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Appendix 3: Willard Richards, Journal Excerpt, 23–27 June 1844

23 June 1844 • Sunday Page 19 24 June 1844 • Monday Page 20 25 June 1844 • Tuesday Page 21 26 June 1844 • Wednesday Page 28 27 June 1844 • Thursday Page 35

Source Note

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...

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, Journal Excerpt, 23–27 June 1844; 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...

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; nineteen pages; in Willard Richards, Journal, CHL. Portions of some entries were written in pencil before they were overwritten in ink.

Historical Introduction

JS’s journal, kept by
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...

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, ended with the entry of 22 June 1844, just before JS left
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, in company with Richards,
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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, and
Orrin Porter Rockwell

June 1814–9 June 1878. Ferry operator, herdsman, farmer. Born in Belchertown, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Orin Rockwell and Sarah Witt. Moved to Farmington (later in Manchester), Ontario Co., New York, 1817. Neighbor to JS. Baptized into Church of...

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. Richards, who remained with JS until the moment of JS’s death on 27 June, evidently left JS’s journal in Nauvoo when the four men departed for
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

More Info
, Illinois. Richards, however, recorded in his own journal many of the events of the last five days of JS’s life. These events include JS’s arrival on 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
bank in
Iowa Territory

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...

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on the morning of 23 June and his trip to Carthage, during which JS and Hyrum gave themselves up to authorities on the charge of treason. Richards’s journal also recounts JS’s activities in Carthage during the days preceding his and Hyrum’s deaths. The material Richards recorded in his own journal during this time is in the same format and style as the record he had been keeping for JS. Richards’s hasty, terse notations and precise attention to details—illustrated by his practice of recording the specific times events occurred—indicate that he continuously carried his journal with him and recorded many of the events as he witnessed them, possibly with the intention of using the record to fill in JS’s journal at a later date. Richards’s journal entries for 23–27 June 1844 provide a contemporaneous firsthand account of JS’s activities during the last five days of his life, and they are reproduced here in full.
1

For additional details on the events leading to the deaths of JS and Hyrum Smith, see Oaks and Hill, Carthage Conspiracy.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Oaks, Dallin H., and Marvin S. Hill. Carthage Conspiracy: The Trial of the Accused Assassins of Joseph Smith. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1975.

Richards first inscribed portions of these entries in pencil and then rewrote them in ink. In a few cases, while overwriting, he skipped or altered the original penciled text. The transcription here reproduces the final ink version and does not capture the slight variations in the penciled text.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    For additional details on the events leading to the deaths of JS and Hyrum Smith, see Oaks and Hill, Carthage Conspiracy.

    Oaks, Dallin H., and Marvin S. Hill. Carthage Conspiracy: The Trial of the Accused Assassins of Joseph Smith. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1975.

Page [28]

26 June 1844 • Wednesday
Thursday [Wednesday] June 27 26th. 1844.— 7 A.M.— Joseph and
Hyum [Hyrum Smith]

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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eat with
[George] stigall

17 Mar. 1805–24 Sept. 1875. Coroner, sheriff, jailer. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Married first wife, before 1830. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, 1835. Moved to Carthage, Hancock Co., 1838. Appointed deputy sheriff of Hancock Co., in 1839. Elected coroner...

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— and after
Richds [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
.
Green [John P. Greene]

3 Sept. 1793–10 Sept. 1844. Farmer, shoemaker, printer, publisher. Born at Herkimer, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of John Coddington Greene and Anna Chapman. Married first Rhoda Young, 11 Feb. 1813. Moved to Aurelius, Cayuga Co., New York, 1814; to Brownsville...

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.
[Stephen] Markham

9 Feb. 1800–10 Mar. 1878. Carpenter, farmer, stock raiser. Born at Rush (later Avon), Ontario Co., New York. Son of David Markham and Dinah Merry. Moved to Mentor, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1809. Moved to Unionville, Geauga Co., 1810. Married Hannah Hogaboom, before...

