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Letter from Levick Sturges and Others, 30 January 1842

Source Note

Levick Sturges

11 Dec. 1807–5 Oct. 1878. Shoemaker. Born in Philadelphia. Married Mary Simmons, 1836. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11 May 1840, in Philadelphia. Moved to Pittsburgh, 1842; to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by 1844; back to Pittsburgh...

View Full Bio
,
William Small

Mar. 1815–25 Jan. 1887. Shoemaker. Born in Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania. Moved to Philadelphia, by 1839. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1839. Ordained a priest, 23 Dec. 1839, in Philadelphia. Ordained an elder, 18 Oct. 1840, in Philadelphia...

View Full Bio
,
Jeramiah Cooper

26 Aug. 1818–after 1879. Shoemaker. Born in Palmyra, Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Caleh Cooper and Catherine. Moved to Philadelphia, by 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 22 Apr. 1840. Member of Philadelphia branch, 1840...

View Full Bio
, and
George Simon

ca. 1815–after 1879. Shoemaker. Born in Pennsylvania. Married Martha, likely before 1835. Resident of Philadelphia, by 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 25 May 1840, in Philadelphia. Moved to Pittsburgh. Moved to Cleveland, ...

View Full Bio
, Letter with postscripts by
John E. Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

View Full Bio
,
Pittsburgh

Also spelled Pittsbourg, Pittsbourgh, and Pittsburg. Major industrial port city in southwestern Pennsylvania. Near location where Monongahela and Allegheny rivers converge to form Ohio River. French established Fort Du Quesne, 1754. British captured fort,...

More Info
, Allegheny Co., PA, to the
First Presidency

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

View Glossary
(including JS) and
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
,
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, 30 Jan. 1842; handwriting presumably of
Levick Sturges

11 Dec. 1807–5 Oct. 1878. Shoemaker. Born in Philadelphia. Married Mary Simmons, 1836. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11 May 1840, in Philadelphia. Moved to Pittsburgh, 1842; to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by 1844; back to Pittsburgh...

View Full Bio
and handwriting of
John E. Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

View Full Bio
; signatures presumably of
William Small

Mar. 1815–25 Jan. 1887. Shoemaker. Born in Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania. Moved to Philadelphia, by 1839. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1839. Ordained a priest, 23 Dec. 1839, in Philadelphia. Ordained an elder, 18 Oct. 1840, in Philadelphia...

View Full Bio
,
Jeramiah Cooper

26 Aug. 1818–after 1879. Shoemaker. Born in Palmyra, Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Caleh Cooper and Catherine. Moved to Philadelphia, by 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 22 Apr. 1840. Member of Philadelphia branch, 1840...

View Full Bio
,
Levick Sturges

11 Dec. 1807–5 Oct. 1878. Shoemaker. Born in Philadelphia. Married Mary Simmons, 1836. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11 May 1840, in Philadelphia. Moved to Pittsburgh, 1842; to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by 1844; back to Pittsburgh...

View Full Bio
, and
George Simon

ca. 1815–after 1879. Shoemaker. Born in Pennsylvania. Married Martha, likely before 1835. Resident of Philadelphia, by 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 25 May 1840, in Philadelphia. Moved to Pittsburgh. Moved to Cleveland, ...

View Full Bio
and signature of
John E. Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

View Full Bio
; three pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, dockets, redactions, and notations.
Bifolium measuring 11⅞ × 7½ inches (30 × 19 cm). The letter begins on the verso of the first leaf, continues on the recto of the second leaf, and concludes at the top of the recto of the first leaf. The document was trifolded twice in letter style, sealed with a red adhesive wafer, and addressed. The recto of the second leaf contains wafer residue, and there is a tear on the verso surrounded by wafer residue. The letter was later refolded for filing.
The document was docketed by
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

View Full Bio
, who served as scribe to JS from 1842 to 1844 and as
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
temple recorder from 1842 to 1846.
1

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


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

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

Another docket was inscribed by
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...

View Full Bio
, who served as a clerk in the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) from 1853 to 1859.
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.

