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Letter from Edward Partridge, 13–15 June 1839

Source Note

Edward Partridge

27 Aug. 1793–27 May 1840. Hatter. Born at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Lydia Clisbee, 22 Aug. 1819, at Painesville. Initially a Universal Restorationist...

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, Letter,
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
, Adams Co., IL, to JS,
Commerce

Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, 13–15 June 1839. Featured version copied [between 27 June and 30 Oct. 1839] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 68–69; handwriting of
James Mulholland

1804–3 Nov. 1839. Born in Ireland. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Married Sarah Scott, 8 Feb. 1838/1839, at Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri. Engaged in clerical work for JS, 1838, at Far West. Ordained a seventy, 28 Dec. 1838....

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; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.

Historical Introduction

Bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

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Edward Partridge

27 Aug. 1793–27 May 1840. Hatter. Born at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Lydia Clisbee, 22 Aug. 1819, at Painesville. Initially a Universal Restorationist...

View Full Bio
wrote a letter to JS on 13–15 June 1839, responding to a letter from JS. In the response, Partridge noted that several church members were in need of assistance and that he was unable to help them because he had minimal funds and no prospects of earning money. JS likely received this letter on 26 June, when he returned to
Commerce

Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...

More Info
, Illinois, after an eleven-day trip to visit his brothers in other areas of the state.
1

JS, Journal, 15–26 June 1839; see also Editorial Note preceding journal entry for 15–17 June 1839.


The letter was possibly delivered by
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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, who arrived in Commerce from
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
, Illinois, on 17 June.
2

JS, Journal, 17 June 1839.


As a bishop in the church, Knight was aware of church members’ financial needs and may have traveled to Commerce to seek assistance for the Quincy Saints. The original letter is not extant, but
Mulholland

1804–3 Nov. 1839. Born in Ireland. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Married Sarah Scott, 8 Feb. 1838/1839, at Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri. Engaged in clerical work for JS, 1838, at Far West. Ordained a seventy, 28 Dec. 1838....

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copied the letter into Letterbook 2 between 27 June and 30 October 1839.
3

Mulholland copied this letter into JS Letterbook 2 after a letter dated 27 June 1839, making that the earliest likely copying date for this letter from Partridge.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 15–26 June 1839; see also Editorial Note preceding journal entry for 15–17 June 1839.

  2. [2]

    JS, Journal, 17 June 1839.

  3. [3]

    Mulholland copied this letter into JS Letterbook 2 after a letter dated 27 June 1839, making that the earliest likely copying date for this letter from Partridge.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter from Edward Partridge, 13–15 June 1839 Letterbook 2 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 69

be apt to tear it to pieces,
13

In a letter to JS on 5 March 1839, Partridge noted that Isaac Higbee Sr. and his son John Higbee moved two miles from Quincy to fish for the spring. At the time of Partridge’s 13 June letter, it appears that two of Isaac Sr.’s sons—Isaac Jr. and John—were engaged in the fishing endeavor. (Letter from Edward Partridge, 5 Mar. 1839; Higbee, Journal and Reminiscences, [14]–[15].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Higbee, John S. Journal and Reminiscences, 1845–1849. John S. Higbee, Reminiscences and Diaries, 1845–1866. CHL. MS 1742, fd. 1.

You percieve that I have not means to get you twine at present therefore I presume that you will not blame me for not doing it.
15th—— Were I well I would go up to
Commerce

Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...

More Info
with
br [Newel K.] Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

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And settle with the Committee &
br [David W.] Rogers

4 Oct. 1787–21 Sept. 1881. Born in New Hampshire. Son of Samuel Rogers and Hannah Sinclair. Married Martha Collins, 5 Dec. 1811, in Montreal, Lower Canada. Moved to Pomfret, Chautauque Co., New York, by 1820. Moved to New York City, 1830. Baptized into Church...

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14

The committee Partridge mentioned may be the committee assigned to oversee the sale of land in Jackson County, Missouri. (See Minutes, 24 Apr. 1839; and Far West Committee, Minutes, 17 Mar. 1839.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Far West Committee. Minutes, Jan.–Apr. 1839. CHL. MS 2564.

and see what is best to do—probably may come next week.
15

No records indicate whether Partridge made the proposed visit to Commerce, but he and his family apparently moved there in early July 1839. (Partridge, History, ca. 1839.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Partridge, Edward. History, ca. 1839. In History of Joseph Smith (Coray copy), ca. 1841. CHL. MS 22506.

If
br [Stephen] Markham

9 Feb. 1800–10 Mar. 1878. Carpenter, farmer, stock raiser. Born at Rush (later Avon), Ontario Co., New York. Son of David Markham and Dinah Merry. Moved to Mentor, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1809. Moved to Unionville, Geauga Co., 1810. Married Hannah Hogaboom, before...

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16

Markham was appointed as a church agent on 27 May 1839. (See Authorization for Stephen Markham, 27 May 1839.)


could sell one yoke of cattle and let me have the avails of them I should be glad, and I think it best to let two yoke that are up there go to father Myers, As to team to move up some of the poor, do as you think best
I remain yours—
E[dward] Partridge

27 Aug. 1793–27 May 1840. Hatter. Born at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Lydia Clisbee, 22 Aug. 1819, at Painesville. Initially a Universal Restorationist...

View Full Bio
Prest J. Smith Jr
Mr Joseph Smith Jun
Commerce

Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...

More Info
, Hancock Co. Ill. [p. 69]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 69

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Edward Partridge, 13–15 June 1839
ID #
463
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D6:505–508
Handwriting on This Page
  • James Mulholland

Footnotes

  1. [13]

    In a letter to JS on 5 March 1839, Partridge noted that Isaac Higbee Sr. and his son John Higbee moved two miles from Quincy to fish for the spring. At the time of Partridge’s 13 June letter, it appears that two of Isaac Sr.’s sons—Isaac Jr. and John—were engaged in the fishing endeavor. (Letter from Edward Partridge, 5 Mar. 1839; Higbee, Journal and Reminiscences, [14]–[15].)

    Higbee, John S. Journal and Reminiscences, 1845–1849. John S. Higbee, Reminiscences and Diaries, 1845–1866. CHL. MS 1742, fd. 1.

  2. [14]

    The committee Partridge mentioned may be the committee assigned to oversee the sale of land in Jackson County, Missouri. (See Minutes, 24 Apr. 1839; and Far West Committee, Minutes, 17 Mar. 1839.)

    Far West Committee. Minutes, Jan.–Apr. 1839. CHL. MS 2564.

  3. [15]

    No records indicate whether Partridge made the proposed visit to Commerce, but he and his family apparently moved there in early July 1839. (Partridge, History, ca. 1839.)

    Partridge, Edward. History, ca. 1839. In History of Joseph Smith (Coray copy), ca. 1841. CHL. MS 22506.

  4. [16]

    Markham was appointed as a church agent on 27 May 1839. (See Authorization for Stephen Markham, 27 May 1839.)

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