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 1> was <also> organized and Captain was elected Colonel, — — — — Captain , Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Major — — — — — — — — consisting of four companies— Also — — — — — — — — — — the second Regiment Second Cohort was organized and Captain was elected Colonel, — — — Captain Lieutenant Colonel and Aaron H. Golden Major, consisting of four Companies.

I attended the City Council, and moved that the sympathies of the Council be tendered to the relatives of deceased, — — — — late assessor and Collector for the , which was carried. I also moved that a new burying ground be procured outside the <limits>, and purchased at the expence of the <Corporation> which was carried. and Alderman , and counsellors and <John T.> Barrett were appointed a Committee for the same, and <ten acres were> — — ordered to be <purchased>. I spoke at length on the rights and privileges of the Owners of the Ferry, <shewing that the City Council has no right to take away Ferry privileges once granted, without damages being paid to the Proprietor; and also moved that An Ordinance be passed to protect Citizens killing [HC 4:353] dogs running at large, which were set upon Cattle or Hogs; or molest Individuals:> and <on> other subjects before the Council.

2 May 1841 • Sunday

<2> Sunday 2. The Teachers Quorum was organized in , , President. James Hendricks, James W. Huntsman. Councillors.

4 May 1841 • Tuesday

<4> Tuesday 4.

“Head Quarters Nauvoo Legion— City of Ill: May 4th.— 1841— General orders— Pursuant to an Act of the Court Martial, the troops attached or belonging to the Legion will parade at the place of general rendevous, in the City of , for drill, review, and inspection, on Saturday the 3rd. day of July — — — — at half past nine o clock A.M. armed and equipped according to law— At 10 o’clock the line will be formed, and the general officers conducted to their posts, under a fire of artillery. The commandants of the 1st. and 2nd. Companies, 2nd. Battallion 1st Regiment 2nd. Cohort, are directed to enroll every man residing within the bounds of their respective commands, and not attached to any other company of the Legion, between the ages of 18 and 45 years, and notify them of their attachment to the service, and their legal liabilities. As will be seen by the following legal opinion of of the Supreme Court of the State of , than whom no man stands more deservedly high in the public estimation, as an able and profound jurist, politician, and statesman; the officers and privates, belonging to the Legion, are exempt from all military duty not required by the legally constituted authorities thereof; they are therefore expressly inhibited from performing any military services not ordered by the general officers, or directed by the Court Martial—

“City of , Ill, May 3rd. — — — 1841. :— Dear Sir— In reply to your request, I have examined so much of the Nauvoo City Charter, and legislative acts, as relate to the “Nauvoo Legion”, and am clearly of opinion, that “any Citizen of who may attach himself to the Nauvoo Legion, has all the privileges which appertain to that independent Military body, and is exempt from all other military duty, as provided in the 25th. section of the City Charter; and cannot, therefore, be fined by any military or civil court, for neglecting or refusing to parade with any other military body, or [HC 4:354] under the command of any officers who are not attached to said Legion— The language of the laws upon this subject is so plain and specific as to admit of no doubt as to its true meaning and intent. I do not consider it necessary, therefore [p. 1199]

May 1 was also organized and Captain was elected Colonel, — — — — Captain , Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Major — — — — — — — — consisting of four companies— Also — — — — — — — — — — the second Regiment Second Cohort was organized and Captain was elected Colonel, — — — Captain Lieutenant Colonel and Aaron H. Golden Major, consisting of four Companies.

I attended the City Council, and moved that the sympathies of the Council be tendered to the relatives of deceased, — — — — late assessor and Collector for the , which was carried. I also moved that a new burying ground be procured outside the limits, and purchased at the expence of the Corporation which was carried. and Alderman , and counsellors and John T. Barrett were appointed a Committee for the same, and ten acres were — — ordered to be purchased. I spoke at length on the rights and privileges of the Owners of the Ferry, shewing that the City Council has no right to take away Ferry privileges once granted, without damages being paid to the Proprietor; and also moved that An Ordinance be passed to protect Citizens killing [HC 4:353] dogs running at large, which were set upon Cattle or Hogs; or molest Individuals: and on other subjects before the Council.

2 May 1841 • Sunday

2 Sunday 2. The Teachers Quorum was organized in , , President. James Hendricks, James W. Huntsman. Councillors.

4 May 1841 • Tuesday

4 Tuesday 4.

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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. 1006
  Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 1 May 1841, 18–19.
  
  Nauvoo City Council Minute Book / Nauvoo City Council. “A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841,” ca. 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3435.
2. 1007
  See 2 May 1841 entry in History Draft.
3. 1008
  See 4 May 1841 entry in History Draft.
4. 1009
  General Orders for Nauvoo Legion, 4 May 1841.