The Papers
Browse the PapersDocumentsJournalsAdministrative RecordsRevelations and TranslationsHistoriesLegal RecordsFinancial RecordsOther Contemporary Papers
Reference
PeoplePlacesEventsGlossaryLegal GlossaryFinancial GlossaryCalendar of DocumentsWorks CitedFeatured TopicsLesson PlansRelated Publications
Media
VideosPhotographsIllustrationsChartsMapsPodcasts
News
Current NewsArchiveNewsletterSubscribeJSP Conferences
About
About the ProjectJoseph Smith and His PapersFAQAwardsEndorsementsReviewsEditorial MethodNote on TranscriptionsNote on Images of People and PlacesReferencing the ProjectCiting This WebsiteProject TeamContact Us
Published Volumes
  1. Home > 
  2. The Papers > 

History Draft [6 August 1838–30 December 1839]

6 August 1838 • Monday Page 1 7 August 1838 • Tuesday Page 3 8 August 1838 • Wednesday Page 3 9 August 1838 • Thursday Page 4 10 August 1838 • Friday Page 4 11 August 1838 • Saturday Page 5 12 August 1838 • Sunday Page 5 13 August 1838 • Monday Page 6 14–15 August 1838 • Tuesday–Wednesday Page 6 16 August 1838 • Thursday Page 6 17 August 1838 • Friday Page 7 18 August 1838 • Saturday Page 7 19 August 1838 • Sunday Page 7 20 August 1838 • Monday Page 7 21 August 1838 • Tuesday Page 8 22 August 1838 • Wednesday Page 8 23 August 1838 • Thursday Page 8 24–30 August 1838 • Friday–Thursday Page 9 24 August 1838 • Friday Page 9 25 August 1838 • Saturday Page 9 26 August 1838 • Sunday Page 9 27 August 1838 • Monday Page 9 28 August 1838 • Tuesday Page 9 29 August 1838 • Wednesday Page 9 30 August 1838 • Thursday Page 9 31 August 1838 • Friday Page 9 1 September 1838 • Saturday Page 11 2 September 1838 • Sunday Page 11 3 September 1838 • Monday Page 11 4 September 1838 • Tuesday Page 11 5 September 1838 • Wednesday Page 11 6 September 1838 • Thursday Page 12 7 September 1838 • Friday Page 12 8 September 1838 • Saturday Page 13 9 September 1838 • Sunday Page 13 10 September 1838 • Monday Page 13 11 September 1838 • Tuesday Page 14 12 September 1838 • Wednesday Page 14 13 September 1838 • Thursday Page 15 13–14 September 1838 • Thursday–Friday Page 15 15 September 1838 • Saturday Page 15 15–16 September 1838 • Saturday–Sunday Page 16 17 September 1838 • Monday Page 16 18 September 1838 • Tuesday Page 16 19 September 1838 • Wednesday Page 17 20 September 1838 • Thursday Page 17 21 September 1838 • Friday Page 17 22 September 1838 • Saturday Page 17 23 September 1838 • Sunday Page 18 24 September 1838 • Monday Page 18 25 September 1838 • Tuesday Page 19 26 September 1838 • Wednesday Page 19 27 September 1838 • Thursday Page 19 28 September 1838 • Friday Page 20 29 September 1838 • Saturday Page 20 30 September 1838 • Sunday Page 20 1 October 1838 • Monday Page 20 2 October 1838 • Tuesday Page 21 3 October 1838 • Wednesday Page 21 4 October 1838 • Thursday Page 21 5 October 1838 • Friday Page 22 6 October 1838 • Saturday Page 23 7 October 1838 • Sunday Page 24 9 October 1838 • Tuesday Page 24 10 October 1838 • Wednesday Page 24 11 October 1838 • Thursday Page 25 12 October 1838 • Friday Page 26 14 October 1838 • Sunday Page 26 15 October 1838 • Monday Page 26 19 October 1838 • Friday Page 26 21 October 1838 • Sunday Page 26 22 October 1838 • Monday Page 27 23 October 1838 • Tuesday Page 27 24 October 1838 • Wednesday Page 27 25 October 1838 • Thursday Page 29 26 October 1838 • Friday Page 30 27 October 1838 • Saturday Page 30 28 October 1838 • Sunday Page 30 29 October 1838 • Monday Page 30 30 October 1838 • Tuesday Page 32 31 October 1838 • Wednesday Page 33 1 November 1838 • Thursday Page 33 2 November 1838 • Friday Page 34 3 November 1838 • Saturday Page 34 4 November 1838 • Sunday Page 34 5 November 1838 • Monday Page 35 6 November 1838 • Tuesday Page 35 7 November 1838 • Wednesday Page 35 8 November 1838 • Thursday Page 35 9 November 1838 • Friday Page 36 10 November 1838 • Saturday Page 36 11 November 1838 • Sunday Page 36 12 November 1838 • Monday Page 36 13 November 1838 • Tuesday Page 36 18 November 1838 • Sunday Page 37 24 November 1838 • Saturday Page 37 28 November 1838 • Wednesday Page 37 29 November 1838 • Thursday Page 37 30 November 1838 • Friday Page 37 1 December 1838 • Saturday Page 38 5 December 1838 • Wednesday Page 38 10 December 1838 • Monday Page 38 13 December 1838 • Thursday Page 38 16 December 1838 • Sunday Page 38 17 December 1838 • Monday Page 38 18 December 1838 • Tuesday Page 39 19 December 1838 • Wednesday Page 39 26 December 1838 • Wednesday Page 41 27 December 1838 • Thursday Page 41 1 January 1839 • Tuesday Page 43 7 January 1839 • Monday Page 43 8 January 1839 • Tuesday Page 43 10 January 1839 • Thursday Page 43 16 January 1839 • Wednesday Page 43 24 January 1839 • Thursday Page 44 26 January 1839 • Saturday Page 44 29 January 1839 • Tuesday Page 44 31 January 1839 • Thursday Page 44 1 February 1839 • Friday Page 45 4 February 1839 • Monday Page 45 6–7 February 1839 • Wednesday–Thursday Page 45 12 February 1839 • Tuesday Page 45 13 February 1839 • Wednesday Page 45 14 February 1839 • Thursday Page 45 15 February 1839 • Thursday Page 45 18 February 1839 • Monday Page 45 19 February 1839 • Tuesday Page 45 21 February 1839 • Thursday Page 45 23 February 1839 • Saturday Page 45 26 February 1839 • Tuesday Page 46 27 February 1839 • Wednesday Page 46 28 February 1839 • Thursday Page 46 3 March 1839 • Sunday Page 46 5 March 1839 • Tuesday Page 46 6 March 1839 • Wednesday Page 46 7 March 1839 • Thursday Page 46 8 March 1839 • Friday Page 46 9 March 1839 • Saturday Page 46 10 March 1839 • Sunday Page 47 15 March 1839 • Friday Page 48 17 March 1839 • Sunday Page 48 18 March 1839 • Monday Page 48 20 March 1839 • Wednesday Page 48 25 March 1839 • Monday Page 48 4 April 1839 • Thursday Page 49 5 April 1839 • Friday Page 49 6 April 1839 • Saturday Page 49 7 April 1839 • Sunday Page 49 8 April 1839 • Monday Page 49 9 April 1839 • Tuesday Page 50 10 April 1839 • Wednesday Page 50 11 April 1839 • Thursday Page 50 12 April 1839 • Friday Page 51 13 April 1839 • Saturday Page 52 14 April 1839 • Sunday Page 52 15 April 1839 • Monday Page 52 16 April 1839 • Tuesday Page 52 17 April 1839 • Wednesday Page 52 18 April 1839 • Thursday Page 52 19 April 1839 • Friday Page 53 20 April 1839 • Saturday Page 53 21 April 1839 • Sunday Page 53 22 April 1839 • Monday Page 53 22 May 1839 • Wednesday Page 57 23 April 1839 • Tuesday Page 54 24 April 1839 • Wednesday Page 54 25 April 1839 • Thursday Page 54 26 April 1839 • Friday Page 55 1 May 1839 • Wednesday Page 55 3 May 1839 • Friday Page 55 4 May 1839 • Saturday Page 55 5 May 1839 • Sunday Page 56 6 May 1839 • Monday Page 56 7 May 1839 • Tuesday Page 56 8 May 1839 • Wednesday Page 56 9 May 1839 • Thursday Page 56 10 May 1839 • Friday Page 56 13 May 1839 • Monday Page 56 14 May 1839 • Tuesday Page 57 15–16 May 1839 • Wednesday–Thursday Page 57 17 May 1839 • Friday Page 57 18 May 1839 • Saturday Page 57 19 May 1839 • Sunday Page 57 20 May 1839 • Monday Page 57 21 May 1839 • Tuesday Page 57 23 May 1839 • Thursday Page 57 24 May 1839 • Friday Page 57 25 May 1839 • Saturday Page 57 26 May 1839 • Sunday Page 58 27 May 1839 • Monday Page 58 28 May 1839 • Tuesday Page 58 29 May 1839 • Wednesday Page 58 June 1839 Page 58 4 June 1839 • Tuesday Page 58 5 June 1839 • Wednesday Page 58 9 June 1839 • Sunday Page 58 10 June 