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Historian’s Office, Martyrdom Account, Draft

Source Note

Historian’s Office, martyrdom account, draft; handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw,
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...

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, and
Thomas Bullock

23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...

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; 57 pages plus several inserted pages; CHL.
For more information on the History Drafts, see Introduction to History Drafts, 1844–1856.

Historical Introduction

The “Historian’s Office, Martyrdom Account, Draft,” and the “Historian’s Office, Martyrdom Account” are the two complete, extant iterations of efforts by later church historians to record the murder of JS and
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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, including the events leading up to their deaths and the immediate aftermath. As stated at the beginning of both accounts, the information was compiled from a number of different sources, including other journals, letters, and various other documents. It was put into a cohesive narrative during the 1850s by Church Historian’s Office clerks
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...

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, Jonathan Grimshaw, and
Thomas Bullock

23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...

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, presumably under the direction of the church historian,
George 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,...

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.
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...

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was the initial scribe for approximately the first half of “Historian’s Office, Martyrdom Account, Draft,” and Grimshaw was the primary scribe for the remainder. Sometimes slips of paper were attached to pages of the draft with additional or alternative text to be included with a specific page. Page 12 of the draft has a notation by Grimshaw indicating that previously drafted text was to be added to the draft; instead of copying the text, he simply inserted a whole leaf into the draft. This leaf, in
Bullock

23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...

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’s handwriting, contains various numbered vignettes. It appears to be part of a larger collection of vignettes, as it is paginated “5” and “6,” and is likely the surviving portion of an earlier iteration of the martyrdom account by Thomas Bullock. The remainder of Bullock’s effort is not extant.
“Historian’s Office, Martyrdom Account,” which is a more final copy written primarily by Grimshaw in the mid-1850s, similarly has slips of papers attached. It also includes several leaves that were physically removed from “Martyrdom Account, Draft”; these leaves were renumbered to match the pagination of the copy: pages 7–10 in the draft became pages 11–14 in the more final copy; pages 13–14 became 19–20; most extensively, pages 19–52 became 27–60; and finally, page 57, the last page of the draft, became page 73 in the new version. Although these leaves are cataloged with the more final copy, this website presents the pages both in the draft, as originally paginated, and in the more final copy, with the new pagination. Two additional items were added at the end of the more final copy. A bifolium paginated as “75” and “2” and written on the back of a printed Utah Territory legal form gives an account of the arrival of the bodies of JS and Hyrum Smith in Nauvoo as well as the funeral and burial. It was written by Grimshaw and edited by
Bullock

23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...

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from information given by
Dimick B. Huntington

26 May 1808–1 Feb. 1879. Farmer, blacksmith, shoemaker, constable, coroner, deputy sheriff, Indian interpreter. Born at Watertown, Jefferson Co., New York. Son of William Huntington and Zina Baker. Married Fannie Maria Allen, 28 Apr. 1830. Baptized into Church...

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. On the final leaf, which is torn and is paginated “76,” Bullock drafted an introduction to a passage from
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...

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’s History of Illinois, with instructions to include the passage from Ford’s history in the martyrdom account.
Both the draft and the more final copy were edited by
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...

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, Grimshaw, and
Bullock

23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...

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. It is not clear when the edits were made. The more final copy of the account appears to be what was used in 1856 when the final version was copied into the last volume of the Joseph Smith’s multivolume manuscript history (JS History, vol. F-1, 147, 151–204).

Page 28

sent the letter by
Cyrus <​C​>

20 Dec. 1817–25 Dec. 1889. Farmer, teacher, fruit grower, wood chopper. Born in Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio. Son of Samuel Canfield and Sabina Davenport. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by June...

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Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.


Canfield

20 Dec. 1817–25 Dec. 1889. Farmer, teacher, fruit grower, wood chopper. Born in Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio. Son of Samuel Canfield and Sabina Davenport. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by June...

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.
It was common conversation on the Camp ground and in the dining room of the
Hotel

Also referred to as Hamilton house and Hamilton’s tavern. Located on southwest corner of Main and Washington streets, one block south and four blocks east of Carthage jail. Owned and primarily operated by Artois Hamilton, ca. 1836–1853. Illinois governor ...

