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Minutes, 27 May 1843

Source Note

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

View Glossary
, Minutes, [
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], 27 May 1843; handwriting of
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
; five pages; Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 1840–1844, CHL. Includes dockets.
Two bifolia, each measuring 12⅛ × 7⅝ inches (31 × 19 cm). The rectos of the first and second leaves of the first bifolium appear to be ruled with thirty-five horizontal blue lines; the versos of the first and second leaves of the first bifolium appear to be ruled with thirty-seven horizontal blue lines. The recto of the first leaf of the second bifolium is ruled with thirty-six horizontal blue lines. Ruling in the two bifolia is now faded. The minutes of this meeting were written on all pages of the first bifolium and on the recto of the first leaf of the second bifolium.
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
went back through the minutes after their initial inscription, correcting some words and adding pagination. The verso of the first leaf of the second bifolium and the recto of the second leaf of the second bifolium contain minutes of additional meetings of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The bifolia were folded in half twice horizontally for filing.
Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
, who served as clerk of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from October 1840 until his death in March 1854,
1

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 8 Oct. 1840; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

presumably retained the minutes in his possession after inscribing them, and they were likely among the “Minutes of the Twelve 1840 to 1844” listed on an 1846 inventory of the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department).
2

“Schedule of Church Records. Nauvoo 1846,” [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.

The document was docketed by Richards and by Andrew Jenson, who began working in the Church Historian’s Office in 1891 and served as assistant church historian from 1897 to 1941.
3

Jenson, Autobiography, 192, 389; Cannon, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891; Jenson, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891 and 19 Oct. 1897; Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 47–52.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jenson, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Jenson: Assistant Historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938.

Cannon, George Q. Journals, 1855–1864, 1872–1901. CHL. CR 850 1.

Jenson, Andrew. Journals, 1864–1941. Andrew Jenson, Autobiography and Journals, 1864–1941. CHL.

Bitton, David, and Leonard J. Arrington. Mormons and Their Historians. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988.

In 1986, the minutes of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for the 1840s were transferred from the Church Historical Department (later Church History Department) to the Office of the First Presidency. In 2008, this collection of minutes was returned to the Church History Department (now CHL).
4

See the full bibliographic entry for Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 1840–1844, in the CHL catalog.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 8 Oct. 1840; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].

    Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.

    Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

  2. [2]

    “Schedule of Church Records. Nauvoo 1846,” [1], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

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

  3. [3]

    Jenson, Autobiography, 192, 389; Cannon, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891; Jenson, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891 and 19 Oct. 1897; Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 47–52.

    Jenson, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Jenson: Assistant Historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938.

    Cannon, George Q. Journals, 1855–1864, 1872–1901. CHL. CR 850 1.

    Jenson, Andrew. Journals, 1864–1941. Andrew Jenson, Autobiography and Journals, 1864–1941. CHL.

    Bitton, David, and Leonard J. Arrington. Mormons and Their Historians. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988.

  4. [4]

    See the full bibliographic entry for Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 1840–1844, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 27 May 1843, JS attended an afternoon meeting of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

View Glossary
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, to discuss a letter
Sybella McMinn Armstrong

ca. 1818–25 May 1888. Born in Philadelphia. Daughter of Robert McMinn and Mary Dull. Married first a Mr. Armstrong, by ca. 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4 May 1840, in Philadelphia. Excommunicated, 16 Apr. 1854, in Philadelphia...

View Full Bio
had written to JS about
Benjamin Winchester

6 Aug. 1817–25 Jan. 1901. Farmer, author, merchant, brick maker. Born near Elk Creek, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Stephen Winchester and Mary Case. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, early 1833, in Elk Creek. Moved to Kirtland, ...

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, the former
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...

View Glossary
of the
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
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
.
1

Letter from Sybella McMinn Armstrong, 1 May 1843.


