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Letter from John Harper, 13 July 1842

Source Note

John Harper

ca. 1794–22 Nov. 1853. Wagonmaker, Baptist minister. Born in Kentucky. Married Mary. Moved to Bartholomew Co., Indiana, ca. 1828. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1838. Established Shiloh Church near St. Mary’s Township, Hancock Co., 1842, and Enon Church...

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, Letter,
St. Mary’s Township

Township and post office located about ninety-five miles west of Springfield, Illinois. Laid out, 1835. Population in 1840 about 100. John Harper, candidate for Illinois legislature, corresponded with JS from St. Mary’s Township regarding Harper’s popularity...

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], 13 July 1842; handwriting of
John Harper

ca. 1794–22 Nov. 1853. Wagonmaker, Baptist minister. Born in Kentucky. Married Mary. Moved to Bartholomew Co., Indiana, ca. 1828. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1838. Established Shiloh Church near St. Mary’s Township, Hancock Co., 1842, and Enon Church...

View Full Bio
; one page; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address and dockets.
Single leaf measuring 12¼ × 7⅜ inches (31 × 19 cm). The leaf appears to have been folded for delivery and subsequently folded for filing. Some discoloration of the paper has occurred in the address block on the verso of the page.
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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, who served as scribe to JS from 1842 to 1844,
1

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


Comprehensive Works Cited

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.

docketed the document, as did
Leo Hawkins

19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...

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, who worked as a clerk in the Church Historian’s Office from 1853 to 1859.
2

“Obituary of Leo Hawkins,” Millennial Star, 30 July 1859, 21:496–497.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

The letter was listed in an inventory produced by the Church Historian’s Office circa 1904.
3

“Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, 1, 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 it 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, the circa 1904 inventory, and inclusion in the JS Collection by 1973 indicate continuous institutional custody.

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]

    “Obituary of Leo Hawkins,” Millennial Star, 30 July 1859, 21:496–497.

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

  3. [3]

    “Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, 1, 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 13 July 1842,
John Harper

ca. 1794–22 Nov. 1853. Wagonmaker, Baptist minister. Born in Kentucky. Married Mary. Moved to Bartholomew Co., Indiana, ca. 1828. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1838. Established Shiloh Church near St. Mary’s Township, Hancock Co., 1842, and Enon Church...

View Full Bio
, a farmer from
St. Mary’s Township

Township and post office located about ninety-five miles west of Springfield, Illinois. Laid out, 1835. Population in 1840 about 100. John Harper, candidate for Illinois legislature, corresponded with JS from St. Mary’s Township regarding Harper’s popularity...

More Info
, Illinois, wrote 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, seeking the Latter-day Saints’ political support in the upcoming August election. Harper was campaigning as an independent to represent
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
in the
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
House of Representatives.
1

At the request of someone who wrote to the newspaper, in mid-July 1842 the Warsaw Signal published the “Peoples’ Independent Ticket,” which listed John Harper as a candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives. (“To the Editor of the Signal,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, 16 July 1842, [3].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

A month earlier, in a letter printed in the 11 June issue of the Wasp, he addressed the citizens of Hancock County and stated his intention to fix the state’s economic difficulties and oppose internal improvements. In that same published letter, Harper, who seemed to particularly have the county’s Latter-day Saint population in mind, also voiced his opposition to the “despotic spirit” he had observed at a recent convention of the Anti-Mormon Party.
2

John Harper, “To the Citizens of Hancock County,” Wasp, 11 June 1842, [2]. Harper was probably referring to a convention held in late May 1842. (“Great Mass Convention of the People of Hancock County,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, [13] Apr. 1842, [2]; [Thomas C. Sharp], “The Last Move,” Warsaw Signal, 9 July 1842, [2]; see also Historical Introduction to Letter to the Citizens of Hancock County, ca. 2 July 1842.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.

Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

The Anti-Mormon political party was organized in
Warsaw

Located at foot of Des Moines rapids of Mississippi River at site of three military forts: Fort Johnson (1814), Cantonment Davis (1815–1818), and Fort Edwards (1816–1824). First settlers participated in fur trade. Important trade and shipping center. Post...