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.
[Dan] Jones

4 Aug. 1811–6 Jan. 1862. Steamboat owner and captain, farmer, mayor. Born in Flintshire, Wales. Son of Thomas Jones and Ruth. Married Jane Melling, 3 Jan. 1837, in Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales. Immigrated to U.S., ca. 1840. Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois...

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. & one man eat.— befor 7 Dr Southwick
45

Southwick could be the “Mr Southwick”—possibly Wall Southwick—from Louisiana who arrived in Nauvoo on 20 June. According to Markham, Southwick was “a Man from Taxes [Texas] Trying to get Joseph to go to Texas with the church.” (JS, Journal, 20 June 1844; Stephen Markham, Fort Supply, Utah Terrotory, to Wilford Woodruff, 20 June 1856, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1860, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

went to see the
gove[r]nor

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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.
46

Illinois governor Thomas Ford.


[Lorenzo D.] wasson

1819–28 July 1857. Born in New York. Son of Benjamin Wasson and Elizabeth Hale. Lived at Harpursville, Broome Co., New York, by 1836. Moved to Farmington, Fulton Co., Illinois, Aug. 1836; to Palestine Grove, Ogle Co. (later Amboy, Lee Co.), Illinois, Dec....

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— 7½
Markhm

9 Feb. 1800–10 Mar. 1878. Carpenter, farmer, stock raiser. Born at Rush (later Avon), Ontario Co., New York. Son of David Markham and Dinah Merry. Moved to Mentor, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1809. Moved to Unionville, Geauga Co., 1810. Married Hannah Hogaboom, before...

View Full Bio
&
Jonse

4 Aug. 1811–6 Jan. 1862. Steamboat owner and captain, farmer, mayor. Born in Flintshire, Wales. Son of Thomas Jones and Ruth. Married Jane Melling, 3 Jan. 1837, in Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales. Immigrated to U.S., ca. 1840. Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois...

View Full Bio
went. and one betwe[e]n their messages—
47

According to the compilers of JS’s history, Wasson, Markham, and Jones went to Thomas Ford with messages. (JS History, vol. F-1, 162.)


but at Eight got no retu[r]n.— Joseph sent to his counsel by messnges [messengers] that he wantd a cha[n]ge of venue.
48

According to the compilers of JS’s history, JS wanted his venue changed to Quincy. (JS History, vol. F-1, 162.)


till 8.— Joseph &
Hyrm

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
had converatin [conversation] with
Jailer Stigall

17 Mar. 1805–24 Sept. 1875. Coroner, sheriff, jailer. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Married first wife, before 1830. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, 1835. Moved to Carthage, Hancock Co., 1838. Appointed deputy sheriff of Hancock Co., in 1839. Elected coroner...

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said last week wedne[s]day th[e]y were calculating to have made an attack on
Nauvo[o]

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
& th[e]y expected expectd 9000 troops. but there was not 200— th[e]y had sent runne[r]s to
Missou[r]i

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
and all rou[n]d the counties.—
8.10 minutes. wrote the
goven

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
—— by
stigall

17 Mar. 1805–24 Sept. 1875. Coroner, sheriff, jailer. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Married first wife, before 1830. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, 1835. Moved to Carthage, Hancock Co., 1838. Appointed deputy sheriff of Hancock Co., in 1839. Elected coroner...

View Full Bio
—
49

“I would again solicit your Excellency for an interview,” JS wrote Thomas Ford, “having been much disappointed the past evening. . . . We have been committed under a false Mittimus and consequently the proceedings are illegal & we desire the time may be hastened when all things shall be made right & we relieved from this imprison[men]t.” (JS, Carthage, IL, to Thomas Ford, Carthage, IL, 26 June 1844, copy, JS Collection, CHL.)


