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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<September 11> special act of the Court Martial, and was reviewed by Lieutenant General Joseph Smith who delivered a Military Speech to the troops in his usual energetic style— The official returns of the Legion — — — shew — — the aggregate to be 1490 men. . Clerk.” [HC 4:415]

13–14 September 1841 • Monday–Tuesday

<13>

<*> <14> <see Addenda Book page 18. > [HC 4:416]

21 September 1841 • Tuesday

<21> Tuesday 21, [blank] The Ship Tyrean sailed from for with — — — — — — — 204 Saints bound for .

<H.B.M. War Steamer “Madagascar” totally destroyed by fire, in the Chinese seas, and fifty seven lost.>

22 September 1841 • Wednesday

<22> Wednesday 22. The High Council of adopted the following

“Preamble and Resolutions, Whereas this High Council, in times past, had of necessity and by the advice and instruction of the First Presidency, to transact business of a temporal nature, for the Church, and thereby involve itself with debts and other temporal burthens, which under other circumstances would not have devolved upon it, and as the proper authorities to which such temporalities belong are now organized and acting in their proper places, therefore, be it Resolved that this High Council are prepared to transfer all debts and temporal business; and that all business of a temporal nature, be and the same is in readiness to be transferred to the proper authorities.”

stated that he was going to the the ensuing winter, <and> — — — — — <nominated> Counsellor pro, tem, [HC 4:417]

A company of brethren started about this time for the , some 5 or 600 miles north, on the , for the purpose of procuring Lumber for the and .

The Jews in Smyrna are suffering great persecutions on account of their religion,— “one was thrown into prison because a cat was missing—” say the Journals.

25 September 1841 • Saturday

<25> Saturday 25. Hyrum Smith, Son of and , <died> <died,> aged — — — 7 years <4 months and 28 days.>— The A Conference was held at Vinal Haven, Fox Island, <8 Elders, 1 Priest, 2 Teachers, 1 Deacon and 140 members> about one hundred Saints were represented and the work progressing— <I extract the following from <Elder> s Journal 9 (see Addenda book page 30)> [HC 4:418]

30 September 1841 • Thursday

<30> Copy of a Statement of Expences consequent upon the arrest of Joseph Smith, upon a demand from , and sent to the [HC 4:419] Deputy Sheriff of , He having officiated June 1841.

“, Septr. 30. 1841— The Deputy Sheriff of . The following is a statement of my expences, Costs, and liabilities, consequent upon my arrest and trial while in your Custody, to wit:

To amount of Fees, to Esqres. Ralston, Warren and Co. — — — — — — — —	$250.00
" Esqres Little, Williams, Walker and Browning — — — — — — — —	100.00
" 7 days for self, Horse and Carriage at 5.00 — — — — — — — — — —	35.00
" Money expended during that time, consequent upon the arrest — — — —	60.00
" 12 witnesses, to wit, E[lias] Higbee 23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ... View Full Bio , J[ohn] P. Greene 3 Sept. 1793–10 Sept. 1844. Farmer, shoemaker, printer, publisher. Born at Herkimer, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of John Coddington Greene and Anna Chapman. Married first Rhoda Young, 11 Feb. 1813. Moved to Aurelius, Cayuga Co., New York, 1814; to Brownsville... View Full Bio , A[masa] Lyman 30 Mar. 1813–4 Feb. 1877. Boatman, gunsmith, farmer. Born at Lyman, Grafton Co., New Hampshire. Son of Roswell Lyman and Martha Mason. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Lyman E. Johnson, 27 Apr. 1832. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co.... View Full Bio , D[arwin] Chase 25 Feb. 1816–4 Feb. 1863. Miner, town officer, military officer. Born in Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., New York. Son of Stephen Chase and Orryanna Rowe. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1831. Moved to Jackson Co., Missouri. Moved to ... View Full Bio , F[rancis M.] Higbee 1820–after 1850. Attorney, merchant. Born in Tate, Clermont Co., Ohio. Son of Elias Higbee and Sarah Elizabeth Ward. Moved to Fulton, Hamilton Co., Ohio, by 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1832. Moved to Jackson Co., Missouri... View Full Bio , C. Higbee, R[eynolds] Cahoon 30 Apr. 1790–29 Apr. 1861. Farmer, tanner, builder. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Son of William Cahoon Jr. and Mehitable Hodges. Married Thirza Stiles, 11 Dec. 1810. Moved to northeastern Ohio, 1811. Located at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co.,... View Full Bio , G[eorge] W. Robinson 14 May 1814–10 Feb. 1878. Clerk, postmaster, merchant, clothier, banker. Born at Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1836. Clerk and recorder for Kirtland high... View Full Bio , J[oseph] Younger, L[ucien] Woodworth 3 Apr. 1799–after 1860. Architect, laborer, carpenter. Born in Thetford, Orange Co., Vermont. Married Phebe Watrous. Moved to Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., New York, by 1830; to Missouri, by 1839; and to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by 1841. Architect of Nauvoo... View Full Bio , V[inson] 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... View Full Bio , and R[obert] B. Thompson 1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by... View Full Bio , 4 days each; their time, Carriages, horses, and expences at 5.00 each day — — — — — — — — — — — — — —	240.00
	$685.00

Dear Sir— You will please take such measures as to put me in possession of the above amount, which is justly due me as above stated; to say nothing of false imprisonment <and other expenses>— Would have been presented earlier, but for the sickness and death of my Clerk. Receive my respects &c Joseph Smith Mr. ”— [p. 1226]

September 11 special act of the Court Martial, and was reviewed by Lieutenant General Joseph Smith who delivered a Military Speech to the troops in his usual energetic style— The official returns of the Legion — — — shew — — the aggregate to be 1490 men. . Clerk.” [HC 4:415]

13–14 September 1841 • Monday–Tuesday

* 14 see Addenda Book page 18. [HC 4:416]

21 September 1841 • Tuesday

21 Tuesday 21, [blank] The Ship Tyrean sailed from for with — — — — — — — 204 Saints bound for .

H.B.M. War Steamer “Madagascar” totally destroyed by fire, in the Chinese seas, and fifty seven lost.

