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Letter to Emma Smith, 13 October 1832

Source Note

JS, Letter,
New York City

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...

More Info
, NY, to
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
,
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
, OH, 13 Oct. 1832; handwriting and signatures of JS; three pages; CHL. Includes address, postal markings, dockets, and archival marking.
Two loose leaves, measuring 9¾ × 7¾ inches (25 × 20 cm). JS apparently folded the document to create a margin line prior to inscription. The document was folded with two tri-folds in letter style, addressed, and sealed with a red adhesive wafer. The postage rate was inscribed in a large and elaborate script in red ink. A circular date stamp was applied in red ink. Docket in handwriting of
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
reads: “Joseph Smith Jr | Oct 13th 1832
N. 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...

More Info
”. The document was refolded, apparently at a later time, probably in connection with filing. Additional docket in unidentified handwriting reads: “J. Smith | Oct 13 1832”. The two leaves appear to have been sewn together at some point in time. Graphite pagination added on the recto pages of the two leaves suggests that at one time the letter was placed in an archival letter file or book. The document has undergone some conservation.
The document includes two autograph signatures. It was apparently received and kept by
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
. The presence of the
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
docket suggests that the letter was kept for a time in JS’s office 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. The document was apparently returned to Emma Smith because it came into the possession of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ). A late nineteenth-century printing of the letter in the periodical of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and late twentieth-century archival correspondence indicate continuous institutional custody.
1

“Letters of Joseph Smith, the Martyr,” Saints’ Herald, 1 Dec. 1879, 356–357; Richard P. Howard, Independence, MO, to Richard Lloyd Anderson, Provo, UT, 10 Sept. 1971, photocopy, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

Howard, Richard P. Letter, Independence, MO, to Richard Lloyd Anderson, Provo, UT , 10 Sept. 1971. Photocopy. CHL.

In 2024, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acquired the letter from the Community of Christ, and it is now held at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “Letters of Joseph Smith, the Martyr,” Saints’ Herald, 1 Dec. 1879, 356–357; Richard P. Howard, Independence, MO, to Richard Lloyd Anderson, Provo, UT, 10 Sept. 1971, photocopy, CHL.

    Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

    Howard, Richard P. Letter, Independence, MO, to Richard Lloyd Anderson, Provo, UT , 10 Sept. 1971. Photocopy. CHL.

Historical Introduction

JS wrote a letter to his wife
Emma

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
on 13 October 1832 from a
hotel

Also known as Merchants’ House. Four-story edifice with columned entrance and arched sign on roof. Located at 88 Pearl Street (oldest street in city). JS and Bishop Newel K. Whitney journeyed to New York City, fall 1832, and stayed at hotel. While at hotel...

More Info
in
New York City

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...

More Info
, New York. JS’s letter indicates that he and
Newel K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
had been staying at the hotel at least a couple of days. The letter references an earlier communication to Emma during the same trip, but only this one is extant. JS was in New York with Whitney, who had been commanded in a revelation dated 22–23 September 1832 to travel to the cities of
Boston

Capital city of Massachusetts, located on eastern seaboard at mouth of Charles River. Founded by Puritans, 1630. Received city charter, 1822. Population in 1820 about 43,000; in 1830 about 61,000; and in 1840 about 93,000. JS’s ancestor Robert Smith emigrated...

More Info
, New York City, and
Albany

State capital and county seat, located in eastern-central part of state on west bank of Hudson River. Area settled by Dutch, 1612. Known as Fort Orange and Beaver Wyck, 1623; name changed to Williamstadt, 1647. Capitulated to English forces, 1664, and renamed...

More Info
to “warn the people of those cities with the sound of the gospel.”
1

Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:114].


To “fulfill the Revelation,” as Whitney later remembered, he and JS 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
probably sometime in early October and traveled to New York City; Providence, Rhode Island; Boston; and throughout New England.
2

Newel K. Whitney, Statement, ca. 1842, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1856, CHL. JS’s account, which differs from Whitney’s recollection, says that JS and Whitney went to Albany, New York City, and Boston. It is likely JS and Whitney went through Albany on their way to New York City since Albany was the terminus of the Erie Canal on the Hudson River and they likely traveled by canal. Whether they traveled to Providence is unclear; it may be that Whitney’s recollection on this point is correct and that JS’s history did not include Providence because the history was relying on the list of cities given in the 22–23 September 1832 revelation. (JS History, vol. A-1, 240.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.

According to a later JS history, the entire trip was a “rapid journey.”
3

JS History, vol. A-1, 240.


The 22–23 September revelation specifically told
Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
to preach, and some records indicate that he and JS made efforts to do so.
Samuel Smith

13 Mar. 1808–30 July 1844. Farmer, logger, scribe, builder, tavern operator. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, by Mar. 1810; to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811...

