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Letter from Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, 23 November 1841

Source Note

Orville Browning

10 Feb. 1806–10 Aug. 1881. Lawyer, politician. Born at Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Kentucky. Son of Micajah Browning and Sarah Brown. Attended Augusta College, in Augusta, Bracken Co., Kentucky. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, and practiced law...

View Full Bio
and
Nehemiah Bushnell

9 Oct. 1813–31 Jan. 1873. Editor, lawyer, railroad company president. Born in Westbrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Nehemiah Bushnell and Mehitable. Graduated from Yale University, 1835. Admitted to Connecticut bar, 1837. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co...

View Full Bio
, Letter,
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
, Adams 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, 23 Nov. 1841; handwriting of
Orville Browning

10 Feb. 1806–10 Aug. 1881. Lawyer, politician. Born at Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Kentucky. Son of Micajah Browning and Sarah Brown. Attended Augusta College, in Augusta, Bracken Co., Kentucky. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, and practiced law...

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; one page; Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU. Includes docket and archival marking.
Single leaf measuring 9⅞ × 7¾ inches (25 × 20 cm). The document is folded in letter style with two vertical folds and six horizontal folds. The document shows wear, including tearing on the right edge and some discoloration. A docket was added on the verso.
The 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.

It is unknown when the letter came into the possession 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...

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. This document, along with many other personal and institutional documents that Newel K. Whitney kept, was inherited by his daughter Mary Jane Whitney, who married Isaac Groo. The documents were passed down within the Groo family. Between 1969 and 1974, the Groo family donated their collection of Newel K. Whitney’s papers to the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University.
2

Andrus and Fuller, Register of the Newel Kimball Whitney Papers, 24.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Andrus, Hyrum L., and Chris Fuller, comp. Register of the Newel Kimball Whitney Papers. Provo, UT: Division of Archives and Manuscripts, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, 1978.

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]

    Andrus and Fuller, Register of the Newel Kimball Whitney Papers, 24.

    Andrus, Hyrum L., and Chris Fuller, comp. Register of the Newel Kimball Whitney Papers. Provo, UT: Division of Archives and Manuscripts, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, 1978.

Historical Introduction

On 23 November 1841, attorneys
Orville Browning

10 Feb. 1806–10 Aug. 1881. Lawyer, politician. Born at Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Kentucky. Son of Micajah Browning and Sarah Brown. Attended Augusta College, in Augusta, Bracken Co., Kentucky. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, and practiced law...

View Full Bio
and
Nehemiah Bushnell

9 Oct. 1813–31 Jan. 1873. Editor, lawyer, railroad company president. Born in Westbrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Nehemiah Bushnell and Mehitable. Graduated from Yale University, 1835. Admitted to Connecticut bar, 1837. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co...

View Full Bio
in
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
, Illinois, wrote a letter 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, requesting payment on debt that JS and others owed to the
New York City

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

More Info
mercantile firm Halsted, Haines & Co. In addition to asking JS when they could expect the loan payment, Browning and Bushnell suggested that JS use land deeds to pay for a portion of the debt.
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
leaders had acquired the debt to Halsted, Haines & Co. while 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
in the 1830s. At least part of the debt was incurred when
Reynolds Cahoon

30 Apr. 1790–29 Apr. 1861. Farmer, tanner, builder. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Son of William Cahoon Jr. and Mehitable Hodges. Married Thirza Stiles, 11 Dec. 1810. Moved to northeastern Ohio, 1811. Located at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co.,...

View Full Bio
,
Jared Carter

14 June 1801–6 July 1849. Born at Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Gideon Carter and Johanna Sims. Moved to Benson, Rutland Co., Vermont, by 1810. Married Lydia Ames, 20 Sept. 1823, at Benson. Moved to Chenango, Broome Co., New York, by Jan...

View Full Bio
, and
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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, members of the Kirtland mercantile firm of
Cahoon, Carter & Co.

A mercantile company likely established in June 1835, composed of partners Reynolds Cahoon, Jared Carter, and Hyrum Smith. The company was an outgrowth of their role as members of the committee to build the House of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio; the funds they...