Armstrong’s letter was one of at least three sent to JS in 1843 by Philadelphia branch members complaining about Winchester and his conduct. In February 1843,
Peter Hess

5 Feb. 1800–14 Dec. 1877. Cigar manufacturer. Born in Philadelphia. Son of Peter Hess and Fanny. Married Maria Leidy, 21 Dec. 1823, in Philadelphia. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 Aug. 1842. Ordained an elder and appointed to...

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, the branch’s presiding elder, wrote to JS that Winchester was a “secret spring” who inserted himself into branch business when he was not wanted and who needed to be removed so that the branch could prosper in “majesty and streng[t]h.”
2

Letter from Peter Hess, 16 Feb. 1843.


On 23 April 1843,
Eliza Lowry Nicholson

ca. 1800–29 Dec. 1845. Dressmaker. Born in Philadelphia. Daughter of David Lowry and Dorothy Maybury. Married John Nicholson, ca. 1819, in Philadelphia. Moved to St. Louis, 1819. Returned to Philadelphia, by 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter...

View Full Bio
, another Philadelphia branch member, wrote to JS and the Nauvoo
high council

A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...

View Glossary
that Winchester was “under the influense of the evil one” and had tried to destroy her character. “Winchester will continue to injure my reputation every where he goes,” she declared.
3

Letter from Eliza Lowry Nicholson, 23 Apr. 1843.


In a 1 May 1843 letter, Armstrong claimed that Winchester had slandered her and “mutilated” her character. She asked for “redress at the hands of the
Chu[r]ch

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
” and for justice “for the deepest wrongs inflicted without the slightest provction [provocation].” She also requested that JS submit her letter to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who had authority over the branches of the church outside of Nauvoo.
4

Letter from Sybella McMinn Armstrong, 1 May 1843.


The
quorum

An organized group of individuals holding the same office in the Melchizedek priesthood or the Aaronic priesthood. According to the 1835 “Instruction on Priesthood,” the presidency of the church constituted a quorum. The Twelve Apostles also formed a quorum...

View Glossary
considered the letter at a 23 May 1843 meeting and decided to discuss it further at a later meeting to which various individuals with knowledge of Winchester’s actions could be invited.
5

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 23 May 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.

The meeting to address
Armstrong

ca. 1818–25 May 1888. Born in Philadelphia. Daughter of Robert McMinn and Mary Dull. Married first a Mr. Armstrong, by ca. 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4 May 1840, in Philadelphia. Excommunicated, 16 Apr. 1854, in Philadelphia...

View Full Bio
's concerns was held on 27 May and was attended by JS,
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
,
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
,
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
, and other church members, including
George J. Adams

7 Nov. 1810–11 May 1880. Tailor, actor, clergyman. Born in Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Lived in Boston during 1820s and 1830s. Became Methodist lay preacher. Married Caroline. Moved to New York City, before 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

View Full Bio
, who had been preaching in
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
when some of the difficulties between
Winchester

6 Aug. 1817–25 Jan. 1901. Farmer, author, merchant, brick maker. Born near Elk Creek, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Stephen Winchester and Mary Case. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, early 1833, in Elk Creek. Moved to Kirtland, ...

View Full Bio
and
Hess

5 Feb. 1800–14 Dec. 1877. Cigar manufacturer. Born in Philadelphia. Son of Peter Hess and Fanny. Married Maria Leidy, 21 Dec. 1823, in Philadelphia. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 Aug. 1842. Ordained an elder and appointed to...

View Full Bio
occurred. Winchester, who was also present, spent the first part of the meeting explaining rumors he had heard about Armstrong, implying that she was a drunkard and had loose morals, before JS called for order and chastised Winchester for his conduct. The letters from Hess and
Nicholson

ca. 1800–29 Dec. 1845. Dressmaker. Born in Philadelphia. Daughter of David Lowry and Dorothy Maybury. Married John Nicholson, ca. 1819, in Philadelphia. Moved to St. Louis, 1819. Returned to Philadelphia, by 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter...

