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Letter from Fayette Mace, 7 October 1843

Source Note

, , [Franklin Co., ME], to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 7 Oct. 1843; handwriting presumably of ; two pages; Helen Vilate Bourne Fleming, Collection, CHL. Includes address, wafer seal, and docket.
Bifolium measuring 9⅞ × 7⅝ inches (25 × 19 cm). The author inscribed the letter on the recto pages of the two leaves; the verso of the first leaf was left blank. The document was trifolded twice in letter style, addressed, and sealed with a green adhesive wafer. The recto and verso of the first leaf contain wafer residue. It contains several tears and holes at folds, resulting in a loss of text, and has undergone conservation.
The letter was docketed by , who served as scribe to JS from 1842 to 1844. In late 1844, following JS’s death, became one of the interim church trustees and was appointed “first bishop” among other bishops. It was presumably during this time that many of the church’s financial and other administrative records passed into his possession. This document, along with some other personal and institutional documents that may have been kept by Whitney, was inherited by Whitney’s great-granddaughter Helen Vilate Bourne Fleming, who passed these and other family papers down to her daughter Helen Marian Fleming Petersen. In 1988, shortly after Petersen’s death, this collection was found in a box in her home, and later that year family members donated it to the Church Historical Department (now CHL).

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 29 June 1842; “Clayton, William,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:718.

    Jenson, Andrew. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 4 vols. Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Co., 1901–1936.

  2. [2]

    Richards, Journal, 9 Aug. 1844; “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1844, 5:693; see also Minutes, Times and Seasons, Dec. 1839, 1:30.

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

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  3. [3]

    See the full bibliographic entry for Helen Vilate Bourne Fleming, Collection, 1836–1963, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 7 October 1843, wrote a letter from his home in , Maine, to JS in , Illinois, in which he tacitly expressed interest in joining the fellowship of living in Nauvoo. Like other religious seekers of his day, Mace had affiliated with different Christian denominations during the previous two decades. Influenced by the writings of Universalist theologian Hosea Ballou, Mace aligned with the Universalist movement in in the late 1810s. He became a prominent Universalist minister during the 1820s and presided over, participated in, or preached to congregations in Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, , , and . Universalist reverend Zenas Thompson later recalled that Mace was “a man of splendid gifts and fair attainments, we all who knew him in his early prime can bear witness.” Reminiscing about his days as a Universalist minister, Mace stated, “I preached what I sincerely believed; and always professed to be open to conviction, and to be ready to receive any ‘new light,’ let it come from what quarter it might.”
By the early 1830s, became dissatisfied with some of the tenets of Universalism, feeling that ministers of the faith were “contending for a salvation which we did not possess.” After a chance meeting with members of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (commonly referred to as Shakers), Mace and his wife, Sarah, converted to that denomination and moved their family south to the New Gloucester Shaker community near Sabbathday Lake, Maine, around 1835. A few years later, Mace published a book titled Familiar Dialogues on Shakerism, in which he used a series of his own past conversations to articulate and defend the principles of the religion. His exuberance for Shakerism eventually waned, and he apparently left the community after several years. He returned to the area, while his wife and daughters apparently remained with a Shaker family in New Gloucester, Maine. While extant records do not indicate what he did after returning to Farmington, this letter to JS indicates that Mace continued to seek “new light.”
In the letter featured here, described his sympathy for JS and the Latter-day Saints, seemingly expressed interest in being and purchasing land in , and sought JS’s counsel. A notation on the letter, as well as a lack of postal markings, suggests that the letter was hand delivered by a man named David Cowan; a docket in the handwriting of indicates that the letter was received by JS in Nauvoo. There is no known response.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Mace, Familiar Dialogues on Shakerism, 4; Titus, “Reminiscences of Early American Universalism,” 441.

    Mace, Fayette. Familiar Dialogues on Shakerism; in Which the Principles of the United Society Are Illustrated and Defended. Portland, ME: Charles Day, 1838.

    Titus, Anson. “Reminiscences of Early American Universalism.” In The Universalist Quarterly and General Review, edited by Thomas B. Thayer, 430–453. Boston: Universalist Publishing House, 1885.

  2. [2]

    Cobb, Autobiography, 74, 83–84, 92, 101, 133, 143, 185; Capen, Half-Century Memorial of the First Universalist Society in Providence, Rhode Island, 12, 15–16; Staples, Annals of the Town of Providence, 477; “Religious Notice,” Christian Intelligencer, 16 Aug. 1823, 3:27; Knowlton, Annals of Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick, 148; “Universalists Associations,” Gospel Herald and Universalist Review, 10 Oct. 1829, 329; “Dedication,” Gloucester (MA) Telegraph, 10 Oct. 1829, [3].

