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Letter from Smith Tuttle, circa 15 September 1841

Source Note

Smith Tuttle

12 Mar. 1795–7 Mar. 1865. Shipping merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Christopher Tuttle and Abigail Luddington. Moved to Wallingford, New Haven Co., by 1810. Married first Rachel Gillett. Married second Amarilla...

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, Letter,
New Haven

Significant port city in Connecticut, four miles from Long Island Sound. Settled by company from London, 1638. United with Connecticut Colony, 1662. Population in 1830 about 10,000. Population in 1840 about 13,000. JS corresponded with Horace Hotchkiss and...

More Info
, New Haven Co., CT, 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, ca. 15 Sept. 1841; handwriting presumably of
Smith Tuttle

12 Mar. 1795–7 Mar. 1865. Shipping merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Christopher Tuttle and Abigail Luddington. Moved to Wallingford, New Haven Co., by 1810. Married first Rachel Gillett. Married second Amarilla...

View Full Bio
; four pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, postal stamp, postal notation, docket, and notation.
Bifolium measuring 12¾ × 7¾ inches (33 × 20 cm); each leaf is ruled with thirty-seven horizontal blue lines. The top right corner of the first page is embossed with a logo from a paper mill: “I. Donagle New Haven”. The letter was written on all four pages, trifolded twice in letter style, addressed, sealed with an adhesive wafer, and stamped for postage. The second leaf was torn, likely when the letter was opened. An additional notation was added in unidentified handwriting. The additional notation appears to have been contemporaneous. The letter was later folded for filing and inscribed with a docket.
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. The letter is listed in a Church Historian’s Office inventory from circa 1904.
1

“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 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL).
2

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


The docket, inventory, and inclusion in the JS Collection suggest continuous institutional custody of the letter since its receipt.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “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.

  2. [2]

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

Historical Introduction

In September 1841,
Smith Tuttle

12 Mar. 1795–7 Mar. 1865. Shipping merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Christopher Tuttle and Abigail Luddington. Moved to Wallingford, New Haven Co., by 1810. Married first Rachel Gillett. Married second Amarilla...

View Full Bio
wrote a letter to JS about 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
’s payment on a debt owed to him and his business partners. Tuttle,
Horace Hotchkiss

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

View Full Bio
, and
John Gillet

2 Aug. 1796–17 July 1848. Likely born in Connecticut. Son of Benoni Gillett and Phoebe Dean. Moved to Commerce (later Nauvoo), Hancock Co., Illinois, by May 1837. In Aug. 1839, with land-speculating partners Horace Hotchkiss and Smith Tuttle, sold land in...

View Full Bio
were partners in a land syndicate in
Connecticut

Originally inhabited by native Algonquin tribes. Among first thirteen colonies that formed U.S., southernmost state in New England. First permanent European settlements established by members of Massachusetts Bay Colony, ca. 1635. Population in 1820 about...

More Info
that sold on credit to JS and the church significant amounts of property in the
Commerce

Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...

More Info
area of Illinois in 1839.
1

See Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A.


Paying the interest due on this debt was among JS’s most pressing financial concerns in 1841, and he had written a letter to Hotchkiss in August 1841 expressing frustration at what he considered Hotchkiss’s unreasonable demands for an interest payment at that time.
2

Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 25 Aug. 1841.


Because of his business relationship with Hotchkiss, Tuttle wrote to JS to clarify some of the misunderstandings between JS and Hotchkiss.
These misunderstandings resulted in part from the actions of
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
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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, whom JS had appointed as church
agents

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
and sent on a mission in spring 1841 to make payments on the land debts.
3

See Authorization for Hyrum Smith and Isaac Galland, 15 Feb. 1841; Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 24 July 1841; Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 25 Aug. 1841; and Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 13 Sept. 1841.


Hyrum Smith and Galland planned to exchange lands in
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
and
Iowa Territory

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...

More Info
for lands owned by church members in
Pennsylvania

Area first settled by Swedish immigrants, 1628. William Penn received grant for territory from King Charles II, 1681, and established British settlement, 1682. Philadelphia was center of government for original thirteen U.S. colonies from time of Revolutionary...

More Info
and
New Jersey

Located in northeast region of U.S. First European settlements made by Dutch, Swedes, and English, early 1600s. Admitted to U.S. as state, Dec. 1787. Population in 1830 about 321,000. Population in 1840 about 373,000. First Latter-day Saint missionaries preached...

