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Letter from George W. Robinson, 26 April 1843

Source Note

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...

View Full Bio
, Letter,
La Harpe

Located about twenty-five miles east of Nauvoo. Settled 1830. Originally called Franklin. Developed, platted, and renamed La Harpe, by 1836. Immigration and missionary work led to creation of branch of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in area, ...

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, to JS,
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
, Hancock Co., IL, 26 Apr. 1843; handwriting and signature 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...

View Full Bio
; one page; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address and dockets.
Single leaf measuring 12½ × 7⅝ inches (32 × 19 cm). The leaf is ruled with thirty-six horizontal gray lines that are now faded. It was trifolded twice in letter style, addressed, and sealed with a red adhesive wafer. When the letter was opened, the document’s left edge was torn. The letter was later refolded for filing.
The document was docketed by
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

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, who served as JS’s scribe from December 1841 until JS’s death in June 1844 and served as church historian from December 1842 until his own death in March 1854.
1

JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

It was also docketed by
Thomas Bullock

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

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, who served as JS’s scribe from 1843 to 1844 and as clerk to the church historian and recorder from 1845 to 1865.
2

Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 456, 458; Woodruff, Journal, 22 Jan. 1865.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

The document was listed in an inventory that was produced by the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) circa 1904.
3

“Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [3], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL).
4

See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.


The document’s early dockets, its listing in a circa 1904 inventory, and its later inclusion in the JS Collection indicate continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].

    Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

  2. [2]

    Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 456, 458; Woodruff, Journal, 22 Jan. 1865.

    Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  3. [3]

    “Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [3], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

  4. [4]

    See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 26 April 1843,
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...

View Full Bio
wrote from
La Harpe

Located about twenty-five miles east of Nauvoo. Settled 1830. Originally called Franklin. Developed, platted, and renamed La Harpe, by 1836. Immigration and missionary work led to creation of branch of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in area, ...

More Info
, Illinois, to JS in
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
, Illinois, in an attempt to settle a longstanding land dispute in Nauvoo. Robinson, a former clerk and land agent for the
church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
, had been entangled in a disagreement over property with
Carlos Granger

15 June 1790–after 1850. Wainwright. Born in Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Bildad Granger and Hannah Caulkin. Married Sarah Stiles, 31 May 1813. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1820. Described himself as “friendly” to Latter-day Saints...

View Full Bio
, a Nauvoo resident and wagonmaker.
1

Granger was not a Latter-day Saint but was “friendly to them.” (“G. W. Robinson,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:878.)


On 16 November 1841, Robinson filed a complaint against Granger in the Nauvoo mayor’s court alleging that Granger took possession of Robinson’s land in September 1839 and “with force and strong hand doth unlawfully, and unjustly, hold possession thereof.”
2

Robinson v. C. Granger [Nauvoo Mayor’s Ct. 1841], Nauvoo Mayor’s Court Docket Book, 18; see also Historical Introduction to Robinson v. C. Granger.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Mayor’s Court Docket Book / Nauvoo, IL, Mayor’s Court. Docket Book, 1843. In Historian’s Office, Historical Record Book, 1843–1874, pp. 12–50. CHL.

Conversely, Granger claimed that he had bought the land from Robinson but came to learn that Robinson had later sold the same land to “sundry persons.”
3

“G. W. Robinson,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:878. In a statement published in the Times and Seasons, Horace Eldredge claimed that he bought land in Nauvoo from Robinson in November 1839 for over $300, but when he came to Nauvoo to take possession of the land, he discovered that Robinson had already sold it to Granger. Eldredge also stated that the title bond Robinson had given him was defective. (“Certificate of Horace S. Eldridge,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:878; see also Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:878.)


At the 1841 trial, Robinson’s father-in-law,
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...

View Full Bio
, and his sister Sophia Robinson were sworn in as witnesses for the plaintiff, while
Arthur Morrison

Ca. 1802–after 1850. Merchant, tailor, militia captain, judge. Born in Virginia. Moved to Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio, by 1825. Married Keziah Ann Voriz, 17 Nov. 1825, in Clermont Co. Moved to Palestine, Darke Co., Ohio, by 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

View Full Bio
,
Stephen Markham

9 Feb. 1800–10 Mar. 1878. Carpenter, farmer, stock raiser. Born at Rush (later Avon), Ontario Co., New York. Son of David Markham and Dinah Merry. Moved to Mentor, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1809. Moved to Unionville, Geauga Co., 1810. Married Hannah Hogaboom, before...

