The Papers
Browse the PapersDocumentsJournalsAdministrative RecordsRevelations and TranslationsHistoriesLegal RecordsFinancial RecordsOther Contemporary Papers
Reference
PeoplePlacesEventsGlossaryLegal GlossaryFinancial GlossaryCalendar of DocumentsWorks CitedFeatured TopicsLesson PlansRelated Publications
Media
VideosPhotographsIllustrationsChartsMapsPodcasts
News
Current NewsArchiveNewsletterSubscribeJSP Conferences
About
About the ProjectJoseph Smith and His PapersFAQAwardsEndorsementsReviewsEditorial MethodNote on TranscriptionsNote on Images of People and PlacesReferencing the ProjectCiting This WebsiteProject TeamContact Us
Published Volumes
  1. Home > 
  2. The Papers > 

Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 3, 6 May 1845–13 January 1846

6 May 1845 • Tuesday, continued Page 1 10 May 1845 • Saturday Page 4 9 September 1845 • Tuesday Page 13 30 September 1845 • Tuesday Page 33 4 October 1845 • Saturday Page 42 11 January 1846 • Sunday Page 85 13 January 1846 • Tuesday Page 109

Source Note

See source note under Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 1, 10 March 1844–1 March 1845.

Historical Introduction

See historical introduction under Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 1, 10 March 1844–1 March 1845.

Page [33]

30 September 1845 • Tuesday

Editorial Note
The 30 September 1845 meeting of the council occurred in the context of a renewed outbreak of anti-Mormon violence in
Hancock 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
. In early September rising tensions with anti-Mormon forces in the areas surrounding
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
culminated in mob violence against Mormons and their property in several outlying settlements. On 10 September,
Brigham Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
learned that anti-Mormon mobs were operating at
Isaac Morley

11 Mar. 1786–24 June 1865. Farmer, cooper, merchant, postmaster. Born at Montague, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Thomas Morley and Editha (Edith) Marsh. Family affiliated with Presbyterian church. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, before 1812. Married...

View Full Bio
’s settlement,
Yelrome

Also called Yelrome and Morley Town. Area in southwest corner of county, on the Hancock-Adams county line. Settled by refugee Saints from Missouri, spring 1839. Formally laid out by county surveyor on forty-nine acres, 26–28 Mar. 1844. At least seventy Latter...

More Info
, some twenty-five miles south of Nauvoo.
45

Young, Journal, 10 Sept. 1845.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

The next day Young received further news of the mob’s activities, which reportedly included the burning of six houses.
Solomon Hancock

15 Aug. 1793/1794–2 Dec. 1847. Born at Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts. Son of Thomas Hancock III and Amy Ward. Moved to Wolcott, Seneca Co., New York, by 1810. Joined Methodist church, 1814. Married first Alta Adams, 12 Mar. 1815. Moved to Columbia...

View Full Bio
wrote a desperate letter to Young on 11 September informing him of the burnings and reporting that the mob had threatened “the lives of our men women and children” if the Mormons did not remove from the area immediately.
46

Young, Journal, 11 and 12 Sept. 1845; Solomon Hancock to Brigham Young, 11 Sept. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

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

Young urged Hancock to attempt to conciliate the mob by offering to sell the Mormons’ property to them but also dispatched a letter to Hancock County sheriff
Jacob B. Backenstos

8 Oct. 1811–25 Sept. 1857. Merchant, sheriff, soldier, politician, land speculator. Born at Lower Paxton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob Backenstos and Margaretha Theis. Member of Lutheran Reformed Church. Married Sarah Lavina Lee, niece of Robert...

View Full Bio
asking him to take “prompt and immediate steps to quell the mob and preserve the lives and property of those who are in danger.” Young asked Backenstos to “inform the
Governor

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
as speedily as possible, and see if he will not do some thing in the matter to put a stop to the carreer of the mob and prevent further depredations.”
47

Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Solomon Hancock, 11 Sept. 1845, copy; Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Jacob B. Backenstos, 11 Sept. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Backenstos

8 Oct. 1811–25 Sept. 1857. Merchant, sheriff, soldier, politician, land speculator. Born at Lower Paxton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob Backenstos and Margaretha Theis. Member of Lutheran Reformed Church. Married Sarah Lavina Lee, niece of Robert...

