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Letter from Zenas Gurley, 4 May 1842

Source Note

Zenas Gurley

Spring 1801–28 Aug. 1871. Tanner, currier, schoolteacher. Born in Bridgewater, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Zenas Gurley and Experience Hovey. Married Margaret Hickey, 28 Sept. 1825, near Morrisburg, Dundas Co., Upper Canada. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

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, 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, 4 May 1842; handwriting of
Zenas Gurley

Spring 1801–28 Aug. 1871. Tanner, currier, schoolteacher. Born in Bridgewater, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Zenas Gurley and Experience Hovey. Married Margaret Hickey, 28 Sept. 1825, near Morrisburg, Dundas Co., Upper Canada. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

View Full Bio
; one page; BYU. Includes address, docket, and notations.
Single leaf measuring 12⅜ × 7⅝ inches (31 × 19 cm). The right and left sides of the leaf were unevenly cut. The letter was folded, addressed, and sealed with a red adhesive wafer. It was subsequently refolded for filing purposes. Some discoloration of the paper has occurred.
The document was docketed by
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.

It also includes notations from
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
and an unidentified scribe. The Clayton docket and the Whitney notations indicate early institutional custody. The subsequent custodial history is unknown. The document was eventually acquired by the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University.

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.

Historical Introduction

On 4 May 1842,
Zenas Gurley

Spring 1801–28 Aug. 1871. Tanner, currier, schoolteacher. Born in Bridgewater, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Zenas Gurley and Experience Hovey. Married Margaret Hickey, 28 Sept. 1825, near Morrisburg, Dundas Co., Upper Canada. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

View Full Bio
,
1

Some sources spell Gurley’s first name as “Zenos”—possibly following the spelling of the prophet Zenos mentioned in the Book of Mormon—but this signed letter and other contemporaneous documents indicate that Gurley spelled his name “Zenas.” (For examples of “Zenas,” see JS et al. to Zenas Gurley, Bond, Nauvoo, IL, 1 Nov. 1839; Zenas Gurley to JS et al., Promissory Note, Nauvoo, IL, 1 Nov. 1839; JS et al. to Zenas Gurley, Bond, Nauvoo, IL, 12 Mar. 1840, Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU; and History of the Reorganized Church, 3:742; for examples of “Zenos,” see JS History, vol. C-1, 882, 1004, 1194; see also Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 51, 137 [1 Nephi 19:10; Jacob 5:1].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 8 vols. Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1896–1976.

a
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
member living in
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, 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, concerning the state of the church in
Wisconsin Territory

Area settled by French, before 1700. Became part of U.S. by Treaty of Paris, 1783. Territory officially formed, 1836, with Belmont established as capital. Capital moved to present-day Burlington, Iowa, 1837. Territory initially included all or part of present...

More Info
, where Gurley had recently been preaching. Gurley, a native of
New York

Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...

More Info
, was
baptized

An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...

View Glossary
in
Upper Canada

British colony of Canada divided into Upper Canada and Lower Canada, 1791; reunited 1841. Upper Canada’s boundaries corresponded roughly to portion of present-day Ontario south of Hudson Bay watershed. Population in 1840 about 430,000. Immigrants mainly from...

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in 1837 or 1838.
2

Gurley’s 1871 obituary provides the 1838 date, but an 1872 article dates the baptism to 1837. Either date is possible, since Gurley and James Blakeslee, who baptized Gurley, were both apparently in the region in 1837 and 1838. (“Death of Br. Zenos H. Gurley, Sen.,” True Latter Day Saints’ Herald, 15 Sept. 1871, 560; Mark H. Forscutt, “Biographical Sketch of Elder Zenos H. Gurley, Sen’r,” True Latter Day Saints’ Herald, 1 Jan. 1872, 3; Shepard, “James Blakeslee,” 116–117.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

Shepard, William. “James Blakeslee, the Old Soldier of Mormonism.” John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 17 (1997): 113–132.

He relocated to
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...

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with the Saints in 1839 and eventually settled in
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
.
3

Gurley may have lived in Nauvoo for a time. He purchased land there in November 1839 and March 1840. (JS et al. to Zenas Gurley, Bond, Nauvoo, IL, 1 Nov. 1839; JS et al. to Zenas Gurley, Bond, Nauvoo, IL, 12 Mar. 1840, Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU; Henry G. Sherwood to Zenas Gurley, Town Lot Order, [Nauvoo, IL], 12 Mar. 1840, JS Office Papers, CHL.)