1839 • Monday Page 58 11 June 1839 • Tuesday Page 58 12–13 June 1839 • Wednesday–Thursday Page 59 14 June 1839 • Friday Page 59 15 June 1839 • Saturday Page 59 16 June 1839 • Sunday Page 59 17 June 1839 • Monday Page 60 18 June 1839 • Tuesday Page 60 20 June 1839 • Thursday Page 60 22 June 1839 • Saturday Page 60 23 June 1839 • Sunday Page 60 24 June 1839 • Monday Page 60 25 June 1839 • Tuesday Page 60 26 June 1839 • Wednesday Page 60 27 June 1839 • Thursday Page 60 28 June 1839 • Friday Page 60 29 June 1839 • Saturday Page 60 30 June 1839 • Sunday Page 60 1 July 1839 • Monday Page 61 2 July 1839 • Tuesday Page 61 3 July 1839 • Wednesday Page 61 4 July 1839 • Thursday Page 61 5 July 1839 • Friday Page 61 6 July 1839 • Saturday Page 61 7 July 1839 • Sunday Page 61 8–10 July 1839 • Monday–Wednesday Page 61 21 July 1839 • Sunday Page 62 22–23 July 1839 • Monday–Tuesday Page 62 24 July 1839 • Tuesday Page 62 28 July 1839 • Sunday Page 62 4 August 1839 • Sunday Page 62 5 August 1839 • Monday Page 62 9 August 1839 • Friday Page 62 11 August 1839 • Sunday Page 62 18 August 1839 • Sunday Page 62 25 August 1839 • Sunday Page 62 29 August 1839 • Thursday Page 62 31 August 1839 • Saturday Page 62 1 September 1839 • Sunday Page 63 9 September 1839 • Monday Page 63 11 September 1839 • Wednesday Page 63 13 September 1839 • Friday Page 63 14 September 1839 • Saturday Page 63 15 September 1839 • Sunday Page 63 16–17 September 1839 • Monday–Tuesday Page 63 18 September 1839 • Wednesday Page 63 19 September 1839 • Thursday Page 63 20–21 September 1839 • Friday–Saturday Page 63 21 September 1839 • Saturday Page 63 22 September 1839 • Sunday Page 63 25–27 September 1839 • Wednesday–Friday Page 63 29 September 1839 • Sunday Page 63 30 September 1839 • Monday Page 63 1 October 1839 • Tuesday Page 64 3 October 1839 • Thursday Page 64 4 October 1839 • Friday Page 64 5 October 1839 • Saturday Page 64 6 October 1839 • Sunday Page 64 7 October 1839 • Monday Page 64 8 October 1839 • Tuesday Page 64 10 October 1839 • Thursday Page 64 11 October 1839 • Friday Page 64 12 October 1839 • Saturday Page 64 13 October 1839 • Sunday Page 64 15 October 1839 • Tuesday Page 64 17 October 1839 • Thursday Page 65 19 October 1839 • Saturday Page 65 20 October 1839 • Sunday Page 65 21 October 1839 • Monday Page 65 22 October 1839 • Tuesday Page 65 26 October 1839 • Saturday Page 65 27 October 1839 • Sunday Page 65 28 October 1839 • Monday Page 66 29 October 1839 • Tuesday Page 66 31 October 1839 • Thursday Page 66 1 November 1839 • Friday Page 66 2 November 1839 • Saturday Page 66 3 November 1839 • Sunday Page 66 4 November 1839 • Monday Page 67 7 November 1839 • Thursday Page 67 8 November 1839 • Friday Page 67 9 November 1839 • Saturday Page 67 10 November 1839 • Sunday Page 67 14 November 1839 • Thursday Page 67 17 November 1839 • Sunday Page 67 18–19 November 1839 • Monday–Tuesday Page 68 22 November 1839 • Friday Page 68 26 November 1839 • Tuesday Page 68 27 November 1839 • Wednesday Page 68 28–29 November 1839 • Thursday–Friday Page 68 30 November 1839 • Saturday Page 68 1 December 1839 • Sunday Page 69 5 December 1839 • Thursday Page 69 6 December 1839 • Friday Page 69 7 December 1839 • Saturday Page 69 8 December 1839 • Sunday Page 69 15 December 1839 • Sunday Page 70 16 December 1839 • Monday Page 70 18 December 1839 • Wednesday Page 70 20 December 1839 • Friday Page 70 21 December 1839 • Saturday Page 70 22 December 1839 • Sunday Page 70 23 December 1839 • Monday Page 70 25–28 December 1839 • Wednesday–Saturday Page 70 28 December 1839 • Saturday Page 70 29 December 1839 • Sunday Page 71 30 December 1839 • Monday Page 71

