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Introduction to JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al., Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al. v. William Law et al., and Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS Schedule of Accounts, 3–4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Schedule of Accounts, 3–4 June 1841, Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Appointment, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Bond, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Bond, 4 June 1841, Andrew Miller Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Bond, 4 June 1841, George Edmunds Jr. Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Affidavit, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Receipt to Executors of Edward Lawrence Estate, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Receipt to Executors of Edward Lawrence Estate, 4 June 1841, William Clayton Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Receipt to Executors of Edward Lawrence Estate, 4 June 1841, Andrew Miller Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–A [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–A, Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–B [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–B, Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–C [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.] Petition, 28 May 1844 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]

Introduction to JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al., Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al. v. William Law et al., and Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS

Page

JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence, Sarah Lawrence, James Lawrence, Nelson Lawrence, Henry Lawrence, Julia Lawrence, and Margaret Lawrence
Adams Co., Illinois, Probate Court, 4 June 1841
 
Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence, Nelson Lawrence, Henry Lawrence, Julia Lawrence, and Margaret Lawrence v. William Law, Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS, and Mary Fielding Smith Administratrix of the Estate of H. Smith
1

Documents for this case identify Babbitt as guardian for the heirs of Edward Lawrence, rather than listing the heirs by name. Babbitt was appointed guardian of the five youngest Lawrence children on 5 September 1844. (Docket Entry, 5 Sept. 1844 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.]; Bond, 5 Sept. 1844 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.]; Appointment, 5 Sept. 1844 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.].)


Hancock Co., Illinois, Circuit Court, 19 May 1846
 
Maria Lawrence, Sarah Lawrence, and Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence, Nelson Lawrence, Henry Lawrence, Julia Ann Lawrence, and Margaret Lawrence v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS
Hancock Co., Illinois, Circuit Court, 22 May 1846
 
Historical Introduction
In 1841, the
Adams County

Situated in western Illinois; bounded on west by Mississippi River. Organized from Pike Co., 1825. Quincy established as county seat, 1825. Population in 1830 about 2,200. Population in 1840 about 14,500. Latter-day Saint exiles from Missouri found refuge...

More Info
, Illinois, probate court appointed JS guardian of the seven children of
Edward Lawrence

ca. 1800–1839. Born in New York. Son of John Lawrence and Letitia. Moved to Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada, by 1811. Married Margaret Major, ca. 1822, in Ontario. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1837, in Ontario...

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, a Latter-day Saint who had died in 1839.
2

Appointment, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Bond, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.].


JS attempted to relinquish the guardianship but was unable to complete the process before his own death in 1844.
3

Clayton, Journal, 10, 15, and 23 Jan. 1844; JS, Journal, 4 June 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

After JS’s death the court appointed
Almon Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

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as guardian of the five youngest Lawrence children, the two eldest having reached adulthood.
4

Hancock Co., IL, Probate Court, Probate Record, vol. A, pp. 352–353, microfilm 954,481, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Babbitt attempted to assume control of the children’s assets that remained in JS’s estate by submitting a claim and filing two separate lawsuits against the estate.
The
Edward

ca. 1800–1839. Born in New York. Son of John Lawrence and Letitia. Moved to Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada, by 1811. Married Margaret Major, ca. 1822, in Ontario. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1837, in Ontario...

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and
Margaret Major Lawrence

29 Apr. 1801–1 Jan. 1853. Born in York, Upper Canada. Daughter of John Major and Sarah. Married first Edward Lawrence. Husband died, ca. Dec. 1839. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, by 1840. Married second Josiah Butterfield, 24 Dec. 1840, in Adams Co...

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family converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Canada, then relocated to
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...

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in winter 1839 and purchased a farm in
Lima

Area settled, 1828. Platted 1833. Post office established, 1836. Many Latter-day Saints settled in area, 1839, after expulsion from Missouri. Considered important settlement by Latter-day Saint leaders. Lima stake organized, 22 Oct. 1840. Stake reduced to...

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, Illinois, about thirty miles from
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
.
5

William Law, Churchville, Canada, to Isaac Russell, Cumberland, England, 10 Nov. 1837, copy, Isaac Russell Correspondence, CHL; Cook, William Law, 119; William and Amelia Ayers to Edward Lawrence, Deed, 15 Feb. 1839, Adams Co., IL, Deeds, 1825–1886, vol. O, p. 95, microfilm 967,540, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Russell, Isaac. Correspondence, 1837–1840. CHL. MS 6066.

Cook, Lyndon W. William Law: Biographical Essay, Nauvoo Diary, Correspondence, Interview. Orem, UT: Grandin Book, 1994.

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Edward died within months of their arrival in Lima, leaving Margaret with six children between the ages of three and sixteen and pregnant with a seventh.
6

Madsen, “Joseph Smith as Guardian,” 172.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Madsen, Gordon A. “Joseph Smith as Guardian: The Lawrence Estate Case.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 3 (2010): 172–211.

Although Edward Lawrence’s will identified the executors of his estate, it did not name a legal guardian for his minor children. In such instances, Illinois law granted courts the right to appoint a guardian for children under fourteen and allowed children over fourteen the right to nominate a guardian themselves.
7

Madsen, “Joseph Smith as Guardian,” 172; “Edward Lawrence Will,” 5 Nov. 1839, Adams Co., IL, Will Records, 1837–1908, vol. 1, pp. 44–46, microfilm 961,242, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Schedule of Accounts, 3–4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; An Act concerning Minors, Orphans, and Guardians [5 Feb. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 465, sec. 1.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Madsen, Gordon A. “Joseph Smith as Guardian: The Lawrence Estate Case.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 3 (2010): 172–211.

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

Margaret Lawrence married
Josiah Butterfield

13 Mar. 1795–3 Mar. 1871. Farmer, stockman. Born at Dunstable, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Abel Butterfield and Mercy Farnsworth. Married first Polly Moulton, 30 Oct. 1819. Moved to Buxton, York Co., Maine, 1820. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ...

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on 24 December 1840, and they proceeded to support the youngest three children—Henry, Julia, and Margaret—in Lima, while
Maria

18 Dec. 1823–1847. Born in Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Daughter of Edward Lawrence and Margaret. Moved with family to Lima, Adams Co., Illinois, 1838. Father died, between 5 Nov. and 23 Dec. 1839. Resided in Quincy, Adams Co., 1840...