Graphite redactions and a notation in the body of the letter are in the handwriting of Andrew Jenson, who began working in the Church Historian’s Office in 1882 and served as assistant church historian from 1897 to 1941.
3

Jenson, Autobiography, 131, 133, 135, 141, 192, 389; Jenson, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891 and 19 Oct. 1897; Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 44–52.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jenson, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Jenson: Assistant Historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938.

Jenson, Andrew. Journals, 1864–1941. Andrew Jenson, Autobiography and Journals, 1864–1941. CHL.

Bitton, David, and Leonard J. Arrington. Mormons and Their Historians. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988.

Another notation, “Copied by A.J.”, was apparently added by a clerk or secretary for Jenson. The document was listed as a letter from
John E. Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

View Full Bio
in an inventory that was produced by the Church Historian’s Office circa 1904.
4

“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).
5

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


The document’s early dockets and notations as well as its inclusion in the circa 1904 inventory and in the JS Collection by 1973 indicate continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

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

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

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

  2. [2]

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

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

  3. [3]

    Jenson, Autobiography, 131, 133, 135, 141, 192, 389; Jenson, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891 and 19 Oct. 1897; Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 44–52.

    Jenson, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Jenson: Assistant Historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938.

    Jenson, Andrew. Journals, 1864–1941. Andrew Jenson, Autobiography and Journals, 1864–1941. CHL.

    Bitton, David, and Leonard J. Arrington. Mormons and Their Historians. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988.

  4. [4]

    “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.

  5. [5]

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

Historical Introduction

On 30 January 1842, four
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 in
Pittsburgh

Also spelled Pittsbourg, Pittsbourgh, and Pittsburg. Major industrial port city in southwestern Pennsylvania. Near location where Monongahela and Allegheny rivers converge to form Ohio River. French established Fort Du Quesne, 1754. British captured fort,...

More Info
—
Levick Sturges

11 Dec. 1807–5 Oct. 1878. Shoemaker. Born in Philadelphia. Married Mary Simmons, 1836. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11 May 1840, in Philadelphia. Moved to Pittsburgh, 1842; to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by 1844; back to Pittsburgh...

View Full Bio
,
William Small

Mar. 1815–25 Jan. 1887. Shoemaker. Born in Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania. Moved to Philadelphia, by 1839. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1839. Ordained a priest, 23 Dec. 1839, in Philadelphia. Ordained an elder, 18 Oct. 1840, in Philadelphia...

View Full Bio
,
Jeramiah Cooper

26 Aug. 1818–after 1879. Shoemaker. Born in Palmyra, Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Caleh Cooper and Catherine. Moved to Philadelphia, by 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 22 Apr. 1840. Member of Philadelphia branch, 1840...

View Full Bio
, and
George Simon

ca. 1815–after 1879. Shoemaker. Born in Pennsylvania. Married Martha, likely before 1835. Resident of Philadelphia, by 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 25 May 1840, in Philadelphia. Moved to Pittsburgh. Moved to Cleveland, ...

View Full Bio
—wrote to the
First Presidency

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

View Glossary
and
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
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, notifying them of the recent death of
George Gee

13 Aug. 1815–20 Jan. 1842. Schoolteacher, farmer, clerk. Born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Son of Salmon Gee and Sarah (Sally) Watson Crane. Moved to Richfield, Ashtabula Co., by 1820; to Geauga Co., Ohio, 1828; and to Madison, Geauga Co., by 1830. Baptized into...

View Full Bio
and requesting that apostle
John E. Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

View Full Bio
remain in the city to preach.
1

Sturges, Small, Cooper, and Simon were from Philadelphia and possibly were assigned to assist Gee in proselytizing in Pittsburgh.


Gee was assigned the previous October to serve a mission in Pittsburgh.
2

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 7 Oct. 1841.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.

He arrived on 22 December 1841, only four days before
John E. Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

View Full Bio
, who was en route to Nauvoo to explain his delay in leaving on a mission to Europe and Palestine. At Gee’s request, Page remained in the city to help proselytize.
3

Minutes and Discourse, 6–8 Apr. 1840; Letter from George Gee, 30 Dec. 1841.


