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Agreement with William Law, 26 April 1841

Source Note

Nauvoo House Association

A corporation established in February 1841 to oversee the building of the Nauvoo House. A 19 January 1841 JS revelation included a commandment to construct a boardinghouse for visitors to Nauvoo that would also serve as a home for JS and his family. The association...

View Glossary
Trustees, Agreement, with
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
,
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, 26 Apr. 1841; handwriting of
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
; signatures of
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
,
George Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

View Full Bio
,
John Snider

11 Feb. 1800–19 Dec. 1875. Farmer, mason, stonecutter. Born in New Brunswick, Canada. Son of Martin Snyder and Sarah Armstrong. Married Mary Heron, 28 Feb. 1822. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1836, at Toronto. Stockholder in Kirtland...

View Full Bio
, and
Peter Haws

17 Feb. 1796–1862. Farmer, miller, businessman. Born in Leeds Co., Johnstown District (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Son of Edward Haws and Polly. Married Charlotte Harrington. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moved to Kirtland...

View Full Bio
; witnessed by JS,
Wilson Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

View Full Bio
, and
Hiram Clark

22 Sept. 1795–28 Dec. 1853 Born in Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Lyman Clark and Parmela. Married first Mary Fenno. Moved to Antwerp, Jefferson Co., New York, by 1820. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1835. Married second Thankful...

View Full Bio
; two pages; CHL. Includes docket.
Bifolium measuring 12⅝ × 7¾ inches (32 × 20 cm). The document contains some discoloration and three vertical filing folds, approximately 3½ inches (9 cm) apart. Includes enclosure containing the dimensions and building specifications for the
Nauvoo House

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...

More Info
.
The agreement and enclosure have presumably been in institutional custody since they were created. They were originally included with other Nauvoo House Association records maintained by the Church Historian’s Office, but in 1998, Church Historical Department employees cataloged the agreement separately because it contained JS’s signature.
1

See the full bibliographic entry for Nauvoo House Association, Agreement and Specifications, 26 Apr. 1841, in the CHL catalog.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See the full bibliographic entry for Nauvoo House Association, Agreement and Specifications, 26 Apr. 1841, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 26 April 1841, JS witnessed and signed an agreement between the
Nauvoo House Association

A corporation established in February 1841 to oversee the building of the Nauvoo House. A 19 January 1841 JS revelation included a commandment to construct a boardinghouse for visitors to Nauvoo that would also serve as a home for JS and his family. The association...

View Glossary
trustees and
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
, a member 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
’s
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
. The agreement required Law to superintend the construction of “a public house of entertainment to be called the ‘
Nauvoo House

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...

More Info
’” near the
Mississippi 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
on the south end of Main Street 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.
1

“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841, copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull, CHL. This was not the first time church members considered the construction of a boardinghouse. A January 1832 letter from Oliver Cowdery revealed that Missouri church leaders had instructed Bishop Edward Partridge “to establish a house of entertainment i[n] the Town of Independence to accommodate the traveling Elders of this Church and other brethren whose circumstance may require.” (Letter from Oliver Cowdery, 28 Jan. 1832.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841. Copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull. CHL. MS 15558.

The Saints were called to build the Nauvoo House in a 19 January 1841 JS revelation, which explained that the structure was to be “a house for boarding; a house that strangers may come from afar to lodge therein.” That revelation gave further instruction about generating finances for the Nauvoo House and appointed
George Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

View Full Bio
,
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
,
John Snider

11 Feb. 1800–19 Dec. 1875. Farmer, mason, stonecutter. Born in New Brunswick, Canada. Son of Martin Snyder and Sarah Armstrong. Married Mary Heron, 28 Feb. 1822. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1836, at Toronto. Stockholder in Kirtland...

View Full Bio
, and
Peter Haws

17 Feb. 1796–1862. Farmer, miller, businessman. Born in Leeds Co., Johnstown District (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Son of Edward Haws and Polly. Married Charlotte Harrington. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moved to Kirtland...

View Full Bio
as the committee responsible for overseeing its construction.
2

Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:22–23, 62]. Miller, Wight, Snider, and Haws later became the legal trustees for the Nauvoo House Association. (“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841, copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841. Copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull. CHL. MS 15558.

Shortly after that revelation, the Nauvoo House became a central building project for the Saints.
3

In the church conference meeting held on 7 April 1841, JS explained the two central building projects in Nauvoo: the temple, as “a suitable place for worshiping the Almighty, and also the building of the Nauvoo Boarding House, that suitable accomodations might be afforded for the strangers who might visit this city.” (Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.)


JS provided the land on which the
Nauvoo House

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...

More Info
would be built, and according to the 19 January revelation, he was intended to reside there.
4

Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:56].


JS also chaired the first meeting of stockholders of the Nauvoo Boarding House Association, later known simply as the Nauvoo House Association, on 5 February 1841.
5

Nauvoo House Association, Minutes, 5 Feb. 1841, CHL.