View Full Bio
were then read, and the apostles ultimately revoked Winchester’s preaching
license

A document certifying an individual’s office in the church and authorizing him “to perform the duty of his calling.” The “Articles and Covenants” of the church implied that only elders could issue licenses; individuals ordained by a priest to an office in...

View Glossary
and ordered him and his family to move 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
.
6

JS, Journal, 27 May 1843; Letter from Peter Hess, 16 Feb. 1843. Winchester and his family relocated to Nauvoo by November 1843. (JS et al., Memorial to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 28 Nov. 1843, p. 14, Record Group 46, Records of the U.S. Senate, National Archives, Washington DC.)


Thereafter, JS instructed the apostles on their responsibilities when trying church members. JS and the apostles also conducted some additional business, which included withdrawing the
elder

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

View Glossary
’s license of Adams, who had been accused of adultery.
7

See Letter from Caroline Youngs Adams, ca. 15 Jan. 1843; Historical Introduction to Resolutions of the Boston Conference, 12 Mar. 1843; and Historical Introduction to Letter from Austin Cowles, 13 Mar. 1843.


The apostles assigned a few elders to preach in various locations, and
Orson Hyde

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
was blessed before the meeting adjourned.
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
took the minutes of the meeting.
Wilford Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

View Full Bio
also provided a summary of the meeting in his journal.
8

Woodruff, Journal, 27 May 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Because Woodruff was not the official minute taker of the meeting and provided only a summary of it, only Richards’s minutes are featured here. However, Woodruff captured JS’s instructions to the Twelve on their duties, and his account of that discourse is featured here as well.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letter from Sybella McMinn Armstrong, 1 May 1843.

  2. [2]

    Letter from Peter Hess, 16 Feb. 1843.

  3. [3]

    Letter from Eliza Lowry Nicholson, 23 Apr. 1843.

  4. [4]

    Letter from Sybella McMinn Armstrong, 1 May 1843.

  5. [5]

    Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 23 May 1843.

    Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.

  6. [6]

    JS, Journal, 27 May 1843; Letter from Peter Hess, 16 Feb. 1843. Winchester and his family relocated to Nauvoo by November 1843. (JS et al., Memorial to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 28 Nov. 1843, p. 14, Record Group 46, Records of the U.S. Senate, National Archives, Washington DC.)

  7. [7]

    See Letter from Caroline Youngs Adams, ca. 15 Jan. 1843; Historical Introduction to Resolutions of the Boston Conference, 12 Mar. 1843; and Historical Introduction to Letter from Austin Cowles, 13 Mar. 1843.

  8. [8]

    Woodruff, Journal, 27 May 1843.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Minutes, 27 May 1843
Minutes, 27 May 1843, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff History Draft [1 March–31 December 1843] History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [1]

Saturday, May 27th 1843. The
twelve

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

View Glossary
assembled in council, according to adjourment 2. o clock P, M. Present
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...

View Full Bio
H[eber] C. Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

View Full Bio
,
O[rson] Hyde

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
;
W[ilford] Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

View Full Bio
.
John Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

View Full Bio
Geo A. Smith

26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...

View Full Bio
. &
W[illard] Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
— also,
Presid[e]nt

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
Joseph Smith,
Patriarchs

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office with the authority to give inspired blessings, similar to the practice of Old Testament patriarchs. JS occasionally referred to patriarchs as “evangelical ministers” or “evangelists.” Joseph Smith Sr. was ordained as...

View Glossary
Hiryam [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
<​&
James Adams

24 Jan. 1783–11 Aug. 1843. Lawyer, judge, insurance agent, land speculator. Born at Simsbury, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Parmenio Adams and Chloe. In New York militia, served as ensign, 1805; as lieutenant; as captain, 1807; and as major, 1811–1815...

View Full Bio
​>,
1

Adams was a church member and judge in Springfield, Illinois. He was ordained a patriarch in July 1841 and had been in Nauvoo since 21 May. (JS, Journal, 21 and 27 May 1843; General Church Recorder, License Record Book, 85.)


