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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...

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, 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...

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, 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....

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, 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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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, 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...

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, 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....

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, 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 860

his kingdom. Next day
Brother 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...

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took us, and carried us to
Brother [Benjamin] Wilber

19 Apr. 1810–by 10 Aug. 1853. Merchant. Born in Barnard, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Aaron Wilber and Abigail Salisbury. Married first Sally Ann. Married second Sophia F. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 3 Mar. 1836. Ordained...

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’s: while on the road the chills came upon me again, and I suffered much pain and fatigue. When we got there we found
Brother 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...

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sick in bed, and the other brethren not much better. Next day
Brother Wilber

19 Apr. 1810–by 10 Aug. 1853. Merchant. Born in Barnard, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Aaron Wilber and Abigail Salisbury. Married first Sally Ann. Married second Sophia F. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 3 Mar. 1836. Ordained...

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took us on our journey about twenty-five miles; to the place where
President [William] Marks

15 Nov. 1792–22 May 1872. Farmer, printer, publisher, postmaster. Born at Rutland, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Cornell (Cornwall) Marks and Sarah Goodrich. Married first Rosannah R. Robinson, 2 May 1813. Lived at Portage, Allegany Co., New York, where he...

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resided, at the town of Pitsfield.
11

In Pittsfield, Illinois, the apostles stayed with James Allred. Kimball was simply noting that Marks, who was then living in Nauvoo, had once lived in Pittsfield. (Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 27.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

The other brethren left us at
Brother Wilber

19 Apr. 1810–by 10 Aug. 1853. Merchant. Born in Barnard, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Aaron Wilber and Abigail Salisbury. Married first Sally Ann. Married second Sophia F. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 3 Mar. 1836. Ordained...

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’s and took another road.
Next day
Brother [James] Allred

22 Jan. 1784–10 Jan. 1876. Farmer. Born in Randolph Co., North Carolina. Son of William Allred and Elizabeth Thrasher. Married Elizabeth Warren. Moved to Missouri, before Sept. 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by George M. Hinkle...

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carried us about four miles to another town where your Uncle
Silas Smith

1 Oct. 1779–13 Sept. 1839. Farmer. Born in Derryfield (now Manchester), Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Moved to Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, by 1790. Moved to Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont, by 1800. Married first...

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resided, we arrived a few days after his death.
12

Kimball later related that Allred “carried us to the place where bro. Harlow Redfield lived, where we preached to a small branch of the church on Sunday [September] 29th.” Although Kimball said Silas Smith lived in another town, Smith’s son recalled that he resided in Pittsfield. Silas Smith died on 13 September 1839. (Kimball, “History,” 112; Jesse Smith, Autobiography and Journal, 7; “Obituary,” Times and Seasons, Dec. 1839, 1:32.)


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.

Smith, Jesse Nathaniel. Autobiography and Journal, 1855-1906. Typescript, not before 1940. CHL. MS 1489, fd. 2.

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

Next day Brother Rogers carried us to Morgan county, town of Winchester.
13

Winchester, Illinois, was actually not in Morgan County but in bordering Scott County. (Kimball, “History,” 112; Peck, Traveller’s Directory for Illinois, 169–170.)


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.

Peck, John Mason. The Traveler’s Directory for Illinois; Containing Accurate Sketches of the State—A Particular Description of Each County, and Important Business Towns—A List of the Principal Roads, Stage and Steamboat Routes, Land Offices, Tracts of Land Unoccupied. . . . New York: J. H. Colton, 1839.

to the house of Roswell Murray my father-in-law,
14

Young stayed at “bro. Decker’s,” which was “a few rods” from where Kimball stayed at Murray’s home. (Kimball, “History,” 112.)


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.

where we found two of
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...

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’s brothers and one sister;
15

One of the brothers was Lorenzo Young. Although no contemporary source identifies the name of the sister, Kimball was likely referring to Fanny Young Murray, who was the wife of Roswell Murray. (Little, “Biography of Lorenzo Dow Young,” 60; “History of Brigham Young,” Deseret News [Salt Lake City], 27 Jan. 1858, 369.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Little, James Amasa. “Biography of Lorenzo Dow Young.” Utah Historical Quarterly 14 (1946): 25-132.

