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Letter from John McKee, 7 March 1843

Source Note

John McKee

ca. 1805–after 1880. Tailor, carpenter. Born in Pennsylvania. Married Hanna Askins. Lived in Claysville, Washington Co., Pennsylvania, by 1840. Moved to Buffalo Township, Washington Co., by 1850.

View Full Bio
, Letter,
Claysville

Township and post office located about 40 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. Stopping point on National Road. Population in 1850 about 275. John McKee wrote to JS from township regarding increasing number of people in region who were interested in church and ...

More Info
, Washington Co., PA, 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, 7 Mar. 1843; handwriting and signature of
John McKee

ca. 1805–after 1880. Tailor, carpenter. Born in Pennsylvania. Married Hanna Askins. Lived in Claysville, Washington Co., Pennsylvania, by 1840. Moved to Buffalo Township, Washington Co., by 1850.

View Full Bio
; three pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, postal notations, endorsement, and docket.
Bifolium measuring 12 × 7¾ inches (30 × 20 cm). Each page is lined with thirty-two horizontal blue lines.
McKee

ca. 1805–after 1880. Tailor, carpenter. Born in Pennsylvania. Married Hanna Askins. Lived in Claysville, Washington Co., Pennsylvania, by 1840. Moved to Buffalo Township, Washington Co., by 1850.

View Full Bio
wrote the letter on the recto of the first leaf and both sides of the second leaf. He then reversed the fold of the bifolium, addressed the letter on the remaining blank page (the verso of the first leaf), sealed it with a red adhesive wafer, and posted it. When the letter was opened, two holes were torn in the first leaf, resulting in the loss of some text.
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

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drafted a reply to McKee around the address block on the verso of the first leaf. The document was later refolded for filing.
The document was endorsed by
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
, who served as JS’s scribe from December 1841 until JS’s death in June 1844.
1

See JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841.


Leo Hawkins

19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...

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, who served as a clerk in the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) from 1853 to 1859, docketed the document.
2

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


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

It was listed in an inventory that was produced by the Church Historian’s Office circa 1904.
3

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


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL).
4

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


The document’s early endorsement and docket, its listing in a circa 1904 inventory, and its later inclusion in the JS Collection indicate continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841.

  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 7 March 1843,
John McKee

ca. 1805–after 1880. Tailor, carpenter. Born in Pennsylvania. Married Hanna Askins. Lived in Claysville, Washington Co., Pennsylvania, by 1840. Moved to Buffalo Township, Washington Co., by 1850.

View Full Bio
, a resident of
Claysville

Township and post office located about 40 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. Stopping point on National Road. Population in 1850 about 275. John McKee wrote to JS from township regarding increasing number of people in region who were interested in church and ...

More Info
, Pennsylvania, wrote a letter to JS 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, stating that he and a group of several others in Claysville were interested in learning more about 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
and in relocating to Nauvoo if JS could provide them information about the city. This letter was McKee’s second attempt to contact JS; JS never received the first communication.
1

Letter to John McKee, 28 Mar. 1843.


Little is known about McKee or any of the other individuals in Claysville who expressed interest in the church.
2

McKee was listed in the 1840 census as being between thirty and forty years of age. He was apparently married with four children. (1840 U.S. Census, Claysville, Washington Co., PA, 192.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

Claysville was located in the western
Pennsylvania

Area first settled by Swedish immigrants, 1628. William Penn received grant for territory from King Charles II, 1681, and established British settlement, 1682. Philadelphia was center of government for original thirteen U.S. colonies from time of Revolutionary...

More Info
county of
Washington

County in southwest Pennsylvania, bounded on east by Monongahela River. Organized 1781. Population in 1840 about 41,000. John McKee wrote to JS from county regarding increasing number of people in region desiring to move to Nauvoo, Illinois, 7 Mar. 1843.

More Info
, where five church members resided in 1837,
3

“Minutes of a Conference,” Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1837, 3:574.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

but McKee’s letter does not indicate any familiarity with Latter-day Saints in the area. According to McKee, he and others in his neighborhood became intrigued with the church after church member
Samuel C. Brown

10 Oct. 1820–1858. Newspaper publisher. Born in Winchester, Frederick Co., Virginia. Son of David Brown and Mary Parkins. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Oct. 1841. Ordained an elder, by 7 Oct. 1841. Preached in Frederick Co....

View Full Bio
preached there and after Daniel Rider, one of the local residents, purchased a Book of Mormon. It is possible that McKee and the others who wanted more information were affiliated with the Disciples of Christ movement; Claysville had a large congregation of Disciples, followers of which group had at other times converted to the church.
4

Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania, 756–757; “Caswall’s Prophet of the Nineteenth Century,” Millennial Star, Apr. 1843, 3:197.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Crumrine, Boyd. History of Washington County, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: L. H. Everts, 1882.

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

In addition to desiring information about Nauvoo, McKee inquired into the church’s economic policies. In particular, he wanted to know whether he and others would have to donate their property to the church if they moved to Nauvoo. McKee also asked if employment was available in Nauvoo.
The letter was postmarked 10 March and arrived 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
by 28 March, when
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
answered it on JS’s behalf.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letter to John McKee, 28 Mar. 1843.