View Full Bio
responded aggressively against what he considered an “insurrection” and promised
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
that he would “quell the mob peacable if I can, & forceably if we must.” Backenstos had only days earlier instructed Young to have the Mormons organize a militia, but Young and others were hesitant to place themselves under the authority of Governor
Thomas Ford

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
given their mistrust of his intentions. Now Backenstos raised a posse under his own authority to bring the offending mobbers to justice. He was unhappy to hear of Young’s instructions to the Mormons in the outlying settlements to try to sell their land to appease the mob because he felt it was their duty to “protect the settlements.” Backenstos warned that the Mormons needed to be willing to “stand their ground & protect their own property” or non-Mormon citizens such as himself would not be as willing to fight for them in the conflict. He told Young to “hold in readiness at least 2000 well armed men for immediate service at any hour that I or the executive officers may need them to quell the Mob.”
48

Jacob B. Backenstos, Carthage, IL, to Brigham Young, 13 Sept. 1845, underlining in original; Jacob B. Backenstos, Carthage, IL, to [Brigham Young et al.], 10 Sept. 1845; Jacob B. Backenstos, Carthage, IL, to [Brigham Young], 15 Sept. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL, underlining in original.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Young responded by departing from his initial pacific stance and telling the threatened Mormons, “If the mob comes to disturb you, at the first aggression on yourselves or property give them the cold lead or obey the Sheriff’s council.”
49

Brigham Young, “An Epistle to the Saints in Ramus,” 16 Sept. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Despite
Backenstos

8 Oct. 1811–25 Sept. 1857. Merchant, sheriff, soldier, politician, land speculator. Born at Lower Paxton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob Backenstos and Margaretha Theis. Member of Lutheran Reformed Church. Married Sarah Lavina Lee, niece of Robert...

View Full Bio
’s urging that the conflict should be escalated,
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
took further steps to try to mitigate the surging violence. He issued a statement addressed to
Levi Williams

18 Apr. 1794–27 Nov. 1860. Postmaster, farmer, military officer. Born in Madison Co., Kentucky. Married Mary (Polly) Reid. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, eventually settling in Green Plains. Served in Black Hawk War, 1832. Served as captain in ...

View Full Bio
, the supposed leader of the mob attacking Mormon homes, that stated unequivocally that the entire Mormon community intended to “leave
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
and the
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
next spring.” However, Young stated that their timely removal would occur only if “yourselves and all others will cease all hostile operations, so as to give us the short but necessary time for our journey” and the “opportunity of carrying out our designs peaceably.”
50

Brigham Young et al., Proclamation: To Col. Levi Williams (Nauvoo, IL: 16 Sept. 1845), copy at CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Young, Brigham, et al. Proclamation: To Col. Levi Williams. Nauvoo, IL: 16 Sept. 1845. Copy at CHL.

A week later a committee was dispatched by a group of citizens from
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, to broker a peace by confirming Mormon plans to leave the
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
. In response,
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
prepared a statement for publication that reiterated the Mormons’ intention to leave in the spring.
51

“Disturbances in Hancock,” Quincy (IL) Whig, 24 Sept. 1845, [2]; Clayton, Journal, 24 Sept. 1845; Whereas a council of the authorities (Nauvoo, IL: 24 Sept. 1845), copy at BYU.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Quincy Whig. Quincy, IL. 1838–1856.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Whereas a council of the authorities. Nauvoo, IL: 24 Sept. 1845. Copy at BYU.

Despite such overtures from the Mormons, Backenstos was determined that the mobbers would be brought to heel by force of arms alone and informed Young of his intentions to march on
Warsaw

Located at foot of Des Moines rapids of Mississippi River at site of three military forts: Fort Johnson (1814), Cantonment Davis (1815–1818), and Fort Edwards (1816–1824). First settlers participated in fur trade. Important trade and shipping center. Post...

