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Letter from Heber C. Kimball, 9 July 1840

Source Note

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...

View Full Bio
, Letter,
Manchester

City in northwest England, located on River Irwell. Noted for manufacture of cotton, linen, and silk goods. Population in 1831 about 187,000. Some early church publications for British Saints, including a hymnal and Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, published...

More Info
, Lancashire, England, to JS, [
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....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL], 9 July 1840. Featured version published in “Epistle,” Times and Seasons, 1 Apr. 1845, 859–863. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.

Historical Introduction

On 9 July 1840,
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...

View Full Bio
wrote a letter to JS from
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...

More Info
recounting the previous nine months of his travels and proselytizing efforts. Kimball was one of seven members of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

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 ...

View Glossary
then serving a mission in Great Britain, in accordance with a July 1838 revelation that directed the apostles to “go over the great waters, and there promulge my gospel.”
1

Revelation, 8 July 1838–A [D&C 118:4]. Parley P. Pratt, who had been in England, returned to the United States in early July and did not return to England until October. (Pratt, Autobiography, 342–343.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

The letter recounted Kimball’s journey to Great Britain, documenting how his travels intersected with those of other missionaries headed to
New York

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

More Info
and across the Atlantic Ocean. As they traveled to the eastern
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 ...

More Info
and proselytized along the way, the missionaries were delayed intermittently by illness, injury, and fatigue and were dependent upon the charity of
church

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
members for food and lodging. The first group of three missionaries sailed from New York for
Liverpool

Seaport, city, county borough, and market-town in northwestern England. Experienced exponential growth during nineteenth century. Population in 1830 about 120,000. Population in 1841 about 290,000. First Latter-day Saint missionaries to England arrived in...

More Info
on 19 December 1839.
2

Woodruff, Journal, 18–19 Dec. 1839.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

The remainder, including Kimball, did not sail from New York until 9 March 1840, nearly six months after Kimball left
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, with
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...

View Full Bio
in September 1839.
In his letter,
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...

View Full Bio
, who had preached 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...

More Info
in 1837 and 1838, described the state of the church there, noting the joy that the British Saints felt in being reunited with missionaries from 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 ...

More Info
. He emphasized the growth of the church and expressed optimism about current opportunities to proselytize throughout the United Kingdom, including in Scotland and Ireland. Kimball also detailed the poverty he had encountered in England’s cities and reported on Great Britain’s economic depression and a burgeoning potato shortage in Ireland.
If JS responded personally to
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...

View Full Bio
, that letter has not been located. On 15 December 1840, however, JS wrote a letter to the entire Quorum of the Twelve, in which he acknowledged “several communications” from the apostles he had not yet answered, citing the “multiplicity of business” that had occupied his attention in
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....

More Info
, Illinois.
3

Letter to Quorum of the Twelve, 15 Dec. 1840.


Kimball’s original 9 July letter is not extant. The version featured here was published in the 1 April 1845 issue of the Times and Seasons.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Revelation, 8 July 1838–A [D&C 118:4]. Parley P. Pratt, who had been in England, returned to the United States in early July and did not return to England until October. (Pratt, Autobiography, 342–343.)

    Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

  2. [2]

    Woodruff, Journal, 18–19 Dec. 1839.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  3. [3]

    Letter to Quorum of the Twelve, 15 Dec. 1840.

Page 859

EPISTLE.
Manchester

City in northwest England, located on River Irwell. Noted for manufacture of cotton, linen, and silk goods. Population in 1831 about 187,000. Some early church publications for British Saints, including a hymnal and Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, published...

More Info
, England
,)
July 9th, 1840)
Dear Brother Joseph,
I now embrace this opportunity of writing this epistle to you in order to give you a sketch of my travels since I left you, and of the progress of the work of God in this land, together with the signs of the times and of the conflicts which I and my brethren have endured during our journey to this land. You very well remember the time and situation in which we left our homes;—
brother [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...

View Full Bio
and I started together. We were both very sick and we likewise left our families very sick.
1

With the help of Israel Barlow, Young departed Montrose, Iowa Territory, to join Kimball in Commerce on 14 September 1839. Of the first leg of his journey, Young recalled, “My health was so poor I was unable to go thirty rods to the river without assistance.” Young’s family arrived in Commerce on 17 September. Kimball later recounted their departure in more detail, recollecting that he and Young, although ill, arose in the wagon as they left and shouted a cheer to encourage their family members. (Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 26; Kimball, “History,” 111.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.