  2. [2]

    McKee was listed in the 1840 census as being between thirty and forty years of age. He was apparently married with four children. (1840 U.S. Census, Claysville, Washington Co., PA, 192.)

    Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

  3. [3]

    “Minutes of a Conference,” Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1837, 3:574.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

  4. [4]

    Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania, 756–757; “Caswall’s Prophet of the Nineteenth Century,” Millennial Star, Apr. 1843, 3:197.

    Crumrine, Boyd. History of Washington County, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: L. H. Everts, 1882.

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

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter to John McKee, 28 March 1843

Page [1]

Washington— County
Claysville

Township and post office located about 40 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. Stopping point on National Road. Population in 1850 about 275. John McKee wrote to JS from township regarding increasing number of people in region who were interested in church and ...

More Info
March 7th. 184[3]
Mr Joseph Smith
De[a]r Sir I take my pen in my hand to a Dress a few lines to you and I. Hope you will parding [pardon] me for making So Free I simply wright to you for in fer mation and I hope you will answer this letter I wrote wonst bee fore and I Could not tell whither you Got the letter or not
1

JS’s reply to McKee stated that this 7 March letter was the first letter JS received from him. (Letter to John McKee, 28 Mar. 1843.)


I Come to the Conclution if you Did you treated me with Contempt and I— hope you wont this time if you plese there is a Grate many people in our place that I tends [intends] Joining in with yo[u a]nd
2

TEXT: “yo[page torn]nd”. Text missing because of damage here and in the rest of the document has been supplied from context.


they [page torn]r [are] Jest wating till <​I​> Receve your an[swer]
3

TEXT: “an[page torn]”.


I think [t]o
4

TEXT: “[page torn]o”.


the best of my Knowledg ther [i]s
5

TEXT: “[page torn]s”.


about 60 to 70 in my nabourhood that intends Jorning [journeying] to
Narvoor [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
Ever since
Samuel C Brown

10 Oct. 1820–1858. Newspaper publisher. Born in Winchester, Frederick Co., Virginia. Son of David Brown and Mary Parkins. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Oct. 1841. Ordained an elder, by 7 Oct. 1841. Preached in Frederick Co....

View Full Bio
preched in our place there hase been a Grate Converts to the mormens fa[i]th
6

Brown was an elder in the church who proselytized in Maryland. By this time, he was apparently either back in Nauvoo or soon would be, as he was appointed in April 1843 “to labor on the Temple” there. It is unclear when Brown was in Pennsylvania, but he may have stopped there on his way back to Nauvoo. (“Elder’s Conference,” Times and Seasons, 1 Apr. 1843, 4:157–158.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

there was a man By the name of— Daniel Rider Baught the Book of— mormens
7

Rider was a prominent tanner in Claysville. He was elected postmaster of the town in 1833 and had “an extensive library and pursued a systematic course of reading.” (Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania, 755; U.S. Post Office Department, Record of Appointment of Postmasters, reel 113, vol. 9, p. 203.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Crumrine, Boyd. History of Washington County, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: L. H. Everts, 1882.

U.S. Post Office Department. Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832–September 30, 1971. National Archives Microfilm Publications, microcopy M841. 145 microfilm reels. Washington DC: National Archives, 1977.

and since Reding that Book— there has been a Grate Excitement in our place I had not the plesure of Seeing
Mr Brown

10 Oct. 1820–1858. Newspaper publisher. Born in Winchester, Frederick Co., Virginia. Son of David Brown and Mary Parkins. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Oct. 1841. Ordained an elder, by 7 Oct. 1841. Preached in Frederick Co....

View Full Bio
my self as i was absent the night he preced [preached] as i would Been Glad to had a Conversation with him and I was Sorey that he was Gon bee fore I Got home but I hope you will atend to this in hast[e] and you will not lose aneything By it— [p. [1]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from John McKee, 7 March 1843
ID #
1005
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D12:14–18
Handwriting on This Page
  • John McKee

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS’s reply to McKee stated that this 7 March letter was the first letter JS received from him. (Letter to John McKee, 28 Mar. 1843.)

  2. [2]

    TEXT: “yo[page torn]nd”. Text missing because of damage here and in the rest of the document has been supplied from context.

  3. [3]

    TEXT: “an[page torn]”.

  4. [4]

    TEXT: “[page torn]o”.

  5. [5]

    TEXT: “[page torn]s”.

  6. [6]

    Brown was an elder in the church who proselytized in Maryland. By this time, he was apparently either back in Nauvoo or soon would be, as he was appointed in April 1843 “to labor on the Temple” there. It is unclear when Brown was in Pennsylvania, but he may have stopped there on his way back to Nauvoo. (“Elder’s Conference,” Times and Seasons, 1 Apr. 1843, 4:157–158.)

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

  7. [7]

    Rider was a prominent tanner in Claysville. He was elected postmaster of the town in 1833 and had “an extensive library and pursued a systematic course of reading.” (Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania, 755; U.S. Post Office Department, Record of Appointment of Postmasters, reel 113, vol. 9, p. 203.)

    Crumrine, Boyd. History of Washington County, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: L. H. Everts, 1882.

    U.S. Post Office Department. Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832–September 30, 1971. National Archives Microfilm Publications, microcopy M841. 145 microfilm reels. Washington DC: National Archives, 1977.

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