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Minutes, 13 March 1843

Source Note

Macedonia branch, Minutes,
Macedonia

Area settled, 1826. Founded by Latter-day Saints, 1839–1840, following exodus from Missouri. Town platted, Aug. 1840. Post office established, Sept. 1840. Incorporated as Macedonia, Mar. 1843. Renamed Webster, 23 July 1847. Population in 1845 about 380. Crooked...

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, 13 Mar. 1843. Featured version copied [ca. 13 Mar. 1843] in Macedonia Branch, Record, pp. 32–33; handwriting and signature of
Joseph Johnson

28 Apr. 1817–17 Dec. 1882. Teacher, postmaster, newspaper editor, druggist, farmer, horticulturist, merchant. Born in Pomfret, Chautauque Co., New York. Son of Ezekiel Johnson and Julia Hills. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca....

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; CHL.
The Macedonia Branch Record was kept in a commercially produced leather-bound ledger book measuring 12½ × 8¼ inches (32 × 21 cm). The ledger volume contains ten gatherings of 16 leaves each, with a total of 320 pages. Each leaf measures 11¾ × 7½ inches (30 × 19 cm), and each page contains thirty-six faint blue horizontal lines, one faint red horizontal line, and three faint red vertical lines in a bookkeeping or accounting format. Eighty-eight pages in the ledger volume have been numbered; these pages contain minute entries and other writings that begin on 7 April 1839 and end on 28 April 1850. Entries are in the handwriting of
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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,
William Wightman

12 Dec. 1807–Sept. 1842. Married Dolly Eaton, 31 Oct. 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 1836. Ordained an elder, 27 Feb. 1836, in Geauga Co., Ohio. Laid out town of Ramus (later Webster), Hancock Co., Illinois, 1840. Served...

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, W. W. Greene, J. M. Benson,
Joseph Johnson

28 Apr. 1817–17 Dec. 1882. Teacher, postmaster, newspaper editor, druggist, farmer, horticulturist, merchant. Born in Pomfret, Chautauque Co., New York. Son of Ezekiel Johnson and Julia Hills. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca....

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, and James Fife. Pages 51 through 64 of these numbered pages are blank; 115 total leaves are blank. On the spine of the ledger are two labels likely placed there by employees of the Church Historian’s Office (now CHL) in the late nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries. One label reads “Record of the Ramus Branch”, and the other reads “1746”; both inscriptions are in unidentified handwriting.
By May 1852,
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...

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members had departed
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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and
Iowa

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...

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for the Salt Lake Valley and may have taken the record with them. The record was listed in inventories that were produced by the Church Historian’s Office in 1858 and in subsequent inventories.
1

“Historian’s Office Inventory G. S. L. City March 19. 1858,” [3]; “Historian’s Office Catalogue Book March 1858,” [13]; “Index of Records and Journals in the Historian’s Office 1878,” [13], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

The labels on the record and the record’s inclusion in church inventories indicate continuous institutional custody since 1858.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “Historian’s Office Inventory G. S. L. City March 19. 1858,” [3]; “Historian’s Office Catalogue Book March 1858,” [13]; “Index of Records and Journals in the Historian’s Office 1878,” [13], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

Historical Introduction

On 13 March 1843, JS presided over 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...

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meeting held in
Macedonia

Area settled, 1826. Founded by Latter-day Saints, 1839–1840, following exodus from Missouri. Town platted, Aug. 1840. Post office established, Sept. 1840. Incorporated as Macedonia, Mar. 1843. Renamed Webster, 23 July 1847. Population in 1845 about 380. Crooked...

More Info
(formerly Ramus), Illinois, to settle difficulties relating to leadership in the
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
there.
1

The town of Ramus was incorporated under the name of Macedonia on 3 March 1843. (An Act to Incorporate the Town of Macedonia [3 Mar. 1843], Laws of the State of Illinois [1842–1843], pp. 304–307.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835. Vandalia, IL: J. Y. Sawyer, 1835.

A conflict had emerged between those who supported
John Lawson

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as the
presiding elder

A leader over a local ecclesiastical unit of the church; also a title indicating the leading officers of the church. When the church was organized, JS and Oliver Cowdery were ordained as first and second elders, respectively, distinguishing them as the church...

