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Letter from Reuben Hedlock, 10–21 January 1844

Source Note

, , Lancashire, England, to JS and the , [, Hancock Co., IL], 10–21 Jan. 1844; handwriting of ; twenty-four pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes docket.
Originally six bifolia measuring 9⅞ × 8 inches (25 × 20 cm). The pages are hand paginated, usually in the upper outside corners. The letter was apparently trifolded twice in letter style and later folded in various ways. The central folds of the first and third bifolia are completely separated, resulting in four individual leaves. The document has undergone conservation. There is some loss of text from holes and tears along folds.
The document was docketed by , who served as a clerk in the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) from 1853 to 1859. The letter was listed in an inventory that was produced by the Church Historian’s Office circa 1904. By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL). The document’s early docket, its listing in a circa 1904 inventory, and its later inclusion in the JS Collection indicate continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “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.

  2. [2]

    “Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [3], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

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

  3. [3]

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

Historical Introduction

From 10 to 21 January 1844, , president of the ’s British mission, drafted a letter to JS and the in , Illinois, to report on happenings within the mission. Missionaries first arrived in Great Britain in 1837, and Hedlock had previously served there from 1840 to 1841. In May 1843, Hedlock was appointed to preside over the British mission with and as counselors. Clark had been in Great Britain as a missionary since 1842, and Ward, a native Englishman, had helped publish the church newspaper there. Ward also presided over the mission from late 1842 until Hedlock replaced him. After Hedlock reached , England, in September 1843, he estimated that church membership in the British Isles had grown to between eight and nine thousand.
began his letter to JS and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on 10 January 1844, writing from the mission office in . In this letter, Hedlock recounted his activities since arriving in Great Britain, starting with his attendance at regional church in Glasgow and Edinburgh in November 1843 and a trip to . While in London, Hedlock learned of two separate drowning incidents that took place during the performance of in November 1843. The victims were Sarah Cartwright, who was swept into a brook near Coppenhall, England, after her baptism, and a Latter-day Saint who was administering baptisms in Sheffield, England. Hedlock stated that the drownings stirred up negative perceptions of the church, and he recounted the criminal trial held for Jonathan Pugmire, the who baptized Cartwright, and her husband, Thomas Cartwright, who tried to rescue his wife. Pugmire and Thomas Cartwright were ultimately acquitted for want of available witnesses for the prosecution and substantial evidence.
As the of the British mission, oversaw the use of church funds and facilitated the migration of British Saints to via passage across the Atlantic Ocean. In his letter to JS and the apostles, Hedlock detailed some recent expenditures of church funds, including the payment of taxes and fare for British converts traveling to Nauvoo, and asked for more direction from church leaders on how to sustain the church’s finances in Great Britain. The previous year, church leaders had instructed mission leaders to halt publication of the Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, the church’s newspaper printed in . During his travels among the British Saints, Hedlock learned that many members had been confused by the shutdown of the paper, and he planned to circulate the Millennial Star again, in part to advertise upcoming ship departures to the .
finished the letter on 21 January and sent it to JS and the apostles in by way of Latter-day Saint William Kay, who left for the on 23 January with over two hundred Saints aboard the Fanny. Kay reached in early March and then boarded the Maid of Iowa, which arrived in Nauvoo on 13 April 1844. JS greeted these immigrants in person, but it is not known when or to whom Kay delivered the letter. As the letter was addressed to JS first, he presumably read it sometime in mid-April. In addition to also addressing the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the letter singled out president and apostle . The response to Hedlock’s letter, possibly assigned by JS, was written by Young and Richards on 3 May 1844. Young and Richards counseled Hedlock to raise as much money as he could through publishing church materials. They also advised him not to use the church’s resources to fund any more emigration expenses. Hedlock’s original letter is featured here.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Historical Introduction to Recommendation for Heber C. Kimball, between 2 and 13 June 1837.

  2. [2]

    “Extracts from the Record of the Twelve, for the Use and Benefit of Elder Reuben Hedlock, and through Him to the Parties Concerned,” ca. 28 June 1843, pp. 1–3, copy, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL; see also Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 11 and 23 May 1843; and “Editorial,” Millennial Star, Oct. 1843, 4:94.

    Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

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

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

  3. [3]

    “Extract from Elder Hiram Clark’s Journal, and Address to the Saints in the British Islands,” Millennial Star, Feb. 1844, 4:147–148; Church of England, Parish Church of Ludlow, Shropshire, England, Bishop’s Transcripts, 1661–1853, Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1754–1817, microfilm 1,593,872, British Isles Record Collection, FHL; Masthead, Millennial Star, Jan. 1844, 4:144; Letter from Reuben Hedlock, 4 Oct. 1843; “Ward, Thomas,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 4:320.