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

and other brethren of the
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
who had been scattered into that part from
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

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. These brethren had been stripped of their property and smitten &c. yet we found them in comfortable circumstances, rejoicing in God.
From thence Brother
Lorenzo Young

19 Oct. 1807–21 Nov. 1895. Farmer, plasterer, gardener, blacksmith, nurseryman. Born at Smyrna, Chenango Co., New York. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Married Persis Goodall, 6 June 1826, at Watertown, Jefferson Co., New York. Baptized into Church...

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carried us to the town of
Jacksonville

Town located in west-central Illinois. Founded 1825. Established as county seat, 1825. Population in 1850 about 2,800. Camp of Israel expedition camped near town, 31 May–1 June 1834. Kirtland Camp passed through town en route to Missouri, 17 Sept. 1838.

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, distance twelve miles; my father-in-law went with us on a visit to his friends in the east. The next day the brethren at
Jacksonville

Town located in west-central Illinois. Founded 1825. Established as county seat, 1825. Population in 1850 about 2,800. Camp of Israel expedition camped near town, 31 May–1 June 1834. Kirtland Camp passed through town en route to Missouri, 17 Sept. 1838.

More Info
carried us to
Springfield

Settled by 1819. Incorporated as town, 1832. Became capital of Illinois, 1837. Incorporated as city, 1840. Sangamon Co. seat. Population in 1840 about 2,600. Stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized in Springfield, Nov. 1840; discontinued...

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a distance of about forty miles:— this was on the 5th of October.
16

According to Brigham Young’s history, “a Sister in the Church hired a man & buggy to carry us to Springfield, where we were kindly received by the brethren.” (Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 27.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Here we again met with 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...

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, 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 ...

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; at this place
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
was taken sick,
17

Kimball later recalled that church member and medical practitioner Libeus Coon took care of Brigham Young in Springfield. (Kimball, “History,” 112.)


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.

we remained here until the 11th, then the brethren there gave us a horse and fitted up a wagon, and putting both horses to the wagon we all started together: they also gave us some money to assist us on our journey.—
18

Kimball later remembered visiting the Saints in Springfield “from house to house strengthening and comforting the brethren, and teaching them the things of the Kingdom.” Church members expressed “a great feeling of love” toward him and his companions and gave them thirty-five dollars and “a two horse wagon and harness” worth fifty-five dollars. (Kimball, “History,” 112.)


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.

We continued on our journey five or six days until we arrived at
Terre Haute

Situated high on east bank of Wabash River. French settlement, 1720–1763; name is French for “high land.” Founded as Fort Harrison, 1811. Laid out and incorporated, 1816. Vigo Co. seat. Population in 1830 about 600; in 1837 about 1,100; and in 1840 about ...

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on the banks of Wabash river on the 17th, during this time our axle tree broke twice, and we had to suffer hunger in consequence of having to cross large prairies, and the food we got was altogether johnny-cake, and corn dodger, and poor bacon. I was very sick during most part of this journey; sometimes I thought I scarcely could live.
19

In a 24 October 1839 letter to his wife, Vilate Murray Kimball, Kimball provided further details of his illness. After a scant meal, he wrote, the “waggon began to fail brock [broke] down twice and the chiles [chills] came on to me again about two in the after noon, and hold me till night. then the fever hold me all night, this continued for three days I had lost my apetite not having anny thing betwixt meals to eat the third chill that I had, it seam to me as tho I could not live till night my distress was so great.” (Heber C. Kimball, Pleasant Garden, IN, to Vilate Murray Kimball, 24 Oct. 1839, photocopy, Heber C. Kimball, Correspondence, 1837–1864, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kimball, Heber C. Correspondence, 1837–1864. Private possession. Copy at CHL.

We put up at
Doctor Modiset’s [Charles Modesitt’s]

Aug. 1784–22 Jan. 1848. Physician. Born in Prince William Co., Virginia. Son of Charles Modesitt and Francis Byrnes. Graduated from Prince William College, in Virginia. Married first Rebeccah Welton, 15 Nov. 1812, in Hardy Co., Virginia (later in West Virginia...