More Info
, a hotbed of anti-Mormon sentiment; defeat any lawless defenders; and occupy the place until order could be restored.
52

Jacob B. Backenstos, “6 Miles from Nauvoo,” IL, to Brigham Young, 18 Sept. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Young again urged restraint on Backenstos and delayed the delivery of cannons that Backenstos had demanded from Nauvoo as well as the additional men to join his posse. Young pleaded with Backenstos to avoid forcing the mob into a situation where they could not flee but felt they must “fight or die,” observing that this would “be construed into a barbarous act and operate upon the public mind against us.”
53

Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Jacob B. Backenstos, 18 Sept. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Young urged Backenstos and others to “return with the posse to this place without delay” and “be wise in all their moveme[n]ts and save the lives of their men.” He added, “The life of one good man is worth a 1000 murderers.”
54

Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to George Miller, 19 Sept. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Backenstos’s posse occupied
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
and Warsaw but without the feared bloodshed.
Not surprisingly, many of the non-Mormon residents in the surrounding area were outraged that
Backenstos

8 Oct. 1811–25 Sept. 1857. Merchant, sheriff, soldier, politician, land speculator. Born at Lower Paxton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob Backenstos and Margaretha Theis. Member of Lutheran Reformed Church. Married Sarah Lavina Lee, niece of Robert...

View Full Bio
had sided with the Mormon communities. While Backenstos’s firm actions halted the house burnings and plunderings for a time, the resulting outrage at this show of pro-Mormon force heightened tensions to a level not seen since JS’s murder fifteen months earlier—tensions not alleviated by the Mormons’ public declaration of their intention to remove from the place entirely. The Warsaw Signal reported on what it considered to be a murder committed by Backenstos’s posse, and letters detailing alleged Mormon aggressions were sent to a St. Louis newspaper and republished elsewhere, stoking the fires of those opposed to the Mormons.
55

See “Murder of One of Our Best Men,” Warsaw (IL) Signal, 17 Sept. 1845, [2]; “The Civil War in Illinois,” Daily Missouri Republican (St. Louis), 17 Sept. 1845, [2]; Warsaw, IL, 17 Sept. 1845, Letter to the Editor, Daily Missouri Republican, 20 Sept. 1845, [2]; and [A. B. Chambers], Warsaw, IL, 18 Sept. 1845, Letter to the Editor, Daily Missouri Republican, 21 Sept. 1845, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

Daily Missouri Republican. St. Louis. 1822–1869.

Governor Ford

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
, fearing that violence was once again spiraling out of control in
Hancock 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
, responded to
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
’s initial request for intervention by
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
forces by dispatching General
John J. Hardin

6 Jan. 1810–23 Feb. 1847. Lawyer, politician, military officer. Born in Frankfort, Franklin Co., Kentucky. Son of Martin D. Hardin and Elizabeth Logan. Moved to Lawrenceburg, Franklin Co., by 1820. Married Sarah E. Smith, 13 Jan. 1831, in Mercer Co., Kentucky...

View Full Bio
with the state militia to occupy the region. Ford was further alarmed at reports that mobs of angry citizens from neighboring states were intending to travel to Hancock County to fight against the Mormons and issued a stern executive order that any such persons would be “chastised in a most summary manner” and “tried for their crimes and punished according to law.”
56

Thomas Ford, Proclamation, 26 Sept. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

After
Hardin

6 Jan. 1810–23 Feb. 1847. Lawyer, politician, military officer. Born in Frankfort, Franklin Co., Kentucky. Son of Martin D. Hardin and Elizabeth Logan. Moved to Lawrenceburg, Franklin Co., by 1820. Married Sarah E. Smith, 13 Jan. 1831, in Mercer Co., Kentucky...