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

    British Isles Record Collection. FHL.

    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.

  4. [4]

    Letter from Reuben Hedlock, 4 Oct. 1843. Hedlock departed New York City aboard the Columbus and arrived in Liverpool on 30 September 1843.

  5. [5]

    “Extracts from the Record of the Twelve, for the Use and Benefit of Elder Reuben Hedlock, and through Him to the Parties Concerned,” ca. 28 June 1843, p. 3, copy, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL; see also Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 23 May 1843.

    Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

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

  6. [6]

    Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 23 May 1843; see also Letter from Thomas Ward and Hiram Clark, 3 Oct. 1843; and Letter from Reuben Hedlock, 4 Oct. 1843.

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

  7. [7]

    Kay was baptized in England in August 1837. Before emigrating to Nauvoo, he served a mission in his home country and presided over the Herefordshire conference. (“Kay, William, jun.,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 4:549; “Manchester Conference,” Millennial Star, Feb. 1843, 3:175.)

    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.

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

  8. [8]

    Reuben Hedlock, Liverpool, England, to Brigham Young and Willard Richards, [Nauvoo, IL], 1 and 9 Feb. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL; William Kay, New Orleans, LA, to Reuben Hedlock et al., Liverpool, England, 9 Mar. 1844, in Millennial Star, Apr. 1844, 4:202.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

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

  9. [9]

    William Kay, New Orleans, LA, to Reuben Hedlock et al., Liverpool, England, 9 Mar. 1844, in Millennial Star, Apr. 1844, 4:202; JS, Journal, 13 Apr. 1844. Passengers aboard the Maid of Iowa experienced significant delays because the shaft of the waterwheel broke three times due to the vessel being overloaded. (James Jones, “near Nauvoo,” Hancock Co., IL, to Henry Jones, [England], 10 June 1844, typescript, Henry Jones, Correspondence, CHL.)

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

    Jones, Henry. Correspondence, 1844–1895. CHL.

  10. [10]

    JS, Journal, 13 Apr. 1844.

  11. [11]

    Brigham Young and Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to Reuben Hedlock, Liverpool, England, 3 May 1844, draft, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

Page 21

Elisabeth [Elizabeth Pearson] Clayton will Come in the month of Febuary Poudene Parr and family will Come in Febuary Ann dauson [Dawson] and family Will Come in the spring <​Next ship​> John Leach and Family will come in Next ship John Anderson and family Will Come in Next ship there are a number of passengers that have not paid thier full passage for which I hold their Notes I will <​have​> sent you the amount attached to their several nam[es] [illegible] I wish you to Collect of the [12 words illegible] you good and Recceipt it to [illegible] and When I see you I will give you their Notes I have not sent their Notes Least they might Be lost
1 Note against John Evens for or £1, 0, 0,
1 Note against Henry Shaw for— 2, 0 0,
1 Note against John Johnson—— 2, 0, 0,
1 Note against Charles Lambert—— 4, 0, 0,
1 Note against Thomas Hall—— 3, 6, 11
1 Note against William Clemmens—— 3, 7, 10,
1 Note against James McDonald— 4, 0, 0,
total £19, 14, 9,
you may Collect the amount of the Notes and aply it on the to my account if it seem you good to do so and if not you can take it to your selves and when I see you agan we can make all Right
I have Received £9, 9/— for the Books of mormon Belonging to you and there is Some where about £8, worth that are Sold and not paid for which I Expect soon from the diffe[re]nt this money I shall Retain in my hand subject to your order I have Recived £28, 16, 10,½ for the Which I shall send you by the Hand of With List of Names and Amount to Each Respective Name to be accredited to them in the Record Book of the I have had to pay £8, 15/— offic Rent for one Quarter, Last years taxes which should have paid I have paid £1, 5, 4, there are Now Laying in the offiece a tax Bill £4, 5, 5, that I shall have to Pay also another against [p. 21]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Reuben Hedlock, 10–21 January 1844
ID #
1247
Total Pages
24
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • Reuben Hedlock

Footnotes

  1. [110]