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.
20

Modesitt was a prominent physician and a member of the church then residing in Terre Haute, Indiana. (Kimball, “History,” 114; Woodruff, Journal, 24 Aug. 1839; Oakey, Greater Terre Haute, 149–150.)


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.

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

Oakey, C. C. Greater Terre Haute and Vigo County: Closing the First Century's History of City and County, Showing the Growth of Their People Industries and Wealth. Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1908.

I was here taken out of the wagon and laid upon the bed; the
doctor

Aug. 1784–22 Jan. 1848. Physician. Born in Prince William Co., Virginia. Son of Charles Modesitt and Francis Byrnes. Graduated from Prince William College, in Virginia. Married first Rebeccah Welton, 15 Nov. 1812, in Hardy Co., Virginia (later in West Virginia...

View Full Bio
, his wife, and
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
were obliged to watch almost all the night in order to keep a breath of life in me.
21

On 24 October 1839, Kimball narrated this scene in a letter to his wife: “When I was put on to the bed it tock [took] the docter and his wife and Br Brigham all nite to keepe a breth of life in my body, this continued till about ten in the morning when I felt better. thare was a cold sweet [sweat] that Rolled out of me all night, which swet the deseas out of me; and I have had no chills since.” Young’s history alleged that the doctor, while inebriated, had inadvertently given Kimball morphine immediately before his fainting spell. (H. Kimball to V. Kimball, 24 Oct. 1839; Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 28; see also Kimball, “History,” 113–114.)


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.

Next morning the brethren came to us: my feelings were for them to go on their journey and leave me and
Brother 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
with me. I requested them to lay their hands on me and pray for me, which they did previous to their departure. I was then not able to sit up: they left us in tears, some of them not expecting to behold my face again.
22

In his autobiography, Kimball remembered that Roswell Murray had declared, “We shall never see Heber again, he will die.” (Kimball, “History,” 114; see also H. Kimball to V. Kimball, 24 Oct. 1839.)


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.

In about an hour after the brethren departed I arose from my bed; and in a few days we started on our journey. The
doctor

Aug. 1784–22 Jan. 1848. Physician. Born in Prince William Co., Virginia. Son of Charles Modesitt and Francis Byrnes. Graduated from Prince William College, in Virginia. Married first Rebeccah Welton, 15 Nov. 1812, in Hardy Co., Virginia (later in West Virginia...

View Full Bio
took us in his carriage and carried us twenty miles.
23

In his autobiography, Kimball wrote, “Bro. James Modisett took us in his father’s carriage, twenty miles, to the house of bro. Addison Pratt.” (Kimball, “History,” 114.)


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.

Then we were taken by Doctor [Lenox] Knight
24

Knight was a recent convert to the church. Kimball described him as a “verry eminet fasition [physician], a m[an] of great we[al]th.” (H. Kimball to V. Kimball, 24 Oct. 1839; Cady, Indiana Annual Register, 136.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Cady, C. W. The Indiana Annual Register and Pocket Manual, Revised and Corrected for the Year 1846. . . . Indianapolis: Samuel Turner, 1846.

to Pleasant Garden about four miles further.
After tarrying there a few days
25

In Pleasant Garden, Indiana, Kimball and Young stayed with Jonathan Crosby, a member of the church. They also stayed with Knight. Kimball and Young spent these three days “preaching to the few brethren, and those who wished to hear.” (H. Kimball to V. Kimball, 24 Oct. 1839; Kimball, “History,” 114.)


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.

Elder Babbit [Almon Babbitt]

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

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carried us ten miles to a brother’s house.—
26

Babbitt was proselytizing in the area. Kimball later wrote, “Bro. Babbitt took us in his buggy twelve miles, to the house of bro. Scott; they were very glad to see us, and we tarried with them through the night.” (H. Kimball to V. Kimball, 24 Oct. 1839; Kimball, “History,” 114.)


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.