View Full Bio
, who was preaching in New England in fall 1832, wrote in his journal that the mother of a
Boston

Capital city of Massachusetts, located on eastern seaboard at mouth of Charles River. Founded by Puritans, 1630. Received city charter, 1822. Population in 1820 about 43,000; in 1830 about 61,000; and in 1840 about 93,000. JS’s ancestor Robert Smith emigrated...

More Info
church member told him in November “that Joseph had been to Boston & Prophecied u[n]to that citty.” Whitney recalled that the pair also met
Bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

View Glossary
Benjamin T. Onderdonk of the Episcopal Church’s Diocese of
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...

More Info
.
4

Samuel Smith, Diary, 26 Nov. 1832; Newel K. Whitney, Statement, ca. 1842, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1856, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, Samuel. Diary, Feb. 1832–May 1833. CHL. MS 4213.

Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.

As this letter to
Emma

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
mentions, JS preached in New York as well. Much of the time on the trip, however, was spent purchasing goods for Whitney’s
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
store

In Apr. 1826, Whitney purchased quarter-acre lot on northeast corner of Chardon and Chillicothe roads and built two-story, 1500-square-foot, white store. Mercantile store also functioned as Kirtland Mills post office. Whitney met JS at store, 4 Feb. 1831....

More Info
, which was designated as a
storehouse

Both a literal and a figurative repository for goods and land donated to the church. The book of Malachi directed the house of Israel to bring “all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house.” In JS’s revision of the Old Testament...

View Glossary
for the church under the governance of the
United Firm

An organization that supervised the management of church enterprises and properties from 1832 to 1834. In March and April 1832, revelations directed that the church’s publishing and mercantile endeavors be organized. In accordance with this direction, the...

View Glossary
.
5

Revelation, 30 Aug. 1831 [D&C 63:42]; Staker, Hearken, O Ye People, 229–230; Minutes, 26–27 Apr. 1832.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Staker, Mark L. Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith’s Ohio Revelations. Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2009.

JS and Whitney may have also attempted to negotiate a loan for the firm, but if so, they were apparently unsuccessful.
6

The United Firm gave Whitney responsibility to secure a loan for the firm in a meeting circa 1 May 1832. (Minutes, ca. 1 May 1832; Staker, Hearken, O Ye People, 231.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Staker, Mark L. Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith’s Ohio Revelations. Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2009.

While in
New York City

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...

More Info
, Whitney and JS stayed in lower Manhattan at the
Pearl Street House and Ohio Hotel

Also known as Merchants’ House. Four-story edifice with columned entrance and arched sign on roof. Located at 88 Pearl Street (oldest street in city). JS and Bishop Newel K. Whitney journeyed to New York City, fall 1832, and stayed at hotel. While at hotel...

More Info
, located at 88 Pearl Street.
7

There was also apparently an “Eastern Pearl-street House” located at 309 Pearl Street, and there may have been a “Western Pearl Street House” located at 307 Pearl Street, but JS referred simply to the “Pearl Street House” without an east or west designation. (Williams, New-York as It Is, 153; Classified Mercantile Directory, 73–74.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Williams, Edwin, ed. New-York as It Is, In 1833; and Citizens’ Advertising Directory. . . . New York: J. Disturnell, 1833.

The Classified Mercantile Directory, for the Cities of New-York and Brooklyn. Containing, the Names, Occupation and Place of Business of All the Principal Firms and Individuals. . . . New York: J. Disturnell, 1837.

Pearl Street ran for over a mile between the East River and Broadway: from the Battery to a point one block from Five Points, where it arced to the west until it intersected Broadway. According to an 1834 guidebook, the street featured “numerous spacious warehouses” and was “the principal seat of the dry goods, and hardware business.”
8

Williams, New-York as It Is, 18–19; see also Colton, Topographical Map of the City and County of New-York, 1836.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Williams, Edwin, ed. New-York as It Is, In 1833; and Citizens’ Advertising Directory. . . . New York: J. Disturnell, 1833.

Colton, J. H. Topographical Map of the City and County of New-York. New York: By the author, 1836. Digital image on David Rumsey Map Collection, accessed 10 Jan. 2013, http://www.davidrumsey.com.

While
Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
had traveled to
New York City

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...

More Info
in 1825 for business purposes, the largest cities JS had visited were
Salem

Port city located northeast of Boston. Population in 1830 about 14,000. Population in 1840 about 15,000. JS visited city as a young boy while recovering from leg surgery to remove diseased bone. JS, Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon visited city...

More Info
, Massachusetts, and
Cincinnati

Area settled largely by emigrants from New England and New Jersey, by 1788. Village founded and surveyed adjacent to site of Fort Washington, 1789. First seat of legislature of Northwest Territory, 1790. Incorporated as city, 1819. Developed rapidly as shipping...