    The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had earlier asked Hedlock to place Clayton and her two children, who were from a town adjacent to Preston, on the first possible ship to the United States. Clayton and one accompanying adult departed Liverpool for New Orleans on 5 March 1844 via the ship Glasgow. (“Extracts from the Record of the Twelve, for the Use and Benefit of Elder Reuben Hedlock, and through Him to the Parties Concerned,” ca. 28 June 1843, p. 4, copy, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL; Reuben Hedlock, Liverpool, England, to Brigham Young, Willard Richards, and Theodore Turley, [Nauvoo, IL], 4 Mar. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)

    Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

  2. [111]

    The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had earlier requested that Hedlock place Parr and her six children on the first possible ship to the United States. On 9 February, Hedlock recorded that Parr and three of her children had departed Liverpool for New Orleans on board the Isaac Allerton on 23 January. Hedlock either conflated the Isaac Allerton with the Fanny or confused the ships’ respective departure dates, since the latter vessel set sail on 23 January and the Isaac Allerton did not depart Liverpool until 6 February. (“Extracts from the Record of the Twelve, for the Use and Benefit of Elder Reuben Hedlock, and through Him to the Parties Concerned,” ca. 28 June 1843, p. 5, copy, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL; Reuben Hedlock, Liverpool, England, to Brigham Young and Willard Richards, [Nauvoo, IL], 1 and 9 Feb. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL; see also Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 23 May 1844.)

    Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

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

  3. [112]

    The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had earlier asked Hedlock to send Dawson, of Preston, to Nauvoo as soon as circumstances allowed. The Twelve’s instructions to Hedlock singled out Dawson as one of the first individuals in England who had assisted the Twelve during their earlier mission there. Dawson purportedly sailed to New Orleans with three accompanying passengers via the Isaac Allerton on 6 February. (“Extracts from the Record of the Twelve, for the Use and Benefit of Elder Reuben Hedlock, and through Him to the Parties Concerned,” ca. 28 June 1843, p. 3, copy, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL; Reuben Hedlock, Liverpool, England, to Brigham Young and Willard Richards, [Nauvoo, IL], 1 and 9 Feb. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)

    Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

  4. [113]

    The Leach family was among the families and individuals that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had requested emigrate to Nauvoo as soon as possible. A fifteen-year-old John Leach finally emigrated with his family in 1849. Hedlock may have been referring to Leach’s father, also possibly named John, who did not accompany his family, perhaps because he died after Hedlock wrote this letter. (“Extracts from the Record of the Twelve, for the Use and Benefit of Elder Reuben Hedlock, and through Him to the Parties Concerned,” ca. 28 June 1843, p. 3, copy, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL; Passenger Manifest for Ship Ashland, List no. 203, 18 Apr. 1849, Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New Orleans, 1820–1945, microfilm 200,161, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

    Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  5. [114]

    Possibly the “Bro Anderson” from Stoke mentioned in the instructions the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave to Hedlock. If so, the Twelve had asked Hedlock to send Anderson to Nauvoo as soon as circumstances allowed. (“Extracts from the Record of the Twelve, for the Use and Benefit of Elder Reuben Hedlock, and through Him to the Parties Concerned,” ca. 28 June 1843, p. 3, copy, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL; see also Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 23 May 1843.)

    Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

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

  6. [115]

    TEXT: Page damaged.

  7. [116]

    TEXT: Page damaged.

  8. [117]

    TEXT: Page damaged.

  9. [118]

    The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles printed an edition of the Book of Mormon in England in 1841. (Letter from Brigham Young and Willard Richards, 5 Sept. 1840; Letter from John Taylor, 3 Feb. 1841; Crawley, Descriptive Bibliography, 1:148–151.)

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

  10. [119]

    In May 1843, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles decided that Hedlock should retain the funds raised from selling copies of the Book of Mormon. (“Extracts from the Record of the Twelve, for the Use and Benefit of Elder Reuben Hedlock, and through Him to the Parties Concerned,” ca. 28 June 1843, p. 3, copy, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL; see also Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 23 May 1843.)

    Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

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

  11. [120]

    Clark planned to return to Nauvoo sometime in early 1844. (“Extract from Elder Hiram Clark’s Journal, and Address to the Saints in the British Islands,” Millennial Star, Feb. 1844, 4:145.)

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

  12. [121]

    The “Record Book of the Temple” is a reference to the Book of the Law of the Lord, a large ledger in which the temple recorder tracked all tithing and donations for construction of the Nauvoo temple. In an entry dated 11 January 1844, recorder William Clayton wrote of receiving “of Hiram Clark per hand Amos Fielding 100 Gold Sovereigns,” which was credited to various individuals. (Book of the Law of the Lord, 404.)

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