Next day the brother took us on our journey fifteen miles to the town Bellville.
27

According to Kimball’s autobiography, “Bro Scott sent his little son John, who carried us to Belleville.” Scott had intended to transport the apostles to Indianapolis. (Kimball, “History,” 114; Heber C. Kimball, Kirtland, OH, to Vilate Murray Kimball, Commerce, IL, 16 Nov. 1839, photocopy, Heber C. Kimball, Letters, 1839–1854, CHL.)


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.

Kimball, Heber C. Letters, 1839–1854. Photocopy. CHL.

A storm arose which obliged us to put up here.
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
was taken very sick and was obliged to go to bed: we tarried until the next morning. The landlord and landlady were very kind to us and received our testimony: and I think I never saw better feelings towards us as a people than was manifested in this place, being southern people, and may the Lord bless them and gather out his elect. The next day we took coach leaving some of the people in tears.
28

Kimball later recalled that “the landlord rose up very early” and gathered a number of neighbors into the hotel to hear the missionaries preach, that the neighbors “were very anxious” for the missionaries to “tarry and preach in the place,” and that the missionaries “left the Landlord in tears.” (Kimball, “History,” 114.)


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.

We continued on our journey mostly night and day until we arrived at
Cleavland

Cuyahoga Co. seat of justice, 1833. Situated on south shore of Lake Erie, just east of mouth of Cuyahoga River. First settled, 1797. Incorporated as village, 1815; incorporated as city, 1836. Became center of business and trade at opening of Ohio and Erie...

More Info
on November 3rd,
29

Kimball and Young traveled by stagecoach from Belleville, Indiana, to Cleveland, going through Indianapolis and Richmond, Indiana; and Dayton, Columbus, and Wooster, Ohio. (Kimball, “History,” 114–115.)


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.

where we again overtook 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
Hadlock

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
and my father-in-law. This reminded me of a prediction which I delivered on the morning they left us, viz. that we would get to
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
before they would: same day we proceeded to
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
.
30

Kimball recalled that when Hedlock, Murray, George A. Smith, and Turley left Kimball and Young in Terre Haute, Kimball told them, “Go ahead, for bro. Brigham and I will reach Kirtland, before you will.” In a 16 November 1839 letter he wrote to his wife, Vilate, Kimball stated, “Agreeable to the words that I told them when they left me sick I arrived on Kirtland flats first.” Young wrote that when the other missionaries left for Kirtland, “the horses had pretty well given out— we gave them what money we had except 5 dollars & told them to take good care of the Team & make all possible speed, if they did not we would be in Kirtland before them.” (Kimball, “History,” 114; H. Kimball to V. Kimball, 16 Nov. 1839; Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 28.)


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.

Kimball, Heber C. Letters, 1839–1854. Photocopy. CHL.

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

The brethren had taken up
Brother [John] Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

View Full Bio
on the road where he had been confined by sickness.
31

Taylor left Commerce with Wilford Woodruff on 8 August 1839 and was sick for much of their journey. On 2 September 1839, Woodruff left Taylor in Germantown, Indiana, under the care of an unnamed family. After five weeks, Taylor traveled to Dayton, where he again fell ill and remained three weeks at a tavern until Hedlock, George A. Smith, and Turley discovered him and helped him travel to Kirtland. (Woodruff, Journal, 2 Sept. 1839; Turley, Reminiscences and Journal, 10; Kimball, “History,” 115.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

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

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.

When we got to
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
being overcome by the fatigues of our journey, we were most of us taken sick again with the chill fever, some of us were confined to our beds.— We remained there until the 22nd: some one of us preached in the
house of the Lord

JS revelation, dated Jan. 1831, directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” In Dec. 1832, JS revelation directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS revelation, dated 1 June 1833, chastened...

More Info
every Sabbath during our stay there. We found the saints in a rather dis-organized state and disagreed, dwelling upon things that were past and finding fault,
32

JS fled Kirtland in 1838 in the face of growing opposition from dissenters, including several disillusioned church leaders. Dissent within the Kirtland community remained an ongoing concern. (Minutes, 5–6 Sept. 1840; Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 22 and ca. 28 July 1840; Kimball, “History,” 115.)