View Full Bio
,
Lucius N. Scovil

18 Mar. 1806–14 Feb. 1889. Farmer, baker, clerk. Born in Middlebury, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Joel Scovil and Lydia. Moved to Portage Co., Ohio, by June 1828. Married Lury Snow, 18 June 1828, in Portage Co. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

View Full Bio
,
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 JS were witnesses for Granger, the defendant.
4

Robinson v. C. Granger [Nauvoo Mayor’s Ct. 1841], Nauvoo Mayor’s Court Docket Book, 18, 20–22.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Mayor’s Court Docket Book / Nauvoo, IL, Mayor’s Court. Docket Book, 1843. In Historian’s Office, Historical Record Book, 1843–1874, pp. 12–50. CHL.

After hearing the “proofs and allegations” and examining the “title-papers exhibited to the jurors,” the jury found in favor of Granger.
5

Docket Entry, ca. 16 Dec. 1841, Robinson v. C. Granger [Nauvoo Mayor’s Ct. 1841], Nauvoo Mayor’s Court Docket Book, 22.


In a hearing held after the trial, JS and
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...

View Full Bio
took opposing views of the verdict. JS argued that
Granger

15 June 1790–after 1850. Wainwright. Born in Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Bildad Granger and Hannah Caulkin. Married Sarah Stiles, 31 May 1813. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1820. Described himself as “friendly” to Latter-day Saints...

View Full Bio
had right of possession and that he properly paid for the land. Rigdon argued that possession did not establish legal right.
6

Account of Hearing, ca. 16 Dec. 1841, Robinson v. C. Granger [Nauvoo Mayor’s Ct. 1841], JS Office Papers, CHL.


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...

View Full Bio
prepared an appeal to 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
Circuit Court. However, JS convinced him to settle out of court with Granger, and court records indicate that by May 1842, the case was dismissed due to a settlement.
7

Docket Entry, Dismissal, 6 May 1842, Robinson v. Granger [Hancock Co. Cir. Ct. 1842], Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court Records, 1829–1897, vol. C, p. 277, microfilm 947,496, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; “Letter from Col. Robinson,” Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 26 Aug. 1842, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.

Robinson and Granger engaged in other land transactions over the next several months but did not fully execute the terms of the settlement.
8

The disputed land was in the southwest quarter of Section 31, Township 7 North, Range 8 West in Hancock County. (George W. and Athalia Rigdon Robinson to Carlos Granger, Deed, Hancock Co., IL, 1 Sept. 1842, Hiram Kimball, Collection, CHL; Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. N, p. 134, microfilm 954,600, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kimball, Hiram. Collection, 1830–1910. CHL.

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

By July 1842,
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...

View Full Bio
had left the church.
9

George W. Robinson, “Letter from Nauvoo,” Quincy (IL) Whig, 23 July 1842, [2]; Discourse, 29 Aug. 1842; Letter to George W. Robinson, 6 Nov. 1842.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Quincy Whig. Quincy, IL. 1838–1856.

Suspicious and hostile toward Robinson, largely because of his association with
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
, JS publicly denounced him. JS wrote a letter to
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...

View Full Bio
on 27 March 1843 accusing Rigdon of conspiring with Bennett and Robinson to undermine JS and the church.
10

Letter to Sidney Rigdon, 27 Mar. 1843; “Col. Geo. W. Robinson, of Nauvoo,” Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 5 Aug. 1842, [2]. Robinson’s disaffection occurred at the time of the controversy surrounding John C. Bennett in summer 1842. Letters to Bennett from Robinson were published in Bennett’s book History of the Saints; in those letters, Robinson asserted that JS was secretly practicing plural marriage and had proposed to Nancy Rigdon, Robinson’s wife’s younger sister. (Historical Introduction to Agreement with George W. Robinson and Sidney Rigdon, 26 Aug. 1842; Bennett, History of the Saints, 44–45, 245–249.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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.

Despite the ongoing tension, in April 1843
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...

View Full Bio
sought to finally settle the land matter with
Carlos Granger

15 June 1790–after 1850. Wainwright. Born in Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Bildad Granger and Hannah Caulkin. Married Sarah Stiles, 31 May 1813. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1820. Described himself as “friendly” to Latter-day Saints...

View Full Bio
. JS and
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...

