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Letter to Joseph L. Heywood, 13 February 1844

Source Note

JS, Letter,
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, to
Joseph L. Heywood,

1 Aug. 1815–16 Oct. 1910. Merchant, postmaster, U.S. marshal, hatter, farmer, lawyer. Born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Benjamin Heywood and Hannah R. Leland. Moved to Illinois, spring 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, fall 1839...

View Full Bio
, [
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
, Adams Co., IL], 13 Feb. 1844. Featured version copied [ca. 13 Feb. 1844]; handwriting of
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
; two pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes dockets, notation, and archival marking.
Bifolium measuring 9⅞ × 7¾ inches (25 × 20 cm). The letter was inscribed on the recto and verso of the first leaf. The letter was folded for filing and docketed.
The letter 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.
1

JS, Journal, 29 June 1842; “Clayton, William,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:718.


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.

The document was also docketed 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.

The notation “A. J” was apparently added by a clerk or secretary for Andrew Jenson, who served as assistant church historian from 1897 to 1941.
3

Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 48–52, 55.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

The letter was listed in an inventory that was produced by the Church Historian’s Office circa 1904.
4

“Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [3], 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 letter’s early dockets and notation, its listing in a circa 1904 inventory, and its inclusion in the JS Collection indicate continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 29 June 1842; “Clayton, William,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:718.

    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.

  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]

    Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 48–52, 55.

    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, [3], 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 13 February 1844, JS wrote a letter from
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, to
Joseph L. Heywood,

1 Aug. 1815–16 Oct. 1910. Merchant, postmaster, U.S. marshal, hatter, farmer, lawyer. Born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Benjamin Heywood and Hannah R. Leland. Moved to Illinois, spring 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, fall 1839...

View Full Bio
in
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
, Illinois, declining his invitation to visit Quincy. Heywood had extended that invitation in a 7 February letter, in which he also informed JS about the prosperity of the Quincy
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
.
1

See Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 7 Feb. 1844.


In his reply to Heywood, JS explained that although he would like to visit Quincy, it would be imprudent for him to do so. Not only was he very busy but he also thought it best to avoid hostile communities between Nauvoo and Quincy because of the possibility of another attempt to convey him to
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
.
JS’s original letter to
Heywood

1 Aug. 1815–16 Oct. 1910. Merchant, postmaster, U.S. marshal, hatter, farmer, lawyer. Born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Benjamin Heywood and Hannah R. Leland. Moved to Illinois, spring 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, fall 1839...

View Full Bio
, is apparently not extant. A docket written 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
on the version featured here indicates that it is a “Copy,” but the quality of inscription suggests that it is a draft rather than a fair copy of the finished letter. The letter was presumably sent and received, but there is no known response.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 7 Feb. 1844.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter to Joseph L. Heywood, 13 February 1844 History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [2]

time in connexion with
Mrs 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
I tender my warmest acknowledgements for the invitation.
I am pleased to hear of the prosperity of your
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
and hope it will continue, for although I never feel to force my doctrines (or rather the doctrines revealed to me of God) upon any person I rejoice to see prejudice give way to truth, and the traditions of men dispersed by the pure principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
6

In his previous letter to JS, Heywood reported that there were “quite a number” of people in Quincy who believed and that some of them were scheduled to be baptized on 11 February 1844. (Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 7 Feb. 1844.)


I should be pleased to have the privilege of forming an acquaintance with your partner Mr Kimball and his lady,
7

Heywood’s brother-in-law and business partner was Oliver Kimball. Kimball married Sarah Heywood on 18 April 1841. In his previous letter to JS, Heywood wrote, “My Bro & Sister Kimball often express a desire to become acquantd with you— they are both very friendly & I think are only waiting for a little ‘troubling of the waters’ to cause them to obey the Gospel.” (“Heywood, Joseph Leland,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:646; Grafton, MA, Records, Intentions of Marriage, 40; Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 7 Feb. 1844.)


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.

Grafton, MA, Records, Intentions of Marriage, 1735–1857. In Massachusetts Vital Records: Grafton, 1693–1900, compiled by Jay Mack Holbrook, fiches 127–130. Microfiche. Oxford, MA: Holbrook Research Institute, 1993. Also available in Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620–1988, at Ancestry.com.

and should they ever come up this way I hope they will call and see me
As respects things 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
I have nothing to say but good. Although the mobocrats of this
county

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

More Info
breath[e] out their shame with a continual foam and threaten extermination &c
8

See JS, Journal, 12 and 19 Aug. 1843; 15 Sept. 1843; “Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 13 Sept. 1843, [1]–[2]; “Meeting of Citizens at Carthage,” Warsaw Message, Extra, 17 Jan. 1844, [2]–[3]; and “Anti-Mormon Meeting,” “A Word of Parting to Brother Joe,” and “Proposals for Resuscitating the Warsaw Signal,” Warsaw Message, Second Edition, 7 Feb. 1844, [1], [3].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

the citizens of
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
are at peace, they fear no danger for the sound <​report​> of mobs have become so common, that the Mormons pay no attention to it whatever.
9

Heywood, in his previous letter to JS, wrote that men from Carthage, Illinois, had recently traveled through Quincy en route to Alton, Illinois, to obtain weapons. Heywood seemed to imply that the arms could be used against the Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo, though he opined that the arms were more likely for an independent company of the state militia. (Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 7 Feb. 1844.)