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.

We found some few that were very kind to us and administered to us in our sickness,
33

Kimball later recalled, “I made my home at Dean Gould’s, in the house of Ira Bond. I had the chills and fever for two days, and received the best of attention from Loisa Gould, who was the daughter of John Young; also from bro. Dean Gould and Ira Bond’s families: they were all very kind to me, and made me as comfortable as they could. I staid with them most of the time I was in Kirtland.” (Kimball, “History,” 116.)


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.

others felt disposed to cast reflections upon us, saying that our sickness came upon us in consequence of our unrighteousness; and when the brethren were suffering keenly from the effects of fatigue and sickness: these things were heaped upon them in an unfeeling manner, and when we were preparing to start on our journey, they would not administer to our wants nor help us on our journey, saying that they did not believe we were sent of God, and casting many other reflections upon us (that is many of them,) if it were necessary I could mention names.
34

These sentiments were probably expressed to Kimball during a confrontation on 10 November 1839. Following Kimball’s Sabbath sermon in the Kirtland House of the Lord, in which he compared the dissenters “to a parcel of old earthen pots that were cracked in burning,” several men followed him back to Ira Bond’s residence. “Martin Harris, Cyrus Smalling and others came in, and attacked me on what I had been saying, asking me, who I referred to in my comparisons! says I to no one in particular, but to any one that the coat fits. I was so sick, that I referred them to bro. Hedlock, who came in at that moment, to talk with, as I was laying in my bed having a chill and not able to talk. John Moreton and others declared I never should preach in the house again: some of the people tried to make me angry, so as to quarrel with me, but they failed.” (Kimball, “History,” 115.)


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.

May the Lord bless and preserve those who did minister to our necessities, for the time will come when they shall be rewarded for their deeds of kindness. On the 22nd, we left
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
for
Fairport

Situated on southern shore of Lake Erie; area originally called Grandon; settled 1803. Located twelve miles northeast of Kirtland. Harbor established at mouth of Grand River, by 1812. Harbor became significant port. Name officially changed to Fairport, 14...

More Info
. We did not sail from this place until the 26th on ac [p. 860]
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Page 860

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
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Footnotes

  1. [11]

    In Pittsfield, Illinois, the apostles stayed with James Allred. Kimball was simply noting that Marks, who was then living in Nauvoo, had once lived in Pittsfield. (Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 27.)

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

  2. [12]

    Kimball later related that Allred “carried us to the place where bro. Harlow Redfield lived, where we preached to a small branch of the church on Sunday [September] 29th.” Although Kimball said Silas Smith lived in another town, Smith’s son recalled that he resided in Pittsfield. Silas Smith died on 13 September 1839. (Kimball, “History,” 112; Jesse Smith, Autobiography and Journal, 7; “Obituary,” Times and Seasons, Dec. 1839, 1:32.)

    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.

    Smith, Jesse Nathaniel. Autobiography and Journal, 1855-1906. Typescript, not before 1940. CHL. MS 1489, fd. 2.

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

  3. [13]

    Winchester, Illinois, was actually not in Morgan County but in bordering Scott County. (Kimball, “History,” 112; Peck, Traveller’s Directory for Illinois, 169–170.)

    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.

    Peck, John Mason. The Traveler’s Directory for Illinois; Containing Accurate Sketches of the State—A Particular Description of Each County, and Important Business Towns—A List of the Principal Roads, Stage and Steamboat Routes, Land Offices, Tracts of Land Unoccupied. . . . New York: J. H. Colton, 1839.

  4. [14]

    Young stayed at “bro. Decker’s,” which was “a few rods” from where Kimball stayed at Murray’s home. (Kimball, “History,” 112.)

    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.

  5. [15]

    One of the brothers was Lorenzo Young. Although no contemporary source identifies the name of the sister, Kimball was likely referring to Fanny Young Murray, who was the wife of Roswell Murray. (Little, “Biography of Lorenzo Dow Young,” 60; “History of Brigham Young,” Deseret News [Salt Lake City], 27 Jan. 1858, 369.)