More Info
, Illinois, in June 1841 to oppose the perceived political threat posed by the Latter-day Saints.
3

“Public Meeting,” Warsaw (IL) Signal, 9 June 1841, [3]; “Anti-Mormon Meeting,” Warsaw Signal, 23 June 1841, [3]; “To the Citizens of Hancock County,” Warsaw Signal, 21 July 1841, [3].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

In an Anti-Mormon meeting held late that month,
Harper

ca. 1794–22 Nov. 1853. Wagonmaker, Baptist minister. Born in Kentucky. Married Mary. Moved to Bartholomew Co., Indiana, ca. 1828. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1838. Established Shiloh Church near St. Mary’s Township, Hancock Co., 1842, and Enon Church...

View Full Bio
spoke in favor of the
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
charter.
4

Letter from John Harper, 14 July 1842; John Harper, Letter to the Editor, Nauvoo Neighbor, 4 Oct. 1843, [3]. The meeting appears to have been the Anti-Mormon Party’s convention, which was scheduled to take place on 28 June 1841. (“Anti-Mormon Meeting,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, 23 June 1841, [3].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

The next year, in a May 1842 convention, the Anti-Mormon Party nominated a full ticket for the state election in August.
5

[Thomas C. Sharp], “The Last Move,” Warsaw (IL) Signal, 9 July 1842, [2]. Although scheduled for 30 May 1842, it appears that this meeting was held on 29 May 1842. A “full ticket” indicates that the party nominated an individual for every available office. (“Great Mass Convention of the People of Hancock County,” Warsaw Signal, 4 May 1842, [2].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

In response, JS published a letter dated 2 July encouraging independent candidates who opposed the sentiment governing the Anti-Mormon Party to run for office.
6

Letter to the Citizens of Hancock County, ca. 2 July 1842.


JS’s invitation may have encouraged Harper to write his letter of 13 July, featured here, wherein Harper asked for Latter-day Saint political support and reassured JS that, if elected, he would attend to the Saints’ interests. The lack of postal markings indicates that the letter was hand delivered to JS or an associate 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
. The letter would have taken at least a day to reach Nauvoo from
St. Mary’s

Township and post office located about ninety-five miles west of Springfield, Illinois. Laid out, 1835. Population in 1840 about 100. John Harper, candidate for Illinois legislature, corresponded with JS from St. Mary’s Township regarding Harper’s popularity...

More Info
, a township located in southeastern
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
, approximately thirty miles from Nauvoo. There is no record of a reply from JS. The next day, Harper wrote another letter to JS, again seeking political support and attempting to quell rumors that he had supported the Anti-Mormon Party.
7

Letter from John Harper, 14 July 1842.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    At the request of someone who wrote to the newspaper, in mid-July 1842 the Warsaw Signal published the “Peoples’ Independent Ticket,” which listed John Harper as a candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives. (“To the Editor of the Signal,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, 16 July 1842, [3].)

    Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

  2. [2]

    John Harper, “To the Citizens of Hancock County,” Wasp, 11 June 1842, [2]. Harper was probably referring to a convention held in late May 1842. (“Great Mass Convention of the People of Hancock County,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, [13] Apr. 1842, [2]; [Thomas C. Sharp], “The Last Move,” Warsaw Signal, 9 July 1842, [2]; see also Historical Introduction to Letter to the Citizens of Hancock County, ca. 2 July 1842.)

    The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.

    Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

  3. [3]

    “Public Meeting,” Warsaw (IL) Signal, 9 June 1841, [3]; “Anti-Mormon Meeting,” Warsaw Signal, 23 June 1841, [3]; “To the Citizens of Hancock County,” Warsaw Signal, 21 July 1841, [3].

    Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

  4. [4]

    Letter from John Harper, 14 July 1842; John Harper, Letter to the Editor, Nauvoo Neighbor, 4 Oct. 1843, [3]. The meeting appears to have been the Anti-Mormon Party’s convention, which was scheduled to take place on 28 June 1841. (“Anti-Mormon Meeting,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, 23 June 1841, [3].)

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

    Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

  5. [5]

    [Thomas C. Sharp], “The Last Move,” Warsaw (IL) Signal, 9 July 1842, [2]. Although scheduled for 30 May 1842, it appears that this meeting was held on 29 May 1842. A “full ticket” indicates that the party nominated an individual for every available office. (“Great Mass Convention of the People of Hancock County,” Warsaw Signal, 4 May 1842, [2].)

    Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

  6. [6]

    Letter to the Citizens of Hancock County, ca. 2 July 1842.

  7. [7]

    Letter from John Harper, 14 July 1842.

Page [2]

To Mr Joseph Smit [p. [2]]
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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from John Harper, 13 July 1842
ID #
880
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D10:260–262
Handwriting on This Page
  • John Harper

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