Bishop [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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and others—
2

According to JS's journal, some of the others in attendance were Emma Smith, George J. Adams, another Adams (probably either George’s wife, Caroline Youngs Adams, or James Adams’s wife, Harriet Denton Adams), and a Jarman (probably either William Guy Jarman, a member of the New York City branch, or his wife). (JS, Journal, 27 May 1843; Minutes, New York City, NY, 29 Nov. 1841, in Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1842, 3:765; Philadelphia, PA, Council Minutes, 21–22 Apr. 1843, General Ecclesiastical Court Trials, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

General Ecclesiastical Court Trials 1832–1963. CHL.

Paryer by
Elder Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

View Full Bio
. after Singing
President 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
stated the object of the meeting. was to investigate a letter from Sybbella [Sybella McMinn] Armstrong of
Philadiphia

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
concern[in]g
Benjamin Winchester

6 Aug. 1817–25 Jan. 1901. Farmer, author, merchant, brick maker. Born near Elk Creek, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Stephen Winchester and Mary Case. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, early 1833, in Elk Creek. Moved to Kirtland, ...

View Full Bio
—
3

Letter from Sybella McMinn Armstrong, 1 May 1843. According to William Clayton, when JS received Armstrong's letter on 22 May, he gave it to Richards and said, “The Twelve ought to silence Winchester.” (Clayton, Journal, 22 May 1843.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

and other business—
The Letter was then read. Dated
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
May 1st. 1843, charging & Stating that
B. Winchester

6 Aug. 1817–25 Jan. 1901. Farmer, author, merchant, brick maker. Born near Elk Creek, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Stephen Winchester and Mary Case. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, early 1833, in Elk Creek. Moved to Kirtland, ...

View Full Bio
had been slandering hear her character,
4

Armstrong stated in her letter that Winchester had “basicly Sla[n]dered [her] Charctar in Phila time oft and again” by calling her, among other things, a “str[u]mpet” and someone who obtained her “livi[n]g by plucking the Public!” (Letter from Sybella McMinn Armstrong, 1 May 1843.)


Elder Winchester

6 Aug. 1817–25 Jan. 1901. Farmer, author, merchant, brick maker. Born near Elk Creek, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Stephen Winchester and Mary Case. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, early 1833, in Elk Creek. Moved to Kirtland, ...

View Full Bio
stated that he was not fully prepared to investigate the merits of the letter in full as had but just learned the contents therof, that sybbella was generelly spoken of by 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
in
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
an—
Capt— of steamboats & others— on the ohieo—
5

According to Armstrong, Winchester told people that she “was kno[w]n to all the Capta[i]ns on the Ohio and Missippie [Mississippi] Rivers.” (Letter from Sybella McMinn Armstrong, 1 May 1843.)


told him she had been seen drunk in the streets &c.— had often spoke of her in conversation as having heard such things. I have made the. obsevation I did not beleive they were all right.
Mrs [Eliza Lowry] Nicholson

ca. 1800–29 Dec. 1845. Dressmaker. Born in Philadelphia. Daughter of David Lowry and Dorothy Maybury. Married John Nicholson, ca. 1819, in Philadelphia. Moved to St. Louis, 1819. Returned to Philadelphia, by 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter...

View Full Bio
, I bo[a]rded with she told long stories <​to my wife​>
6

Winchester married Mary Hannah Stone on 25 February 1840. (Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, 543.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1891.

about Sabbella Armstng.— faild for $20 000, did not know how she got so much money.
Mrs Nichoson

ca. 1800–29 Dec. 1845. Dressmaker. Born in Philadelphia. Daughter of David Lowry and Dorothy Maybury. Married John Nicholson, ca. 1819, in Philadelphia. Moved to St. Louis, 1819. Returned to Philadelphia, by 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter...