As reported in the 30 January letter, Page continued preaching in Pittsburgh after Gee died, and because Page’s oratory attracted large audiences, the four church members in Pittsburgh requested that Page be allowed to remain and move his family there as well.
Sturges

11 Dec. 1807–5 Oct. 1878. Shoemaker. Born in Philadelphia. Married Mary Simmons, 1836. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11 May 1840, in Philadelphia. Moved to Pittsburgh, 1842; to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by 1844; back to Pittsburgh...

View Full Bio
apparently wrote the letter, after which he,
Small

Mar. 1815–25 Jan. 1887. Shoemaker. Born in Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania. Moved to Philadelphia, by 1839. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1839. Ordained a priest, 23 Dec. 1839, in Philadelphia. Ordained an elder, 18 Oct. 1840, in Philadelphia...

View Full Bio
,
Cooper

26 Aug. 1818–after 1879. Shoemaker. Born in Palmyra, Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Caleh Cooper and Catherine. Moved to Philadelphia, by 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 22 Apr. 1840. Member of Philadelphia branch, 1840...

View Full Bio
, and
Simon

ca. 1815–after 1879. Shoemaker. Born in Pennsylvania. Married Martha, likely before 1835. Resident of Philadelphia, by 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 25 May 1840, in Philadelphia. Moved to Pittsburgh. Moved to Cleveland, ...

View Full Bio
signed it. Then
Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

View Full Bio
added two postscripts. In the first, he expressed his willingness to remain in
Pittsburgh

Also spelled Pittsbourg, Pittsbourgh, and Pittsburg. Major industrial port city in southwestern Pennsylvania. Near location where Monongahela and Allegheny rivers converge to form Ohio River. French established Fort Du Quesne, 1754. British captured fort,...

More Info
if he could also relocate his family there, discussed the advantages of establishing a
branch

An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...

View Glossary
in the city, and reviewed his successful labors there. He also explained his intention to report to
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
in the spring to account for his delay in leaving on his mission. In the second postscript, he asked JS to relay his love to the Saints and his plans to see his family when in Nauvoo.
The letter indicates it was carried to
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 the “politeness of
Elder

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

View Glossary
S. Bennet,” referring to
Samuel Bennett

Ca. 1810–May 1893. Market inspector, barometer manufacturer, physician. Born in England. Married Selina Campion, 9 Aug. 1836. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 1839, in U.S. Ordained an elder, 23 Dec. 1839, in Philadelphia. Served...

View Full Bio
, who had been in
Philadelphia

Port city founded as Quaker settlement by William Penn, 1681. Site of signing of Declaration of Independence and drafting of U.S. Constitution. Nation’s capital city, 1790–1800. Population in 1830 about 170,000; in 1840 about 260,000; and in 1850 about 410...

More Info
five days before and was likely passing through
Pittsburgh

Also spelled Pittsbourg, Pittsbourgh, and Pittsburg. Major industrial port city in southwestern Pennsylvania. Near location where Monongahela and Allegheny rivers converge to form Ohio River. French established Fort Du Quesne, 1754. British captured fort,...

More Info
en route to
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
.
4

Bennett also carried a letter from Philadelphia dated 25 January 1842. (Letter from James B. Nicholson, 25 Jan. 1842.)


No letter of response from the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has been located, but the letter likely influenced the decision of the April 1842 special
conference

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

View Glossary
to assign
Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

View Full Bio
to serve in Pittsburgh.
5

Minutes and Discourse, 6–8 Apr. 1842.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Sturges, Small, Cooper, and Simon were from Philadelphia and possibly were assigned to assist Gee in proselytizing in Pittsburgh.

  2. [2]

    Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 7 Oct. 1841.

    Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.

  3. [3]

    Minutes and Discourse, 6–8 Apr. 1840; Letter from George Gee, 30 Dec. 1841.

  4. [4]

    Bennett also carried a letter from Philadelphia dated 25 January 1842. (Letter from James B. Nicholson, 25 Jan. 1842.)

  5. [5]

    Minutes and Discourse, 6–8 Apr. 1842.

Page [2]

Handwriting presumably of Levick Sturges ends; John E. Page begins.