View Full Bio
arrived in
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
with troops, he discharged
Backenstos

8 Oct. 1811–25 Sept. 1857. Merchant, sheriff, soldier, politician, land speculator. Born at Lower Paxton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob Backenstos and Margaretha Theis. Member of Lutheran Reformed Church. Married Sarah Lavina Lee, niece of Robert...

View Full Bio
’s posse on 28 September and affirmed that he would take a neutral part in the difficulties and settle them peaceably.
57

Hiram G. Ferris, Carthage, IL, to Jacob B. Backenstos, Nauvoo, IL, 28 Sept. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

This meeting of the Council of Fifty convened only two days later amid great public tensions and uncertainty as to the course of the
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
troops.
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
told the council that he had made a selection of who from the council should go west: “the whole council, with their families and neighbors.” The council then endorsed the proposal that “the business of our removal be laid before the General Conference,” scheduled to convene in less than a week.
During the meeting,
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
asked
Charles C. Rich

21 Aug. 1809–17 Nov. 1883. Schoolteacher, farmer, cooper. Born in Campbell Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Rich and Nancy O’Neal. Moved to Posey Township, Dearborn Co., Indiana, ca. 1810. Moved to Tazewell Co., Illinois, 1829. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ...

View Full Bio
to leave and gather information regarding
Hardin

6 Jan. 1810–23 Feb. 1847. Lawyer, politician, military officer. Born in Frankfort, Franklin Co., Kentucky. Son of Martin D. Hardin and Elizabeth Logan. Moved to Lawrenceburg, Franklin Co., by 1820. Married Sarah E. Smith, 13 Jan. 1831, in Mercer Co., Kentucky...

View Full Bio
’s troops, who were reportedly en route to
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
. When Rich returned, he informed the council that Hardin’s troops had arrived in the city and were waiting near the
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
to meet with “the Twelve and authorities of the place.” In addition,
Backenstos

8 Oct. 1811–25 Sept. 1857. Merchant, sheriff, soldier, politician, land speculator. Born at Lower Paxton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob Backenstos and Margaretha Theis. Member of Lutheran Reformed Church. Married Sarah Lavina Lee, niece of Robert...

View Full Bio
and
Stephen A. Douglas

23 Apr. 1813–3 June 1861. Lawyer, politician. Born at Brandon, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Stephen Arnold Douglass and Sarah Fisk. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, 1830. Moved to Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Illinois, 1833. Served as attorney general of Illinois...

View Full Bio
were at
John Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

View Full Bio
’s home and also wished to meet with church leaders. The council then adjourned so that the Twelve and a few others could meet first with Backenstos and Douglas and then with Hardin.

Tuesday Sepr. 30th. 1845 Council met pursuant to adjournment in the upper room of the
seventies Hall

Two-story brick building located at northeast corner of Parley and Bain streets on land donated by Edward and Ann Hunter. Construction began, fall 1843. At least one wall completed, by 16 Mar. 1844. Windstorm toppled wall, 16–17 Mar. 1844. Rebuilt under supervision...

More Info
and organised at 10 o clock A. M.
58

The previous council meeting on 9 September had adjourned until the “30th. inst. at 9. A.M.” (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 9 Sept. 1845.)


President
B[righam] Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
in the chair Present
S[amuel] Bent

19 July 1778–16 Aug. 1846. Born in Barre, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joel Bent and Mary Mason. Married first Mary Kilburn, 3 Mar. 1805, in Wendell, Franklin Co., Massachusetts. Colonel in Massachusetts militia. Lived in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts...

View Full Bio
,
A[lpheus] Cutler

29 Feb. 1784–10 June 1864. Stonemason. Born in Plainfield, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of Knight Cutler and Elizabeth Boyd. Married Lois Lathrop, 17 Nov. 1808, in Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire. Moved to Upper Lisle, Broome Co., New York, ca. 1808...

View Full Bio
,
S[hadrach] Roundy

1 Jan. 1789–4 July 1872. Merchant. Born at Rockingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Uriah Roundy and Lucretia Needham. Married Betsy Quimby, 22 June 1814, at Rockingham. Lived at Spafford, Onondaga Co., New York. Member of Freewill Baptist Church in Spafford...