Source Note

History draft; handwriting of
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...

View Full Bio
; 71 pages; CHL. This manuscript covers the period from 6 August 1838 to 30 December 1839.

Historical Introduction

See Introduction to History Drafts, 1844–1856.

Page 20

<​Sept 27​> east side of yellow Creek 18 miles.— where the council spent the eveni[n]g in trying to restore order.
<​
Atchinson [David R. Atchison]

11 Aug. 1807–26 Jan. 1886. Lawyer, judge, agriculturist, politician, farmer. Born at Frogtown, near Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of William Atchison and Catherine Allen. About 1830, moved to Liberty, Clay Co., Missouri, where he became a prominent...

View Full Bio
s Letter—​> Extract of a Letter from
Gen Atchison

11 Aug. 1807–26 Jan. 1886. Lawyer, judge, agriculturist, politician, farmer. Born at Frogtown, near Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of William Atchison and Catherine Allen. About 1830, moved to Liberty, Clay Co., Missouri, where he became a prominent...

View Full Bio
to
Gov [Lilburn W.] Boggs

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...

View Full Bio
— Dated “
Liberty

Located in western Missouri, thirteen miles north of Independence. Settled 1820. Clay Co. seat, 1822. Incorporated as town, May 1829. Following expulsion from Jackson Co., 1833, many Latter-day Saints found refuge in Clay Co., with church leaders and other...

More Info
Sept 27— 1838. “The forces X (see Doc p. 34) alarmd.”
28 September 1838 • Friday
65

See 28 Sept. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. B-1, p. 830.


<​28​> Friday 28 I was about home until near sunset when I rode out.
<​Camp.​> This day the camp passed but 2 houses, Travelld 17. mi & tented at Parson’s Creek, Lynn Co. This pa[r]t of the county is well supplid with wild-Turkies, Prairie hens, Quails, Patriges wild, geese, ducks, & Snipes, Deer, Raccoon, & squirul which the brethrn sometine suceed in getting for food. Green Parrots Eagles, Owls, Turkey buzzards and Crane are fou[n]d here also.
<​
Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

View Full Bio
’s camp​> Elder
John E. Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

View Full Bio
arrivd at
DeWitt

Located on bluffs north of Missouri River, about six miles above mouth of Grand River. Permanently settled, by 1826. Laid out, 1836. First called Elderport; name changed to De Witt, 1837, when town acquired by speculators David Thomas and Henry Root, who ...

More Info
with his Canada camp some time this week.
29 September 1838 • Saturday
66

See 29 Sept. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. B-1, p. 830.


<​Camp—​> <​29​> Saturday 29th The camp travelld 15 mi. passed through Chilicothe, & encamped on the prairie 1 mi west. of the town. Bros.
Carrico [Thomas Carrico Jr.]

20 Sept. 1801–22 Feb. 1882. Shoemaker. Born at Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Thomas Carrico and Deborah Wallis. Baptized into Unitarian church, 27 Sept. 1801, at Beverly. Married first Mary E. Raymond, 30 Aug. 1827, at Beverly. Wife died, 1833...

View Full Bio
. & Holme’s waggons upset. & hurt several, & bro y and several were sick.—
I rode out on horseback— and, retunig [returning] about 3. P.M. spent the evening at home.
30 September 1838 • Sunday
67

See 30 Sept. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. B-1, p. 830.


<​30​> Sunday 30th. I left home about 10 o clock. A M.
<​Camp​> The camp crossed
Grand River

Flows from current state of Iowa approximately 225 miles southeast through Daviess and Livingston counties in Missouri en route to its mouth at Missouri River near De Witt, Missouri. Adam-ondi-Ahman, Far West, Hawn’s Mill, Whitney’s Mill, Myers settlement...