View Full Bio
acted as intermediaries for Granger and Robinson in the settlement. Robinson wrote the letter featured here to JS, instructing him to obtain the deed from Rigdon and to have Granger give Rigdon the bond and receipts. Apparently, Robinson faced other financial difficulties in spring 1843, and any land in his name was liable to seizure and collection in judgments against him. This exchange of documents would provide Robinson with transferable notes and preserve Granger’s claim to the land, sparing him a lawsuit with Robinson’s creditors. It is unclear how this letter was transmitted to JS. Nevertheless, JS received it, and a week after Robinson wrote it, JS gave unspecified instructions about a deed between Robinson and Granger. JS went to Rigdon’s residence and obtained the deed for Granger on 4 May 1843.
11

JS, Journal, 4 May 1843.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Granger was not a Latter-day Saint but was “friendly to them.” (“G. W. Robinson,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:878.)

  2. [2]

    Robinson v. C. Granger [Nauvoo Mayor’s Ct. 1841], Nauvoo Mayor’s Court Docket Book, 18; see also Historical Introduction to Robinson v. C. Granger.

    Nauvoo Mayor’s Court Docket Book / Nauvoo, IL, Mayor’s Court. Docket Book, 1843. In Historian’s Office, Historical Record Book, 1843–1874, pp. 12–50. CHL.

  3. [3]

    “G. W. Robinson,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:878. In a statement published in the Times and Seasons, Horace Eldredge claimed that he bought land in Nauvoo from Robinson in November 1839 for over $300, but when he came to Nauvoo to take possession of the land, he discovered that Robinson had already sold it to Granger. Eldredge also stated that the title bond Robinson had given him was defective. (“Certificate of Horace S. Eldridge,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:878; see also Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:878.)

  4. [4]

    Robinson v. C. Granger [Nauvoo Mayor’s Ct. 1841], Nauvoo Mayor’s Court Docket Book, 18, 20–22.

    Nauvoo Mayor’s Court Docket Book / Nauvoo, IL, Mayor’s Court. Docket Book, 1843. In Historian’s Office, Historical Record Book, 1843–1874, pp. 12–50. CHL.

  5. [5]

    Docket Entry, ca. 16 Dec. 1841, Robinson v. C. Granger [Nauvoo Mayor’s Ct. 1841], Nauvoo Mayor’s Court Docket Book, 22.

  6. [6]

    Account of Hearing, ca. 16 Dec. 1841, Robinson v. C. Granger [Nauvoo Mayor’s Ct. 1841], JS Office Papers, CHL.

  7. [7]

    Docket Entry, Dismissal, 6 May 1842, Robinson v. Granger [Hancock Co. Cir. Ct. 1842], Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court Records, 1829–1897, vol. C, p. 277, microfilm 947,496, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; “Letter from Col. Robinson,” Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 26 Aug. 1842, [2].

    Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.

  8. [8]

    The disputed land was in the southwest quarter of Section 31, Township 7 North, Range 8 West in Hancock County. (George W. and Athalia Rigdon Robinson to Carlos Granger, Deed, Hancock Co., IL, 1 Sept. 1842, Hiram Kimball, Collection, CHL; Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. N, p. 134, microfilm 954,600, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

    Kimball, Hiram. Collection, 1830–1910. CHL.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  9. [9]

    George W. Robinson, “Letter from Nauvoo,” Quincy (IL) Whig, 23 July 1842, [2]; Discourse, 29 Aug. 1842; Letter to George W. Robinson, 6 Nov. 1842.

    Quincy Whig. Quincy, IL. 1838–1856.

  10. [10]

    Letter to Sidney Rigdon, 27 Mar. 1843; “Col. Geo. W. Robinson, of Nauvoo,” Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 5 Aug. 1842, [2]. Robinson’s disaffection occurred at the time of the controversy surrounding John C. Bennett in summer 1842. Letters to Bennett from Robinson were published in Bennett’s book History of the Saints; in those letters, Robinson asserted that JS was secretly practicing plural marriage and had proposed to Nancy Rigdon, Robinson’s wife’s younger sister. (Historical Introduction to Agreement with George W. Robinson and Sidney Rigdon, 26 Aug. 1842; Bennett, History of the Saints, 44–45, 245–249.)

    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.

  11. [11]

    JS, Journal, 4 May 1843.

Page [2]

Genl
Joseph Smith
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
Ills [p. [2]]
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Editorial Title
Letter from George W. Robinson, 26 April 1843
ID #
1055
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D12:237–240
Handwriting on This Page
  • George W. Robinson

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