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Letter from George Fidler, 23 March 1842

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Letter from George Fidler, 23 March 1842

Source Note

, Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 23 Mar. 1842; handwriting presumably of ; four pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, dockets, and notation.
Bifolium measuring 12½ × 7½ inches (32 × 19 cm). Fidler inscribed the letter on all four pages; on the last page, he left space in the middle for an address panel. The bifolium was trifolded twice in letter style, addressed, and sealed with a red adhesive wafer. When the letter was opened, the wafer tore two holes in the second leaf; wafer residue appears on both sides of the leaf. The letter was refolded for filing.
The document was docketed by , who served as scribe to JS from 1842 to 1844 and as temple recorder from 1842 to 1846. Another docket was inscribed by , who served as a clerk in the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) from 1853 to 1859. The document was listed in an inventory produced by the Church Historian’s Office circa 1904. A graphite notation of unknown significance and in unidentified handwriting appears above the address block: “Clarrissa Marvel”. By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL). The document’s early dockets as well as its inclusion in the circa 1904 inventory and in the JS Collection by 1973 indicate continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 29 June 1842; “Clayton, William,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:718; Clayton, History of the Nauvoo Temple, 18, 30–31.

    Jenson, Andrew. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 4 vols. Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Co., 1901–1936.

    Clayton, William. History of the Nauvoo Temple, ca. 1845. CHL. MS 3365.

  2. [2]

    “Obituary of Leo Hawkins,” Millennial Star, 30 July 1859, 21:496–497.

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

  3. [3]

    “Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [2], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

  4. [4]

    See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 23 March 1842 member wrote a letter to JS from , Illinois, about concerns that he had lost JS’s confidence because he had failed to repay a debt. JS had hired Fidler, a recent immigrant from , as a clerk. Although Fidler’s specific assignment is unknown, JS apparently dismissed him before he finished his work. Fidler suspected that , a in Nauvoo, had encouraged JS to take that action.
left JS’s employ believing that JS was satisfied with his work. Sometime later JS made comments to Fidler’s mother suggesting he no longer held him in high esteem, and Fidler became troubled. Fidler believed he had upset JS because he had taken out a debt that exceeded his salary. He wrote JS a private letter to explain why he was unable to repay the debt, stating that all of his money had gone toward providing his family with necessities.
The lack of postal markings, together with the fact that wrote the letter in , indicates that the letter was hand carried rather than mailed. JS evidently received this letter, as indicated by a docket by . If JS responded, the response is no longer extant.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Maughan, Autobiography, [41].

    Maughan, Mary Ann Weston. Autobiography, 1894–1898. CHL. MS 6402.

that I was anxious to pay him I gave him a Note. due Next Decr. for. $25. and he excepted [accepted] it. as security for the Debt, by these diabolical Lies circulating without provocation, I gave up what since I may have converted in to. “Food” for my family.
Could I by any means repay back your due by my Labour gladly would I embrace the opportunity, I once asked on when you first open’d the , to ask you if you would allow me to keep your books as I could attend to. <​it​> of an evening after any other employment was finished stating to him same <​time​> that I was indebted to you. and wo[ul]d like to work it out in that way. but “No” I much fear that the kindness you evinced towards me when with you (for I cannot assign any other reason) raised that despicable monster, “Jealousy” in the bosom of one under your directions in the same department, and by those reasons was not allowed, if possible by his voice to have my tender’d services excepted you may think me not acting candid in at once, declaring who I am now hurling my thoughts against. I hate to prevaricate. or dissemble. “” is the person I now allude to. it was me that. he caused to leave your estab[lis]hment. before my work was complete. I was perfectly satisfi[ed] with you. when you discharged me and proud of the affectionate and kind manner you adressed me that morning. about my— services being no longer required, but with him I must say he acted a double part[.] if I wrong him in thinging thinking that he prevented me from working out my debt may I be forgiven but such is my feelings at present. or why when he heard I was dissatisfied. about leaving, through him shod. he have left word I may return and finish the Books.
I sincerely hope you will not for one moment induldge the thought that I have such thus portray’d this subject in glowing Colours to excite an act of Charity from your generous breast “No” Sir “very different are my views. can I get time to pay my just debts, I shall in a short time be enabled to raise my head.” again in this , free from the Fetters of Debt, all I ask all [p. [3]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from George Fidler, 23 March 1842
ID #
800
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D9:298–302
Handwriting on This Page
  • George Fidler

Footnotes

  1. [4]

    Millikin was married to Lucy Smith Millikin, JS’s sister. (Hancock Co., IL, Marriages, 1829–1849, p. 32, entry no. 376, microfilm 229,486, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Marriage License and Certificate for Arthur Millikin and Lucy Smith, 3 June 1840.)

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  2. [5]

    JS’s general store opened on 5 January 1842. (Letter to Edward Hunter, 5 Jan. 1842.)

  3. [6]

    TEXT: “estab[page torn]hment.” Missing text in this document has been supplied from context.

  4. [7]

    TEXT: “satisfi[page torn]”.

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