Kimball, Heber C. “History of Heber Chase Kimball by His Own Dictation,” ca. 1842–1856. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 2.

Not being well able to travel brother Bently
2

Likely Benjamin R. Bentley, who resided in Nauvoo at the time. (“Obituary,” Times and Seasons, 15 Feb. 1841, 2:325.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

took us on our way fifteen miles to
brother Duel’s [Osmyn M. Deuel’s]

View Full Bio

.
3

Deuel was a member of the church living twelve miles outside of Lima, Illinois. Apparently located near a proposed railroad track, Deuel’s home was described as a “Shantee on the raileroad.” (Kimball, “History,” 111–112; Turley, Reminiscences and Journal, 7.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kimball, Heber C. “History of Heber Chase Kimball by His Own Dictation,” ca. 1842–1856. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 2.

Turley, Theodore. Reminiscences and Journal, Sept. 1839–July 1840. Photocopy. CHL. MS 1950.

This was on the 18th of September, we tarried at
brother Duel

View Full Bio

’s house overnight and next day he took us to
Lima

Area settled, 1828. Platted 1833. Post office established, 1836. Many Latter-day Saints settled in area, 1839, after expulsion from Missouri. Considered important settlement by Latter-day Saint leaders. Lima stake organized, 22 Oct. 1840. Stake reduced to...

More Info
. Another brother
4

Kimball later identified this man as “Bro. Bidwell.” He was likely Robert W. Bidwell, who resided in Adams County, Illinois, where Lima is located. (Kimball, “History,” 112; Robert W. Bidwell, Affidavit, 8 Jan. 1840, Record Group 233, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, National Archives, Washington DC.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kimball, Heber C. “History of Heber Chase Kimball by His Own Dictation,” ca. 1842–1856. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 2.

Record Group 233, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives / Petitions and Memorials, Resolutions of State Legislatures, and Related Documents Which Were Referred to the Committee on Judiciary during the 27th Congress. Committee on the Judiciary, Petitions and Memorials, 1813–1968. Record Group 233, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1789–2015. National Archives, Washington DC. The LDS records cited herein are housed in National Archives boxes 40 and 41 of Library of Congress boxes 139–144 in HR27A-G10.1.

volunteered there, and the same day took us on our way as far as
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
which is fifty miles from
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
. When we arrived at
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
in consequence of the fatigues of the journey I was taken with the chill fever again at the sisters Pitkin’s:—
5

Laura and Abigail Pitkin were members of the church living in Quincy, Illinois. (Heber C. Kimball, Quincy, IL, to Vilate Murray Kimball, Sept. [1839], Heber C. Kimball, Collection, CHL; Thompson, Journal of Heber C. Kimball, 54–55.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kimball, Heber C. Collection, 1837–1898. CHL. MS 12476.

Thompson, Robert B. Journal of Heber C. Kimball an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Nauvoo, IL: Robinson and Smith, 1840.

after being there one or two days, I then went to Doctor Staley’s and remained under the care of Sister Staley and her daughter until the 25th, my pain and afflictions were very severe. I received great kindness from them and also from the Sisters Pitkin; and I pray that the Lord may abundantly bless them, and administer comfort and blessings to them in every time of need;
Elder 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...

View Full Bio
’s health was very poor in deed; he was not able to sit up but a little while at a time.
6

On 14 January 1840, Young wrote to his wife, Mary Ann Angell Young, and assured her that he had “injoyed my self well sence I left home concidirn [considering] my helth has ben so poor.” (Brigham Young, Richmond, MA, to Mary Ann Angell Young, 14 and 16 Jan. 1840; 5 Feb. 1840, George W. Thatcher Blair, Collection, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Blair, George W. Thatcher. Collection, 1837–1988. CHL.

While we were at
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
Brothers
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,...

View Full Bio
,
Theodore Turley

10 Apr. 1801–12 Aug. 1871. Mechanic, gunsmith, brewer, farmer, blacksmith, gristmill operator. Born at Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. Son of William Turley and Elizabeth Yates. Associated with Methodism, by 1818. Married Frances Amelia Kimberley, 26 Nov...