8½—
Markham

9 Feb. 1800–10 Mar. 1878. Carpenter, farmer, stock raiser. Born at Rush (later Avon), Ontario Co., New York. Son of David Markham and Dinah Merry. Moved to Mentor, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1809. Moved to Unionville, Geauga Co., 1810. Married Hannah Hogaboom, before...

View Full Bio
&
Jones

4 Aug. 1811–6 Jan. 1862. Steamboat owner and captain, farmer, mayor. Born in Flintshire, Wales. Son of Thomas Jones and Ruth. Married Jane Melling, 3 Jan. 1837, in Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales. Immigrated to U.S., ca. 1840. Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois...

View Full Bio
retur[ne]d. said the
Gov

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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was taken by surprise last eve & was very sorry—— was afraid we wo[u]ld think he had forfitd [forfeited] his— word. abo[u]t havi[n]g an interview. that the wrath of the people was ab[o]ut to turn on the head of the mob. Jackson
50

Probably Joseph H. Jackson.


&c— that the
gov

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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was doing as fast as he can—
12 mi[nutes] before 9— answer retu[r]ned by
Gov

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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on the same sheet.—
51

In his letter to Thomas Ford written earlier in the day, JS asked the governor to “send an answer p[e]r bearer.” Ford replied, “The interview will take place at my earliest leisure to day.” (Thomas Ford, Carthage, IL, to JS, Carthage, IL, 26 June 1844, appended to JS, Carthage, IL, to Thomas Ford, Carthage, IL, 26 June 1844, copy, JS Collection, CHL.)


10 mi[nutes] to 9—
Mr [Hugh] Reid

8 Oct. 1811–21 Aug. 1874. Farmer, lawyer, land developer, railroad owner and operator. Born in what became Union Co., Indiana. Son of James Reid and Ann Thompson. Graduated from Indiana College, 1837. Admitted to Indiana bar, 1839. Moved to Fort Madison, ...

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— and othe[r]s arrivd at Jail and investigatd— [p. [28]]
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Cite this page

Source Note

Document Transcript

Page [28]

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Appendix 3: Willard Richards, Journal Excerpt, 23–27 June 1844
ID #
7059
Total Pages
19
Print Volume Location
JSP, J3:303–330
Handwriting on This Page
  • William Clayton

Footnotes

  1. [45]

    Southwick could be the “Mr Southwick”—possibly Wall Southwick—from Louisiana who arrived in Nauvoo on 20 June. According to Markham, Southwick was “a Man from Taxes [Texas] Trying to get Joseph to go to Texas with the church.” (JS, Journal, 20 June 1844; Stephen Markham, Fort Supply, Utah Terrotory, to Wilford Woodruff, 20 June 1856, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1860, CHL.)

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

  2. [46]

    Illinois governor Thomas Ford.

  3. [47]

    According to the compilers of JS’s history, Wasson, Markham, and Jones went to Thomas Ford with messages. (JS History, vol. F-1, 162.)

  4. [48]

    According to the compilers of JS’s history, JS wanted his venue changed to Quincy. (JS History, vol. F-1, 162.)

  5. [49]

    “I would again solicit your Excellency for an interview,” JS wrote Thomas Ford, “having been much disappointed the past evening. . . . We have been committed under a false Mittimus and consequently the proceedings are illegal & we desire the time may be hastened when all things shall be made right & we relieved from this imprison[men]t.” (JS, Carthage, IL, to Thomas Ford, Carthage, IL, 26 June 1844, copy, JS Collection, CHL.)

  6. [50]

    Probably Joseph H. Jackson.

  7. [51]

    In his letter to Thomas Ford written earlier in the day, JS asked the governor to “send an answer p[e]r bearer.” Ford replied, “The interview will take place at my earliest leisure to day.” (Thomas Ford, Carthage, IL, to JS, Carthage, IL, 26 June 1844, appended to JS, Carthage, IL, to Thomas Ford, Carthage, IL, 26 June 1844, copy, JS Collection, CHL.)

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