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Letter from David Thomas, 31 March 1838

Source Note

David Thomas

12 May 1797–25 Apr. 1845. Born at Flat Rock District, Bourbon Co., Kentucky. Son of Richard Thomas and Elizabeth Bowles. Married Martha Parker, 17 Mar. 1816. Migrated to Carrollton, Carroll Co., Missouri, 1833. With Henry Root, landowner at De Witt, Carroll...

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, Letter,
Pleasant Park

Village (no longer exists) located about three miles west of De Witt. Included post office, 1835–1882. Resident David Thomas wrote to JS, 31 Mar. 1838, offering part of his land in area for possible settlement.

More Info
, Carroll Co., MO, to JS, [
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
, Caldwell Co., MO], 31 Mar. 1838. Featured version copied [ca. mid- or late Apr. 1838] in JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838, pp. 26–28; handwriting of
George W. Robinson

14 May 1814–10 Feb. 1878. Clerk, postmaster, merchant, clothier, banker. Born at Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1836. Clerk and recorder for Kirtland high...

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; CHL. Includes use marks. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838.

Historical Introduction

David Thomas

12 May 1797–25 Apr. 1845. Born at Flat Rock District, Bourbon Co., Kentucky. Son of Richard Thomas and Elizabeth Bowles. Married Martha Parker, 17 Mar. 1816. Migrated to Carrollton, Carroll Co., Missouri, 1833. With Henry Root, landowner at De Witt, Carroll...

View Full Bio
, a land speculator in Carroll County, Missouri, wrote to JS on 31 March 1838, suggesting that the Latter-day Saints purchase land in that area. Thomas, who had apparently met JS and his wife
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...

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, offered to sell the Saints a part of his land near
De Witt

Located on bluffs north of Missouri River, about six miles above mouth of Grand River. Permanently settled, by 1826. Laid out, 1836. First called Elderport; name changed to De Witt, 1837, when town acquired by speculators David Thomas and Henry Root, who ...

More Info
. Thomas also introduced JS to
Henry Root

14 June 1813–9 Apr. 1895. Auctioneer, merchant, banker. Born at Clinton, Upper Canada. Son of Henry Ruth and Marie Overholt. Purchased interest in town of Eldersport (later De Witt), Carroll Co., Missouri, 1837. Sold lots in De Witt to Latter-day Saints. ...

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, another Carroll County landowner who was interested in selling land to the Saints. Root reportedly visited with JS and
Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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in the next few days. Later, church leaders met with Thomas and Root and eventually agreed to purchase land from Root at De Witt, where Latter-day Saints proceeded to settle.
1

See Sidney Rigdon, Testimony, Nauvoo, IL, 1 July 1843, pp. [2]–[3], Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; and [Rigdon], Appeal to the American People, 36–37; see also Perkins, “Prelude to Expulsion,” 264–268; Baugh, “Call to Arms,” 144–145; and LeSueur, “Missouri’s Failed Compromise,” 140–144.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo, IL. Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 16800.

Perkins, Keith W. “De Witt—Prelude to Expulsion.” In Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Missouri, edited by Arnold K. Garr and Clark V. Johnson, 261–280. Provo, UT: Department of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University, 1994.

Baugh, Alexander L. “A Call to Arms: The 1838 Mormon Defense of Northern Missouri.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1996. Also available as A Call to Arms: The 1838 Mormon Defense of Northern Missouri, Dissertations in Latter-day Saint History (Provo, UT: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; BYU Studies, 2000).

LeSueur, Stephen C. “Missouri’s Failed Compromise: The Creation of Caldwell County for the Mormons.” Journal of Mormon History 31, no. 3 (Fall 2005): 113–144.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Sidney Rigdon, Testimony, Nauvoo, IL, 1 July 1843, pp. [2]–[3], Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; and [Rigdon], Appeal to the American People, 36–37; see also Perkins, “Prelude to Expulsion,” 264–268; Baugh, “Call to Arms,” 144–145; and LeSueur, “Missouri’s Failed Compromise,” 140–144.

    Nauvoo, IL. Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 16800.

    Perkins, Keith W. “De Witt—Prelude to Expulsion.” In Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Missouri, edited by Arnold K. Garr and Clark V. Johnson, 261–280. Provo, UT: Department of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University, 1994.