View Full Bio
, and
Reuben Hedlock

1809–5 July 1869. Printer, carpenter, journeyman. Born in U.S. Married first Susan Wheeler, 1827. Married second Lydia Fox. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 1836. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, and ordained an elder, by ...

View Full Bio
overtook us, they being also considerably sick and very feeble.
7

Smith, Turley, and Hedlock departed Commerce on 21 September 1839 and followed a route very similar to Young and Kimball’s. They arrived in Quincy on 24 September 1839. Turley described his sickness as the “western Chill” fever, which caused one of his legs to swell so much that his leg “contracted” and he “could not put it to the Ground.” (Turley, Reminiscences and Journal, 5–8; George A. Smith, Journal, 21 Sept. 1839.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Turley, Theodore. Reminiscences and Journal, Sept. 1839–July 1840. Photocopy. CHL. MS 1950.

Smith, George A. Autobiography, ca. 1860–1882. George Albert Smith, Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322, box 1, fd. 2.

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
at
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
were kind and administered to our wants and assissted us on our journey. My sorrow was great on leaving
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
as well as on leaving
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
, to see so many of our brethren sick and dying in consequence of being driven and being exposed to hunger and cold.
8

In summer 1839, the Saints in Nauvoo and Montrose were ravaged by malaria. They generally attributed their susceptibility to the epidemic to their forced exodus from Missouri. (See, for example, John Taylor, Letter to the Editor, LDS Millennial Star, May 1841, 2:13.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

We all left
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
on the 25th, Brother
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
took
Elder 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...

View Full Bio
and
myself

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...

View Full Bio
as far as Brother
Charles Rich

21 Aug. 1809–17 Nov. 1883. Schoolteacher, farmer, cooper. Born in Campbell Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Rich and Nancy O’Neal. Moved to Posey Township, Dearborn Co., Indiana, ca. 1810. Moved to Tazewell Co., Illinois, 1829. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ...

View Full Bio
’s distance about 9 miles,
9

Rich was in Burton, Illinois, where his in-laws resided. (Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 27; Rich, Autobiography, 53–54.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.

Rich, Sarah DeArmon Pea. Autobiography and Journal, 1885–1890. Sarah DeArmon Pea Rich, Autobiography, 1884–1893. CHL.

Brothers
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,...

View Full Bio
,
Turley

10 Apr. 1801–12 Aug. 1871. Mechanic, gunsmith, brewer, farmer, blacksmith, gristmill operator. Born at Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. Son of William Turley and Elizabeth Yates. Associated with Methodism, by 1818. Married Frances Amelia Kimberley, 26 Nov...

View Full Bio
, and
Hedlock

1809–5 July 1869. Printer, carpenter, journeyman. Born in U.S. Married first Susan Wheeler, 1827. Married second Lydia Fox. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 1836. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, and ordained an elder, by ...

View Full Bio
had a horse and wagon of their own to help them on their way.
Brother Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
left us and predicted many things which should come to pass, left his blessing with us and bid us farewell.
10

On 8 March 1840, Phebe Carter Woodruff reported that a few days earlier Wight had expressed his intention of “going to N. & S. Carolina this summer to preach.” Wight may have undertaken this journey at the time he joined with Kimball and the others. (Phebe Carter Woodruff, Montrose, Iowa Territory, to Wilford Woodruff, Ledbury, England, 8 Mar. 1840, digital scan, Wilford Woodruff, Collection, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Collection, 1831–1905. CHL. MS 19509.

May God bless him and save him in [p. 859]
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Page 859

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Heber C. Kimball, 9 July 1840
ID #
551
Total Pages
5
Print Volume Location
JSP, D7:315–331
Handwriting on This Page
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Footnotes

  1. [1]

    With the help of Israel Barlow, Young departed Montrose, Iowa Territory, to join Kimball in Commerce on 14 September 1839. Of the first leg of his journey, Young recalled, “My health was so poor I was unable to go thirty rods to the river without assistance.” Young’s family arrived in Commerce on 17 September. Kimball later recounted their departure in more detail, recollecting that he and Young, although ill, arose in the wagon as they left and shouted a cheer to encourage their family members. (Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 26; Kimball, “History,” 111.)

    Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.

    Kimball, Heber C. “History of Heber Chase Kimball by His Own Dictation,” ca. 1842–1856. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 2.

  2. [2]

    Likely Benjamin R. Bentley, who resided in Nauvoo at the time. (“Obituary,” Times and Seasons, 15 Feb. 1841, 2:325.)