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. last winter,— at my house, her house was run down with bills of merctile making &c &c &c. Mc Niners girls.—
7

It is not clear what the reference to “Mc Niners girls” means here. Armstrong's maiden name was McMinn and she lived at the same address as Margaret McMinn, her sister, and Mary Dull McMinn, her mother, so it is possible that Richards misheard or miswrote what was said. (Philadelphia Branch Membership Record, 8–9, 26–27; Fairbanks, Emma Willard and Her Pupils, 209; Death Certificate for Margaret W. Johnson, 5 Aug. 1910, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., UT, certificate 1062, Utah Death Certificates, 1904–1951, microfilm 2,229,324, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Philadelphia Branch Membership Record. Verso of Philadelphia, PA, Minutes and Records, 1840–1854. CCLA.

Fairbanks, A. W. Emma Willard and Her Pupils, or Fifty Years of Troy Female Seminary, 1822–1872. New York: Mrs. Russell Sage, 1898.

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

A person. a respcable [respectable] Dr Miller, know any thing about Sybella Armstrong,— just before she went away I was calld to see her, & I pronuced [pronounced] [p. [1]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, 27 May 1843
ID #
12026
Total Pages
5
Print Volume Location
JSP, D12:343–350
Handwriting on This Page
  • Willard Richards

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Adams was a church member and judge in Springfield, Illinois. He was ordained a patriarch in July 1841 and had been in Nauvoo since 21 May. (JS, Journal, 21 and 27 May 1843; General Church Recorder, License Record Book, 85.)

  2. [2]

    According to JS's journal, some of the others in attendance were Emma Smith, George J. Adams, another Adams (probably either George’s wife, Caroline Youngs Adams, or James Adams’s wife, Harriet Denton Adams), and a Jarman (probably either William Guy Jarman, a member of the New York City branch, or his wife). (JS, Journal, 27 May 1843; Minutes, New York City, NY, 29 Nov. 1841, in Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1842, 3:765; Philadelphia, PA, Council Minutes, 21–22 Apr. 1843, General Ecclesiastical Court Trials, CHL.)

    General Ecclesiastical Court Trials 1832–1963. CHL.

  3. [3]

    Letter from Sybella McMinn Armstrong, 1 May 1843. According to William Clayton, when JS received Armstrong's letter on 22 May, he gave it to Richards and said, “The Twelve ought to silence Winchester.” (Clayton, Journal, 22 May 1843.)

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  4. [4]

    Armstrong stated in her letter that Winchester had “basicly Sla[n]dered [her] Charctar in Phila time oft and again” by calling her, among other things, a “str[u]mpet” and someone who obtained her “livi[n]g by plucking the Public!” (Letter from Sybella McMinn Armstrong, 1 May 1843.)

  5. [5]

    According to Armstrong, Winchester told people that she “was kno[w]n to all the Capta[i]ns on the Ohio and Missippie [Mississippi] Rivers.” (Letter from Sybella McMinn Armstrong, 1 May 1843.)

  6. [6]

    Winchester married Mary Hannah Stone on 25 February 1840. (Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, 543.)

    Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1891.

  7. [7]

    It is not clear what the reference to “Mc Niners girls” means here. Armstrong's maiden name was McMinn and she lived at the same address as Margaret McMinn, her sister, and Mary Dull McMinn, her mother, so it is possible that Richards misheard or miswrote what was said. (Philadelphia Branch Membership Record, 8–9, 26–27; Fairbanks, Emma Willard and Her Pupils, 209; Death Certificate for Margaret W. Johnson, 5 Aug. 1910, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., UT, certificate 1062, Utah Death Certificates, 1904–1951, microfilm 2,229,324, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

    Philadelphia Branch Membership Record. Verso of Philadelphia, PA, Minutes and Records, 1840–1854. CCLA.

    Fairbanks, A. W. Emma Willard and Her Pupils, or Fifty Years of Troy Female Seminary, 1822–1872. New York: Mrs. Russell Sage, 1898.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

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