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,
Sarah

13 May 1826–28 Nov. 1872. Seamstress. Born in Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Daughter of Edward Lawrence and Margaret. Moved with family to Lima, Adams Co., Illinois, 1838. Father died, between 5 Nov. and 23 Dec. 1839. Resided in Quincy...

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, James, and Nelson Lawrence went to live among several families in Nauvoo. Maria and Sarah lived with JS and
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
.
8

Marriages of Adams County, Illinois 1825–1860, 1:17; see Introduction to State of Illinois v. JS for Adultery and Fornication; “Edward Lawrence Will,” 5 Nov. 1839, Adams Co., IL, Will Records, 1837–1908, vol. 1, p. 45, microfilm 961,242, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; and Madsen, “Joseph Smith as Guardian,” 186–187.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Marriages of Adams County, Illinois 1825–1860. Quincy, IL: Great River Genealogy Society, 1979.

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Madsen, Gordon A. “Joseph Smith as Guardian: The Lawrence Estate Case.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 3 (2010): 172–211.

 
JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.
For unspecified reasons, seventeen-year-old
Maria

18 Dec. 1823–1847. Born in Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Daughter of Edward Lawrence and Margaret. Moved with family to Lima, Adams Co., Illinois, 1838. Father died, between 5 Nov. and 23 Dec. 1839. Resided in Quincy, Adams Co., 1840...

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and fifteen-year-old
Sarah Lawrence

13 May 1826–28 Nov. 1872. Seamstress. Born in Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Daughter of Edward Lawrence and Margaret. Moved with family to Lima, Adams Co., Illinois, 1838. Father died, between 5 Nov. and 23 Dec. 1839. Resided in Quincy...

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nominated JS as their guardian. The
Adams County

Situated in western Illinois; bounded on west by Mississippi River. Organized from Pike Co., 1825. Quincy established as county seat, 1825. Population in 1830 about 2,200. Population in 1840 about 14,500. Latter-day Saint exiles from Missouri found refuge...

More Info
Probate Court approved their nomination and appointed JS legal guardian of all the Lawrence children on 4 June 1841.
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
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...

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, who acted as sureties to JS’s guardianship bond, affirmed the faithful execution of his duties as guardian.
9

Cook, William Law, 119; Appointment, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Bond, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Affidavit, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Cook, Lyndon W. William Law: Biographical Essay, Nauvoo Diary, Correspondence, Interview. Orem, UT: Grandin Book, 1994.

Margaret Butterfield

29 Apr. 1801–1 Jan. 1853. Born in York, Upper Canada. Daughter of John Major and Sarah. Married first Edward Lawrence. Husband died, ca. Dec. 1839. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, by 1840. Married second Josiah Butterfield, 24 Dec. 1840, in Adams Co...

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,
Winslow Farr

12 Jan. 1794–22 Aug. 1865. Farmer. Born in Chesterfield, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asahel Farr and Lydia Snow. Married Olive Hovey Freeman, 5 Dec. 1816, in Hanover, Grafton Co., New Hampshire. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...

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, and
Edward

ca. 1800–1839. Born in New York. Son of John Lawrence and Letitia. Moved to Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada, by 1811. Married Margaret Major, ca. 1822, in Ontario. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1837, in Ontario...

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’s brother John Lawrence, all of whom were designated executors to the Lawrence estate, assigned JS approximately $3,800 in assets of the deceased to support the children financially.
10

“Edward Lawrence Will,” 5 Nov. 1839, Adams Co., IL, Will Records, 1837–1908, vol. 1, pp. 44–46, microfilm 961,242, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Schedule of Accounts, 3–4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Madsen, “Joseph Smith as Guardian,” 185–186.


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Madsen, Gordon A. “Joseph Smith as Guardian: The Lawrence Estate Case.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 3 (2010): 172–211.

JS’s duties as guardian required him to disperse payments from the estate for the ongoing care of the minor heirs and issue annual payments to
Margaret Butterfield

29 Apr. 1801–1 Jan. 1853. Born in York, Upper Canada. Daughter of John Major and Sarah. Married first Edward Lawrence. Husband died, ca. Dec. 1839. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, by 1840. Married second Josiah Butterfield, 24 Dec. 1840, in Adams Co...

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for her one-third of the interest earned by the estate.
11

An Act concerning Minors, Orphans, and Guardians [5 Feb. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois pp. 466–467, secs. 9–11; An Act relative to Wills and Testaments, Executors and Administrators, and the Settlement of Estates [1 July 1829], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 696, sec. 40.


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

On 4 June 1842,
Josiah Butterfield

13 Mar. 1795–3 Mar. 1871. Farmer, stockman. Born at Dunstable, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Abel Butterfield and Mercy Farnsworth. Married first Polly Moulton, 30 Oct. 1819. Moved to Buxton, York Co., Maine, 1820. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ...

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submitted a bill to JS summarizing his expenditures for the three minor children in his care, which JS paid.
12

Statement of Account from Josiah Butterfield, 4 June 1842; JS, Journal, 4 June 1842. According to the laws of coverture, the legal rights of Margaret Lawrence, once she married Butterfield, were subsumed into his; thus, any bills she would accrue for the care of her children would be submitted to the probate court by him. (“Coverture,” in Bouvier, Law Dictionary, 1:271.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Bouvier, John. A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, and of the Several States of the American Union; with References to the Civil and Other Systems of Foreign Law. 2 vols. Philadelphia: T. and J. W. Johnson, 1839.

The following year,
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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, JS, and a large company of Latter-day Saints traveled by steamboat to
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. There, Clayton presented papers documenting JS’s handling of guardianship finances to Probate Justice of the Peace Andrew Miller.
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
law granted probate courts the power to periodically require guardians “to render their respective accounts upon oath, touching their guardianship,” which accounting Clayton was apparently undertaking on JS’s behalf.
13

An Act concerning Minors, Orphans, and Guardians [5 Feb. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 466, sec. 7.


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

The papers were insufficient or failed to meet the legal requirements of the court, as Miller found he “could do nothing with them.” After ascertaining what Miller wanted, Clayton compiled two accounts documenting $489.94 JS spent on the children from 1841 to 1843, which Miller accepted; Clayton then returned to the probate court with JS, who had been waiting on the steamboat, to certify the accuracy of the statements. According to Clayton, the balance of money for the guardianship totaled $3,790.89¾.
14

Clayton, Journal, 3 June 1843; Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–A [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–B [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.].


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

In January 1844, JS, with
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...

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’s assistance, settled the accounts of the Lawrence children at
David 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 ...