View Glossary
, purchased goods to be sold at Kirtland’s “committee store,” the profits of which were used to pay for the construction of the Kirtland
temple

JS revelation, dated Jan. 1831, directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” In Dec. 1832, JS revelation directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS revelation, dated 1 June 1833, chastened...

More Info
.
1

Minutes, 4 May 1833; Hyrum Smith et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Churches of Christ,” 1 June 1833, in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 36–37; Minutes, 6 June 1833; JS, Journal, 17 Dec. 1835; “Anniversary of the Church,” Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1837, 3:488; for more information on the committee store, see Advertisements, Northern Times (Kirtland, OH), 2 Oct. 1835, [4]; Historical Introduction to Blessing to Newel K. Whitney, 7 Oct. 1835; and Historical Introduction to Power of Attorney to Oliver Granger, 27 Sept. 1837.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

Northern Times. Kirtland, OH. 1835–[1836?].

During 1835 and 1836, the firm purchased wholesale goods on credit from merchants in
New York City

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

More Info
and
Buffalo

Located in western New York on eastern shore of Lake Erie at head of Niagara River and mouth of Buffalo Creek. County seat. Settled by 1801. Land for town allocated, 1810. Incorporated as village, 1813, but mostly destroyed later that year during War of 1812...

More Info
.
2

JS, Journal, 7 Oct. 1835; Gardner & Patterson, Pay Order, Buffalo, NY, to Reynolds Cahoon for Payne & Wilson, 10 Oct. 1835, JS Office Papers, CHL.


At least two promissory notes, referenced in the letter featured here, came due in September 1837. Seeking repayment for the purchased goods,
James Halsted

5 May 1808–22 Mar. 1888. Merchant, insurance company president. Born in Newton, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Son of Job S. Halsted and Ann McIntire. Moved to New York City, ca. 1824. Presbyterian. Married Catherine Crane, 19 Dec. 1833, in New York City. Became...

View Full Bio
and
Richard Haines

21 May 1795–21 Aug. 1870. Merchant. Born in Elizabeth, Essex Co., New Jersey. Son of Benjamin Haines and Rebecca Townley. Partner in Halsted, Haines & Co., one of largest dry-goods stores in U.S. Married first Mariah W. Johnson. Among founders of Union Theological...

View Full Bio
sued Carter and his partners at the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas in October 1838.
3

Halsted, Haines & Co. v. Jared Carter et al., 16 Apr. 1839, [Geauga Co. C.P. 1839], Brigham Young Office, Halsted, Haines & Co. File, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office. Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867. Copy of case, Halsted, Haines & Co. v. Granger et al. (Geauga Co. C.P. 1841). CHL.

With
Oliver Granger

7 Feb. 1794–23/25 Aug. 1841. Sheriff, church agent. Born at Phelps, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Pierce Granger and Clarissa Trumble. Married Lydia Dibble, 8 Sept. 1813, at Phelps. Member of Methodist church and licensed exhorter. Sheriff of Ontario Co. ...

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acting as his
agent

A specific church office and, more generally, someone “entrusted with the business of another.” Agents in the church assisted other ecclesiastical officers, especially the bishop in his oversight of the church’s temporal affairs. A May 1831 revelation instructed...

View Glossary
, JS agreed to assume the debts of Cahoon, Carter & Co. in August 1839, when the firm determined that it could not meet its financial obligations.
4

Historical Introduction to Agreement with Mead & Betts, 2 Aug. 1839.


Various circumstances inhibited JS’s ability to pay these and other debts. JS had faced difficult economic and legal circumstances in
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
before leaving in 1838. His loss of property in
Missouri

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
and his efforts to build a new settlement for the Saints at
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
further strained his finances.
5

Introduction to Part 6: 20 Apr.–14 Sept. 1837; Historical Introduction to Agreement, 4 Jan. 1838; Introduction to Part 3: 4 Nov. 1838–16 Apr. 1839; Bill of Damages, 4 June 1839; Introduction to Part 4: 24 Apr.–12 Aug. 1839; Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A.