View Full Bio
,
R[eynolds] Cahoon

30 Apr. 1790–29 Apr. 1861. Farmer, tanner, builder. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Son of William Cahoon Jr. and Mehitable Hodges. Married Thirza Stiles, 11 Dec. 1810. Moved to northeastern Ohio, 1811. Located at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co.,...

View Full Bio
,
W[illiam] W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
,
D[aniel] Spencer

20 July 1794–8 Dec. 1868. Rancher, merchant. Born in West Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Daniel Spencer and Chloe Wilson. Moved to Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia, ca. 1816. Operated a mercantile business in Savannah. Returned to West Stockbridge...

View Full Bio
,
G[eorge] 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
,
N[ewel] 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
,
P[eter] 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
,
J[oseph] Fielding

26 Mar. 1797–19 Dec. 1863. Farmer. Born at Honeydon, Bedfordshire, England. Son of John Fielding and Rachel Ibbotson. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, 21 May 1836, in Black Creek...

View Full Bio
,
J[oseph] Young

7 Apr. 1797–16 July 1881. Farmer, painter, glazier. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Moved to Auburn, Cayuga Co., New York, before 1830. Joined Methodist church, before Apr. 1832. Baptized into Church...

View Full Bio
,
J[ohn] E. Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

View Full Bio
,
L[ucien] Woodworth

3 Apr. 1799–after 1860. Architect, laborer, carpenter. Born in Thetford, Orange Co., Vermont. Married Phebe Watrous. Moved to Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., New York, by 1830; to Missouri, by 1839; and to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by 1841. Architect of Nauvoo...

View Full Bio
,
J[ohn] M. Bernhisel

23 June 1799–28 Sept. 1881. Physician, politician. Born in Sandy Hill, Tyrone Township, Cumberland Co. (later in Perry Co.), Pennsylvania. Son of Samuel Bernhisel and Susannah Bower. Attended medical lectures at University of Pennsylvania, 1818, in Philadelphia...

View Full Bio
,
J[ohn] D. Parker

22 Nov. 1799–26 Feb. 1891. Farmer, wainwright. Born in Saratoga, Saratoga Co., New York. Son of Abel Parker and Mary Davies. Served in War of 1812 as teamster in General John E. Wool’s company, 1813–1814. Married Harriet Sherwood. Moved to Galway, Saratoga...

View Full Bio
,
T[heodore] Turley

10 Apr. 1801–12 Aug. 1871. Mechanic, gunsmith, brewer, farmer, blacksmith, gristmill operator. Born at Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. Son of William Turley and Elizabeth Yates. Associated with Methodism, by 1818. Married Frances Amelia Kimberley, 26 Nov...

View Full Bio
,
H[eber] C. Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

View Full Bio
,
O[rson] Spencer

14 Mar./13 May 1802–15 Oct. 1855. Teacher, minister, university professor and chancellor. Born in West Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Daniel Spencer and Chloe Wilson. Moved to Lenox, Berkshire Co., 1817; to Schenectady, Schenectady Co.,...

View Full Bio
,
D[avid] Fullmer

7 July 1803–21 Oct. 1879. Teacher, merchant, farmer. Born in Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Fullmer and Susannah Zerfoss. Moved to Huntington Township, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Married Rhoda Ann Marvin, 18...

View Full Bio
,
P[hilip] B. Lewis

16 Jan. 1804–13 Nov. 1877. Farmer, manufacturer, tinner. Born in Marblehead, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Edmund Lewis and Abigail Prentiss. Moved to Pawtucket, Providence Co., Rhode Island, 1827. Moved to New Bedford, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, 1830...

View Full Bio
,
E[lias] Smith

6 Sept. 1804–24 June 1888. Teacher, printer, postmaster, bookkeeper, probate judge, newspaper editor. Born in Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Asahel Smith and Elizabeth Schellenger. Moved to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1809. Baptized into...