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’s store, distributed cash payments to
Margaret Butterfield

29 Apr. 1801–1 Jan. 1853. Born in York, Upper Canada. Daughter of John Major and Sarah. Married first Edward Lawrence. Husband died, ca. Dec. 1839. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, by 1840. Married second Josiah Butterfield, 24 Dec. 1840, in Adams Co...

View Full Bio
and
Sarah

13 May 1826–28 Nov. 1872. Seamstress. Born in Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Daughter of Edward Lawrence and Margaret. Moved with family to Lima, Adams Co., Illinois, 1838. Father died, between 5 Nov. and 23 Dec. 1839. Resided in Quincy...

View Full Bio
and
Maria Lawrence

18 Dec. 1823–1847. Born in Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Daughter of Edward Lawrence and Margaret. Moved with family to Lima, Adams Co., Illinois, 1838. Father died, between 5 Nov. and 23 Dec. 1839. Resided in Quincy, Adams Co., 1840...

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, and took initial steps to transfer the guardianship to
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
.
15

Clayton, Journal, 10, 15, and 23 Jan. 1844; JS’s Store Daybook B, 1842–1844, 10 and 15 Jan. 1844, 93–93[a], Iowa Masonic Library, Cedar Rapids, microfilm copy at CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Smith, Joseph. Daybook, 1842–1844. Iowa Masonic Library, Cedar Rapids. Microfilm copy at CHL.

These plans continued to mature in June, when JS sought to surrender his guardianship to Taylor in conjunction with Taylor pursuing litigation against
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...

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for slandering Maria Lawrence.
16

Illinois law allowed guardians to prosecute and defend their wards “in all cases.” JS thought once Taylor became guardian of the Lawrence children, he could join JS, Almon Babbitt, Hyrum Smith, and others in a countersuit against William and Wilson Law, Joseph H. Jackson, and Charles A. and Robert D. Foster for perjury and slander. (Introduction to State of Illinois v. JS for Adultery and Fornication; An Act concerning Minors, Orphans, and Guardians [5 Feb. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 465, sec. 5; JS, Journal, 4 June 1844; Madsen, “Joseph Smith as Guardian,” 201.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

Madsen, Gordon A. “Joseph Smith as Guardian: The Lawrence Estate Case.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 3 (2010): 172–211.

Law, one of the sureties for JS’s guardianship bond, experienced mounting conflict with JS in 1844 over JS’s increasing authority and influence in civic organizations and his plural marriages to several women, including Sarah and Maria Lawrence.
17

Lovina Smith Walker, Certificate, Salt Lake Co., Utah Territory, 16 June 1869, in Joseph F. Smith, Affidavits about Celestial Marriage, 1:30, 4:30; Emily Dow Partridge Young, “Autobiography,” Woman’s Exponent, 1 Aug. 1885, 14:38.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, Joseph F. Affidavits about Celestial Marriage, 1869–1915. CHL. MS 3423.

Woman’s Exponent. Salt Lake City. 1872–1914.

At this time, JS had an unresolved petition for bankruptcy, and his alleged insolvency led Law to petition the
Adams County

Situated in western Illinois; bounded on west by Mississippi River. Organized from Pike Co., 1825. Quincy established as county seat, 1825. Population in 1830 about 2,200. Population in 1840 about 14,500. Latter-day Saint exiles from Missouri found refuge...

More Info
Probate Court to examine the guardianship in May 1844.
18

Introduction to State of Illinois v. JS for Adultery and Fornication; Petition, 28 May 1844 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.].


In his petition, Law noted the “large amount” of property belonging to the Lawrence heirs that was in JS’s possession, the risk of JS becoming “utterly insolvent, if he is not already so,” 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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’s approved bankruptcy that required “supplementary security” upon the guardianship bond.
19

Petition, 28 May 1844 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]. When an Illinois probate court called a guardian to render an account of a guardianship, the court could require “supplemental security” at the judge’s discretion. Additionally, courts could remove guardians “for good and sufficient reasons” that were entered on record. (An Act concerning Minors, Orphans, and Guardians [5 Feb. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 466, secs. 7–8.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

However, nothing came of
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...

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’s petition due to the murder of JS in June.
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 ...

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’s efforts to assume guardianship of the children failed to materialize prior to JS’s death, and subsequent instruction from church leaders dissuaded him from considering it further, leaving the guardianship uncertain.
20

Agreement with John Taylor, 23 January 1844; Clayton, Journal, 23 January 1844; JS, Journal, 4 June 1844; Richards, Journal, 12 Aug. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

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

Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

View Full Bio
, who in the initial months after JS’s death played a formative role separating church assets from personal assets in the estate, traveled with
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
to
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
to resolve the guardianship, but they were informed by Judge Miller that settling “the Lawrence business” was impossible without the appointment of another guardian.
21

Clayton, Journal, 30–31 July 1844; Allen, Trials of Discipleship, 185n10.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Allen, James B. Trials of Discipleship: The Story of William Clayton, A Mormon. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 1987.

 
Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al. v. William Law et al.
On 5 September 1844,
Margaret Butterfield

29 Apr. 1801–1 Jan. 1853. Born in York, Upper Canada. Daughter of John Major and Sarah. Married first Edward Lawrence. Husband died, ca. Dec. 1839. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, by 1840. Married second Josiah Butterfield, 24 Dec. 1840, in Adams Co...

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, representing her three children under the age of fourteen, petitioned the
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
Probate Court to appoint
Almon Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

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as guardian; James and Nelson Lawrence, both over fourteen, nominated Babbitt guardian. The probate court granted the petition and nomination, giving Babbitt guardianship over the five youngest Lawrence children. The two oldest children,
Sarah

13 May 1826–28 Nov. 1872. Seamstress. Born in Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Daughter of Edward Lawrence and Margaret. Moved with family to Lima, Adams Co., Illinois, 1838. Father died, between 5 Nov. and 23 Dec. 1839. Resided in Quincy...

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and
Maria

18 Dec. 1823–1847. Born in Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Daughter of Edward Lawrence and Margaret. Moved with family to Lima, Adams Co., Illinois, 1838. Father died, between 5 Nov. and 23 Dec. 1839. Resided in Quincy, Adams Co., 1840...

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, were now adults.
22

Docket Entry, 5 Sept. 1844 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.]; Bond, 5 Sept. 1844 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.]; Appointment, 5 Sept. 1844 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.].