    Cobb, Sylvanus. Autobiography of the First Forty-One Years of the Life of Sylvanus Cobb, D. D. to Which Is Added a Memoir, by His Eldest Son, Sylvanus Cobb, Jr. Boston: Universalist Publishing House, 1867.

    Capen, E. H., ed. A Half-Century Memorial of the First Universalist Society in Providence, Rhode Island, Comprising an Historical Discourse by Rev. E. H. Capen, a Poem by Rev. Cyrus H. Fay, an Account of Commemorative Services Held in the Church, and in Roger Williams Hall, April 12th, 1871, Together with an Appendix. Providence, RI: Gladding Bro. and Co., 1871.

    Staples, William R. Annals of the Town of Providence, from Its First Settlement, to the Organization of the City Government, in June, 1832. Providence: Knowles and Vose, 1843.

    Christian Intelligencer. New York City. 1833–1848.

    Knowlton, I. C. Annals of Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick; Including the Village of Milltown, ME., and the Present Town of Milltown, N. B. Calais, ME: J. A. Sears, 1875.

    Gospel Herald and Universalist Review. New York City. 1829–1831.

    Gloucester Telegraph. Gloucester, MA. 1827–1838.

  3. [3]

    Capen, Half-Century Memorial of the First Universalist Society in Providence, Rhode Island, 16n1.

    Capen, E. H., ed. A Half-Century Memorial of the First Universalist Society in Providence, Rhode Island, Comprising an Historical Discourse by Rev. E. H. Capen, a Poem by Rev. Cyrus H. Fay, an Account of Commemorative Services Held in the Church, and in Roger Williams Hall, April 12th, 1871, Together with an Appendix. Providence, RI: Gladding Bro. and Co., 1871.

  4. [4]

    Mace, Familiar Dialogues on Shakerism, 4, italics in original.

    Mace, Fayette. Familiar Dialogues on Shakerism; in Which the Principles of the United Society Are Illustrated and Defended. Portland, ME: Charles Day, 1838.

  5. [5]

    Mace, Familiar Dialogues on Shakerism, 4–5.

    Mace, Fayette. Familiar Dialogues on Shakerism; in Which the Principles of the United Society Are Illustrated and Defended. Portland, ME: Charles Day, 1838.

  6. [6]

    Mace, Familiar Dialogues on Shakerism, 3, 5–6; Paterwic, Historical Dictionary of Shakers, 132.

    Mace, Fayette. Familiar Dialogues on Shakerism; in Which the Principles of the United Society Are Illustrated and Defended. Portland, ME: Charles Day, 1838.

    Paterwic, Stephen J. Historical Dictionary of the Shakers. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2008.

  7. [7]

    Capen, Half-Century Memorial of the First Universalist Society in Providence, Rhode Island, 16n1; Titus, “Reminiscences of Early American Universalism,” 441; Paterwic, Historical Dictionary of Shakers, 132.

    Capen, E. H., ed. A Half-Century Memorial of the First Universalist Society in Providence, Rhode Island, Comprising an Historical Discourse by Rev. E. H. Capen, a Poem by Rev. Cyrus H. Fay, an Account of Commemorative Services Held in the Church, and in Roger Williams Hall, April 12th, 1871, Together with an Appendix. Providence, RI: Gladding Bro. and Co., 1871.

    Titus, Anson. “Reminiscences of Early American Universalism.” In The Universalist Quarterly and General Review, edited by Thomas B. Thayer, 430–453. Boston: Universalist Publishing House, 1885.

    Paterwic, Stephen J. Historical Dictionary of the Shakers. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2008.

  8. [8]

    Capen, Half-Century Memorial of the First Universalist Society in Providence, Rhode Island, 16n1; 1870 U.S. Census, Buxton, York Co., ME, 30; Paterwic, Historical Dictionary of Shakers, 132; “That Precious Name,” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 26 Apr. 1881, 264; Application for Fayette Mace, 28 Nov. 1841, Record Group 92, Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, National Archives, Washington DC.

    Capen, E. H., ed. A Half-Century Memorial of the First Universalist Society in Providence, Rhode Island, Comprising an Historical Discourse by Rev. E. H. Capen, a Poem by Rev. Cyrus H. Fay, an Account of Commemorative Services Held in the Church, and in Roger Williams Hall, April 12th, 1871, Together with an Appendix. Providence, RI: Gladding Bro. and Co., 1871.

    Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

    Paterwic, Stephen J. Historical Dictionary of the Shakers. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2008.

    Advent Review and Sabbath Herald. Saratoga Springs, NY, 1851–1852; Rochester, NY, 1852–1855; Battle Creek, MI, 1855–1903; Washington DC, 1903–1961, 1971–1977.

    Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925–1941. Record Group 92, Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General. National Archives, Washington DC.

Page [3]

[been] companionless and alone. My design design is to put my shoulder to the wheel of the triumphant car of truth and hope that you will find in me a person who will not shrink at trifling impediments. Do not receive this in the light of boasting but rather in conformity to the spirit of the declaration of scripture that “the strength of God is made perfect in our weakness[”]
Among all my imperfections I [ca]n truly say that I never proved treachero[u]s to my friends nor flagged in my exertions to advance the interest of any social body to which I have been attached so long as they acted up to the principles of truth and rightiousness.
I have read the gross libels penned by Butler and others and the whole have rather prejudiced me in your favor
Your are at liberty to read this letter to your particular friends and give me such advice as [yo]u in wisdom, the result of your mutual co[u]ncil shall dictate.
Yours in the bonds of the Gospel
Joseph Smith jr [p. [3]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Fayette Mace, 7 October 1843
ID #
1490
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D13:169–174
Handwriting on This Page
  • Fayette Mace

Footnotes

  1. [4]

    A common idiom of the day, the phrase appeared in English translations of a fable called “Hercules and the Waggoner,” which was attributed to Aesop. (James, Aesop’s Fables: A New Version, 70; see also “Correspondence,” Crisis [London], 10 Nov. 1832, 144; Gilman et al., Journals and Miscellaneous Notebooks of Ralph Waldo Emerson, 99; and Castleman, Plain Sermons for Servants, 266.)

    James, Thomas. Aesop’s Fables: A New Version, Chiefly from Original Sources. London: John Murray, 1848.

    The Crisis; or, The Change from Error and Misery, to Truth and Happiness. London. 1832–1834.

    Gilman, William H., Alfred R. Ferguson, and Merrell R. Davis, eds. The Journals and Miscellaneous Notebooks of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Vol. 2, 1822–1826. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1961.

    Castleman, T. T. Plain Sermons for Servants. Philadelphia: King and Baird, 1851.

  2. [5]

    See 2 Corinthians 12:9.

  3. [6]

    TEXT: “[page torn]n”. Text missing because of damage here and in the rest of the document has been supplied from context.

  4. [7]

    TEXT: “treachero[page torn]s”.

  5. [8]

    John C. Bennett, who was formerly the mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois, and an assistant president in the First Presidency, was excommunicated in May 1842. After leaving Nauvoo in June, Bennett sent a series of letters to the Sangamo Journal attacking JS’s character and accusing him of ordering the assassination of former Missouri governor Lilburn W. Boggs. Republished in newspapers in the eastern United States, Bennett’s allegations created some antipathy toward the church. By October 1842, Bennett published History of the Saints; or, An Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. He then embarked on a lecture tour through New York, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa from late 1842 to summer 1843. (See “Astounding Mormon Disclosures! Letter from Gen. Bennett,” Sangamo Journal [Springfield, IL], 8 July 1842, [2]; “Further Mormon Developments!! 2d Letter from Gen. Bennett,” and “Gen Bennett’s Third Letter,” Sangamo Journal, 15 July 1842, [2]; “Gen Bennett’s 4th Letter,” Sangamo Journal, 22 July 1842, [2]; Letter from John E. Page, 8 Aug. 1842; John C. Bennett, History of the Saints; or, An Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism [Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842]; “The Mormons,” New York Herald [New York City], 21 Oct. 1842, [2]; “The Mormon Bible,” Christian Mirror, 29 Dec. 1842, 88; and Smith, Saintly Scoundrel, 129–138.)

    Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.

    Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

    New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

    Christian Mirror. Portland, ME. 1822–1899.

    Smith, Andrew F. The Saintly Scoundrel: The Life and Times of Dr. John Cook Bennett. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1997.

  6. [9]

    TEXT: “[page torn]u”.

  7. [10]

    TEXT: “co[page torn]ncil”.

  8. [11]

    Mace’s given name appears as “Fayette” in the majority of contemporaneous records. In some sources, however, Mace is referred to as “Lafayette,” “Dela Fayette,” or “De La Fayette” Mace. (1820 U.S. Census, Somerset Co., ME, 263; “Minutes,” Christian Telescope and Universalist Miscellany, 3 Sept. 1826, 40; Cobb, Autobiography, 74.

    Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

    Christian Telescope and Universalist Miscellany. Providence, RI. 1826–1828.

    Cobb, Sylvanus. Autobiography of the First Forty-One Years of the Life of Sylvanus Cobb, D. D. to Which Is Added a Memoir, by His Eldest Son, Sylvanus Cobb, Jr. Boston: Universalist Publishing House, 1867.

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