Dear Bretheren as I am permited to scribe a line on this sheet— I would just say that if it should meet the approbation of you[r] better minds and the mind of the Lord that I should tarry here for the coming year shorter or longer as you may see fit— I am will<​ing​> to do so provided I can be allowed to bring my family to this
city

Also spelled Pittsbourg, Pittsbourgh, and Pittsburg. Major industrial port city in southwestern Pennsylvania. Near location where Monongahela and Allegheny rivers converge to form Ohio River. French established Fort Du Quesne, 1754. British captured fort,...

More Info
with me. this is a kind of a thorough fair for the travling bretheren
6

Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and John Taylor traveled through Pittsburgh in 1841 on their way to Nauvoo and gave advice to other elders planning to take that route. (Brigham Young, Pittsburgh, PA, to Willard Richards, Richmond, MA, 9 June 1841, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

and a busyness place which If there could be a
branch

An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...

View Glossary
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
raised up to any considerable extent I think it would be to the temporal as well as the Spiritual advantage of the church
There is a number of gentlemen of wea[l]th and extensive busynes that are constant attendants on my meetings I have sold a good quantity of the Books of Mormon voice of warning
7

Between 1837 and 1842 there were four printings of Parley P. Pratt’s Voice of Warning. (Crawley, Descriptive Bibliography, 1:69–71, 97–98, 172–173, 182.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Crawley, Peter. A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church. 3 vols. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997–2012.

Hymn Book
8

A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Use of the Latter Day Saints, edited by John E. Page and John Cairns (no publisher, 1841). (See Crawley, Descriptive Bibliography, 1:152–154.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Crawley, Peter. A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church. 3 vols. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997–2012.

Bro.
O[rson] Pratt

19 Sept. 1811–3 Oct. 1881. Farmer, writer, teacher, merchant, surveyor, editor, publisher. Born at Hartford, Washington Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Moved to New Lebanon, Columbia Co., New York, 1814; to Canaan, Columbia Co., fall...

View Full Bio
s origin o[f] the Book of Mor—n
9

This is likely a reference to Orson Pratt’s A[n] Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions, and of the Late Discovery of Ancient American Records, first printed in 1840 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Two American editions were printed in 1841. (Crawley, Descriptive Bibliography, 1:127–129, 160–161.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Crawley, Peter. A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church. 3 vols. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997–2012.

and Slander Refuted of my own Publication
10

John E. Page, Slander Refuted (no publisher, 1841). (See Crawley, Descriptive Bibliography, 1:173–174.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Crawley, Peter. A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church. 3 vols. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997–2012.

our Books sell fast no mistake and all helps the work— the fact is the day of creaping is over the cause is onward thank God and all that the Priests of baall can do is stand and weep a blat at there own conteptable weakness and Ignorance—
11

See 1 Kings 18:17–40.


as soon as navigation is open up the
Miss— River

Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...

More Info
12

Page was apparently planning to travel down the Ohio River to the Mississippi River. According to an early American steamboat directory, ice on the Ohio River usually broke up in February, rendering the river “open for navigation.” In March 1838 the chief engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad reported that “the navigation of the Ohio River opens always by the 1st of March, and generally by the middle of February.” (Lloyd, Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory, 50–51; Documents Submitted by the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company, 12; see also Roberts, Practical Views on the Proposed Improvement of the Ohio River, 48–49.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Lloyd, James T. Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory, and Disasters on the Western Waters, Containing the History of the First Application of Steam, as a Motive Power. . . . Cincinnati: James T. Lloyd, 1856.

Documents Submitted by the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company, in Behalf of Their Application to the Legislature of Virginia. Richmond, VA: Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, 1838.

Roberts, W. Milnor. Practical Views on the Proposed Improvement of the Ohio River. Philadelphia: Journal of the Franklin Institute, 1857.

I shall be at
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
to receive my fate and your decision on my head and give an account of my
steward ship

One who managed property and goods under the law of consecration; also someone given a specific ecclesiastical responsibility. According to the “Laws of the Church of Christ,” members of the church were to make donations to the bishop, who would record the...