In May 1845, Babbitt, on behalf of the Lawrence children, submitted a $4,033.87 claim against the JS estate, which was allowed by the Hancock County Probate Court.
23

Docket Entry, Allowed Claim from Almon Babbitt, 6 May 1845 [Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS].


In addition to submitting a claim against the JS estate,
Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

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as guardian of the five minor Lawrence children filed a lawsuit against
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...

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and the estates 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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on 1 September 1845 for a debt of $7,750 plus $500 damages.
24

Praecipe, 1 Sept. 1845 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al. v. William Law et al.]; Summons, 1 Sept. 1845 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al. v. William Law et al.].


As sureties to JS’s 1841 guardianship bond, Hyrum Smith and Law had assumed responsibility for JS’s performance as guardian.
25

Appointment, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Bond, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Affidavit, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Receipt to Executors of Edward Lawrence Estate, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Madsen, “Serving as Guardian,” in Sustaining the Law, 351.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Madsen, Gordon A. “Serving as Guardian under the Lawrence Estate, 1842–1844.” In Sustaining the Law: Joseph Smith’s Legal Encounters, edited by Gordon A. Madsen, Jeffrey N. Walker, and John W. Welch, 401–426. Provo, UT: BYU Studies, 2014.

On 23 October,
Joseph 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...

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, administrator of the estate of JS, appeared in court, but the other defendants—
Mary Fielding Smith

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, administrator of the estate of Hyrum Smith, and Law—did not. The court initially gave Babbitt a default judgment, but damages were apparently “unknown to the court.” The court awarded a
writ of inquiry

A writ to carry out an interlocutory judgment, commanding a sheriff or deputy to inquire into the amount of damages by the oath or affirmation of twelve men in the county. The inquisition, when made, was returned to the court.

View Glossary
that allowed for the selection and swearing in of twelve jurors to assess the damages. For unspecified reasons, Babbitt took a
nonsuit

“A judgment given against a plaintiff, when he is unable to prove his case, or when he refuses or neglects to proceed to trial of a cause after it has been put at issue, without determining such issue.”

View Glossary
and the suit was dismissed at his costs in the October 1845 court term.
26

Docket Entry, Nonsuit, 23 Oct. 1845 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al. v. William Law et al.].


 
Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS
In January 1846,
Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

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filed a lawsuit against the JS estate that omitted
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...

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as a defendant and included
Maria

18 Dec. 1823–1847. Born in Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Daughter of Edward Lawrence and Margaret. Moved with family to Lima, Adams Co., Illinois, 1838. Father died, between 5 Nov. and 23 Dec. 1839. Resided in Quincy, Adams Co., 1840...

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and
Sarah Lawrence

13 May 1826–28 Nov. 1872. Seamstress. Born in Pickering, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Daughter of Edward Lawrence and Margaret. Moved with family to Lima, Adams Co., Illinois, 1838. Father died, between 5 Nov. and 23 Dec. 1839. Resided in Quincy...

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as additional plaintiffs.
27

Praecipe, ca. 5 Jan. 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS]; Summons, 6 Jan 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS].


The defendants failed to appear, and the suit was dismissed at the plaintiffs’ costs in May.
28

Docket Entry, Dismissal, 19 May 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS]; Docket Entry, Writ of Inquiry, 20 May 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS].


The court awarded another writ of inquiry and the jury assessed the debt in the plaintiffs’ declaration at $7,750.06; the court ordered that the plaintiffs recover $4,275.88 in damages.
29

Docket Entry, Judgment, 22 May 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS]. Babbitt also filed a separate lawsuit against the Hyrum Smith estate for debts amounting to $7,750.06. The court ordered that the plaintiffs recover $4,275.88 in damages. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court Records, 1829–1897, vol. D, p. 445, microfilm 947,496, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

The amount of debt JS incurred during his lifetime, consisting of personal transactions and church debts he took on in his role as trustee-in-trust, exceeded the liquidated assets of his estate.
30

Madsen, “Serving as Guardian,” in Sustaining the Law, 353; Bentley, “In the Wake of the Steamboat Nauvoo,” 40–45.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Madsen, Gordon A. “Serving as Guardian under the Lawrence Estate, 1842–1844.” In Sustaining the Law: Joseph Smith’s Legal Encounters, edited by Gordon A. Madsen, Jeffrey N. Walker, and John W. Welch, 401–426. Provo, UT: BYU Studies, 2014.

Bentley, Joseph I. “In the Wake of the Steamboat Nauvoo.” Journal of Mormon History 35, no. 1 (Winter 2009): 41-45.

Church trustees
Newel 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...

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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...

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assumed responsibility for some of these debts from JS’s death until 1846, when they were replaced by
Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

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,
Joseph L. Heywood

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

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, and
John S. Fullmer

21 July 1807–8 Oct. 1883. Farmer, newsman, postmaster, teacher, merchant. Born at Huntington, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Fullmer and Susannah Zerfass. Moved to Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, spring 1832. Married Mary Ann Price, 24 May 1837...

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.
31

Dan Jones to Trustees, Promissory Note, 28 Aug. 1844; Brigham Young to John Taylor, Promissory Note, 5 Oct. 1845; Benjamin F. Marsh to Babbit, Heywood and Fullmer, Receipt, 26 May 1846; Newel K. Whitney and George Miller, Appointment as Trustees, 12 Aug. 1844, Nauvoo Trustees Papers, 1846–1848, CHL; George Miller and Newel K. Whitney, Certificate of Election, 24 Jan. 1846, Hancock Co., IL, Bonds and Mortgages, 1840–1904, vol. 2, p. 144, microfilm 954,776, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Trustees Papers, 1844–1848. CHL.

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

In August 1846, Babbitt, Heywood, and Fullmer issued a promissory note for $3,884.61 payable in one day to Babbitt as guardian of the Lawrence children, but it was apparently renegotiated with a new note that has not been located.
32

Almon Babbitt to Almon Babbitt, Joseph Heywood, and John Fullmer, Receipt, 19 Aug. 1846, Nauvoo Trustees Papers, 1846–1848, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Trustees Papers, 1844–1848. CHL.

In 1849, church recorder
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...

View Full Bio
paid Babbitt for two personal financial transactions and $1,248.22 for a promissory note on the Lawrence estate. Babbitt was ready to dispose of additional property to the credit of the church trustees.
33

Thomas Bullock, Statement of Account, 4 July 1849, CHL.


There are no further indications of payments between the church and Babbitt as guardian of the Lawrence children.
 
