History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. E-1, created 20 Aug. 1855–5 Apr. 1856; handwriting of Robert L. Campbell,
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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, and Jonathan Grimshaw; 392 pages, plus 11 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the fifth volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This fifth volume covers the period from 1 July 1843 to 30 Apr. 1844; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, C-1, D-1, and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction

History, 1838–1856, volume E-1, constitutes the fifth of six volumes documenting the life of Joseph Smith and the early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The series is also known as the Manuscript History of the Church and was originally published serially from 1842 to 1846 and 1851 to 1858 as the “History of Joseph Smith” in the Times and Seasons and Deseret News. This volume contains JS’s history from 1 July 1843 to 30 April 1844, and it was compiled in Utah Territory in the mid-1850s.

The material recorded in volume E-1 was initially compiled under the direction of church historian
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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, who was JS’s cousin. Smith collaborated with
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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in collecting material for the history and creating a set of draft notes that Smith dictated to Bullock and other clerks.

Robert L. Campbell, a recently returned missionary and member of the Historian’s Office staff, transcribed
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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’s notes into the volume along with the text of designated documents (such as letters and meeting minutes). The Church Historian’s Office journal entry for 2 May 1855 pinpoints the beginning of his work: “R. L. C. on Book D forenoon, afternoon began book E.” Campbell’s work on the volume apparently concluded on 5 April 1856; entries in the Historian’s Office journal indicate that he then moved on to other assignments while another clerk, Jonathan Grimshaw, began work on volume F-1, the last manuscript in the series. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 May 1855; 5 and 9 Apr. 1856.)

Volume E-1 contains 391 pages of primary text and 11 pages of addenda. The initial entry on page 1637 is a continuation of the 1 July 1843 entry that closed volume D-1. The final entry in volume E-1 is for 30 April 1844.

The 391 pages of volume E-1 document a crucial period of JS’s life and the history of the church. Important events recorded here include

• An account of JS’s 2 July 1843 meeting with several Pottawatamie chiefs.

• JS’s 4 July 1843 address regarding his recent arrest, 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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Legion, and Mormon voting practices.

• JS’s 12 July 1843 dictation of a revelation regarding eternal marriage, including the plurality of wives, in the presence of
Hyrum Smith
9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...
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and
William Clayton
17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...
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.

• The 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment of
Sidney Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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and revocation of his priesthood license.

• Dispatch of the first missionaries to the Pacific Islands on 20 September 1843, led by
Addison Pratt
21 Feb. 1802–14 Oct. 1872. Sailor, farmer, carpenter. Born in Winchester, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of Henry Pratt and Rebekah Jewell. Married Louisa Barnes, 3 Apr. 1831, in Dunham, Lower Canada. Settled on banks of Lake Erie, in New York, where he...
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.

• JS’s 1 October 1843 announcement of
George J. Adams
7 Nov. 1810–11 May 1880. Tailor, actor, clergyman. Born in Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Lived in Boston during 1820s and 1830s. Became Methodist lay preacher. Married Caroline. Moved to New York City, before 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...
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’s appointment to a mission to Russia.

• Minutes of a 6–9 October 1843 general conference inserted under the date of 9 October at which
Sidney Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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pled his case in regard to his 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment and was permitted to continue as counselor in the First Presidency.

• Text of JS’s appeal to the Green Mountain Boys of
Vermont
Area served as early thoroughfare for traveling Indian tribes. French explored area, 1609, and erected fort on island in Lake Champlain, 1666. First settled by Massachusetts emigrants, 1724. Claimed by British colonies of New York and New Hampshire, but during...
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, inserted under the date of 29 November 1843.

• A 20 January 1844 entry that includes a poem by
Eliza R. Snow
21 Jan. 1804–5 Dec. 1887. Poet, teacher, seamstress, milliner. Born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Daughter of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Moved to Mantua, Trumbull Co., Ohio, ca. 1806. Member of Baptist church. Baptized into Church...
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commemorating the presentation of two copies of the Book of Mormon to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert by
Lorenzo Snow
3 Apr. 1814–10 Oct. 1901. Schoolteacher. Born in Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio. Son of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Attended Oberlin College. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John F. Boynton, 19 June 1836, in Kirtland...
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.

• JS’s nomination on 29 January 1844 as an independent candidate for the presidency of the
United States
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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.

• An account of JS’s
King Follett
24/26 July 1788–9 Mar. 1844. Born at Winchester, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of John Follett and Hannah Oak (Oake) Alexander. Married Louisa Tanner, by 1815. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spring 1831. Member of Whitmer branch...
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sermon, 7 April 1844.

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<July 31> visited every branch of Miltonberger’s Iron works— saw the iron for the keel of an Iron steam Ship of war 140 feet long, which is intended to navigate Lake Erie.