    Baugh, Alexander L. “A Call to Arms: The 1838 Mormon Defense of Northern Missouri.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1996. Also available as A Call to Arms: The 1838 Mormon Defense of Northern Missouri, Dissertations in Latter-day Saint History (Provo, UT: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; BYU Studies, 2000).

    LeSueur, Stephen C. “Missouri’s Failed Compromise: The Creation of Caldwell County for the Mormons.” Journal of Mormon History 31, no. 3 (Fall 2005): 113–144.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter from David Thomas, 31 March 1838 Journal, March–September 1838

Page 27

known him to give a misrepresentation of any part, He is a merchant and I suppose doing a moderate buisness[.] his place is now, onley laid out about a year since a beautifull sight to the
river

One of longest rivers in North America, in excess of 3,000 miles. From headwaters in Montana to confluence with Mississippi River near St. Louis, Missouri River drains 580,000 square miles (about one-sixth of continental U.S.). Explored by Lewis and Clark...

More Info
, and a first rate landing
1

Root owned part of the plat for De Witt, near the Missouri River. (Carroll Co., MO, Deed Records, 1819–1929, bk. A, pp. 234–238, 367–368, microfilm 959,374, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Sidney Rigdon, Testimony, Nauvoo, IL, 1 July 1843, pp. [2]–[3], Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; [Rigdon], Appeal to the American People, 36; see also Perkins, “Prelude to Expulsion,” 264–268.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Nauvoo, IL. Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 16800.

Perkins, Keith W. “De Witt—Prelude to Expulsion.” In Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Missouri, edited by Arnold K. Garr and Clark V. Johnson, 261–280. Provo, UT: Department of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University, 1994.

And Sir permit me to say to you, if you could make it convenient or for your advantage to settle in this County, I would let you have part of my land[.]
2

Thomas owned land a few miles west of De Witt. (Carroll Co., MO, Deed Records, 1819–1929, bk. A, pp. 418–419, microfilm 959,374, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

There is yet to enter adjoining my land, as good land is in the world, I have no doubt you can do as weell here in forming a settlement and probaly better than any place in the
state

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
The facilities of the
river

One of longest rivers in North America, in excess of 3,000 miles. From headwaters in Montana to confluence with Mississippi River near St. Louis, Missouri River drains 580,000 square miles (about one-sixth of continental U.S.). Explored by Lewis and Clark...

More Info
will be of great servise to in settling this uper country
3

Far West and other Mormon settlements in Caldwell County were situated on Shoal Creek and its tributaries. Shoal Creek ran into the Grand River, which ran into the Missouri River at De Witt. (See Berrett, Sacred Places, 4:286; and Hamer, Northeast of Eden, 18–19, 30–31.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Berrett, LaMar C., ed. Sacred Places: A Comprehensive Guide to Early LDS Historical Sites. 6 vols. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1999–2007.

Hamer, John. Northeast of Eden: A Historical Atlas of Missouri’s Mormon County. [Mirabile, MO]: Far West Cultural Center, 2004.

besid[e]s some of the knowing ones have aimed to uproot you,
4

A network of influential “old-settlers” in northwestern Missouri believed that the Latter-day Saints should be driven from the area or that their settlement should be confined to Caldwell County. (Anderson, “Clarifications of Boggs’s Order,” 30–39.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Anderson, Richard Lloyd. “Clarifications of Boggs’s ‘Order’ and Joseph Smith’s Constitutionalism.” In Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Missouri, edited by Arnold K. Garr and Clark V. Johnson, 27–83. Provo, UT: Department of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University, 1994.

but here you can break them down in turn,
5

Located at the confluence of the Grand and Missouri rivers, De Witt was a strategic site for facilitating Mormon participation in regional commerce. The Saints in the Far West area could haul agricultural products by wagon to Adam-ondi-Ahman, ship them on the Grand River to the De Witt landing, and from there send them on the Missouri River to other markets. (Riggs, “Economic Impact of Fort Leavenworth,” 130.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Riggs, Michael S. “The Economic Impact of Fort Leavenworth on Northwestern Missouri, 1827–1838. Yet Another Reason for the Mormon War?” In Restoration Studies IV: A Collection of Essays about the History, Beliefs, and Practices of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, edited by Marjorie B. Troeh and Eileen M. Terril, 124–133. Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1988.