In addition, the financial panics of 1837 and 1839 and the consequent economic depression of the early 1840s made it difficult for many Americans to pay their debts during this period.
6

See Introduction to Part 6: 20 Apr.–14 Sept. 1837; and John Gillet, Lake Fork, IL, to Smith Tuttle, Fair Haven, CT, 30 May 1841; John Gillet, Lake Fork, IL, to Smith Tuttle, Fair Haven, CT, 14 Nov. 1841, Gillett Family Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Gillett Family Papers, 1736–1904. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Springfield, IL.

Despite these significant challenges, JS made several efforts to pay the debts during 1841, sending financial agents throughout the country to obtain funds or properties that could then be used to repay debts. While
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...

View Full Bio
and
Isaac Galland

15 May 1791–27 Sept. 1858. Merchant, postmaster, land speculator, doctor. Born at Somerset Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Matthew Galland and Hannah Fenno. Married first Nancy Harris, 22 Mar. 1811, in Madison Co., Ohio. Married second Margaret Knight, by 1816....

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had been responsible for paying debts on 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
lands,
Oliver Granger

7 Feb. 1794–23/25 Aug. 1841. Sheriff, church agent. Born at Phelps, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Pierce Granger and Clarissa Trumble. Married Lydia Dibble, 8 Sept. 1813, at Phelps. Member of Methodist church and licensed exhorter. Sheriff of Ontario Co. ...

View Full Bio
assumed much of the responsibility for settling the
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
-era debts, including those owed to Halsted, Haines & Co.
7

Authorization for Hyrum Smith and Isaac Galland, 15 Feb. 1841; Letter to Oliver Granger, 4 May 1841; Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 24 July 1841; Letter from Smith Tuttle, ca. 15 Sept. 1841; Authorization for Oliver Granger, 6 May 1839; Agreement with Oliver Granger, 29 Apr. 1840.


In a May 1841 letter to Granger, JS wrote of the strain he felt because of the debts: “I am very anxous indeed to have the matters which concern the
First Presidency

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

View Glossary
settled as soon as possible, for until they are I have to labor under a load that is intolerable to bear.” JS urged Granger to get JS’s financial affairs “straitened up” as soon as possible, noting that Granger’s health was precarious and that “if any thing should occur— so that you were to bid adieu to mortality it would be impossible for me ever to get the run of the business and I should be again involved in difficulties from which it would be impossible for me to extricate myself.”
8

Letter to Oliver Granger, 4 May 1841.


In fact, Granger’s untimely death in August 1841 did leave JS uncertain about which debts had been repaid, further complicating his financial situation.
9

Obituary for Oliver Granger, Times and Seasons, 15 Sept. 1841, 2:550; Letter to Oliver Granger, 30 Aug. 1841.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

At the time of Granger’s death, the debts to Halsted, Haines & Co. remained unresolved.
On 1 November 1841, the
Geauga County

Located in northeastern Ohio, south of Lake Erie. Rivers in area include Grand, Chagrin, and Cuyahoga. Settled mostly by New Englanders, beginning 1798. Formed from Trumbull Co., 1 Mar. 1806. Chardon established as county seat, 1808. Population in 1830 about...

More Info
clerk copied the court records related to the Halsted, Haines & Co. debts for the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas.
10

Halsted, Haines & Co. v. Jared Carter et al., 16 Apr. 1839, [Geauga Co. C.P. 1839], Brigham Young Office, Halsted, Haines & Co. File, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office. Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867. Copy of case, Halsted, Haines & Co. v. Granger et al. (Geauga Co. C.P. 1841). CHL.

Three weeks later, on 23 November 1841,
Browning

10 Feb. 1806–10 Aug. 1881. Lawyer, politician. Born at Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Kentucky. Son of Micajah Browning and Sarah Brown. Attended Augusta College, in Augusta, Bracken Co., Kentucky. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, and practiced law...

View Full Bio
and
Bushnell

9 Oct. 1813–31 Jan. 1873. Editor, lawyer, railroad company president. Born in Westbrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Nehemiah Bushnell and Mehitable. Graduated from Yale University, 1835. Admitted to Connecticut bar, 1837. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co...