Each man minds his own business and all are making improvements as fast as they can. In fact things in general seem prosperous and pleasing and I never saw a better feeling amongst the saints than at the present time.
10

“Editorial Address,” Times and Seasons, 1 Jan. 1844, 5:392–393.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

My family have been some sick of late but are now <​and continue​> improving in health and are out of danger <​so, especially my
youngest boy

2 June 1838–12 Aug. 1909. Photographer, carpenter, postmaster, minister. Born at Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri. Son of JS and Emma Hale. Moved to Commerce (later Nauvoo), Hancock Co., Illinois, 1839. Married Elizabeth Agnes Kendall, 23 June 1861, at Nauvoo...

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​>—
11

At the time JS wrote this letter, Alexander Smith was the youngest of JS and Emma Smith’s children.


Accept dear
Sir

1 Aug. 1815–16 Oct. 1910. Merchant, postmaster, U.S. marshal, hatter, farmer, lawyer. Born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Benjamin Heywood and Hannah R. Leland. Moved to Illinois, spring 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, fall 1839...

View Full Bio
my <​the​> warmest respects & of myself and
Mrs 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
12

Heywood closed his previous letter to JS requesting that JS “please Remember [me] & my wife to your good Lady.” (Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 7 Feb. 1844.)


& please present the same to your
lady

21 Nov. 1823–4 Dec. 1881. Born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Daughter of Caleb Blodgett and Chloe. Moved with family to Wisconsin Territory, ca. 1837, where her father helped settle New Albany (later Beloit), Rock Co. Married Joseph Leland Heywood, 25 June 1841...

View Full Bio
13

Sarepta Blodgett Heywood. (“Heywood, Joseph Leland,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:647.)


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.

in the remain mean time I remain your friend and brother
Joseph Smith [p. [2]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Joseph L. Heywood, 13 February 1844
ID #
1269
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • William Clayton

Footnotes

  1. [6]

    In his previous letter to JS, Heywood reported that there were “quite a number” of people in Quincy who believed and that some of them were scheduled to be baptized on 11 February 1844. (Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 7 Feb. 1844.)

  2. [7]

    Heywood’s brother-in-law and business partner was Oliver Kimball. Kimball married Sarah Heywood on 18 April 1841. In his previous letter to JS, Heywood wrote, “My Bro & Sister Kimball often express a desire to become acquantd with you— they are both very friendly & I think are only waiting for a little ‘troubling of the waters’ to cause them to obey the Gospel.” (“Heywood, Joseph Leland,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:646; Grafton, MA, Records, Intentions of Marriage, 40; Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 7 Feb. 1844.)

    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.

    Grafton, MA, Records, Intentions of Marriage, 1735–1857. In Massachusetts Vital Records: Grafton, 1693–1900, compiled by Jay Mack Holbrook, fiches 127–130. Microfiche. Oxford, MA: Holbrook Research Institute, 1993. Also available in Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620–1988, at Ancestry.com.

  3. [8]

    See JS, Journal, 12 and 19 Aug. 1843; 15 Sept. 1843; “Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 13 Sept. 1843, [1]–[2]; “Meeting of Citizens at Carthage,” Warsaw Message, Extra, 17 Jan. 1844, [2]–[3]; and “Anti-Mormon Meeting,” “A Word of Parting to Brother Joe,” and “Proposals for Resuscitating the Warsaw Signal,” Warsaw Message, Second Edition, 7 Feb. 1844, [1], [3].

    Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

  4. [9]

    Heywood, in his previous letter to JS, wrote that men from Carthage, Illinois, had recently traveled through Quincy en route to Alton, Illinois, to obtain weapons. Heywood seemed to imply that the arms could be used against the Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo, though he opined that the arms were more likely for an independent company of the state militia. (Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 7 Feb. 1844.)

  5. [10]

    “Editorial Address,” Times and Seasons, 1 Jan. 1844, 5:392–393.

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

  6. [11]

    At the time JS wrote this letter, Alexander Smith was the youngest of JS and Emma Smith’s children.

  7. [12]

    Heywood closed his previous letter to JS requesting that JS “please Remember [me] & my wife to your good Lady.” (Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 7 Feb. 1844.)

  8. [13]

    Sarepta Blodgett Heywood. (“Heywood, Joseph Leland,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:647.)

    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.

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