More Info
, Ohio, neither of which had a population close to that of New York City, which had over two hundred thousand residents.
9

“N.K. Whitney Book, 25 Sept., 1825,” Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU; Bushman, Rough Stone Rolling, 188. The United States Census Bureau reported that Salem had a population of 13,895 and Cincinnati had a population of 24,831 in 1830. When JS visited Salem as a boy in 1816, it likely had a population of about 12,700. In 1830, New York City had 202,589 residents. This did not include Brooklyn, which had another 12,406. (Gibson, Population of the 100 Largest Cities, [30]–[32].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Whitney, Newel K. Papers, 1825–1906. BYU.

Bushman, Richard Lyman. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. With the assistance of Jed Woodworth. New York: Knopf, 2005.

Gibson, Campbell. Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990. Population Division Series 27. Washington DC: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1998.

Although JS in his letter expressed wonder at New York City and its “great inventions,” he also reflected negatively on the inhabitants of the city, perhaps because the 22–23 September 1832 revelation intimated that they were in the throes of wickedness. The letter and its lengthy postscript give a glimpse into JS’s and Whitney’s activities in New York City, including JS’s discussions of religion with a young man he met in the city and
Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
’s work in selecting goods for his store. JS also wrote of his desire to be with his wife
Emma

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
and daughter,
Julia

30 Apr. 1831–12 Sept. 1880. Born in Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. Daughter of John Murdock and Julia Clapp. After death of mother, adopted by JS and Emma Smith at age of nine days. Lived in Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, 1831. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co....

View Full Bio
, and of his concern for Emma’s condition. JS had left his wife in an advanced state of pregnancy in
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
.
10

JS stated that he returned from his trip “on the Sixth of November, immediately after the birth of my son, Joseph Smith 3d..” (JS History, vol. A-1, 240.)


Since the couple had already lost three children shortly after birth,
11

JS Family Bible; JS History, 1834–1836, 9.


Comprehensive Works Cited

JS Family Bible / Joseph Smith Family Bible, ca. 1831–1866. Private possession. Copy of genealogical information in Joseph Smith Sr. Family Reunions Files, 1972–2003. CHL.

JS likely felt anxiety for both his wife and the baby.
This letter is one of the few extant letters written entirely in JS’s own handwriting. Addressed to
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
in
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
, the letter bears a
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...

More Info
postage mark dated 13 October on the wrapper. Emma apparently received the letter and kept it in her possession, though it may have been kept for a time in JS’s office 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
. It was evidently passed down in her family and later into the custody of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ).

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:114].

  2. [2]

    Newel K. Whitney, Statement, ca. 1842, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1856, CHL. JS’s account, which differs from Whitney’s recollection, says that JS and Whitney went to Albany, New York City, and Boston. It is likely JS and Whitney went through Albany on their way to New York City since Albany was the terminus of the Erie Canal on the Hudson River and they likely traveled by canal. Whether they traveled to Providence is unclear; it may be that Whitney’s recollection on this point is correct and that JS’s history did not include Providence because the history was relying on the list of cities given in the 22–23 September 1832 revelation. (JS History, vol. A-1, 240.)

    Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.

  3. [3]

    JS History, vol. A-1, 240.

  4. [4]

    Samuel Smith, Diary, 26 Nov. 1832; Newel K. Whitney, Statement, ca. 1842, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1856, CHL.

    Smith, Samuel. Diary, Feb. 1832–May 1833. CHL. MS 4213.

    Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.

  5. [5]

    Revelation, 30 Aug. 1831 [D&C 63:42]; Staker, Hearken, O Ye People, 229–230; Minutes, 26–27 Apr. 1832.

    Staker, Mark L. Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith’s Ohio Revelations. Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2009.

  6. [6]

    The United Firm gave Whitney responsibility to secure a loan for the firm in a meeting circa 1 May 1832. (Minutes, ca. 1 May 1832; Staker, Hearken, O Ye People, 231.)

    Staker, Mark L. Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith’s Ohio Revelations. Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2009.

  7. [7]

    There was also apparently an “Eastern Pearl-street House” located at 309 Pearl Street, and there may have been a “Western Pearl Street House” located at 307 Pearl Street, but JS referred simply to the “Pearl Street House” without an east or west designation. (Williams, New-York as It Is, 153; Classified Mercantile Directory, 73–74.)

    Williams, Edwin, ed. New-York as It Is, In 1833; and Citizens’ Advertising Directory. . . . New York: J. Disturnell, 1833.

    The Classified Mercantile Directory, for the Cities of New-York and Brooklyn. Containing, the Names, Occupation and Place of Business of All the Principal Firms and Individuals. . . . New York: J. Disturnell, 1837.

  8. [8]

    Williams, New-York as It Is, 18–19; see also Colton, Topographical Map of the City and County of New-York, 1836.