Calendar of Documents
This calendar lists all known documents created by or for the court, whether extant or not. It does not include versions of documents created for other purposes, though those versions may be listed in footnotes. In certain cases, especially in cases concerning unpaid debts, the originating document (promissory note, invoice, etc.) is listed here. Note that documents in the calendar are grouped with their originating court. Where a version of a document was subsequently filed with another court, that version is listed under both courts.
 
JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al., Adams Co., Illinois, Probate Court

1841 (5)

June (5)

3–4 June 1841

Schedule of Accounts, Quincy, Adams Co., IL, for the Estate of Edward Lawrence

  • 3–4 June 1841; Adams County Courthouse, Quincy, IL; microfilm 1,839,547 at FHL; handwriting of Wilson Law and Calvin A. Warren; signature of JS; docket in handwriting of Wilson Law; notation in handwriting of Andrew Miller.
    1

    A receipt from JS to the executors of the estate of Edward Lawrence was inscribed below the schedule of accounts. (Receipt to Executors of Edward Lawrence Estate, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.].)


  • 22 Apr. 1845;
    2

    On 22 April 1845, Probate Justice of the Peace Andrew Miller created certified copies of this schedule of accounts as well as three 1843 statements of account. The copies were filed with the Hancock County Probate Court on 6 May 1845 as part of a claim against the estate of JS. (Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–A, Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–B, Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–C [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; see also Introduction to Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS.)


    Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; handwriting of Andrew Miller; notation in handwriting of Andrew Miller; notation in unidentified handwriting; notation in handwriting of David Greenleaf.
4 June 1841

Andrew Miller, Appointment, Quincy, Adams Co., IL, to JS, Quincy, Adams Co., IL

  • 4 June 1841; Adams County Courthouse, Quincy, IL; microfilm 1,839,547 at FHL; printed form with manuscript additions in handwriting of Andrew Miller; docket printed with manuscript additions in handwriting of Andrew Miller.
4 June 1841

JS and Others, Bond, Quincy, Adams Co., IL, to “the People of the State of Illinois” for the use of Maria Lawrence and Others

  • 4 June 1841; Adams County Courthouse, Quincy, IL; microfilm 1,839,547 at FHL; printed form with manuscript additions in handwriting of Andrew Miller; signatures of JS, Hyrum Smith, and William Law; docket and notation printed with manuscript additions in handwriting of Andrew Miller.
    1

    The bond and the 4 June 1841 affidavit were attached with an adhesive wafer. (Affidavit, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.].)


  • 27 Sept. 1844; Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; handwriting of Andrew Miller; docket in handwriting of unidentified scribe; notation in handwriting of unidentified scribe.
    2

    This copy of the bond was filed with the Hancock County Probate Court on 23 October 1844 in relation to the Lawrence children’s claim on JS’s estate. The bond was evidently submitted to verify JS’s connection to the children and validate his rightful possession of their assets at the time of his death. (See Introduction to Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS.)


  • Ca. 26 April 1846; Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; handwriting of George Edmunds Jr.
    3

    This copy of the bond was filed with the Hancock County Circuit Court on 27 April 1846 as part of Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS. The bond, as well as a copy of the 5 September 1844 document appointing Almon Babbitt as guardian, was attached to the plaintiffs’ declaration with adhesive wafers. (Appointment, 5 Sept. 1844, Copy [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.]; Declaration, ca. 26 Apr. 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS].)


4 June 1841

Hyrum Smith and William Law, Affidavit, before Andrew Miller, Quincy, Adams Co., IL

  • 4 June 1841; Adams County Courthouse, Quincy, IL; microfilm 1,839,547 at FHL; handwriting of Onias Skinner; signatures of Hyrum Smith and William Law; certification in handwriting of Andrew Miller; docket in handwriting of Onias Skinner; docket and notation in handwriting of Andrew Miller.
    1

    The affidavit and the 4 June 1841 bond were attached with an adhesive wafer. (Bond, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.].)


4 June 1841

JS, Receipt, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL, to Executors of the Estate of Edward Lawrence

  • 4 June 1841; Adams County Courthouse, Quincy, IL; microfilm 1,839,547 at FHL; handwriting of Calvin A. Warren; signature of JS; docket in handwriting of Wilson Law; notation in handwriting of Andrew Miller.
    1

    The receipt was inscribed below an itemized list of the Edward Lawrence estate’s assets that was created by Wilson Law. (Schedule of Accounts, 3–4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.].)


  • Ca. 13 Apr. 1845; private possession; handwriting of William Clayton; notation in handwriting of David Greenleaf.
    2

    This copy of the receipt was submitted to the Hancock County Probate Court, where it was filed on 14 April 1845 as a claim against the estate of JS. (See Introduction to Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS.)


  • Ca. 5 May 1845; private possession; handwriting of Andrew Miller; notation by David Greenleaf.
    3

    This version of the receipt was inscribed below a copy of an itemized list of the Lawrence estate’s assets that was filed with the Hancock County Probate Court on 6 May 1845 as part of a claim against the estate of JS. (Schedule of Accounts, 3–4 June 1841, Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; see also Introduction to Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS.)


1843 (3)

June (3)

3 June 1843

The Estate of Edward Lawrence, Statement of Account, Quincy, Adams Co., IL, for JS, 3 June 1843–A

  • 3 June 1843; Adams County Courthouse, Quincy, IL; microfilm 1,839,547 at FHL; handwriting of James H. Rollins; signature of JS; certifications in handwriting of Andrew Miller with signature of JS; docket and notations in handwriting of Andrew Miller.
  • 22 Apr. 1845; Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; handwriting of Andrew Miller.
    1

    On 22 April 1845, Probate Justice of the Peace Andrew Miller created certified copies of three statements of account and a schedule of accounts. The copies were filed with the Hancock County Probate Court on 6 May 1845 as part of a claim against the estate of JS. (Schedule of Accounts, 3–4 June 1841, Copy [Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS]; Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–B, Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–C [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; see also Introduction to Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS.)


3 June 1843

The Estate of Edward Lawrence, Statement of Account, Quincy, Adams Co., IL, for JS, 3 June 1843–B

  • 3 June 1843; Adams County Courthouse, Quincy, IL; microfilm 1,839,547 at FHL; handwriting of William Clayton; certifications in handwriting of Andrew Miller with signature of JS; docket in handwriting of Andrew Miller.
  • 22 Apr. 1845; Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; handwriting of Andrew Miller.
    1

    On 22 April 1845, Probate Justice of the Peace Andrew Miller created certified copies of three statements of account and a schedule of accounts. This statement of account was copied on the verso of the copy of Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–A. The copies were filed with the Hancock County Probate Court on 6 May 1845 as part of a claim against the estate of JS. (Schedule of Accounts, 3–4 June 1841, Copy [Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS]; Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–A, Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–C [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; see also Introduction to Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS.)