More Info
<​in the presence of
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...

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.​>

Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.


“The law is too short for these men, but they must not be suffered to go at large” and “If the law will not reach them, powder and ball must”
<​
Wheelock

28 Feb. 1813–11 Oct. 1894. Steamboat captain, farmer, lawyer, minister. Born in Henderson, Jefferson Co., New York. Son of Asa Wheelock and Lucy Hibbard. Lived in Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., 1820. Moved to Lyme, Jefferson Co., by 1830. Married Olive Parrish...

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​>

Insertion written vertically over the preceding paragraph in the center of the page, apparently indicating that this information came from Cyrus H. Wheelock; handwriting of Leo Hawkins.


1/2 past 2.
Constable Bettisworth

14 July 1814–8 Nov. 1866. Constable, merchant. Born in Virginia. Son of Evan Bettisworth and Drusilla Bean. Moved to Chili Township, Hancock Co., Illinois, 1833. Hancock County constable who arrested JS, 12 June 1844. Carried news of deaths of JS and Hyrum...

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came with
<​Alexander​>

8 Nov. 1807–16 Aug. 1867. Trader, saw mill operator, land developer. Born in Green Co., Kentucky. Son of William Sympson and Mary Clendennin. Resided in Greensburg, Green Co., 1810. Moved to Summersville, Green Co., by Aug. 1820. Married Nancy Carter, ca....

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Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.


Simpson [Sympson]

8 Nov. 1807–16 Aug. 1867. Trader, saw mill operator, land developer. Born in Green Co., Kentucky. Son of William Sympson and Mary Clendennin. Resided in Greensburg, Green Co., 1810. Moved to Summersville, Green Co., by Aug. 1820. Married Nancy Carter, ca....

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, and wanted to come in, with the following <​an​>

Cancellation and insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.


order to the
jailer

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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“State -[T and S. 562]- “J.P. L.S””, and demanded <​demanding​>

Jonathan Grimshaw wrote “ing” over “ed” in “demanded”, thus changing “demanded” to “demanding”.


the prisoners; but as
Mr [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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, the jailer, could find no law authorizing a justice of the peace, to demand prisoners committed to his charge, he refused to give them up, until discharged from his custody by due course of law; and the guard would not let them pass.
<​Justice​>

Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.


Robert F. Smith then enquired what he must do?
Gov. 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...

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replied “We have plenty of troops; there is <​are​>

Cancellation and insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.


the <​Carthage​>

Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.


Greys under your command, bring them out”.
<​
W. 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,...

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​>

Insertion written over the preceding paragraph, apparently indicating that this information came from William W. Phelps; handwriting of Leo Hawkins.


<​Joseph​>

Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.


Sent
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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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...

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<​of what had just taken place​>

Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.


and also to <​inform​>

Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.


his Counsel <​Mers’
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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&
Woods

Ca. 1800–1886. Lawyer. Born near Boston, in Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Nehemiah Woods and Mary. Moved to Lincoln, Grafton Co., Massachusetts, by Feb. 1802. Moved to Virginia, 1824. Admitted to bar, 1827, in Lewisburg, Greenbrier Co., Virginia (later...

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.​>

Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.


[p. 28]
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Source Note

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Page 28

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Historian’s Office, Martyrdom Account, Draft
ID #
8641
Total Pages
72
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • Leo Hawkins
  • Jonathan Grimshaw

Footnotes

  1. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.

  2. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.

  3. new scribe logo

    Insertion written vertically over the preceding paragraph in the center of the page, apparently indicating that this information came from Cyrus H. Wheelock; handwriting of Leo Hawkins.

  4. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.

  5. new scribe logo

    Cancellation and insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.

  6. new scribe logo

    Jonathan Grimshaw wrote “ing” over “ed” in “demanded”, thus changing “demanded” to “demanding”.

  7. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.

  8. new scribe logo

    Cancellation and insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.

  9. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.

  10. new scribe logo

    Insertion written over the preceding paragraph, apparently indicating that this information came from William W. Phelps; handwriting of Leo Hawkins.

  11. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.

  12. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.

  13. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.

  14. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.

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