    Williams, Edwin, ed. New-York as It Is, In 1833; and Citizens’ Advertising Directory. . . . New York: J. Disturnell, 1833.

    Colton, J. H. Topographical Map of the City and County of New-York. New York: By the author, 1836. Digital image on David Rumsey Map Collection, accessed 10 Jan. 2013, http://www.davidrumsey.com.

  9. [9]

    “N.K. Whitney Book, 25 Sept., 1825,” Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU; Bushman, Rough Stone Rolling, 188. The United States Census Bureau reported that Salem had a population of 13,895 and Cincinnati had a population of 24,831 in 1830. When JS visited Salem as a boy in 1816, it likely had a population of about 12,700. In 1830, New York City had 202,589 residents. This did not include Brooklyn, which had another 12,406. (Gibson, Population of the 100 Largest Cities, [30]–[32].)

    Whitney, Newel K. Papers, 1825–1906. BYU.

    Bushman, Richard Lyman. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. With the assistance of Jed Woodworth. New York: Knopf, 2005.

    Gibson, Campbell. Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990. Population Division Series 27. Washington DC: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1998.

  10. [10]

    JS stated that he returned from his trip “on the Sixth of November, immediately after the birth of my son, Joseph Smith 3d..” (JS History, vol. A-1, 240.)

  11. [11]

    JS Family Bible; JS History, 1834–1836, 9.

    JS Family Bible / Joseph Smith Family Bible, ca. 1831–1866. Private possession. Copy of genealogical information in Joseph Smith Sr. Family Reunions Files, 1972–2003. CHL.

Page [3]

PS while
Brother [Newel K.] Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
<​is​> Selecting goods I have nothing to <​do​> but to Sit in my room and pray for him that he may have strength to indure his labours for truly it is <​a​> tedious job to stand on the feet all day to select goods its wants good judgement and a long acquaintence with goods to git good ones and a man must be his own judge for no one will judge for him and it is much pepleccity [perplexity] of mind I prefer reading and praying and holding communeion with the holy spirit and writing to <​you​> then walking the streets and beholding the distraction of man I have <​had​> some conversation with few which gave satisfaction and one very butiful young gentleman from
Jersey [New Jersey]

Located in northeast region of U.S. First European settlements made by Dutch, Swedes, and English, early 1600s. Admitted to U.S. as state, Dec. 1787. Population in 1830 about 321,000. Population in 1840 about 373,000. First Latter-day Saint missionaries preached...

More Info
whose countinance was very sollam he came and set by my side and began
9

TEXT: Possibly “begun”.


to converce with me about the chol[e]ra
10

Cholera apparently spread from New York City into New Jersey, reaching Newark on 7 July. New Brunswick reported its first case on 14 July, and Jersey City experienced its first case on 26 July. (Pyle, “Diffusion of Cholera,” 62.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Pyle, G. F. “The Diffusion of Cholera in the United States in the Nineteenth Century.” Geographical Analysis 1 (Jan. 1969): 59–75.“Clan C. Additional Facts about Persons Recorded in the Grant Family History.” Grant Family Magazine 1, (June 1900): 621–635.

and I learned he had been seased with it and came very near dieng [dying] with it he said the Lord had spared him for some wise pu[r]pose I took advantage of this and opened a long discours with him he received my teaching with appearanly [apparently] with much pleasure and became very strongly attacth [attached] to me we talkd till late at night and concluded to omit <​conversation​> till the next day but having some business to do he was detained untill the boat was ready to go out and must leave he came to me and bid me Farewell <​and we parted​> with much reluctance
Brother Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
is received with great kindness by all his old acquaintance he is faithful in prayr and fervant in spirit and he we take great comfort together there is about one hundred boarders and sometimes more in this house every <​day​> from one to two from all parts of the world I think you would have laughed right harty if you could [have?] been whe[r]e you could see the waiters to day noon waited on the table both Black and white and molato runing bowing and maneuvering but I must conclude I remain Your affectionate Husband until Death
Joseph Smith Junior [p. [3]]
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Source Note

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Page [3]

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Emma Smith, 13 October 1832
ID #
129
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D2:304–314
Handwriting on This Page
  • Joseph Smith Jr.

Footnotes

  1. [9]

    TEXT: Possibly “begun”.

  2. [10]

    Cholera apparently spread from New York City into New Jersey, reaching Newark on 7 July. New Brunswick reported its first case on 14 July, and Jersey City experienced its first case on 26 July. (Pyle, “Diffusion of Cholera,” 62.)

    Pyle, G. F. “The Diffusion of Cholera in the United States in the Nineteenth Century.” Geographical Analysis 1 (Jan. 1969): 59–75.“Clan C. Additional Facts about Persons Recorded in the Grant Family History.” Grant Family Magazine 1, (June 1900): 621–635.

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