In March 1841, the Times and Seasons reported Gurley’s successful preaching in La Harpe, where a
branch

An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...

View Glossary
was organized in April 1841.
4

“Truth Prevailing,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1841, 2:350; Macedonia Branch, Record, 17 Apr. 1841.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Macedonia Branch, Record / “A Record of the Chur[c]h of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Macedonia (Also Called Ramus),” 1839–1850. CHL. LR 11808 21.

In a
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
held a few days before the branch’s creation, Gurley was among those called to travel to collect funds to build the Nauvoo
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
.
5

Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.


According to this 4 May 1842 letter, he left
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
for
Wisconsin Territory

Area settled by French, before 1700. Became part of U.S. by Treaty of Paris, 1783. Territory officially formed, 1836, with Belmont established as capital. Capital moved to present-day Burlington, Iowa, 1837. Territory initially included all or part of present...

More Info
in January 1842, perhaps to fulfill his calling to collect funds. Shortly after returning home,
Gurley

Spring 1801–28 Aug. 1871. Tanner, currier, schoolteacher. Born in Bridgewater, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Zenas Gurley and Experience Hovey. Married Margaret Hickey, 28 Sept. 1825, near Morrisburg, Dundas Co., Upper Canada. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

View Full Bio
wrote to JS. Addressing JS as a general in the
Nauvoo Legion

A contingent of the Illinois state militia provided for in the Nauvoo city charter. The Nauvoo Legion was organized into two cohorts: one infantry and one cavalry. Each cohort could potentially comprise several thousand men and was overseen by a brigadier...

View Glossary
, Gurley explained in his letter that his pending absence from militia duty was due to sickness in his family. He also reported on his recent travels in Wisconsin Territory, where he had organized a branch. Given the letter’s lack of postal markings, it was apparently hand delivered to
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
. No reply from JS is extant or otherwise known.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Some sources spell Gurley’s first name as “Zenos”—possibly following the spelling of the prophet Zenos mentioned in the Book of Mormon—but this signed letter and other contemporaneous documents indicate that Gurley spelled his name “Zenas.” (For examples of “Zenas,” see JS et al. to Zenas Gurley, Bond, Nauvoo, IL, 1 Nov. 1839; Zenas Gurley to JS et al., Promissory Note, Nauvoo, IL, 1 Nov. 1839; JS et al. to Zenas Gurley, Bond, Nauvoo, IL, 12 Mar. 1840, Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU; and History of the Reorganized Church, 3:742; for examples of “Zenos,” see JS History, vol. C-1, 882, 1004, 1194; see also Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 51, 137 [1 Nephi 19:10; Jacob 5:1].)

    The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 8 vols. Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1896–1976.

  2. [2]

    Gurley’s 1871 obituary provides the 1838 date, but an 1872 article dates the baptism to 1837. Either date is possible, since Gurley and James Blakeslee, who baptized Gurley, were both apparently in the region in 1837 and 1838. (“Death of Br. Zenos H. Gurley, Sen.,” True Latter Day Saints’ Herald, 15 Sept. 1871, 560; Mark H. Forscutt, “Biographical Sketch of Elder Zenos H. Gurley, Sen’r,” True Latter Day Saints’ Herald, 1 Jan. 1872, 3; Shepard, “James Blakeslee,” 116–117.)

    Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

    Shepard, William. “James Blakeslee, the Old Soldier of Mormonism.” John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 17 (1997): 113–132.

  3. [3]

    Gurley may have lived in Nauvoo for a time. He purchased land there in November 1839 and March 1840. (JS et al. to Zenas Gurley, Bond, Nauvoo, IL, 1 Nov. 1839; JS et al. to Zenas Gurley, Bond, Nauvoo, IL, 12 Mar. 1840, Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU; Henry G. Sherwood to Zenas Gurley, Town Lot Order, [Nauvoo, IL], 12 Mar. 1840, JS Office Papers, CHL.)

  4. [4]

    “Truth Prevailing,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1841, 2:350; Macedonia Branch, Record, 17 Apr. 1841.

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

    Macedonia Branch, Record / “A Record of the Chur[c]h of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Macedonia (Also Called Ramus),” 1839–1850. CHL. LR 11808 21.

  5. [5]

    Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.

Page [2]

Gen Joseph Smith
Citty of
Nauvou

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
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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Zenas Gurley, 4 May 1842
ID #
1509
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D10:28–30
Handwriting on This Page
  • Zenas Gurley

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