View Glossary
and my mishion If I have er[r]ed I still have the truth which is this church and its doctrin Where I have er[r]ed I hope to find Mercy. Where I have done right I hope to be Justifyed. To be abused I wont be with out showing proper resentment as I have been by some I have meet with with since I see you—
B[enjamin] Winchester

6 Aug. 1817–25 Jan. 1901. Farmer, author, merchant, brick maker. Born near Elk Creek, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Stephen Winchester and Mary Case. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, early 1833, in Elk Creek. Moved to Kirtland, ...

View Full Bio
is my Enemy—
13

In September 1841 Page recommended that Winchester be replaced as the president of the Philadelphia branch. That same month, Winchester wrote JS to inform him that Page had not increased his efforts to meet Hyde in England, despite the Times and Seasons notice reprimanding Page for his delay. (Letter from John E. Page, 1 Sept. 1841; Letter from Benjamin Winchester, 18 Sept. 1841; Notice, Times and Seasons, 15 Jan. 1841, 2:287.)


J. E. Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Levick Sturges and Others, 30 January 1842
ID #
756
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D9:129–133
Handwriting on This Page
  • John E. Page

Footnotes

  1. new scribe logo

    Handwriting presumably of Levick Sturges ends; John E. Page begins.

  2. [6]

    Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and John Taylor traveled through Pittsburgh in 1841 on their way to Nauvoo and gave advice to other elders planning to take that route. (Brigham Young, Pittsburgh, PA, to Willard Richards, Richmond, MA, 9 June 1841, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL.)

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

  3. [7]

    Between 1837 and 1842 there were four printings of Parley P. Pratt’s Voice of Warning. (Crawley, Descriptive Bibliography, 1:69–71, 97–98, 172–173, 182.)

    Crawley, Peter. A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church. 3 vols. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997–2012.

  4. [8]

    A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Use of the Latter Day Saints, edited by John E. Page and John Cairns (no publisher, 1841). (See Crawley, Descriptive Bibliography, 1:152–154.)

    Crawley, Peter. A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church. 3 vols. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997–2012.

  5. [9]

    This is likely a reference to Orson Pratt’s A[n] Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions, and of the Late Discovery of Ancient American Records, first printed in 1840 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Two American editions were printed in 1841. (Crawley, Descriptive Bibliography, 1:127–129, 160–161.)

    Crawley, Peter. A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church. 3 vols. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997–2012.

  6. [10]

    John E. Page, Slander Refuted (no publisher, 1841). (See Crawley, Descriptive Bibliography, 1:173–174.)

    Crawley, Peter. A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church. 3 vols. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997–2012.

  7. [11]

    See 1 Kings 18:17–40.

  8. [12]

    Page was apparently planning to travel down the Ohio River to the Mississippi River. According to an early American steamboat directory, ice on the Ohio River usually broke up in February, rendering the river “open for navigation.” In March 1838 the chief engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad reported that “the navigation of the Ohio River opens always by the 1st of March, and generally by the middle of February.” (Lloyd, Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory, 50–51; Documents Submitted by the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company, 12; see also Roberts, Practical Views on the Proposed Improvement of the Ohio River, 48–49.)

    Lloyd, James T. Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory, and Disasters on the Western Waters, Containing the History of the First Application of Steam, as a Motive Power. . . . Cincinnati: James T. Lloyd, 1856.

    Documents Submitted by the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company, in Behalf of Their Application to the Legislature of Virginia. Richmond, VA: Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, 1838.

    Roberts, W. Milnor. Practical Views on the Proposed Improvement of the Ohio River. Philadelphia: Journal of the Franklin Institute, 1857.

  9. [13]

    In September 1841 Page recommended that Winchester be replaced as the president of the Philadelphia branch. That same month, Winchester wrote JS to inform him that Page had not increased his efforts to meet Hyde in England, despite the Times and Seasons notice reprimanding Page for his delay. (Letter from John E. Page, 1 Sept. 1841; Letter from Benjamin Winchester, 18 Sept. 1841; Notice, Times and Seasons, 15 Jan. 1841, 2:287.)

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