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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<February 4> Friday 4. Instructed that an Invoice of ’s Scrip be made Closed a contract with for the on the Corner of Bain and Water Streets, also [HC 4:513] the paper, fixtures, bookbinding <bookbindery>, and Stereotype foundry, by proxy, namely , cost between 7 and 8000 dollars; and in the evening attended a debate, At this time debates were held weekly, and entered into by men of the first talents in the , young and old; for the purpose of eliciting Truth. acquiring knowledge, and improving in public speaking.

5 February 1842 • Saturday

<5> Saturday 5. Elder who had been silenced by Presidents Smith and , on a complaint for teaching false doctrine, came before, the High Council at , and proved that he had not taught false doctrine, but had been complained of by those who had prejudice and hardness against him, and was restored to his former standing in the Church.

The Ship Hope sailed from for with 270 Saints.

6–10 February 1842 • Sunday–Thursday

<6> <Elders and went to La Harpe to hold a two days meeting.>

From this time I was engaged in Counselling the brethren and attending to the common vocations of life and my calling, reading the Book of <10> Mormon &c until Thursday 10 when I was sick and kept my bed.

The War continues to rage between England and China.

11 February 1842 • Friday

<11.> Friday 11. I was convalescent, and walked twice to <the> .

12 February 1842 • Saturday

<12.> “An Ordinance regulating Weights and measures” <was passed> also “An Ordinance regulating Auctions” — — — — by the City Council, which I attended. <During the sitting of the Council the subject of our Chartered rights was discussed.> In the afternoon plead in an action of slander before the , in behalf of the against [HC 4:514], and obtained judgment of $500. bonds to keep the peace.

13 February 1842 • Sunday

<13.> Sunday 13. In council with the , , and Elder , and visited (who was sick) in company with and Lady.

14 February 1842 • Monday

<14> Monday 14. Spent the day at my transacting a variety of business and continued to do the same from day to day till the 17th..

17 February 1842 • Thursday

<17> Thursday 17. I attended a Special Session of the City Council when an Ordinance was instituted authorizing and regulating marriages in the City of .

<See Addenda book page 59> [HC 4:515]

18 February 1842 • Friday

<18.> Friday 18. I attended an adjourned City Council and spoke at considerable length in Committee of the whole, on the great privileges of the Nauvoo Charter and specially on the registry of Deeds for , and prophesied in the name of the Lord God, that and no other Judge of the Circuit Court will ever set aside a law of the City Council establishing a Registry of Deeds in the City of .

19 February 1842 • Saturday

<19> Saturday 19. I was engaged in the ’s office (in the first Story of the ) on the Tithings, and in Council in my with Elders , and others.

20 February 1842 • Sunday

<20> Sunday 20. I attended the meeting on the hill. About this time the Ship “John Cummins” sailed from for with Saints, the “Tremont” sailed on the 12th. January with 143 Passengers mostly saints— The Expence of passage from to averages £3:15. to £4. including provisions. [p. 1274]

4 February 1842 • Friday

February 4 Friday 4. Instructed that an Invoice of ’s Scrip be made Closed a contract with for the on the Corner of Bain and Water Streets, also [HC 4:513] the paper, fixtures, bookbindery, and Stereotype foundry, by proxy, namely , cost between 7 and 8000 dollars; and in the evening attended a debate, At this time debates were held weekly, and entered into by men of the first talents in the , young and old; for the purpose of eliciting Truth. acquiring knowledge, and improving in public speaking.

5 February 1842 • Saturday

5 Saturday 5. Elder who had been silenced by Presidents Smith and , on a complaint for teaching false doctrine, came before, the High Council at , and proved that he had not taught false doctrine, but had been complained of by those who had prejudice and hardness against him, and was restored to his former standing in the Church.

This being Tithing day upwards of $1000 worth of property was received.

The Ship Hope sailed from for with 270 Saints.

6–10 February 1842 • Sunday–Thursday

6 Elders and went to La Harpe to hold a two days meeting.

From this time I was engaged in Counselling the brethren and attending to the common vocations of life and my calling, reading the Book of 10 Mormon &c until Thursday 10 when I was sick and kept my bed.

The War continues to rage between England and China.

11 February 1842 • Friday

11. Friday 11. I was convalescent, and walked twice to the .

12 February 1842 • Saturday

12. “An Ordinance regulating Weights and measures” was passed also “An Ordinance regulating Auctions” — — — — by the City Council, which I attended. During the sitting of the Council the subject of our Chartered rights was discussed. In the afternoon plead in an action of slander before the , in behalf of the against [HC 4:514], and obtained judgment of $500. bonds to keep the peace.

13 February 1842 • Sunday

13. Sunday 13. In council with the , , and Elder , and visited (who was sick) in company with and Lady.

14 February 1842 • Monday

14 Monday 14. Spent the day at my transacting a variety of business and continued to do the same from day to day till the 17th..

17 February 1842 • Thursday

17 Thursday 17. I attended a Special Session of the City Council when an Ordinance was instituted authorizing and regulating marriages in the City of .

See Addenda book page 59 [HC 4:515]

18 February 1842 • Friday

18. Friday 18. I attended an adjourned City Council and spoke at considerable length in Committee of the whole, on the great privileges of the Nauvoo Charter and specially on the registry of Deeds for , and prophesied in the name of the Lord God, that and no other Judge of the Circuit Court will ever set aside a law of the City Council establishing a Registry of Deeds in the City of .

19 February 1842 • Saturday

19 Saturday 19. I was engaged in the ’s office (in the first Story of the ) on the Tithings, and in Council in my with Elders , and others.

A severe shock of an earthquake threw down all the parapets, bastions, and guard houses constructed by Sir Robert Pale, and demolished a third part of the town of Jellalabad.

20 February 1842 • Sunday

20 Sunday 20. I attended the meeting on the hill. About this time the Ship “John Cummins” sailed from for with Saints, the “Tremont” sailed on the 12th. January with 143 Passengers mostly saints— The Expence of passage from to averages £3:15. to £4. including provisions. [p. 1274]

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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. 1323
  See 4 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
2. 1324
  JS, Journal, 4 Feb. 1842.
3. 1325
  See 5 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
4. 1326
  Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 5 Feb. 1842.
  
  Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.
5. 1327
  Woodruff, Journal, 5 Feb. 1842.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
6. 1328
  See 10 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
7. 1329
  Woodruff, Journal, 6 Feb. 1842.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
8. 1330
  JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1842.
9. 1331
  See 11 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
10. 1332
  JS, Journal, 11 Feb. 1842.
11. 1333
  See 12 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
12. 1334
  Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 12 Feb. 1842; JS, Journal, 12 Feb. 1842.
  
  Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.
13. 1335
  See 13 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
14. 1336
  JS, Journal, 13 Feb. 1842.
15. 1337
  Jane Silverthorn Law.
16. 1338
  See 14 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
17. 1339
  JS, Journal, 14 Feb. 1842.
18. 1340
  See 17 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
19. 1341
  JS, Journal, 17 Feb. 1842.
20. 1342
  See 18 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
21. 1343
  JS, Journal, 18 Feb. 1842.
22. 1344
  See 19 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
23. 1345
  JS, Journal, 19 Feb. 1842.
24. 1346
  See 20 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
25. 1347
  JS, Journal, 20 Feb. 1842.