View Full Bio
,
A[lbert] P. Rockwood

9 June 1805–25 Nov. 1879. Stonecutter, merchant, prison warden. Born in Holliston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Luther Rockwood and Ruth Perry. Married Nancy Haven, 4 Apr. 1827. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Brigham ...

View Full Bio
,
L[ucian] R. Foster

12 Nov. 1806–19 Mar. 1876. Photographer, accountant, bookkeeper, clerk. Born in New Marlboro, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Nathaniel Foster and Polly. Married first Harriet Eliza Burr. Married second Mary Ann Graham. Baptized into Church of Jesus ...

View Full Bio
,
P[arley] P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

View Full Bio
,
D[avid] D. Yearsley

3 Mar. 1808–Oct. 1849. Merchant. Born in Thornbury Township, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Nathan Yearsley and Elizabeth Worrall. Married Mary Ann Hoopes, 4 Sept. 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by JS, 22 July 1841, in ...

View Full Bio
,
J[ohn] Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

View Full Bio
,
C[harles] C. Rich

21 Aug. 1809–17 Nov. 1883. Schoolteacher, farmer, cooper. Born in Campbell Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Rich and Nancy O’Neal. Moved to Posey Township, Dearborn Co., Indiana, ca. 1810. Moved to Tazewell Co., Illinois, 1829. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ...

View Full Bio
,
J[ohn] D. Lee

6 Sept. 1812–23 Mar. 1877. Farmer, courier, riverboat ferryman, policeman, merchant, colonizer. Born in Kaskaskia, Randolph Co., Illinois Territory. Son of Ralph Lee and Elizabeth Doyle. Served in Black Hawk War, 1831. Married Agatha Ann Woolsey, 23 July ...

View Full Bio
,
A[masa] Lyman

30 Mar. 1813–4 Feb. 1877. Boatman, gunsmith, farmer. Born at Lyman, Grafton Co., New Hampshire. Son of Roswell Lyman and Martha Mason. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Lyman E. Johnson, 27 Apr. 1832. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co....

View Full Bio
,
G[eorge] D. Grant

10 Sept. 1812–20 Sept. 1876. Farmer. Born in Windsor, Broome Co., New York. Son of Joshua Grant and Athalia Howard. Moved to Naples, Ontario Co., New York, by 1830. Married Elizabeth Wilson, 22 Jan. 1834, in Naples. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

View Full Bio
,
J[oseph] W. Coolidge

31 May 1814–13 Jan. 1871. Carpenter, miller, merchant. Born in Bangor, Hancock Co., Maine. Son of John Kittridge Coolidge and Rebecca Stone Wellington. Moved to Cincinnati, by 1817. Moved to area of Mackinaw, Tazewell Co., Illinois, 1834. Married Elizabeth...

View Full Bio
,
G[eorge] A. Smith

26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...

View Full Bio
,
E[rastus] Snow

9 Nov. 1818–27 May 1888. Farmer, teacher, merchant, publisher, manufacturer. Born at St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Son of Levi Snow and Lucina Streeter. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by William Snow, 3 Feb. 1833, at Charleston...

View Full Bio
,
B[enjamin] F. Johnson

28 July 1818–18 Nov. 1905. Brickmaker, merchant, tavern keeper, leatherworker, farmer, nurseryman, beekeeper. Born at Pomfret, Chautauque Co., New York. Son of Ezekiel Johnson and Julia Hills. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1833. Baptized into Church...

View Full Bio
,
W[illard] 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
&
Wm 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
.
The council was opened with prayer by Coun.
J. D. Parker

22 Nov. 1799–26 Feb. 1891. Farmer, wainwright. Born in Saratoga, Saratoga Co., New York. Son of Abel Parker and Mary Davies. Served in War of 1812 as teamster in General John E. Wool’s company, 1813–1814. Married Harriet Sherwood. Moved to Galway, Saratoga...