View Full Bio
wrote the letter featured here, seeking payment on two promissory notes owed to Halsted, Haines & Co. that totaled $4,719.23. JS replied on 7 December 1841, explaining why he could not yet repay the debt.
11

See JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, Quincy, IL, 7 Dec. 1841, in JS Letterbook 2, p. 217.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Minutes, 4 May 1833; Hyrum Smith et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Churches of Christ,” 1 June 1833, in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 36–37; Minutes, 6 June 1833; JS, Journal, 17 Dec. 1835; “Anniversary of the Church,” Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1837, 3:488; for more information on the committee store, see Advertisements, Northern Times (Kirtland, OH), 2 Oct. 1835, [4]; Historical Introduction to Blessing to Newel K. Whitney, 7 Oct. 1835; and Historical Introduction to Power of Attorney to Oliver Granger, 27 Sept. 1837.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

    Northern Times. Kirtland, OH. 1835–[1836?].

  2. [2]

    JS, Journal, 7 Oct. 1835; Gardner & Patterson, Pay Order, Buffalo, NY, to Reynolds Cahoon for Payne & Wilson, 10 Oct. 1835, JS Office Papers, CHL.

  3. [3]

    Halsted, Haines & Co. v. Jared Carter et al., 16 Apr. 1839, [Geauga Co. C.P. 1839], Brigham Young Office, Halsted, Haines & Co. File, CHL.

    Brigham Young Office. Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867. Copy of case, Halsted, Haines & Co. v. Granger et al. (Geauga Co. C.P. 1841). CHL.

  4. [4]

    Historical Introduction to Agreement with Mead & Betts, 2 Aug. 1839.

  5. [5]

    Introduction to Part 6: 20 Apr.–14 Sept. 1837; Historical Introduction to Agreement, 4 Jan. 1838; Introduction to Part 3: 4 Nov. 1838–16 Apr. 1839; Bill of Damages, 4 June 1839; Introduction to Part 4: 24 Apr.–12 Aug. 1839; Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A.

  6. [6]

    See Introduction to Part 6: 20 Apr.–14 Sept. 1837; and John Gillet, Lake Fork, IL, to Smith Tuttle, Fair Haven, CT, 30 May 1841; John Gillet, Lake Fork, IL, to Smith Tuttle, Fair Haven, CT, 14 Nov. 1841, Gillett Family Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.

    Gillett Family Papers, 1736–1904. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Springfield, IL.

  7. [7]

    Authorization for Hyrum Smith and Isaac Galland, 15 Feb. 1841; Letter to Oliver Granger, 4 May 1841; Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 24 July 1841; Letter from Smith Tuttle, ca. 15 Sept. 1841; Authorization for Oliver Granger, 6 May 1839; Agreement with Oliver Granger, 29 Apr. 1840.

  8. [8]

    Letter to Oliver Granger, 4 May 1841.

  9. [9]

    Obituary for Oliver Granger, Times and Seasons, 15 Sept. 1841, 2:550; Letter to Oliver Granger, 30 Aug. 1841.

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

  10. [10]

    Halsted, Haines & Co. v. Jared Carter et al., 16 Apr. 1839, [Geauga Co. C.P. 1839], Brigham Young Office, Halsted, Haines & Co. File, CHL.

    Brigham Young Office. Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867. Copy of case, Halsted, Haines & Co. v. Granger et al. (Geauga Co. C.P. 1841). CHL.

  11. [11]

    See JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, Quincy, IL, 7 Dec. 1841, in JS Letterbook 2, p. 217.

Page [1]

Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
. Nov: 23rd. 1841.
Genl. Joseph Smith
Dear Sir
Messrs
[James] Halsted

5 May 1808–22 Mar. 1888. Merchant, insurance company president. Born in Newton, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Son of Job S. Halsted and Ann McIntire. Moved to New York City, ca. 1824. Presbyterian. Married Catherine Crane, 19 Dec. 1833, in New York City. Became...

View Full Bio
,
[Richard] Haines

21 May 1795–21 Aug. 1870. Merchant. Born in Elizabeth, Essex Co., New Jersey. Son of Benjamin Haines and Rebecca Townley. Partner in Halsted, Haines & Co., one of largest dry-goods stores in U.S. Married first Mariah W. Johnson. Among founders of Union Theological...