More Info
, passed Utica, crossed
shoal creek

Stream that flows eastward for about forty-five miles from east central Clinton Co. through Caldwell Co. to confluence with Grand River in central Livingston Co. Thousands of Saints moved from Clay Co. to sites along Shoal Creek in Caldwell Co., beginning...

More Info
& tented on the west bank in
Caldwell Co

Located in northwest Missouri. Settled by whites, by 1831. Described as being “one-third timber and two-thirds prairie” in 1836. Created specifically for Latter-day Saints by Missouri state legislature, 29 Dec. 1836, in attempt to solve “Mormon problem.” ...

More Info
<​(15 mi)​> on <​the farm of​> Bro Oliver Walkers farm. who gave each one a large pumpkin, & plenty of shell beans, and the brethrn felt as though they had ente[re]d the land of promise
1 October 1838 • Monday
68

See 1 Oct. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. B-1, p. 830.


<​October 1​> Monday October 1s 1838, I retund home about 5. o clok P. M. & spent the where I tarri[e]d the remainder of the day & evng [evening].
<​Camp​> The camp travelled 20 miles, crossed crossed Brush creek and encamped on the west bank.
Elder

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

View Glossary
Joshua S. Holman

12 Apr. 1794–1 Nov. 1846. Mechanic. Born in Templeton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Jonathan Holman and Zilpha Sawyer. Moved to Genesee Co., New York, by 1829; to Byron, Genesee Co., by June 1830; and to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1836. Baptized ...

View Full Bio
left the camp this morning, and went on to<​wards​> To
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...

More Info
, which which the coun Camp disapproved of by unanimous vote in the evening.
<​Mob at
Dewitt

Located on bluffs north of Missouri River, about six miles above mouth of Grand River. Permanently settled, by 1826. Laid out, 1836. First called Elderport; name changed to De Witt, 1837, when town acquired by speculators David Thomas and Henry Root, who ...

More Info
​> The Mob having left
Davies County

Area in northwest Missouri settled by European Americans, 1830. Sparsely inhabited until 1838. Created from Ray Co., Dec. 1836, in attempt to resolve conflicts related to Latter-day Saint settlement in that region. County is transected diagonally from northwest...

More Info
, (after they were incor organized into militia by
[David R.] Atchison

11 Aug. 1807–26 Jan. 1886. Lawyer, judge, agriculturist, politician, farmer. Born at Frogtown, near Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of William Atchison and Catherine Allen. About 1830, moved to Liberty, Clay Co., Missouri, where he became a prominent...

View Full Bio
[Alexander] Doniphan

9 July 1808–8 Aug. 1887. Lawyer, military general, insurance/bank executive. Born near Maysville, Mason Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Doniphan and Ann Smith. Father died, 1813; sent to live with older brother George, 1815, in Augusta, Bracken Co., Kentucky...

View Full Bio
, &
[Hiram] Parks

Ca. 1807–after 1880. Farmer, military officer, sheriff, real estate agent, hatter. Born in Tennessee. Married first Nancy McGhee, 22 Apr. 1828, in Knox Co., Tennessee. Resided in Knoxville, Knox Co., 1830. Moved to Richmond, Ray Co., Missouri, by 1835. Ray...

View Full Bio
& disbanded) went to carrol County, and gatherd around
Dewitt

Located on bluffs north of Missouri River, about six miles above mouth of Grand River. Permanently settled, by 1826. Laid out, 1836. First called Elderport; name changed to De Witt, 1837, when town acquired by speculators David Thomas and Henry Root, who ...

More Info
, threatnig vengeance to the
Saints

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
, without regard to age, sex, or condition. so that
Davies county

Area in northwest Missouri settled by European Americans, 1830. Sparsely inhabited until 1838. Created from Ray Co., Dec. 1836, in attempt to resolve conflicts related to Latter-day Saint settlement in that region. County is transected diagonally from northwest...

More Info
, for a season, was [p. 20]
View entire transcript

|

Cite this page

Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 20

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
History Draft [6 August 1838–30 December 1839]
ID #
8472
Total Pages
74
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • Willard Richards

Footnotes

  1. [65]

    See 28 Sept. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. B-1, p. 830.

  2. [66]

    See 29 Sept. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. B-1, p. 830.

  3. [67]

    See 30 Sept. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. B-1, p. 830.

  4. [68]

    See 1 Oct. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. B-1, p. 830.

© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Terms of UseUpdated 2021-04-13Privacy NoticeUpdated 2021-04-06