1 August 1843 • Tuesday

<August 1.—> Tuesday.— I was very sick at home in the morning. At 4 p.m. I rode up to the and [HC 5:523] complained to the Clerks that Mr. Hamilton had got a tax title from the Sheriff on one of my city lots. Mr [Walter] Bagby the collector came up in the midst of our conversation, and when asked about it denied all knowledge of it. I told him that I had always been ready to pay all my taxes when I was called upon, and I did not think it gentlemanly treatment to sell any of my lots for taxes, and I told him that he was continually abusing the citizens here. Bagby called me a liar and picked up a stone to throw at me, which so enraged me that I followed him a few steps and struck him two or three times. Esquire stepped between us and succeeded in separating us. I told the to assess the fine for the assault. and I was willing to pay it; he not doing it I rode down to , stated the circumstances, and he imposed a fine, & which I paid, and then returned to the Political meeting. Bagby staid awhile, muttering threats against me. I went home— commenced to work a little, but soon was very sick.

The visited Alleghany city. , , and preached in the evening.

The is progressing steadily. The walls of that noble edifice continue to rise, and its completion is looked forward to with great interest and anxiety by many.

All kinds of improvements are going on rapidly in and vicinity. Houses are going up in every direction in the , and farms are being enclosed without. “The wilderness will” soon “blossom as the rose.”

Elder Luman A. Shirtleff [Shurtliff] writes that he has traveled in the New England States and <recently> baptized 20 persons.

Received a private communication from Mr. Branan stating that the writ was returned to the and killed.

and [Joseph] Hoge called at the , when Hoge acknowledged the power of the Mormon .

gave a stump speech at the until dusk, and was immediately replied to by Esquire Hoge for over two hours, having lit candles for the purpose to hear them politically castigate each other. [HC 5:524]

2 August 1843 • Wednesday

<2.—> I was a little easier to day, and rode out to Jacob Baum’s to borrow money. In the evening conversing with Dr. .

Charles Beck paid $48.00 for the passage of Elders , , , , and to Baltimore.

A subscription has been got up to build a house for Elder , to which I subscribed a city lot. The Brethren subscribed $25. cash, 10 Cords Stone, 39 Bushels Lime, 105 Days works, $59. in work, 15,900 Bricks, Glass, Lumber and other materials, together with a quantity of produce. I hope the day is not far distant when my will have a comfortable house for his family. [p. 1686]

July 31 visited every branch of Miltonberger’s Iron works— saw the iron for the keel of an Iron steam Ship of war 140 feet long, which is intended to navigate Lake Erie.

1 August 1843 • Tuesday

August 1.— Tuesday.— I was very sick at home in the morning. At 4 p.m. I rode up to the and [HC 5:523] complained to the Clerks that Mr. Hamilton had got a tax title from the Sheriff on one of my city lots. Mr [Walter] Bagby the collector came up in the midst of our conversation, and when asked about it denied all knowledge of it. I told him that I had always been ready to pay all my taxes when I was called upon, and I did not think it gentlemanly treatment to sell any of my lots for taxes, and I told him that he was continually abusing the citizens here. Bagby called me a liar and picked up a stone to throw at me, which so enraged me that I followed him a few steps and struck him two or three times. Esquire stepped between us and succeeded in separating us. I told the to assess the fine for the assault. and I was willing to pay it; he not doing it I rode down to , stated the circumstances, and he imposed a fine, which I paid, and then returned to the Political meeting. Bagby staid awhile, muttering threats against me. I went home— commenced to work a little, but soon was very sick.

The visited Alleghany city. , , and preached in the evening.

The is progressing steadily. The walls of that noble edifice continue to rise, and its completion is looked forward to with great interest and anxiety by many.

Elder Luman A. Shirtleff [Shurtliff] writes that he has traveled in the New England States and recently baptized 20 persons.

Received a private communication from Mr. Branan stating that the writ was returned to the and killed.

and [Joseph] Hoge called at the , when Hoge acknowledged the power of the Mormon .

gave a stump speech at the until dusk, and was immediately replied to by Esquire Hoge for over two hours, having lit candles for the purpose to hear them politically castigate each other. [HC 5:524]

2 August 1843 • Wednesday

2.— I was a little easier to day, and rode out to Jacob Baum’s to borrow money. In the evening conversing with Dr. .

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]
ID #
8112
Total Pages
448
Handwriting on This Page
- Robert L. Campbell
Footnotes
1. 134
  See 1 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
2. 135
  JS, Journal, 31 July 1843; Clayton, Journal, 31 July 1843.
  
  Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
3. 136
  Woodruff, Journal, 1 Aug. 1843.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
4. 137
  TEXT: This and the following three paragraphs are marked for transposition to the end of the 1 Aug. 1843 entry.
5. 138
  News Item, Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1843, 4:278.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
6. 139
  Luman Shurtliff, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1843, 4:280–281.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
7. 140
  JS, Journal, 1 Aug. 1843; Clayton, Journal, 1 Aug. 1843.
  
  Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
8. 141
  JS, Journal, 1 Aug. 1843; Letter to the Editor, Nauvoo Neighbor, 2 Aug. 1843, [2].
  
  Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
9. 142
  See 2 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
10. 143
  Clayton, Journal, 2 Aug. 1843.
  
  Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
11. 144
  Richards, Subscription Notebook, 2 Aug. 1843.
  
  Richards, Willard. Subscription Notebook, Aug. 1843. Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

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