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Letter to Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, 7 December 1841

Source Note

JS, Letter, [
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], to
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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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...

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,
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, 7 Dec. 1841. Featured version copied [not before 10 Dec. 1841] in JS Letterbook 2, p. 217; handwriting of
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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; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.

Historical Introduction

On 7 December 1841 JS replied to a letter sent by
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, 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...

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regarding the payment of two promissory notes he 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...

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mercantile firm Halsted, Haines & Co.
1

Letter from Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, 23 Nov. 1841. Halsted, Haines & Co. specialized in wholesale dry goods. (“An Old Firm’s Suspension,” New York Times [New York City], 13 July 1884, 12.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Times. New York City. 1857–.

The debt originated in 1836, when 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
, Ohio, 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 mercantile goods from Halsted, Haines & Co.
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.,...

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,
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...

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, 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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had been appointed in 1833 to raise money for building the
House of the Lord

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...

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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
by collecting monetary donations from
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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members.
2

Minutes, 4 May 1833; Hyrum Smith et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Churches of Christ,” 1 June 1833, in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 36–38; Minutes, 6 June 1833.


In addition to collecting donations, they began operating a mercantile store in Kirtland.
3

JS, Journal, 17 Dec. 1835; “Anniversary of the Church of Latter Day Saints,” Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1837, 3:488; Cahoon, Carter & Co., Advertisements, Northern Times, 2 Oct. 1835, [4].


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

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

In 1835 and 1836 the partners purchased wholesale goods on credit from various merchants in New York City 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
, New York.
4

See, for example, JS, Journal, 7 Oct. 1835; and the numerous 1835 and 1836 invoices in JS Office Papers, CHL.


In October 1836 the firm purchased goods from Halsted, Haines & Co. with a single promissory note totaling $6,162.23, due 11 April 1837.
5

William Perkins, Letter, 23 July 1867, Brigham Young Office, Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office. Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867. CHL.

Cahoon, Carter & Co. was unable to pay by the due date, and the debt was later renegotiated with the help of
Painesville

Located on Grand River twelve miles northeast of Kirtland. Created and settled, 1800. Originally named Champion. Flourished economically from harbor on Lake Erie and as major route of overland travel for western emigration. Included Painesville village; laid...

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, Ohio, lawyer
William Perkins

22 Jan. 1799–1 Dec. 1882. Teacher, attorney, insurance agent, politician. Born in Ashford, Windham Co., Connecticut. Son of William Perkins and Mary Lee. Moved to Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, to study law, ca. 1822. Admitted to Connecticut bar, May...

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. On 1 September 1837 three new promissory notes were created, dividing the original debt into three separate payments, due twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four months later. The promissory notes were signed by the principals—Cahoon, Carter, and Hyrum Smith—as well as thirty other individuals, including JS, who signed as sureties.
6

Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter to Halsted, Haines & Co., Promissory Notes, 1 Sept. 1837, copy, Brigham Young Office, Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867, CHL; see also Historical Introduction to Power of Attorney to Oliver Granger, 27 Sept. 1837; and Statement of Account from Perkins & Osborn, ca. 29 Oct. 1838. The three promissory notes renegotiated in September 1837 were for $2,251.77, $2,323.66, and $2,395.57.


In August 1839 JS, through his financial
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
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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, presumably entered into an agreement to personally assume and pay the outstanding debt belonging to Cahoon, Carter & Co.
7

Agreement with Mead & Betts, 2 Aug. 1839.


In fall 1841 two of the promissory notes apparently remained outstanding, and Halsted, Haines & Co. commissioned the law firm Browning & Bushnell to collect payment.
8

The two notes were the second and third due; presumably the first promissory note had been paid.


Because JS had agreed to assume the debt, the firm informed him of this arrangement in a letter dated 23 November 1841.
9

Letter from Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, 23 Nov. 1841.


In JS’s 7 December response, he informed
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
that because of financial losses he had suffered 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
and
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 ...

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he did not have the necessary resources to pay the notes, and he requested additional time to gather the funds. The original letter is not extant, but
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...

View Full Bio
acted as scribe and later copied the letter into Letterbook 2, the version featured here, probably soon after the original was created but not before 10 December 1841.
10

On the page prior to the 7 December letter, Fullmer copied a letter to Horace Hotchkiss dated 10 December. (JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Horace Hotchkiss, 10 Dec. 1841, in JS Letterbook 2, p. 216.)


It is not known whether Browning and Bushnell received the letter, but it appears that the debts mentioned in the letter were not paid before JS’s death in June 1844.
11

William Perkins, Letter, 23 July 1867, Brigham Young Office, Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office. Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867. CHL.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letter from Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, 23 Nov. 1841. Halsted, Haines & Co. specialized in wholesale dry goods. (“An Old Firm’s Suspension,” New York Times [New York City], 13 July 1884, 12.)

    New York Times. New York City. 1857–.

  2. [2]

    Minutes, 4 May 1833; Hyrum Smith et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Churches of Christ,” 1 June 1833, in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 36–38; Minutes, 6 June 1833.

  3. [3]

    JS, Journal, 17 Dec. 1835; “Anniversary of the Church of Latter Day Saints,” Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1837, 3:488; Cahoon, Carter & Co., Advertisements, Northern Times, 2 Oct. 1835, [4].

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

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

  4. [4]

    See, for example, JS, Journal, 7 Oct. 1835; and the numerous 1835 and 1836 invoices in JS Office Papers, CHL.

  5. [5]

    William Perkins, Letter, 23 July 1867, Brigham Young Office, Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867, CHL.

    Brigham Young Office. Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867. CHL.