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in Macedonia and those who preferred
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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, who had recently arrived in the branch.
2

It is likely that Babbitt arrived between 23 January and 5 March 1843. His name does not appear in the Macedonia Branch records in entries prior to 13 March 1843, the previous entry being 23 January 1843, and the conflict arose on 5 March. (See Macedonia Branch, Record, 7 Apr. 1839–13 Mar. 1843.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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.

Church member Benjamin Andrews wrote to
Brigham Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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on 5 March 1843, explaining the “somewhat extraordinary” circumstances. According to Andrews, a group of church members clamored to remove Lawson from his position and to have a “new President” appointed.
Joel Johnson

23 Mar. 1802–24 Sept. 1882. Miller, farmer, merchant. Born at Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ezekiel Johnson and Julia Hills. Moved to Newport, Campbell Co., Kentucky, 1813. Moved to Pomfret, Chautauque Co., New York, 1815. Baptized into Baptist...

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and his brother
Benjamin F. Johnson

28 July 1818–18 Nov. 1905. Brickmaker, merchant, tavern keeper, leatherworker, farmer, nurseryman, beekeeper. Born at Pomfret, Chautauque Co., New York. Son of Ezekiel Johnson and Julia Hills. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1833. Baptized into Church...

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, who led the group, started a petition to end Lawson’s tenure in favor of Babbitt.
3

Benjamin Andrews, Ramus, IL, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 5 Mar. 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL. Babbitt was a brother-in-law to the Johnsons. (Johnson, “Life Review,” 48.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

Johnson, Benjamin Franklin. “A Life Review,” after 1893. Benjamin Franklin Johnson, Papers, 1852–1911. CHL. MS 1289 box 1, fd. 1.

Joel Johnson previously served as the presiding authority in the branch but was discharged in winter 1842 by
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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, a move that upset the Johnson brothers.
4

Johnson, Autobiographical Sketch, 30–31.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Johnson, Joel H. Autobiographical Sketch, 1879. Typescript. CHL. MS 12931.

Babbitt’s arrival emboldened them to foment a leadership change. Andrews expressed concern about the division in the community and asked Young, “Cannot there be something done for us better. Is it not possible to obtain a man from Nauvoo, There is no one here that can unite all parties, for Brother Lawson has tried, and the more he tries to enforce the keeping of the commandments of God the more some seem to brake them.” For his part, Andrews supported Lawson as “an honest faithful man” and did not want Babbitt as the branch leader.
5

Benjamin Andrews, Ramus, IL, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 5 Mar. 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

After Young received Andrews’s letter, he and JS went to Macedonia to settle the matter.
On 11 March 1843, JS and
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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rode from
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....

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, Illinois, to
Macedonia

Area settled, 1826. Founded by Latter-day Saints, 1839–1840, following exodus from Missouri. Town platted, Aug. 1840. Post office established, Sept. 1840. Incorporated as Macedonia, Mar. 1843. Renamed Webster, 23 July 1847. Population in 1845 about 380. Crooked...

More Info
, where they lodged for the next two nights with
Benjamin F. Johnson

28 July 1818–18 Nov. 1905. Brickmaker, merchant, tavern keeper, leatherworker, farmer, nurseryman, beekeeper. Born at Pomfret, Chautauque Co., New York. Son of Ezekiel Johnson and Julia Hills. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1833. Baptized into Church...

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. While in Macedonia, both JS and Young preached to the congregation during Sunday meetings, and JS pulled sticks and wrestled with the town’s strongest men. JS and Young attended an afternoon meeting on 13 March to help resolve the leadership issues in the branch.
6

JS, Journal, 11–13 Mar. 1843; Young, Journal, 1840–1844, 11–13 Mar. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

During this meeting, JS gave his support to
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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to lead the branch. Though Babbitt had a history of problems with church leaders and authority, he also had leadership experience. According to the minutes featured here, with JS’s support Babbitt was ultimately “Chosen to Preside in place of
Elder Lawson

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.” Following this business, the meeting adjourned until the evening, when the branch reconvened for JS to bless the children. The next day, he and
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
returned 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
.
7

JS, Journal, 14 Mar. 1843; Young, Journal, 1840–1844, 14 Mar. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

Joseph Johnson

28 Apr. 1817–17 Dec. 1882. Teacher, postmaster, newspaper editor, druggist, farmer, horticulturist, merchant. Born in Pomfret, Chautauque Co., New York. Son of Ezekiel Johnson and Julia Hills. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca....