22 September 1841 • Wednesday

22 Wednesday 22. The High Council of adopted the following

stated that he was going to the the ensuing winter, and — — — — — nominated Counsellor pro, tem, [HC 4:417]

A company of brethren started for the , some 5 or 600 miles north, on the , for the purpose of procuring Lumber for the and .

The Jews in Smyrna are suffering great persecutions on account of their religion,— “one was thrown into prison because a cat was missing—” say the Journals.

25 September 1841 • Saturday

25 Saturday 25. Hyrum Smith, Son of and , died aged — — — 7 years 4 months and 28 days.— A Conference was held at Vinal Haven, Fox Island, 8 Elders, 1 Priest, 2 Teachers, 1 Deacon and 140 members were represented and the work progressing— I extract the following from Elder s Journal 9 (see Addenda book page 30) [HC 4:418]

30 September 1841 • Thursday

30 Copy of a Statement of Expences consequent upon the arrest of Joseph Smith, upon a demand from , and sent to the [HC 4:419] Deputy Sheriff of , He having officiated June 1841.

“, Septr. 30. 1841— The Deputy Sheriff of . The following is a statement of my expences, Costs, and liabilities, consequent upon my arrest and trial while in your Custody, to wit:

To amount of Fees, to Esqres. Ralston, Warren and Co. — — — — — — — —	$250.00
" Esqres Little, Williams, Walker and Browning — — — — — — — —	100.00
" 7 days for self, Horse and Carriage at 5.00 — — — — — — — — — —	35.00
" Money expended during that time, consequent upon the arrest — — — —	60.00
" 12 witnesses, to wit, Elias Higbee 23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ... View Full Bio , John P. Greene 3 Sept. 1793–10 Sept. 1844. Farmer, shoemaker, printer, publisher. Born at Herkimer, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of John Coddington Greene and Anna Chapman. Married first Rhoda Young, 11 Feb. 1813. Moved to Aurelius, Cayuga Co., New York, 1814; to Brownsville... View Full Bio , Amasa Lyman 30 Mar. 1813–4 Feb. 1877. Boatman, gunsmith, farmer. Born at Lyman, Grafton Co., New Hampshire. Son of Roswell Lyman and Martha Mason. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Lyman E. Johnson, 27 Apr. 1832. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co.... View Full Bio , Darwin Chase 25 Feb. 1816–4 Feb. 1863. Miner, town officer, military officer. Born in Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., New York. Son of Stephen Chase and Orryanna Rowe. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1831. Moved to Jackson Co., Missouri. Moved to ... View Full Bio , Francis M. Higbee 1820–after 1850. Attorney, merchant. Born in Tate, Clermont Co., Ohio. Son of Elias Higbee and Sarah Elizabeth Ward. Moved to Fulton, Hamilton Co., Ohio, by 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1832. Moved to Jackson Co., Missouri... View Full Bio , C. Higbee, Reynolds Cahoon 30 Apr. 1790–29 Apr. 1861. Farmer, tanner, builder. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Son of William Cahoon Jr. and Mehitable Hodges. Married Thirza Stiles, 11 Dec. 1810. Moved to northeastern Ohio, 1811. Located at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co.,... View Full Bio , George W. Robinson 14 May 1814–10 Feb. 1878. Clerk, postmaster, merchant, clothier, banker. Born at Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1836. Clerk and recorder for Kirtland high... View Full Bio , Joseph Younger, Lucien Woodworth 3 Apr. 1799–after 1860. Architect, laborer, carpenter. Born in Thetford, Orange Co., Vermont. Married Phebe Watrous. Moved to Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., New York, by 1830; to Missouri, by 1839; and to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by 1841. Architect of Nauvoo... View Full Bio , 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... View Full Bio , and Robert B. Thompson 1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by... View Full Bio , 4 days each; their time, Carriages, horses, and expences at 5.00 each day — — — — — — — — — — — — — —	240.00
	$685.00

Dear Sir— You will please take such measures as to put me in possession of the above amount, which is justly due me as above stated; to say nothing of false imprisonment and other expenses— Would have been presented earlier, but for the sickness and death of my Clerk. Receive my respects &c Joseph Smith Mr. ”— [p. 1226]

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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. 1115
  See 20 Sept. 1841 entry in History Draft.
2. 1116
  See 22 Sept. 1841 entry in History Draft.
3. 1117
  Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 22 Sept. 1841.
  
  Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.
4. 1118
  “Persecutions of the Jews in Tu[r]key,” Times and Seasons, 15 Nov. 1841, 3:587.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
5. 1119
  See 25 Sept. 1841 entry in History Draft.
6. 1120
  Obituary for Hyrum Smith Jr., Times and Seasons, 15 Nov. 1841, 3:592.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
7. 1121
  “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 15 Nov. 1841, 3:590–591.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
8. 1122
  See 30 Sept. 1841 entry in History Draft.
9. 1123
  Statement of Expenses, 30 Sept. 1841, in JS Letterbook 2, p. 208.
  
  JS Letterbook 2 / Smith, Joseph. “Copies of Letters, &c. &c.,” 1839–1843. Joseph Smith Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155, box 2, fd. 2.