View Full Bio
.
59

According to Willard Richards, at the start of this meeting Brigham Young related a dream in which he saw a room full of people with animal heads or otherwise misshapen faces. Despite their grotesque appearance, Young said that they “had no power to hurt any body.” Young stated that while he was looking at these people, he conversed with Stephen A. Douglas about “those objects of pity” that they were observing. Douglas commented that he “thought it a curious pass this gen[er]ation had come to.” (Richards, Journal, 30 Sept. 1845.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

The minutes of the last council was then read and accepted. [p. [33]]
View entire transcript

|

Cite this page

Source Note

Document Transcript

Page [33]

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 3, 6 May 1845–13 January 1846
ID #
11603
Total Pages
387
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • William Clayton

Footnotes

  1. [45]

    Young, Journal, 10 Sept. 1845.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

  2. [46]

    Young, Journal, 11 and 12 Sept. 1845; Solomon Hancock to Brigham Young, 11 Sept. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

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

  3. [47]

    Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Solomon Hancock, 11 Sept. 1845, copy; Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Jacob B. Backenstos, 11 Sept. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

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

  4. [48]

    Jacob B. Backenstos, Carthage, IL, to Brigham Young, 13 Sept. 1845, underlining in original; Jacob B. Backenstos, Carthage, IL, to [Brigham Young et al.], 10 Sept. 1845; Jacob B. Backenstos, Carthage, IL, to [Brigham Young], 15 Sept. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL, underlining in original.

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

  5. [49]

    Brigham Young, “An Epistle to the Saints in Ramus,” 16 Sept. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

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

  6. [50]

    Brigham Young et al., Proclamation: To Col. Levi Williams (Nauvoo, IL: 16 Sept. 1845), copy at CHL.

    Young, Brigham, et al. Proclamation: To Col. Levi Williams. Nauvoo, IL: 16 Sept. 1845. Copy at CHL.

  7. [51]

    “Disturbances in Hancock,” Quincy (IL) Whig, 24 Sept. 1845, [2]; Clayton, Journal, 24 Sept. 1845; Whereas a council of the authorities (Nauvoo, IL: 24 Sept. 1845), copy at BYU.

    Quincy Whig. Quincy, IL. 1838–1856.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

    Whereas a council of the authorities. Nauvoo, IL: 24 Sept. 1845. Copy at BYU.

  8. [52]

    Jacob B. Backenstos, “6 Miles from Nauvoo,” IL, to Brigham Young, 18 Sept. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

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

  9. [53]

    Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Jacob B. Backenstos, 18 Sept. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

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

  10. [54]

    Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to George Miller, 19 Sept. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

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

  11. [55]

    See “Murder of One of Our Best Men,” Warsaw (IL) Signal, 17 Sept. 1845, [2]; “The Civil War in Illinois,” Daily Missouri Republican (St. Louis), 17 Sept. 1845, [2]; Warsaw, IL, 17 Sept. 1845, Letter to the Editor, Daily Missouri Republican, 20 Sept. 1845, [2]; and [A. B. Chambers], Warsaw, IL, 18 Sept. 1845, Letter to the Editor, Daily Missouri Republican, 21 Sept. 1845, [2].

    Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

    Daily Missouri Republican. St. Louis. 1822–1869.

  12. [56]

    Thomas Ford, Proclamation, 26 Sept. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

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

  13. [57]

    Hiram G. Ferris, Carthage, IL, to Jacob B. Backenstos, Nauvoo, IL, 28 Sept. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

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

  14. [58]

    The previous council meeting on 9 September had adjourned until the “30th. inst. at 9. A.M.” (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 9 Sept. 1845.)

  15. [59]

    According to Willard Richards, at the start of this meeting Brigham Young related a dream in which he saw a room full of people with animal heads or otherwise misshapen faces. Despite their grotesque appearance, Young said that they “had no power to hurt any body.” Young stated that while he was looking at these people, he conversed with Stephen A. Douglas about “those objects of pity” that they were observing. Douglas commented that he “thought it a curious pass this gen[er]ation had come to.” (Richards, Journal, 30 Sept. 1845.)

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Terms of UseUpdated 2021-04-13Privacy NoticeUpdated 2021-04-06