3 June 1843

The Estate of Edward Lawrence, Statement of Account, Quincy, Adams Co., IL, for JS, 3 June 1843–C

  • 3 June 1843. Not extant.
  • 22 Apr. 1845; Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; handwriting of Andrew Miller.
    1

    On 22 April 1845, Probate Justice of the Peace Andrew Miller created certified copies of three statements of account and a schedule of accounts. This statement of account was copied on the verso of the copy of Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–A. The copies were filed with the Hancock County Probate Court on 6 May 1845 as part of a claim against the estate of JS. (Schedule of Accounts, 3–4 June 1841, Copy [Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS]; Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–A, Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–B, Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; see also Introduction to Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS.)


1844 (1)

May (1)

28 May 1844

William Law, Petition, possibly Hancock Co., IL, to Andrew Miller, Quincy, Adams Co., IL

  • 28 May 1844; Adams County Courthouse, Quincy, IL; microfilm 1,839,547 at FHL; unidentified handwriting; signature of William Law; docket in handwriting of Andrew Miller.
 
Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al. v. William Law et al., Hancock Co., Illinois, Circuit Court

1845 (4)

September (2)

1 September 1845

Almon Babbitt, Praecipe, to Hancock Co. Circuit Court Clerk, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL.

  • 1 Sept. 1845; photocopy in Historical Department, Materials Received from Mark W. Hofmann, CHL; handwriting of David E. Head; signature of Almon Babbitt; docket and notation in handwriting of David E. Head. QUESTIONED AUTHENTICITY.
    1

    In 1982, the Church Historical Department (now CHL) acquired this document from Mark Hofmann. As was later discovered, Hofmann forged many early church history and Americana manuscripts and altered authentic documents to increase their market value; he also dealt in authentic manuscripts. Since there is no provenance information definitively dating this document prior to its possession by Hofmann and there is no indication the document underwent forensic testing, it cannot be conclusively authenticated. (Turley, Victims, 355.)


    Comprehensive Works Cited

    Turley, Richard E., Jr. Victims: The LDS Church and the Mark Hofmann Case. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1992.

1 September 1845

David E. Head, Summons, to Rock Island Co. Sheriff, for William Law and Others, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • 1 Sept. 1845; BYU; printed form with manuscript additions in handwriting of David E. Head; docket printed with manuscript additions in handwriting of David E. Head; notations printed with manuscript additions presumably in handwriting of Benjamin J. Cobb; notations in handwriting of David E. Head.

October (2)

23 October 1845

Docket Entry, Nonsuit, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • 23 Oct. 1845; Hancock County Circuit Court Record, vol. D, p. 356, Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; microfilm at FHL; unidentified handwriting.
Ca. 23 October 1845

Docket Entry, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • Ca. 23 Oct. 1845; Hancock County Circuit Court, Judgment Docket, vol. C, p. 13, Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; image in Hancock County Papers, 1830–1872, CHL; unidentified handwriting.
 
Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS, Hancock Co., Illinois, Circuit Court

1841 (1)

June (1)

4 June 1841

JS and Others, Bond, Copy, Quincy, Adams Co., IL, to “the People of the State of Illinois” for the use of Maria Lawrence and Others

  • Ca. 26 April 1846; Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; handwriting of George Edmunds Jr.
    1

    This represents the version of the JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al. bond that was filed with the Hancock County Circuit Court on 27 April 1846 as part of Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS. The bond, as well as a copy of the 5 September 1844 document appointing Almon Babbitt as guardian, was attached to the plaintiffs’ declaration with adhesive wafers. (Appointment, 5 Sept. 1844, Copy [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.]; Declaration, ca. 26 Apr. 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS].)


1843 (1)

December (1)

Ca. 23 December 1845

G. Edmunds Jr., Praecipe, to David E. Head, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • Ca. 23 Dec. 1845; Hancock County Illinois Circuit Court Legal Documents, 1839–1860, BYU; handwriting of G. Edmunds Jr.; docket and notations in handwriting of David E. Head.

1844 (1)

September (1)

5 September 1841

David Greenleaf, Appointment, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL, to Almon Babbitt, Hancock Co., IL

  • 5 Sept. 1841. Not extant.
  • Ca. 1 Jan. 1845; Hancock County Probate Court Record, vol. C, p. 41, Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage IL; microfilm at FHL; unidentified handwriting.
  • Ca. 26 April 1846; Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; handwriting of George Edmunds Jr.
    1

    This copy of the document appointing Almon Babbitt as guardian was filed with the Hancock County Circuit Court on 27 April 1846 as part of Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS. The appointment, as well as a copy of the 4 June 1841 guardianship bond signed by JS, was attached to the plaintiffs’ declaration with adhesive wafers. (Bond, 4 June 1841, George Edmunds Jr. Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Declaration, ca. 26 Apr. 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS].)


1845 (1)

December (1)

24 December 1845

David T. LeBaron, Bond, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • 24 Dec. 1845; Hancock County Illinois Circuit Court Legal Documents, 1839–1860, BYU; handwriting of G. Edmunds Jr.; signature presumably of David T. LeBaron; docket and notation in handwriting of G. Edmunds Jr.; notations in handwriting of D. C. Bryant.

1846 (10)

January (2)

Ca. 5 January 1846

G. Edmunds Jr., Praecipe, to David E. Head, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • Ca. 5 Jan. 1846; Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage IL; handwriting of G. Edmunds Jr.; docket in handwriting of G. Edmunds Jr.; notations in handwriting of D. C. Bryant.
6 January 1846

D. C. Bryant on behalf of David E. Head, Summons, to Hancock Co. Sheriff, for Joseph W. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • 6 Jan. 1846; Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage IL; printed form with manuscript additions in handwriting of D. C. Bryant; docket printed with manuscript additions in handwriting of D. C. Bryant; notations printed with manuscript additions in handwriting of Jacob B. Backenstos; notation in handwriting of D. C. Bryant.