By the end of the month, the
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
legislature approved an act to incorporate the Nauvoo House Association, which allowed the association to sell stock to fund the building’s construction.
6

“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841, copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull, CHL. JS’s 19 January 1841 revelation was the basis for the act of incorporation and provided direction on how and by whom the work was to be financed. Much of the language for the incorporation act echoed the text of the revelation. (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124]. For more on the selling of stock by the Nauvoo House Association, see Authorization for Hyrum Smith and Isaac Galland, 15 February 1841; and Revelation, 20 Mar. 1841.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841. Copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull. CHL. MS 15558.

The act of incorporation named
Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

View Full Bio
,
Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
,
Snider

11 Feb. 1800–19 Dec. 1875. Farmer, mason, stonecutter. Born in New Brunswick, Canada. Son of Martin Snyder and Sarah Armstrong. Married Mary Heron, 28 Feb. 1822. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1836, at Toronto. Stockholder in Kirtland...

View Full Bio
, and
Haws

17 Feb. 1796–1862. Farmer, miller, businessman. Born in Leeds Co., Johnstown District (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Son of Edward Haws and Polly. Married Charlotte Harrington. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moved to Kirtland...

View Full Bio
as the association’s trustees, with the responsibility to “take the general care and supervision in procuring materials for said house and constructing and erecting the same, and further to superintend its general management.”
7

“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841, copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841. Copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull. CHL. MS 15558.

By 26 April the Nauvoo House Association trustees determined that
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
would manage the day-to-day work on the construction of the edifice and made the agreement featured here to formalize the arrangement. The agreement, which was outlined in section six of the Nauvoo House Association act of incorporation, may have been a legal measure to protect one or both parties against being sued. It is not known, however, if a copy of the agreement was registered with the
city

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
,
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
, or
state

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
, which would have made it legally binding, or if it was created solely for internal church purposes.
8

“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841, copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841. Copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull. CHL. MS 15558.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841, copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull, CHL. This was not the first time church members considered the construction of a boardinghouse. A January 1832 letter from Oliver Cowdery revealed that Missouri church leaders had instructed Bishop Edward Partridge “to establish a house of entertainment i[n] the Town of Independence to accommodate the traveling Elders of this Church and other brethren whose circumstance may require.” (Letter from Oliver Cowdery, 28 Jan. 1832.)

    “An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841. Copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull. CHL. MS 15558.

  2. [2]

    Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:22–23, 62]. Miller, Wight, Snider, and Haws later became the legal trustees for the Nauvoo House Association. (“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841, copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull, CHL.)

    “An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841. Copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull. CHL. MS 15558.

  3. [3]

    In the church conference meeting held on 7 April 1841, JS explained the two central building projects in Nauvoo: the temple, as “a suitable place for worshiping the Almighty, and also the building of the Nauvoo Boarding House, that suitable accomodations might be afforded for the strangers who might visit this city.” (Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.)

  4. [4]

    Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:56].

  5. [5]

    Nauvoo House Association, Minutes, 5 Feb. 1841, CHL.

  6. [6]

    “An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841, copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull, CHL. JS’s 19 January 1841 revelation was the basis for the act of incorporation and provided direction on how and by whom the work was to be financed. Much of the language for the incorporation act echoed the text of the revelation. (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124]. For more on the selling of stock by the Nauvoo House Association, see Authorization for Hyrum Smith and Isaac Galland, 15 February 1841; and Revelation, 20 Mar. 1841.)

    “An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841. Copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull. CHL. MS 15558.

  7. [7]

    “An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841, copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull, CHL.

    “An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841. Copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull. CHL. MS 15558.

  8. [8]

    “An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841, copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull, CHL.

    “An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841. Copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull. CHL. MS 15558.

Page [1]

Article of Agreement made and entered into at the City 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
, Illinois, this twenty sixth day of April in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and forty one, by and Between
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
of the City 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
Illinois of the first part, and
George Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

View Full Bio
,
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
,
John Snider

11 Feb. 1800–19 Dec. 1875. Farmer, mason, stonecutter. Born in New Brunswick, Canada. Son of Martin Snyder and Sarah Armstrong. Married Mary Heron, 28 Feb. 1822. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1836, at Toronto. Stockholder in Kirtland...

View Full Bio
and
Peter Haws

17 Feb. 1796–1862. Farmer, miller, businessman. Born in Leeds Co., Johnstown District (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Son of Edward Haws and Polly. Married Charlotte Harrington. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moved to Kirtland...

View Full Bio
, building Committee of The
Nauvoo House

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...

More Info
, of the second part, Witnesseth that the party of the first part, for and in considerations of the sums and amounts herein after mentioned, agreeth to build or cause to be built, a house to be Called the
Nauvoo House

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...

