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Letter from Newel K. Whitney, 29 October 1841

Source Note

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...

View Full Bio
, Letter,
Cleveland

Cuyahoga Co. seat of justice, 1833. Situated on south shore of Lake Erie, just east of mouth of Cuyahoga River. First settled, 1797. Incorporated as village, 1815; incorporated as city, 1836. Became center of business and trade at opening of Ohio and Erie...

More Info
, Cuyahoga Co., OH, 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, 29 Oct. 1841; handwriting of
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...

View Full Bio
; one page; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, postal stamp, postal notation, and dockets.
Single leaf measuring 12⅛ × 8 inches (31 × 20 cm). The letter was trifolded twice in letter style and then sealed with a red adhesive wafer, addressed, stamped, and mailed. Removal of the wafer, which likely occurred when the recipient opened the letter, tore a hole at the middle of the letter.
On the verso of the letter, a docket by
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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, who served in a clerical capacity for JS from 1841 to 1842, indicates the document was retained by the office of JS in 1841.
1

See John S. Fullmer, [Nauvoo, IL], to George D. Fullmer, Nashville, TN, 28 Mar. 1841, in Fullmer, Letterbook, 124; Letter to Smith Tuttle, 9 Oct. 1841; and JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Isaac Galland, [Keokuk, Iowa Territory], 17 Jan. 1842, JS Collection, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Fullmer, John S. Letterbook, 1836–1881. John S. Fullmer Journal and Letterbook, 1836–1881. CHL.

A second docket was inscribed by
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...

View Full Bio
, who served 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 is listed in a Church Historian’s Office inventory from 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 dockets, inventory, and inclusion in the JS Collection indicate the letter has been in institutional custody since it was received.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See John S. Fullmer, [Nauvoo, IL], to George D. Fullmer, Nashville, TN, 28 Mar. 1841, in Fullmer, Letterbook, 124; Letter to Smith Tuttle, 9 Oct. 1841; and JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Isaac Galland, [Keokuk, Iowa Territory], 17 Jan. 1842, JS Collection, CHL.

    Fullmer, John S. Letterbook, 1836–1881. John S. Fullmer Journal and Letterbook, 1836–1881. CHL.

  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

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...

View Full Bio
, a
bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

View Glossary
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, wrote a letter updating JS on efforts to procure and transport goods from
Ohio

French explored and claimed area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Northeastern portion maintained as part of Connecticut, 1786, and called Connecticut...

More Info
to Nauvoo. Whitney managed
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...

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storehouses

Both a literal and a figurative repository for goods and land donated to the church. The book of Malachi directed the house of Israel to bring “all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house.” In JS’s revision of the Old Testament...

View Glossary
in both
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Ohio, and Nauvoo that were used, at least partly, to supply goods to the poor.
1

See Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831–B [D&C 72:9–10]; Revelation, 20 July 1831 [D&C 57:8]; Pay Order to Newel K. Whitney for “Mrs. Young,” 15 June 1840; Pay Order to Newel K. Whitney for George Miller, 18 Sept. 1840; and Letter to Newel K. Whitney, 12 Dec. 1840.


In his work as a storekeeper, he supplied stores with goods from eastern firms, and he drew from that experience to supply the church’s storehouses.
2

Blessing to Newel K. Whitney, 7 Oct. 1835. Whitney frequently made purchasing trips on his own, but others also bought and transported goods to Whitney while he managed the storehouses. (See, for example, Letter from Edward Hunter, 27 Oct. 1841.)


Sometime following the April 1841 general church
conference

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

View Glossary
,
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...

View Full Bio
left
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
to obtain storehouse goods, primarily clothing and fabric.
3

Whitney gave the benediction for the fourth, or northeast, cornerstone during the dedication ceremony on 6 April, and he participated in the general church conference held 7–11 April. (See Historical Introduction to Benediction, 6 Apr. 1841; and Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.)


He was in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
at least ten days before he wrote this letter to JS.
4

See Letter from Almon Babbitt, 19 Oct. 1841.


While it is unknown how long Whitney had been away from Nauvoo, he was likely on his way back to Nauvoo by early November, as the letter suggests, but no records confirm his presence in Nauvoo until 18 December.
5

Whitney was in Nauvoo by 18 December 1841, when he took part in a meeting of the University of Nauvoo board of regents. (“Common School Books Adopted,” Times and Seasons, 1 Jan. 1842, 3:652.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

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...

View Full Bio
sent this letter from
Cleveland

Cuyahoga Co. seat of justice, 1833. Situated on south shore of Lake Erie, just east of mouth of Cuyahoga River. First settled, 1797. Incorporated as village, 1815; incorporated as city, 1836. Became center of business and trade at opening of Ohio and Erie...

More Info
, Ohio, on 31 October 1841. According to a later JS history, JS received the letter 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
on 9 November 1841.
6

JS History, vol. C-1, 1244.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831–B [D&C 72:9–10]; Revelation, 20 July 1831 [D&C 57:8]; Pay Order to Newel K. Whitney for “Mrs. Young,” 15 June 1840; Pay Order to Newel K. Whitney for George Miller, 18 Sept. 1840; and Letter to Newel K. Whitney, 12 Dec. 1840.

  2. [2]

    Blessing to Newel K. Whitney, 7 Oct. 1835. Whitney frequently made purchasing trips on his own, but others also bought and transported goods to Whitney while he managed the storehouses. (See, for example, Letter from Edward Hunter, 27 Oct. 1841.)

  3. [3]

    Whitney gave the benediction for the fourth, or northeast, cornerstone during the dedication ceremony on 6 April, and he participated in the general church conference held 7–11 April. (See Historical Introduction to Benediction, 6 Apr. 1841; and Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.)

  4. [4]

    See Letter from Almon Babbitt, 19 Oct. 1841.

  5. [5]

    Whitney was in Nauvoo by 18 December 1841, when he took part in a meeting of the University of Nauvoo board of regents. (“Common School Books Adopted,” Times and Seasons, 1 Jan. 1842, 3:652.)

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

  6. [6]

    JS History, vol. C-1, 1244.

Page [2]

 
<​
CLEVELAND

Cuyahoga Co. seat of justice, 1833. Situated on south shore of Lake Erie, just east of mouth of Cuyahoga River. First settled, 1797. Incorporated as village, 1815; incorporated as city, 1836. Became center of business and trade at opening of Ohio and Erie...

More Info
[OH] [OC]T [31]​>

Postal place and date stamped in brown ink. “[incomplete ink transfer] [incomplete ink transfer]T [incomplete ink transfer]”.


<​25​>

Postage in unidentified handwriting.


Mr. J. 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
Handcock Co
Illinois [p. [2]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Newel K. Whitney, 29 October 1841
ID #
705
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D8:336–339
Handwriting on This Page
  • Newel K. Whitney
  • Printed text
  • Unidentified

Footnotes

  1. new scribe logo

    Postal place and date stamped in brown ink. “[incomplete ink transfer] [incomplete ink transfer]T [incomplete ink transfer]”.

  2. new scribe logo

    Postage in unidentified handwriting.

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