View Full Bio
& Co, of
New York

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

More Info
,
1

Established in New York City in 1804 by Richard Townley Haines, the firm of Halsted, Haines & Co. specialized in the sale of wholesale dry goods. (“An Old Firm’s Suspension,” New York Times, 13 July 1884, 12.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Times. New York City. 1857–.

have placed in our hands for collection, two promissory notes, signed by yourself and thirty one other individuals, both of said notes dated
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
, Sept 1st. 1837, one for $2323.66 and the other for $2395.57 cents.
2

See Promissory Notes to Halsted, Haines & Co., 1 September 1837–B and –C.


Not wishing to give you unnecessary trouble in the premises, we have thought proper to advise you that the notes were in our hands, and to ask, when it will suit your convenience to make payment?
If part of the demand could be paid us now, and the residue secured upon real Estate,
3

Browning and Bushnell may have been aware that JS had used real estate to make debt payments throughout 1841. Since cash and other liquid funds were scarce at the time, JS’s agents frequently tried to resolve debts by transferring properties to creditors. (Letter from Smith Tuttle, ca. 15 Sept. 1841; Horace Hotchkiss, Fair Haven, CT, to Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, 13 May 1841, JS Office Papers, CHL; John Gillet, Lake Fork, IL, to Smith Tuttle, Fair Haven, CT, 14 Nov. 1841, Gillett Family Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Gillett Family Papers, 1736–1904. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Springfield, IL.

we would take [the r]esponsibility
4

TEXT: “[page torn]esponsibility”.


of giving a reasonable extension of time
We are Sir. very Respectfully Your friends
[Orville] Browning

10 Feb. 1806–10 Aug. 1881. Lawyer, politician. Born at Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Kentucky. Son of Micajah Browning and Sarah Brown. Attended Augusta College, in Augusta, Bracken Co., Kentucky. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, and practiced law...

View Full Bio
&
[Nehemiah] Bushnell

9 Oct. 1813–31 Jan. 1873. Editor, lawyer, railroad company president. Born in Westbrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Nehemiah Bushnell and Mehitable. Graduated from Yale University, 1835. Admitted to Connecticut bar, 1837. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co...

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P. S. Will you oblige us by an answer at your earliest convenience
B

10 Feb. 1806–10 Aug. 1881. Lawyer, politician. Born at Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Kentucky. Son of Micajah Browning and Sarah Brown. Attended Augusta College, in Augusta, Bracken Co., Kentucky. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, and practiced law...

View Full Bio
. &
B

9 Oct. 1813–31 Jan. 1873. Editor, lawyer, railroad company president. Born in Westbrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Nehemiah Bushnell and Mehitable. Graduated from Yale University, 1835. Admitted to Connecticut bar, 1837. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co...

View Full Bio
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, 23 November 1841
ID #
714
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D8:373–376
Handwriting on This Page
  • Orville Hickman Browning

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Established in New York City in 1804 by Richard Townley Haines, the firm of Halsted, Haines & Co. specialized in the sale of wholesale dry goods. (“An Old Firm’s Suspension,” New York Times, 13 July 1884, 12.)

    New York Times. New York City. 1857–.

  2. [2]

    See Promissory Notes to Halsted, Haines & Co., 1 September 1837–B and –C.

  3. [3]

    Browning and Bushnell may have been aware that JS had used real estate to make debt payments throughout 1841. Since cash and other liquid funds were scarce at the time, JS’s agents frequently tried to resolve debts by transferring properties to creditors. (Letter from Smith Tuttle, ca. 15 Sept. 1841; Horace Hotchkiss, Fair Haven, CT, to Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, 13 May 1841, JS Office Papers, CHL; John Gillet, Lake Fork, IL, to Smith Tuttle, Fair Haven, CT, 14 Nov. 1841, Gillett Family Papers, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.)

    Gillett Family Papers, 1736–1904. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Springfield, IL.

  4. [4]

    TEXT: “[page torn]esponsibility”.

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