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Letter from Oliver Cowdery, 15 June 1835

Source Note

Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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, Letter,
Kirtland Township

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...

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, Geauga Co., OH, to the Kirtland
high council

A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...

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(including JS),
Kirtland Township

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
, Geauga Co., OH, 15 June 1835. Featured version copied [not before 25 Feb. 1836] in Minute Book 1, pp. 92–93; handwriting of
Warren Cowdery

17 Oct. 1788–23 Feb. 1851. Physician, druggist, farmer, editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Married Patience Simonds, 22 Sept. 1814, in Pawlet, Rutland Co. Moved to Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., New York, 1816...

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; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.

Historical Introduction

On 15 June 1835, at the request of the
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
, Ohio,
high council

A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...

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, which JS was president of,
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
traveled to
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...

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, Ohio, to converse with John Hewitt and to give him a letter.
1

For more information on Hewitt and the context of these instructions and the letter, see Historical Introduction to Letter to John Hewitt, 14 June 1835.


Cowdery made the approximately twelve-mile journey to Fairport but did not find Hewitt at home and instead conversed with Hewitt’s wife, giving her the letter. Upon his return to Kirtland that evening, Cowdery reported on his assignment in this letter to the high council.
Warren Cowdery

17 Oct. 1788–23 Feb. 1851. Physician, druggist, farmer, editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Married Patience Simonds, 22 Sept. 1814, in Pawlet, Rutland Co. Moved to Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., New York, 1816...

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recorded the letter in Minute Book 1 following a copy of the 14 June 1835 letter from the high council to Hewitt.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    For more information on Hewitt and the context of these instructions and the letter, see Historical Introduction to Letter to John Hewitt, 14 June 1835.

Page 93

that Mr. Hewitt was not in the place, but on inquiry and request, I obtained a short interview, with Mrs. Hewitt, with whom I left your letter, requesting, that Mr. Hewitt, might be presented with it as early as possible. It is proper for me to add that I learned from Mrs. Hewitt, that her husband; had frequently spoken of his wish to become further acquaint[e]d with this people, whom he had come out from Europe to see, and that in consequence of rain had been prevented from visiting us at an earlier date. From the short acquaintance with Mrs. Hewitt, I can add that I was treated. with that politeness becoming a stranger, and have little doubt but he will eventually visit this place, as this was the intimation which I received, that he was contemplating on teaching himself for at least a few months near this.
2

Hewitt apparently accepted a post as the “Preceptor of Painesville Academy” in Painesville, Ohio. (Ferris Fitch, “For the Telegraph,” Painesville [OH] Telegraph, 26 Feb. 1836, [3]; John Hewitt, “To the Rev. Ferris Fitch,” Painesville [OH] Telegraph, 4 Mar. 1836, [3].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Painesville Telegraph. Painesville, OH. 1822–1986.

Accept assurances of my gratitude for the appointment I received from you, while I subscribe myself your obedient servant,
Oliver

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
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
Monday evening)
June 15th 1835) [p. 93]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 93

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Oliver Cowdery, 15 June 1835
ID #
8486
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D4:342–344
Handwriting on This Page
  • Warren A. Cowdery

Footnotes

  1. [2]

    Hewitt apparently accepted a post as the “Preceptor of Painesville Academy” in Painesville, Ohio. (Ferris Fitch, “For the Telegraph,” Painesville [OH] Telegraph, 26 Feb. 1836, [3]; John Hewitt, “To the Rev. Ferris Fitch,” Painesville [OH] Telegraph, 4 Mar. 1836, [3].)

    Painesville Telegraph. Painesville, OH. 1822–1986.

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