  6. [6]

    Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter to Halsted, Haines & Co., Promissory Notes, 1 Sept. 1837, copy, Brigham Young Office, Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867, CHL; see also Historical Introduction to Power of Attorney to Oliver Granger, 27 Sept. 1837; and Statement of Account from Perkins & Osborn, ca. 29 Oct. 1838. The three promissory notes renegotiated in September 1837 were for $2,251.77, $2,323.66, and $2,395.57.

  7. [7]

    Agreement with Mead & Betts, 2 Aug. 1839.

  8. [8]

    The two notes were the second and third due; presumably the first promissory note had been paid.

  9. [9]

    Letter from Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, 23 Nov. 1841.

  10. [10]

    On the page prior to the 7 December letter, Fullmer copied a letter to Horace Hotchkiss dated 10 December. (JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Horace Hotchkiss, 10 Dec. 1841, in JS Letterbook 2, p. 216.)

  11. [11]

    William Perkins, Letter, 23 July 1867, Brigham Young Office, Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867, CHL.

    Brigham Young Office. Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867. CHL.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Letter to Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, 7 December 1841
*Letterbook 2 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 217

Copy of a letter to
[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
and
[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
of
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
Decr. 7th 1841
Esqrs.
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
&
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
,
Gentlemen,
Your letter of 23rd Ultimo,
1

Letter from Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, 23 Nov. 1841.


concerning two notes placed in your hands by 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...

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& Co against myself and thirty one others
2

The promissory notes, which were copied into the docket book of the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, contain signatures from thirty-three individuals: three principals—Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter—and thirty sureties. (Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter to Halsted, Haines & Co., Promissory Notes, 1 Sept. 1837, copy, Brigham Young Office, Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867, CHL.)


for collection, was duly received.
In reply I must inform you, that I am not in the possession of means, belonging to me individually to liquidate those notes at present.
3

JS’s inability to repay this and other Kirtland-era mercantile debts stemmed from a variety of factors, including the financial panics of 1837 and 1839 and subsequent economic recessions, JS’s flight from Ohio, the need to establish new communities for the Latter-day Saints in northwestern Missouri, JS’s arrest and incarceration, the widespread loss of land and property in the wake of the Latter-day Saints’ forced expulsion from Missouri, and the need to purchase land in Illinois and Iowa Territory for the refugee Saints. (See “Part 6: 20 April–14 September 1837”; Historical Introduction to Agreement, 4 Jan. 1838; “Part 3: 4 November 1838–16 April 1839”; and Bill of Damages, 4 June 1839.)


The reason is apparent to every one; I need not relate to you the persecution I have suffered and the loss & confiscation of all my effects at various times, as a reason of my inability; you know it all, and so do the gentlemen whose notes you hold for collection. But I wish you to say to them, that if they will give me my time, (and no more than than I must necessarily have,) they shall have their pay in some way or other; that I have the means at command in the east, which, with a sufficient indulgence, will enable me to pay them every whit,
4

JS may be referring to the sale of church members’ land in the eastern United States to pay the church’s debts, an initiative that had been under way for some time; individuals who donated their land for this purpose were eligible to receive land in Nauvoo. (Brigham Young et al., “An Epistle of the Twelve,” Times and Seasons, 15 Oct. 1841, 2:567–570; see also Historical Introduction to Authorization for Hyrum Smith and Isaac Galland, 15 Feb. 1841.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

but unless this is granted me it will be impossible for me to do so. All I ask of those gentlemen and of this generation is, that they should not tie up my hands, nor thwart me in my opperations; if this is granted me, I pledge my word, yea my sacred honor that all that can in fairness be demanded at my hands, either now or at any time, shall ultimately be adjusted to the satisfaction of all concerned. This is all that I can say at this time, or do, hoping that you will communicate to Msrs.
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...

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Hains

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 the contents, or at all events the purport of this letter, together with my sincere regard for their welfare, and as regards you, Gentlemen, I remain
Very Respectfully yr. obt. Servt.
Joseph Smith
pr.
J[ohn] 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...

View Full Bio
Sec’y [p. 217]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, 7 December 1841
ID #
721
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D9:17–20
Handwriting on This Page
  • John S. Fullmer

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letter from Orville Browning and Nehemiah Bushnell, 23 Nov. 1841.

  2. [2]

    The promissory notes, which were copied into the docket book of the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, contain signatures from thirty-three individuals: three principals—Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter—and thirty sureties. (Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter to Halsted, Haines & Co., Promissory Notes, 1 Sept. 1837, copy, Brigham Young Office, Halsted, Haines & Co. File, 1867, CHL.)

  3. [3]

    JS’s inability to repay this and other Kirtland-era mercantile debts stemmed from a variety of factors, including the financial panics of 1837 and 1839 and subsequent economic recessions, JS’s flight from Ohio, the need to establish new communities for the Latter-day Saints in northwestern Missouri, JS’s arrest and incarceration, the widespread loss of land and property in the wake of the Latter-day Saints’ forced expulsion from Missouri, and the need to purchase land in Illinois and Iowa Territory for the refugee Saints. (See “Part 6: 20 April–14 September 1837”; Historical Introduction to Agreement, 4 Jan. 1838; “Part 3: 4 November 1838–16 April 1839”; and Bill of Damages, 4 June 1839.)

  4. [4]

    JS may be referring to the sale of church members’ land in the eastern United States to pay the church’s debts, an initiative that had been under way for some time; individuals who donated their land for this purpose were eligible to receive land in Nauvoo. (Brigham Young et al., “An Epistle of the Twelve,” Times and Seasons, 15 Oct. 1841, 2:567–570; see also Historical Introduction to Authorization for Hyrum Smith and Isaac Galland, 15 Feb. 1841.)

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

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