More Info
, near the foot of Main Street in the City 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
, aforesaid, <​on the Lot where the said
house

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...

More Info
is now commenced​>
1

The act of incorporation stated that this lot was the “south half of lot numbered fifty six.” The act’s designation of Nauvoo block 56 was likely erroneous, however, as the structure was built from the outset on block 156, on the south end of Main Street at the city’s southern wharf. (“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841, copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull, CHL; Smith, “Symbol of Mormonism,” 117.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841. Copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull. CHL. MS 15558.

Smith, Alex D. “Symbol of Mormonism: The Nauvoo Boarding House.” John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 35, no. 2 (Fall/Winter 2015): 109–136.

which said
House

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...

More Info
is to be built after the manner, size, order, and finish; expressed in the specification hereunto for affixed,
2

Written specifications for the dimensions of the structure were as follows: “The River front 120 ft St front 120 ft Width 40 ft five Storys in highth including basement the basement Story stone the 4 remaining storys Brick built after Grecian Doric order,” which is a classical architectural style popular between 750 and 480 BC, featuring a simple column structure, visible in the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. The specifications also called for shops and offices on the ground floor on the riverfront side of the five-story structure, as well as elegant parlors, a dining room, and rooms for visitors to stay on the floors above. The specifications, written in the hand of Lucien Woodworth, the original designer of the structure, were supplied in an enclosure to this agreement. There is no extant draft plan of the Nauvoo House with these specifications. Later architectural plans, drawn by William Weeks in 1845, are extant and drawn to different specifications. (Lucien Woodworth, Description of Nauvoo House, ca. 26 Apr. 1841, in Nauvoo House Association, Agreement and Specifications, 26 Apr. 1841, CHL; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 22 Mar. 1845; Weeks, Nauvoo House Architectural Drawings, 1845; Smith, “Symbol of Mormonism,” 118–120.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo House Association. Agreement and Specifications, 26 Apr. 1841. CHL.

Weeks, William. Nauvoo House Architectural Drawings, 1845. Architect’s Office, Nauvoo House, 1845. CHL.

Smith, Alex D. “Symbol of Mormonism: The Nauvoo Boarding House.” John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 35, no. 2 (Fall/Winter 2015): 109–136.

and to be build as fast as the above named Committee shall furnish means,
And the party of the second part agreeth to pay to the party of the first part the sum of ninety-thousand dollars, to be paid in the following manner, from three thousand to five thousand dollars per month one fourth of which to be in Cash and three fourths in Merchandise and provisions; or any other trade which the party of the first part can dispose of, it is further agreed that the party of the second part shall furnish the Lumber, nails, Tin, glass and Door trimmings [p. [1]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Agreement with William Law, 26 April 1841
ID #
1631
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D8:126–130
Handwriting on This Page
  • William Law

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    The act of incorporation stated that this lot was the “south half of lot numbered fifty six.” The act’s designation of Nauvoo block 56 was likely erroneous, however, as the structure was built from the outset on block 156, on the south end of Main Street at the city’s southern wharf. (“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841, copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull, CHL; Smith, “Symbol of Mormonism,” 117.)

    “An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo House Association,” 23 Feb. 1841. Copies certified by Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull. CHL. MS 15558.

    Smith, Alex D. “Symbol of Mormonism: The Nauvoo Boarding House.” John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 35, no. 2 (Fall/Winter 2015): 109–136.

  2. [2]

    Written specifications for the dimensions of the structure were as follows: “The River front 120 ft St front 120 ft Width 40 ft five Storys in highth including basement the basement Story stone the 4 remaining storys Brick built after Grecian Doric order,” which is a classical architectural style popular between 750 and 480 BC, featuring a simple column structure, visible in the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. The specifications also called for shops and offices on the ground floor on the riverfront side of the five-story structure, as well as elegant parlors, a dining room, and rooms for visitors to stay on the floors above. The specifications, written in the hand of Lucien Woodworth, the original designer of the structure, were supplied in an enclosure to this agreement. There is no extant draft plan of the Nauvoo House with these specifications. Later architectural plans, drawn by William Weeks in 1845, are extant and drawn to different specifications. (Lucien Woodworth, Description of Nauvoo House, ca. 26 Apr. 1841, in Nauvoo House Association, Agreement and Specifications, 26 Apr. 1841, CHL; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 22 Mar. 1845; Weeks, Nauvoo House Architectural Drawings, 1845; Smith, “Symbol of Mormonism,” 118–120.)

    Nauvoo House Association. Agreement and Specifications, 26 Apr. 1841. CHL.

    Weeks, William. Nauvoo House Architectural Drawings, 1845. Architect’s Office, Nauvoo House, 1845. CHL.

    Smith, Alex D. “Symbol of Mormonism: The Nauvoo Boarding House.” John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 35, no. 2 (Fall/Winter 2015): 109–136.

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