I will join you in the speculation if necessary and if possible the church[.] I will have after paying for 1600 acres of land $4,000, If they pay me in
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
, enough give my respects to
Mrs 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
& accept for yourself
a friends respect
David Thomas

12 May 1797–25 Apr. 1845. Born at Flat Rock District, Bourbon Co., Kentucky. Son of Richard Thomas and Elizabeth Bowles. Married Martha Parker, 17 Mar. 1816. Migrated to Carrollton, Carroll Co., Missouri, 1833. With Henry Root, landowner at De Witt, Carroll...

View Full Bio
Elder Joseph Smith Jr
N.B. P.S. Further I own a section of land in
Monroe [County]

Area settled, 1820. Organized from Ralls Co., 6 Jan. 1831. County seat, Paris. Population in 1836 about 6,200. Population in 1840 about 9,500. JS and Camp of Israel volunteers from Ohio and Michigan Territory joined up at Allred settlement in county, June...

More Info
near the forks of
Salt river

More Info
, and if necessary sell or make a settlement there I know of no man in the world I would rather entertain than yourself I would be glad if you would find whether my debt is secure in that place, and let me know Please to help me if you can do so without being oppressive to your feelings or interest these I do not wish you [to?] violate for me
Mr. Root

14 June 1813–9 Apr. 1895. Auctioneer, merchant, banker. Born at Clinton, Upper Canada. Son of Henry Ruth and Marie Overholt. Purchased interest in town of Eldersport (later De Witt), Carroll Co., Missouri, 1837. Sold lots in De Witt to Latter-day Saints. ...

View Full Bio
is my confidential friend anything [you?] may say to him is safe, if you cannot come [p. 27]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 27

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from David Thomas, 31 March 1838
ID #
383
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D6:61–66
Handwriting on This Page
  • George W. Robinson

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Root owned part of the plat for De Witt, near the Missouri River. (Carroll Co., MO, Deed Records, 1819–1929, bk. A, pp. 234–238, 367–368, microfilm 959,374, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Sidney Rigdon, Testimony, Nauvoo, IL, 1 July 1843, pp. [2]–[3], Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; [Rigdon], Appeal to the American People, 36; see also Perkins, “Prelude to Expulsion,” 264–268.)

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    Nauvoo, IL. Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 16800.

    Perkins, Keith W. “De Witt—Prelude to Expulsion.” In Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Missouri, edited by Arnold K. Garr and Clark V. Johnson, 261–280. Provo, UT: Department of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University, 1994.

  2. [2]

    Thomas owned land a few miles west of De Witt. (Carroll Co., MO, Deed Records, 1819–1929, bk. A, pp. 418–419, microfilm 959,374, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  3. [3]

    Far West and other Mormon settlements in Caldwell County were situated on Shoal Creek and its tributaries. Shoal Creek ran into the Grand River, which ran into the Missouri River at De Witt. (See Berrett, Sacred Places, 4:286; and Hamer, Northeast of Eden, 18–19, 30–31.)

    Berrett, LaMar C., ed. Sacred Places: A Comprehensive Guide to Early LDS Historical Sites. 6 vols. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1999–2007.

    Hamer, John. Northeast of Eden: A Historical Atlas of Missouri’s Mormon County. [Mirabile, MO]: Far West Cultural Center, 2004.

  4. [4]

    A network of influential “old-settlers” in northwestern Missouri believed that the Latter-day Saints should be driven from the area or that their settlement should be confined to Caldwell County. (Anderson, “Clarifications of Boggs’s Order,” 30–39.)

    Anderson, Richard Lloyd. “Clarifications of Boggs’s ‘Order’ and Joseph Smith’s Constitutionalism.” In Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Missouri, edited by Arnold K. Garr and Clark V. Johnson, 27–83. Provo, UT: Department of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University, 1994.

  5. [5]

    Located at the confluence of the Grand and Missouri rivers, De Witt was a strategic site for facilitating Mormon participation in regional commerce. The Saints in the Far West area could haul agricultural products by wagon to Adam-ondi-Ahman, ship them on the Grand River to the De Witt landing, and from there send them on the Missouri River to other markets. (Riggs, “Economic Impact of Fort Leavenworth,” 130.)

    Riggs, Michael S. “The Economic Impact of Fort Leavenworth on Northwestern Missouri, 1827–1838. Yet Another Reason for the Mormon War?” In Restoration Studies IV: A Collection of Essays about the History, Beliefs, and Practices of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, edited by Marjorie B. Troeh and Eileen M. Terril, 124–133. Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1988.

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