    Little, James Amasa. “Biography of Lorenzo Dow Young.” Utah Historical Quarterly 14 (1946): 25-132.

    Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

  6. [16]

    According to Brigham Young’s history, “a Sister in the Church hired a man & buggy to carry us to Springfield, where we were kindly received by the brethren.” (Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 27.)

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

  7. [17]

    Kimball later recalled that church member and medical practitioner Libeus Coon took care of Brigham Young in Springfield. (Kimball, “History,” 112.)

    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.

  8. [18]

    Kimball later remembered visiting the Saints in Springfield “from house to house strengthening and comforting the brethren, and teaching them the things of the Kingdom.” Church members expressed “a great feeling of love” toward him and his companions and gave them thirty-five dollars and “a two horse wagon and harness” worth fifty-five dollars. (Kimball, “History,” 112.)

    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.

  9. [19]

    In a 24 October 1839 letter to his wife, Vilate Murray Kimball, Kimball provided further details of his illness. After a scant meal, he wrote, the “waggon began to fail brock [broke] down twice and the chiles [chills] came on to me again about two in the after noon, and hold me till night. then the fever hold me all night, this continued for three days I had lost my apetite not having anny thing betwixt meals to eat the third chill that I had, it seam to me as tho I could not live till night my distress was so great.” (Heber C. Kimball, Pleasant Garden, IN, to Vilate Murray Kimball, 24 Oct. 1839, photocopy, Heber C. Kimball, Correspondence, 1837–1864, CHL.)

    Kimball, Heber C. Correspondence, 1837–1864. Private possession. Copy at CHL.

  10. [20]

    Modesitt was a prominent physician and a member of the church then residing in Terre Haute, Indiana. (Kimball, “History,” 114; Woodruff, Journal, 24 Aug. 1839; Oakey, Greater Terre Haute, 149–150.)

    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.

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

    Oakey, C. C. Greater Terre Haute and Vigo County: Closing the First Century's History of City and County, Showing the Growth of Their People Industries and Wealth. Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1908.

  11. [21]

    On 24 October 1839, Kimball narrated this scene in a letter to his wife: “When I was put on to the bed it tock [took] the docter and his wife and Br Brigham all nite to keepe a breth of life in my body, this continued till about ten in the morning when I felt better. thare was a cold sweet [sweat] that Rolled out of me all night, which swet the deseas out of me; and I have had no chills since.” Young’s history alleged that the doctor, while inebriated, had inadvertently given Kimball morphine immediately before his fainting spell. (H. Kimball to V. Kimball, 24 Oct. 1839; Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 28; see also Kimball, “History,” 113–114.)

    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.

  12. [22]

    In his autobiography, Kimball remembered that Roswell Murray had declared, “We shall never see Heber again, he will die.” (Kimball, “History,” 114; see also H. Kimball to V. Kimball, 24 Oct. 1839.)

    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.

  13. [23]

    In his autobiography, Kimball wrote, “Bro. James Modisett took us in his father’s carriage, twenty miles, to the house of bro. Addison Pratt.” (Kimball, “History,” 114.)

    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.

  14. [24]

    Knight was a recent convert to the church. Kimball described him as a “verry eminet fasition [physician], a m[an] of great we[al]th.” (H. Kimball to V. Kimball, 24 Oct. 1839; Cady, Indiana Annual Register, 136.)

    Cady, C. W. The Indiana Annual Register and Pocket Manual, Revised and Corrected for the Year 1846. . . . Indianapolis: Samuel Turner, 1846.

  15. [25]

    In Pleasant Garden, Indiana, Kimball and Young stayed with Jonathan Crosby, a member of the church. They also stayed with Knight. Kimball and Young spent these three days “preaching to the few brethren, and those who wished to hear.” (H. Kimball to V. Kimball, 24 Oct. 1839; Kimball, “History,” 114.)

    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.

  16. [26]

    Babbitt was proselytizing in the area. Kimball later wrote, “Bro. Babbitt took us in his buggy twelve miles, to the house of bro. Scott; they were very glad to see us, and we tarried with them through the night.” (H. Kimball to V. Kimball, 24 Oct. 1839; Kimball, “History,” 114.)