More Info
and then transfer to
Hotchkiss

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

View Full Bio
the deeds to those eastern lands as payment.
4

Authorization for Hyrum Smith and Isaac Galland, 15 Feb. 1841.


In March the two men met with Hotchkiss, who agreed to accept the land deeds as payment.
5

Horace Hotchkiss, Fair Haven, CT, to Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, 13 May 1841, JS Office Papers, CHL.


Working with
Almon Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

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, Galland evidently secured some properties in early April.
6

Chester Co., PA, Deeds, 1688–1903, vol. U-4, pp. 82–83, 185–187, 271–274, microfilm 557,205, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

The properties, however, were never transferred to Hotchkiss’s ownership, prompting a letter of inquiry from Hotchkiss to JS on 24 July.
7

Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 24 July 1841.


JS’s response called into question Hotchkiss’s motives for seeking immediate payment and criticized him for not having patience with the Saints in the midst of difficult circumstances.
8

Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 25 Aug. 1841.


In the letter featured here,
Tuttle

12 Mar. 1795–7 Mar. 1865. Shipping merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Christopher Tuttle and Abigail Luddington. Moved to Wallingford, New Haven Co., by 1810. Married first Rachel Gillett. Married second Amarilla...

View Full Bio
defended Hotchkiss and outlined the failure of church agents to follow through on transferring the lands.
Tuttle

12 Mar. 1795–7 Mar. 1865. Shipping merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Christopher Tuttle and Abigail Luddington. Moved to Wallingford, New Haven Co., by 1810. Married first Rachel Gillett. Married second Amarilla...

View Full Bio
apparently wrote this letter on or shortly before 15 September, the date he mailed the letter through the
Fair Haven

Village in south-central Connecticut, located on Quinnipiac River. Population in 1853 about 3,000.

More Info
, Connecticut, post office. JS received the letter sometime before 5 October and responded with a letter on 9 October.
9

Letter to Smith Tuttle, 9 Oct. 1841. At the church’s general conference on 5 October 1841, JS had Tuttle’s letter read aloud. (Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841.)


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A.

  2. [2]

    Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 25 Aug. 1841.

  3. [3]

    See Authorization for Hyrum Smith and Isaac Galland, 15 Feb. 1841; Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 24 July 1841; Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 25 Aug. 1841; and Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 13 Sept. 1841.

  4. [4]

    Authorization for Hyrum Smith and Isaac Galland, 15 Feb. 1841.

  5. [5]

    Horace Hotchkiss, Fair Haven, CT, to Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, 13 May 1841, JS Office Papers, CHL.

  6. [6]

    Chester Co., PA, Deeds, 1688–1903, vol. U-4, pp. 82–83, 185–187, 271–274, microfilm 557,205, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  7. [7]

    Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 24 July 1841.

  8. [8]

    Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 25 Aug. 1841.

  9. [9]

    Letter to Smith Tuttle, 9 Oct. 1841. At the church’s general conference on 5 October 1841, JS had Tuttle’s letter read aloud. (Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841.)

Page [3]

think of
Mr [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...

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, as he so stated to me on his return, & we forwarded the notes to our friend D. G. Whitney Esq
18

Daniel Greene Whitney worked as a merchant and ran a store in Quincy, Illinois, in 1841. He had been a resident of Quincy since at least May 1838. Whitney likely became acquainted with Hotchkiss and Tuttle while courting Mary Ann Pomeroy Munson Cutler, who was a native of Connecticut and lived in New Haven in 1838. Whitney and Cutler were married in New Haven’s Trinity Church on 15 August 1838. (New Haven, CT, Records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1639–1902, vol. 4, p. 184, microfilm 1,405,858, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; “Houses to Let,” Quincy [IL] Whig, 12 May 1838, [3]; “Boots and Shoes,” Quincy Whig, 11 Sept. 1841, [3].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Quincy Whig. Quincy, IL. 1838–1856.

at
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
with instructions to call on you but if you could not conveniently pay, by no means to press the payment, & the first intimation I had of the delay you claim was from him— I have known
Mr H.

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

View Full Bio
too long to suppose that he would knowingly misrepresent the case, neither do I suppose that you would do it, but you could not I think have understood each other & I had supposed that after his interview with you at the time he took the note signed by the Messrs Ivins. I supposed you did <​not​> claim any more than the two years indulgence for the interest— I did not understand your brother
Hiram

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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to claim it— I repeat so far from
Mr H.