April (1)

Ca. 26 April 1846

George Edmunds Jr. on behalf of Maria Lawrence and Others, Declaration, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • Ca. 26 Apr. 1846; Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; handwriting of George Edmunds Jr.; dockets in handwriting of George Edmunds Jr.; notation in handwriting of David E. Head.
    1

    Copies of the 4 June 1841 guardianship bond signed by JS and the 5 September 1844 document appointing Almon Babbitt as guardian were attached to the declaration with adhesive wafers. (Bond, 4 June 1841, George Edmunds Jr. Copy [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Appointment, 5 Sept. 1844, Copy [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.].)


May (7)

19 May 1846

Docket Entry, Dismissal, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • 19 May 1846; Hancock County Circuit Court Record, vol. D, p. 404, Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; microfilm at FHL; handwriting of D. C. Bryant.
Ca. 19 May 1846

Docket Entry, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • Ca. 19 May 1846; Hancock County Circuit Court, Judgment Docket, vol. C, p. 128, Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; image in Hancock County Papers, 1830–1872, CHL; unidentified handwriting.
20 May 1846

Docket Entry, Writ of Inquiry, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • 20 May 1846; Hancock County Circuit Court Record, vol. D, p. [419], Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; microfilm at FHL; unidentified handwriting.
21 May 1846

David E. Head, Subpoena, to Hancock Co. Sheriff, for David Greenleaf, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • 21 May 1846; Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage IL; printed form with manuscript additions in unidentified handwriting; docket printed with manuscript additions in unidentified handwriting; notations printed with manuscript additions in handwriting of Jacob B. Backenstos.
22 May 1846

Docket Entry, Judgment, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • 22 May 1846; Hancock County Circuit Court Record, vol. D, pp. [445]–446, Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; microfilm at FHL; unidentified handwriting.
Ca. 22 May 1846

Docket Entry, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • Ca. 22 May 1846; Hancock County Circuit Court, Judgment Docket, vol. C, p. 38, Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage, IL; image in Hancock County Papers, 1830–1872, CHL; unidentified handwriting.
25 May 1846

David Greenleaf, Affidavit, before D. C. Bryant on behalf of David E. Head, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL

  • 25 May 1846; microfilm 1,637,612 at FHL; printed form with manuscript additions in unidentified handwriting; certified by D. C. Bryant; signature of David Greenleaf; docket and notation in handwriting of David E. Head.
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Editorial Title
Introduction to JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al., Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al. v. William Law et al., and Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS
ID #
19897
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page

    Footnotes

    1. [1]

      Documents for this case identify Babbitt as guardian for the heirs of Edward Lawrence, rather than listing the heirs by name. Babbitt was appointed guardian of the five youngest Lawrence children on 5 September 1844. (Docket Entry, 5 Sept. 1844 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.]; Bond, 5 Sept. 1844 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.]; Appointment, 5 Sept. 1844 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.].)

    2. [2]

      Appointment, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Bond, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.].

    3. [3]

      Clayton, Journal, 10, 15, and 23 Jan. 1844; JS, Journal, 4 June 1844.

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

    4. [4]

      Hancock Co., IL, Probate Court, Probate Record, vol. A, pp. 352–353, microfilm 954,481, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.

      U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    5. [5]

      William Law, Churchville, Canada, to Isaac Russell, Cumberland, England, 10 Nov. 1837, copy, Isaac Russell Correspondence, CHL; Cook, William Law, 119; William and Amelia Ayers to Edward Lawrence, Deed, 15 Feb. 1839, Adams Co., IL, Deeds, 1825–1886, vol. O, p. 95, microfilm 967,540, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.

      Russell, Isaac. Correspondence, 1837–1840. CHL. MS 6066.

      Cook, Lyndon W. William Law: Biographical Essay, Nauvoo Diary, Correspondence, Interview. Orem, UT: Grandin Book, 1994.

      U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    6. [6]

      Madsen, “Joseph Smith as Guardian,” 172.

      Madsen, Gordon A. “Joseph Smith as Guardian: The Lawrence Estate Case.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 3 (2010): 172–211.

    7. [7]

      Madsen, “Joseph Smith as Guardian,” 172; “Edward Lawrence Will,” 5 Nov. 1839, Adams Co., IL, Will Records, 1837–1908, vol. 1, pp. 44–46, microfilm 961,242, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Schedule of Accounts, 3–4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; An Act concerning Minors, Orphans, and Guardians [5 Feb. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 465, sec. 1.

      Madsen, Gordon A. “Joseph Smith as Guardian: The Lawrence Estate Case.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 3 (2010): 172–211.

      U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

      The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

    8. [8]

      Marriages of Adams County, Illinois 1825–1860, 1:17; see Introduction to State of Illinois v. JS for Adultery and Fornication; “Edward Lawrence Will,” 5 Nov. 1839, Adams Co., IL, Will Records, 1837–1908, vol. 1, p. 45, microfilm 961,242, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; and Madsen, “Joseph Smith as Guardian,” 186–187.

      Marriages of Adams County, Illinois 1825–1860. Quincy, IL: Great River Genealogy Society, 1979.

      U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

      Madsen, Gordon A. “Joseph Smith as Guardian: The Lawrence Estate Case.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 3 (2010): 172–211.

    9. [9]

      Cook, William Law, 119; Appointment, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Bond, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Affidavit, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.].

      Cook, Lyndon W. William Law: Biographical Essay, Nauvoo Diary, Correspondence, Interview. Orem, UT: Grandin Book, 1994.

    10. [10]

      “Edward Lawrence Will,” 5 Nov. 1839, Adams Co., IL, Will Records, 1837–1908, vol. 1, pp. 44–46, microfilm 961,242, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Schedule of Accounts, 3–4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Madsen, “Joseph Smith as Guardian,” 185–186.

      U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

      Madsen, Gordon A. “Joseph Smith as Guardian: The Lawrence Estate Case.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 3 (2010): 172–211.

    11. [11]

      An Act concerning Minors, Orphans, and Guardians [5 Feb. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois pp. 466–467, secs. 9–11; An Act relative to Wills and Testaments, Executors and Administrators, and the Settlement of Estates [1 July 1829], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 696, sec. 40.

      The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

    12. [12]

      Statement of Account from Josiah Butterfield, 4 June 1842; JS, Journal, 4 June 1842. According to the laws of coverture, the legal rights of Margaret Lawrence, once she married Butterfield, were subsumed into his; thus, any bills she would accrue for the care of her children would be submitted to the probate court by him. (“Coverture,” in Bouvier, Law Dictionary, 1:271.)

      Bouvier, John. A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, and of the Several States of the American Union; with References to the Civil and Other Systems of Foreign Law. 2 vols. Philadelphia: T. and J. W. Johnson, 1839.