    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.

  17. [27]

    According to Kimball’s autobiography, “Bro Scott sent his little son John, who carried us to Belleville.” Scott had intended to transport the apostles to Indianapolis. (Kimball, “History,” 114; Heber C. Kimball, Kirtland, OH, to Vilate Murray Kimball, Commerce, IL, 16 Nov. 1839, photocopy, Heber C. Kimball, Letters, 1839–1854, CHL.)

    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.

    Kimball, Heber C. Letters, 1839–1854. Photocopy. CHL.

  18. [28]

    Kimball later recalled that “the landlord rose up very early” and gathered a number of neighbors into the hotel to hear the missionaries preach, that the neighbors “were very anxious” for the missionaries to “tarry and preach in the place,” and that the missionaries “left the Landlord in tears.” (Kimball, “History,” 114.)

    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.

  19. [29]

    Kimball and Young traveled by stagecoach from Belleville, Indiana, to Cleveland, going through Indianapolis and Richmond, Indiana; and Dayton, Columbus, and Wooster, Ohio. (Kimball, “History,” 114–115.)

    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.

  20. [30]

    Kimball recalled that when Hedlock, Murray, George A. Smith, and Turley left Kimball and Young in Terre Haute, Kimball told them, “Go ahead, for bro. Brigham and I will reach Kirtland, before you will.” In a 16 November 1839 letter he wrote to his wife, Vilate, Kimball stated, “Agreeable to the words that I told them when they left me sick I arrived on Kirtland flats first.” Young wrote that when the other missionaries left for Kirtland, “the horses had pretty well given out— we gave them what money we had except 5 dollars & told them to take good care of the Team & make all possible speed, if they did not we would be in Kirtland before them.” (Kimball, “History,” 114; H. Kimball to V. Kimball, 16 Nov. 1839; Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 28.)

    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.

    Kimball, Heber C. Letters, 1839–1854. Photocopy. CHL.

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

  21. [31]

    Taylor left Commerce with Wilford Woodruff on 8 August 1839 and was sick for much of their journey. On 2 September 1839, Woodruff left Taylor in Germantown, Indiana, under the care of an unnamed family. After five weeks, Taylor traveled to Dayton, where he again fell ill and remained three weeks at a tavern until Hedlock, George A. Smith, and Turley discovered him and helped him travel to Kirtland. (Woodruff, Journal, 2 Sept. 1839; Turley, Reminiscences and Journal, 10; Kimball, “History,” 115.)

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

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

    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.

  22. [32]

    JS fled Kirtland in 1838 in the face of growing opposition from dissenters, including several disillusioned church leaders. Dissent within the Kirtland community remained an ongoing concern. (Minutes, 5–6 Sept. 1840; Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 22 and ca. 28 July 1840; Kimball, “History,” 115.)

    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.

  23. [33]

    Kimball later recalled, “I made my home at Dean Gould’s, in the house of Ira Bond. I had the chills and fever for two days, and received the best of attention from Loisa Gould, who was the daughter of John Young; also from bro. Dean Gould and Ira Bond’s families: they were all very kind to me, and made me as comfortable as they could. I staid with them most of the time I was in Kirtland.” (Kimball, “History,” 116.)

    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.

  24. [34]

    These sentiments were probably expressed to Kimball during a confrontation on 10 November 1839. Following Kimball’s Sabbath sermon in the Kirtland House of the Lord, in which he compared the dissenters “to a parcel of old earthen pots that were cracked in burning,” several men followed him back to Ira Bond’s residence. “Martin Harris, Cyrus Smalling and others came in, and attacked me on what I had been saying, asking me, who I referred to in my comparisons! says I to no one in particular, but to any one that the coat fits. I was so sick, that I referred them to bro. Hedlock, who came in at that moment, to talk with, as I was laying in my bed having a chill and not able to talk. John Moreton and others declared I never should preach in the house again: some of the people tried to make me angry, so as to quarrel with me, but they failed.” (Kimball, “History,” 115.)

    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.

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