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  3. [3]

    Deuel was a member of the church living twelve miles outside of Lima, Illinois. Apparently located near a proposed railroad track, Deuel’s home was described as a “Shantee on the raileroad.” (Kimball, “History,” 111–112; Turley, Reminiscences and Journal, 7.)

    Kimball, Heber C. “History of Heber Chase Kimball by His Own Dictation,” ca. 1842–1856. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 2.

    Turley, Theodore. Reminiscences and Journal, Sept. 1839–July 1840. Photocopy. CHL. MS 1950.

  4. [4]

    Kimball later identified this man as “Bro. Bidwell.” He was likely Robert W. Bidwell, who resided in Adams County, Illinois, where Lima is located. (Kimball, “History,” 112; Robert W. Bidwell, Affidavit, 8 Jan. 1840, Record Group 233, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, National Archives, Washington DC.)

    Kimball, Heber C. “History of Heber Chase Kimball by His Own Dictation,” ca. 1842–1856. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 2.

    Record Group 233, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives / Petitions and Memorials, Resolutions of State Legislatures, and Related Documents Which Were Referred to the Committee on Judiciary during the 27th Congress. Committee on the Judiciary, Petitions and Memorials, 1813–1968. Record Group 233, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1789–2015. National Archives, Washington DC. The LDS records cited herein are housed in National Archives boxes 40 and 41 of Library of Congress boxes 139–144 in HR27A-G10.1.

  5. [5]

    Laura and Abigail Pitkin were members of the church living in Quincy, Illinois. (Heber C. Kimball, Quincy, IL, to Vilate Murray Kimball, Sept. [1839], Heber C. Kimball, Collection, CHL; Thompson, Journal of Heber C. Kimball, 54–55.)

    Kimball, Heber C. Collection, 1837–1898. CHL. MS 12476.

    Thompson, Robert B. Journal of Heber C. Kimball an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Nauvoo, IL: Robinson and Smith, 1840.

  6. [6]

    On 14 January 1840, Young wrote to his wife, Mary Ann Angell Young, and assured her that he had “injoyed my self well sence I left home concidirn [considering] my helth has ben so poor.” (Brigham Young, Richmond, MA, to Mary Ann Angell Young, 14 and 16 Jan. 1840; 5 Feb. 1840, George W. Thatcher Blair, Collection, CHL.)

    Blair, George W. Thatcher. Collection, 1837–1988. CHL.

  7. [7]

    Smith, Turley, and Hedlock departed Commerce on 21 September 1839 and followed a route very similar to Young and Kimball’s. They arrived in Quincy on 24 September 1839. Turley described his sickness as the “western Chill” fever, which caused one of his legs to swell so much that his leg “contracted” and he “could not put it to the Ground.” (Turley, Reminiscences and Journal, 5–8; George A. Smith, Journal, 21 Sept. 1839.)

    Turley, Theodore. Reminiscences and Journal, Sept. 1839–July 1840. Photocopy. CHL. MS 1950.

    Smith, George A. Autobiography, ca. 1860–1882. George Albert Smith, Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322, box 1, fd. 2.

  8. [8]

    In summer 1839, the Saints in Nauvoo and Montrose were ravaged by malaria. They generally attributed their susceptibility to the epidemic to their forced exodus from Missouri. (See, for example, John Taylor, Letter to the Editor, LDS Millennial Star, May 1841, 2:13.)

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

  9. [9]

    Rich was in Burton, Illinois, where his in-laws resided. (Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 27; Rich, Autobiography, 53–54.)

    Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.

    Rich, Sarah DeArmon Pea. Autobiography and Journal, 1885–1890. Sarah DeArmon Pea Rich, Autobiography, 1884–1893. CHL.

  10. [10]

    On 8 March 1840, Phebe Carter Woodruff reported that a few days earlier Wight had expressed his intention of “going to N. & S. Carolina this summer to preach.” Wight may have undertaken this journey at the time he joined with Kimball and the others. (Phebe Carter Woodruff, Montrose, Iowa Territory, to Wilford Woodruff, Ledbury, England, 8 Mar. 1840, digital scan, Wilford Woodruff, Collection, CHL.)

    Woodruff, Wilford. Collection, 1831–1905. CHL. MS 19509.

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