    13. [13]

      An Act concerning Minors, Orphans, and Guardians [5 Feb. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 466, sec. 7.

      The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

    14. [14]

      Clayton, Journal, 3 June 1843; Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–A [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Statement of Account, 3 June 1843–B [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.].

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

    15. [15]

      Clayton, Journal, 10, 15, and 23 Jan. 1844; JS’s Store Daybook B, 1842–1844, 10 and 15 Jan. 1844, 93–93[a], Iowa Masonic Library, Cedar Rapids, microfilm copy at CHL.

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

      Smith, Joseph. Daybook, 1842–1844. Iowa Masonic Library, Cedar Rapids. Microfilm copy at CHL.

    16. [16]

      Illinois law allowed guardians to prosecute and defend their wards “in all cases.” JS thought once Taylor became guardian of the Lawrence children, he could join JS, Almon Babbitt, Hyrum Smith, and others in a countersuit against William and Wilson Law, Joseph H. Jackson, and Charles A. and Robert D. Foster for perjury and slander. (Introduction to State of Illinois v. JS for Adultery and Fornication; An Act concerning Minors, Orphans, and Guardians [5 Feb. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 465, sec. 5; JS, Journal, 4 June 1844; Madsen, “Joseph Smith as Guardian,” 201.)

      The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

      Madsen, Gordon A. “Joseph Smith as Guardian: The Lawrence Estate Case.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 3 (2010): 172–211.

    17. [17]

      Lovina Smith Walker, Certificate, Salt Lake Co., Utah Territory, 16 June 1869, in Joseph F. Smith, Affidavits about Celestial Marriage, 1:30, 4:30; Emily Dow Partridge Young, “Autobiography,” Woman’s Exponent, 1 Aug. 1885, 14:38.

      Smith, Joseph F. Affidavits about Celestial Marriage, 1869–1915. CHL. MS 3423.

      Woman’s Exponent. Salt Lake City. 1872–1914.

    18. [18]

      Introduction to State of Illinois v. JS for Adultery and Fornication; Petition, 28 May 1844 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.].

    19. [19]

      Petition, 28 May 1844 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]. When an Illinois probate court called a guardian to render an account of a guardianship, the court could require “supplemental security” at the judge’s discretion. Additionally, courts could remove guardians “for good and sufficient reasons” that were entered on record. (An Act concerning Minors, Orphans, and Guardians [5 Feb. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 466, secs. 7–8.)

      The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

    20. [20]

      Agreement with John Taylor, 23 January 1844; Clayton, Journal, 23 January 1844; JS, Journal, 4 June 1844; Richards, Journal, 12 Aug. 1844.

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

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

    21. [21]

      Clayton, Journal, 30–31 July 1844; Allen, Trials of Discipleship, 185n10.

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

      Allen, James B. Trials of Discipleship: The Story of William Clayton, A Mormon. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 1987.

    22. [22]

      Docket Entry, 5 Sept. 1844 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.]; Bond, 5 Sept. 1844 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.]; Appointment, 5 Sept. 1844 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al.].

    23. [23]

      Docket Entry, Allowed Claim from Almon Babbitt, 6 May 1845 [Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS].

    24. [24]

      Praecipe, 1 Sept. 1845 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al. v. William Law et al.]; Summons, 1 Sept. 1845 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al. v. William Law et al.].

    25. [25]

      Appointment, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Bond, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Affidavit, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Receipt to Executors of Edward Lawrence Estate, 4 June 1841 [JS Guardian of Maria Lawrence et al.]; Madsen, “Serving as Guardian,” in Sustaining the Law, 351.

      Madsen, Gordon A. “Serving as Guardian under the Lawrence Estate, 1842–1844.” In Sustaining the Law: Joseph Smith’s Legal Encounters, edited by Gordon A. Madsen, Jeffrey N. Walker, and John W. Welch, 401–426. Provo, UT: BYU Studies, 2014.

    26. [26]

      Docket Entry, Nonsuit, 23 Oct. 1845 [Babbitt Guardian of James Lawrence et al. v. William Law et al.].

    27. [27]

      Praecipe, ca. 5 Jan. 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS]; Summons, 6 Jan 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS].

    28. [28]

      Docket Entry, Dismissal, 19 May 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS]; Docket Entry, Writ of Inquiry, 20 May 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS].

    29. [29]

      Docket Entry, Judgment, 22 May 1846 [Maria Lawrence et al. v. Coolidge Administrator of the Estate of JS]. Babbitt also filed a separate lawsuit against the Hyrum Smith estate for debts amounting to $7,750.06. The court ordered that the plaintiffs recover $4,275.88 in damages. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court Records, 1829–1897, vol. D, p. 445, microfilm 947,496, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

      U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    30. [30]

      Madsen, “Serving as Guardian,” in Sustaining the Law, 353; Bentley, “In the Wake of the Steamboat Nauvoo,” 40–45.

      Madsen, Gordon A. “Serving as Guardian under the Lawrence Estate, 1842–1844.” In Sustaining the Law: Joseph Smith’s Legal Encounters, edited by Gordon A. Madsen, Jeffrey N. Walker, and John W. Welch, 401–426. Provo, UT: BYU Studies, 2014.

      Bentley, Joseph I. “In the Wake of the Steamboat Nauvoo.” Journal of Mormon History 35, no. 1 (Winter 2009): 41-45.

    31. [31]

      Dan Jones to Trustees, Promissory Note, 28 Aug. 1844; Brigham Young to John Taylor, Promissory Note, 5 Oct. 1845; Benjamin F. Marsh to Babbit, Heywood and Fullmer, Receipt, 26 May 1846; Newel K. Whitney and George Miller, Appointment as Trustees, 12 Aug. 1844, Nauvoo Trustees Papers, 1846–1848, CHL; George Miller and Newel K. Whitney, Certificate of Election, 24 Jan. 1846, Hancock Co., IL, Bonds and Mortgages, 1840–1904, vol. 2, p. 144, microfilm 954,776, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.

      Nauvoo Trustees Papers, 1844–1848. CHL.

      U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    32. [32]

      Almon Babbitt to Almon Babbitt, Joseph Heywood, and John Fullmer, Receipt, 19 Aug. 1846, Nauvoo Trustees Papers, 1846–1848, CHL.

      Nauvoo Trustees Papers, 1844–1848. CHL.

    33. [33]

      Thomas Bullock, Statement of Account, 4 July 1849, CHL.

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