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

View Full Bio
wishing to crush you, you have not a stronger advocate in the Eastern states
19

Hotchkiss had been highly supportive of the Saints. He hoped to meet JS in Washington and even offered to house JS and Sidney Rigdon during their trip to Washington DC in 1840 to petition for redress for grievances suffered in Missouri. (Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 17 Mar. 1840; Letter from Elias Higbee, 24 Mar. 1840.)


& hundreds of times in steam boats & other <​public​> places have I heard him bear testimony to the correct conduct of your people & that in no city had he ever seen so quiet a population at the same time so industrious & where a stranger would be treated with more respect— He has spread your persecutions 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
20

For more on the Saints’ persecution in Missouri, see Introduction to Part 3: 4 Nov. 1838–16 Apr. 1839.


before the public in the most glowing colors & has often declared in presence of the members of the Presbyterian Church here (a very respectable Church)
21

According to official histories of New Haven, the city did not have an official Presbyterian Church until Reverend James G. Rodger established the First Presbyterian Church of New Haven in 1885. Prior to that time, New Haven’s Presbyterians generally met with the Congregational churches. (Atwater, History of City of New Haven, 146.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Atwater, Edward E., ed. History of the City of New Haven to the Present Time. New York: W. W. Munsell, 1887.

that he did not believe their Church contained any more sincere Christians than 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
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
— I have uniformly read your paper (the times & seasons) in my Counting room to large numbers & always keep them on my desk in my Counting room
22

A counting room was generally an office space with a desk for attending to business affairs. (Works of William E. Channing, 2:405–406.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Works of William E. Channing, D. D. 1st American ed. 6 vols. Boston: James Munroe, 1841–1843.

where they a[re]
23

TEXT: “a[page torn]”.


read daily by many persons & you may rest assured that your denomination of Christians are not viewed with that contempt that some eastern editors would make you believe
24

Throughout 1841 major eastern United States newspapers declared that the Latter-day Saints were comparable to Muslims, likening JS to Muhammad and claiming that the Saints would use violence to propagate their religion. (“The Mormons,” New-York Tribune, 26 June 1841, [2]; “Military Preparations—Nauvoo Legion,” New York Herald, 29 June 1841, [2].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

New-York Tribune. New York City. 1841–1842.

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

so far as my acquaintance extends & public opinions is setting in your favor & will continue to do so as long as your conduct as a body is correct— They will look more to your moral conduct than to your religion— Could you have witnessed
Mr H

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

View Full Bio
s regrets on learning from your letter the deaths that had taken place
25

JS had informed Hotchkiss of several recent deaths: JS’s brother Don Carlos Smith; Robert B. Thompson, JS’s scribe; and JS’s fourteen-month-old son, Don Carlos Smith, all died in the summer of 1841, “together with many other valuable citizens.” (Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 25 Aug. 1841.)


I think you would have supposed he had some feeling for some of you. For a length of time, after noticing this, he apparently lost sight of the business contents of the letter— I think one reason why you cannot so readily sell the lands purchased of us,
26

In his last letter to Hotchkiss, JS had expressed frustration about his difficulty in selling the Nauvoo lands. (Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 25 Aug. 1841.)


is, because the title is not complete untill you can get a deed from us, & which in my opinion is quite desirable—
Mr Hotchkiss

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

View Full Bio
left his note against the Messrs Ivins, with a friend to negotiate in
N. Jersey

Located in northeast region of U.S. First European settlements made by Dutch, Swedes, and English, early 1600s. Admitted to U.S. as state, Dec. 1787. Population in 1830 about 321,000. Population in 1840 about 373,000. First Latter-day Saint missionaries preached...

More Info
,
27

Although the note referred to here appears to have been connected to another debt and not the Hotchkiss purchase, Hotchkiss wrote JS in September to notify him that Hotchkiss had left a note for $2,500 with a friend in New Jersey to continue negotiations for the New Jersey property. (Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 13 Sept. 1841.)


as Mr
James Ivins

22 Mar. 1797–3 Apr. 1877. Farmer. Born in Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. Son of Israel Ivins and Margaret Woodward. Married Mary Schenk. Presumably baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co....

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was absent on a visit to
Philadelphia

Port city founded as Quaker settlement by William Penn, 1681. Site of signing of Declaration of Independence and drafting of U.S. Constitution. Nation’s capital city, 1790–1800. Population in 1830 about 170,000; in 1840 about 260,000; and in 1850 about 410...