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served as the clerk for the 13 March 1843 meeting and recorded the minutes in the Macedonia branch's official minute book. Given the narrative nature of the minutes, Johnson likely worked from notes or original minutes taken during the meeting to pen this entry. Any original minutes or notes, however, are apparently no longer extant.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    The town of Ramus was incorporated under the name of Macedonia on 3 March 1843. (An Act to Incorporate the Town of Macedonia [3 Mar. 1843], Laws of the State of Illinois [1842–1843], pp. 304–307.)

    Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835. Vandalia, IL: J. Y. Sawyer, 1835.

  2. [2]

    It is likely that Babbitt arrived between 23 January and 5 March 1843. His name does not appear in the Macedonia Branch records in entries prior to 13 March 1843, the previous entry being 23 January 1843, and the conflict arose on 5 March. (See Macedonia Branch, Record, 7 Apr. 1839–13 Mar. 1843.)

    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.

  3. [3]

    Benjamin Andrews, Ramus, IL, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 5 Mar. 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL. Babbitt was a brother-in-law to the Johnsons. (Johnson, “Life Review,” 48.)

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

    Johnson, Benjamin Franklin. “A Life Review,” after 1893. Benjamin Franklin Johnson, Papers, 1852–1911. CHL. MS 1289 box 1, fd. 1.

  4. [4]

    Johnson, Autobiographical Sketch, 30–31.

    Johnson, Joel H. Autobiographical Sketch, 1879. Typescript. CHL. MS 12931.

  5. [5]

    Benjamin Andrews, Ramus, IL, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 5 Mar. 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

  6. [6]

    JS, Journal, 11–13 Mar. 1843; Young, Journal, 1840–1844, 11–13 Mar. 1843.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

  7. [7]

    JS, Journal, 14 Mar. 1843; Young, Journal, 1840–1844, 14 Mar. 1843.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

Page 33

No objection being made Except by
Elder Lawson

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B F Johnson

28 July 1818–18 Nov. 1905. Brickmaker, merchant, tavern keeper, leatherworker, farmer, nurseryman, beekeeper. Born at Pomfret, Chautauque Co., New York. Son of Ezekiel Johnson and Julia Hills. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1833. Baptized into Church...

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was then unanimously Chosen as
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
For the Church in this place
4

Johnson previously served as an agent for JS’s business interests. He may have been given the specific responsibility to collect and take to Nauvoo funds or goods collected for temple construction. Four weeks later, JS gave Johnson a power of attorney to act on his behalf in Macedonia. (Johnson, “Life Review,” 88; Hancock Co., IL, Bonds and Mortgages, 1840–1904, vol. 1, pp. 358–359, 10 Apr. 1843, microfilm 954,776, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Johnson, Benjamin Franklin. “A Life Review,” after 1893. Benjamin Franklin Johnson, Papers, 1852–1911. CHL. MS 1289 box 1, fd. 1.

Meeting adjourned untill Evening which was occupied in blessing Children Meeting adjourned
Jos. Smith Pres.
J[oseph] E Johnson

28 Apr. 1817–17 Dec. 1882. Teacher, postmaster, newspaper editor, druggist, farmer, horticulturist, merchant. Born in Pomfret, Chautauque Co., New York. Son of Ezekiel Johnson and Julia Hills. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca....

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Cl. [p. 33]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 33

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, 13 March 1843
ID #
2683
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D12:40–43
Handwriting on This Page
  • Joseph Johnson

Footnotes

  1. [4]

    Johnson previously served as an agent for JS’s business interests. He may have been given the specific responsibility to collect and take to Nauvoo funds or goods collected for temple construction. Four weeks later, JS gave Johnson a power of attorney to act on his behalf in Macedonia. (Johnson, “Life Review,” 88; Hancock Co., IL, Bonds and Mortgages, 1840–1904, vol. 1, pp. 358–359, 10 Apr. 1843, microfilm 954,776, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

    Johnson, Benjamin Franklin. “A Life Review,” after 1893. Benjamin Franklin Johnson, Papers, 1852–1911. CHL. MS 1289 box 1, fd. 1.

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