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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<June 15> The News papers of the are teeming with all manner of lies, abusing the Saints of the most High, and striving to call down the wrath of the people, upon his servants.

16–20 June 1841 • Wednesday–Sunday

<16> <Wednesday 16 Elder and Company arrived at Wheeling, at 4 pm, and on the 20th. visited the brethren at .>

21 June 1841 • Monday

<21> <Monday 21. & visited the Saints in Penn: on their mission East, and there met Elder on his return home.>

22 June 1841 • Tuesday

<22> Tuesday 22. Elder Theodore Curtis, having previously been arraigned before a Magistrate and bound over in the sum of forty pounds, for “blasphemy,” (i.e.) preaching the Gospel, appeared at the Court of Sessions, at Gloucester, England and after remaning five days— was informed on enquiry, that no bill was found against him, and was suffered to go at large again after paying one pound and one shilling costs. Thus we see that the same opposition to truth prevails in other countries, as well as in this.

The following is extracted from a letter in the “Juliet Courier”

“June 1841 My Dear Sir. Before this reaches you— I have no doubt you will have heard of the trial of Joseph Smith: familiarly known as the Mor[HC 4:380]mon Prophet. As some misrepresentations have already gone abroad, in relation to decision, and the merits of the question decided by the ; permit me to say the only question decided, though many were debated, was the validity of the executive writ which had once been sent out, I think in Septr. 1840, and a return on it that Mr. Smith could not be found. The same writ was issued in June 1841. There can really be no great difficulty about this matter— under this state of facts. The acquitted himself handsomely, and silenced clamors that had been raised against the Defendant. Since the trial I have been at on the , in Illinois, and have seen the manner in which things are conducted among the Mormons In the first place I cannot help noticing the plain hospitality of the Prophet Smith, to all Strangers visiting the , aided as he is, in making the stranger comfortable by his excellent , a woman of superior ability. The people of the appear to be honest and industrious, engaged in their usual avocations of building up a town, and making all things around them comfortable. On Sunday I attended one of their meetings, in front of the , now building, and one of the largest buildings in the . There could not have been less than 2.500 people present, and as well appearing as any number that could be found in this or any State. Mr. Smith preached in the morning, and one could have readily learned then, the magic by which he has built up this society, because as we say in — “they believe in him”— and in his honesty. It has been a matter of astonishment to me, after seeing the prophet as he is called; and many other gentlemanly men, any one may see at , who will visit there; why it is, that so many professing Christianity, and so many professing to reverence the sacred principles of our Constitution, (which gives free religious toleration to all,) have slandered, and persecuted this sect of Christians.”

26 June 1841 • Saturday

<26> <Saturday 26 and Company arrived on “the <Steamer> Mermaid,” at the mouth of the Ohio River.>

1 July 1841 • Thursday

<July 1> Thursday July 1. Elders , , & , arrived <at .> after an interesting Mission to England— The accounts of their mission are highly satisfactory.

<During a heavy thunderstorm at Derby, England; hundreds of small fish and frogs descended, and were picked up alive by the people.> [HC 4:381]

3 July 1841 • Saturday

<3> Saturday 3. The second Regiment, first Cohort <consisting of four companies> was organized and Captain Nn opbh/ [p. 1213]

June 15 The News papers of the are teeming with all manner of lies, abusing the Saints of the most High, and striving to call down the wrath of the people, upon his servants.

16–20 June 1841 • Wednesday–Sunday

16 Wednesday 16 Elder and Company arrived at Wheeling, at 4 pm, and on the 20th. visited the brethren at .

21 June 1841 • Monday

21 Monday 21. & visited the Saints in Penn: on their mission East, and there met Elder on his return home.

22 June 1841 • Tuesday

22 Tuesday 22. Elder Theodore Curtis, having previously been arraigned before a Magistrate and bound over in the sum of forty pounds, for “blasphemy,” (i.e.) preaching the Gospel, appeared at the Court of Sessions, at Gloucester, England and after remaning five days— was informed on enquiry, that no bill was found against him, and was suffered to go at large again after paying one pound and one shilling costs. Thus we see that the same opposition to truth prevails in other countries, as well as in this.

The following is extracted from a letter in the “Juliet Courier”

26 June 1841 • Saturday

26 Saturday 26 and Company arrived on “the Steamer Mermaid,” at the mouth of the Ohio River.

1 July 1841 • Thursday

July 1 Thursday July 1. Elders , , & , arrived at . after an interesting Mission to England— The accounts of their mission are highly satisfactory.

During a heavy thunderstorm at Derby, England; hundreds of small fish and frogs descended, and were picked up alive by the people. [HC 4:381]

3 July 1841 • Saturday

The following is an extract from the Legion Minutes.

3 Saturday 3. The second Regiment, first Cohort consisting of four companies was organized and Captain Nn opbh/ [p. 1213]

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Cite this page

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. 1053
  Young, Journal, 16–17 June 1841, pp. [66]–[68].
  
  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.
2. 1054
  George A. Smith, Autobiography, 227.
  
  Smith, George A. Autobiography, ca. 1860–1882. George Albert Smith, Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322, box 1, fd. 2.
3. 1055
  See 22 June 1841 entry in History Draft.
4. 1056
  “Brother Curtis and the Trial for Blasphemy,” LDS Millennial Star, Aug. 1841, 63.
  
  Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
5. 1057
  “From the Juliet Courier,” Times and Seasons, 2 Aug. 1841, 2:498.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
6. 1058
  Young, Journal, 26 June 1841, p. [69].
  
  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.
7. 1059
  See 1 July 1841 entry in History Draft.
8. 1060
  See 3 July 1841 entry in History Draft.
9. 1061
  Hosea Stout, History of the Nauvoo Legion, Draft 2, p. [2], Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL.
  
  Stout, Hosea. History of the Nauvoo Legion, Draft 2, ca. 1844–1845. Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430, fd. 10. One of three drafts of the history; includes material dated 4 February 1841 through September 1843. Pages are out of order; in the current order, this draft includes pp. [1]–[4], [13]–[14].