More Info
&
Mr H

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

View Full Bio
was also disappointed in finding him absent although it was no fault of
Mr Ivins

22 Mar. 1797–3 Apr. 1877. Farmer. Born in Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. Son of Israel Ivins and Margaret Woodward. Married Mary Schenk. Presumably baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co....

View Full Bio
as he did not know that
Mr H.

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

View Full Bio
would call on him— He <​
Mr H.

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

View Full Bio
​> is absent from home much of his time on business, & it was with much difficulty he could get time to go to
N. Jersey

Located in northeast region of U.S. First European settlements made by Dutch, Swedes, and English, early 1600s. Admitted to U.S. as state, Dec. 1787. Population in 1830 about 321,000. Population in 1840 about 373,000. First Latter-day Saint missionaries preached...

More Info
— I think we mentioned to your
Brother

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
&
Dr G.

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....

View Full Bio
[p. [3]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Smith Tuttle, circa 15 September 1841
ID #
689
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D8:268–276
Handwriting on This Page
  • Smith Tuttle

Footnotes

  1. [18]

    Daniel Greene Whitney worked as a merchant and ran a store in Quincy, Illinois, in 1841. He had been a resident of Quincy since at least May 1838. Whitney likely became acquainted with Hotchkiss and Tuttle while courting Mary Ann Pomeroy Munson Cutler, who was a native of Connecticut and lived in New Haven in 1838. Whitney and Cutler were married in New Haven’s Trinity Church on 15 August 1838. (New Haven, CT, Records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1639–1902, vol. 4, p. 184, microfilm 1,405,858, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; “Houses to Let,” Quincy [IL] Whig, 12 May 1838, [3]; “Boots and Shoes,” Quincy Whig, 11 Sept. 1841, [3].)

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    Quincy Whig. Quincy, IL. 1838–1856.

  2. [19]

    Hotchkiss had been highly supportive of the Saints. He hoped to meet JS in Washington and even offered to house JS and Sidney Rigdon during their trip to Washington DC in 1840 to petition for redress for grievances suffered in Missouri. (Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 17 Mar. 1840; Letter from Elias Higbee, 24 Mar. 1840.)

  3. [20]

    For more on the Saints’ persecution in Missouri, see Introduction to Part 3: 4 Nov. 1838–16 Apr. 1839.

  4. [21]

    According to official histories of New Haven, the city did not have an official Presbyterian Church until Reverend James G. Rodger established the First Presbyterian Church of New Haven in 1885. Prior to that time, New Haven’s Presbyterians generally met with the Congregational churches. (Atwater, History of City of New Haven, 146.)

    Atwater, Edward E., ed. History of the City of New Haven to the Present Time. New York: W. W. Munsell, 1887.

  5. [22]

    A counting room was generally an office space with a desk for attending to business affairs. (Works of William E. Channing, 2:405–406.)

    The Works of William E. Channing, D. D. 1st American ed. 6 vols. Boston: James Munroe, 1841–1843.

  6. [23]

    TEXT: “a[page torn]”.

  7. [24]

    Throughout 1841 major eastern United States newspapers declared that the Latter-day Saints were comparable to Muslims, likening JS to Muhammad and claiming that the Saints would use violence to propagate their religion. (“The Mormons,” New-York Tribune, 26 June 1841, [2]; “Military Preparations—Nauvoo Legion,” New York Herald, 29 June 1841, [2].)

    New-York Tribune. New York City. 1841–1842.

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

  8. [25]

    JS had informed Hotchkiss of several recent deaths: JS’s brother Don Carlos Smith; Robert B. Thompson, JS’s scribe; and JS’s fourteen-month-old son, Don Carlos Smith, all died in the summer of 1841, “together with many other valuable citizens.” (Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 25 Aug. 1841.)

  9. [26]

    In his last letter to Hotchkiss, JS had expressed frustration about his difficulty in selling the Nauvoo lands. (Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 25 Aug. 1841.)

  10. [27]

    Although the note referred to here appears to have been connected to another debt and not the Hotchkiss purchase, Hotchkiss wrote JS in September to notify him that Hotchkiss had left a note for $2,500 with a friend in New Jersey to continue negotiations for the New Jersey property. (Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 13 Sept. 1841.)

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