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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, ...

View Full Bio
, 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...

View Full Bio
, 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 2

her dropsical.
8

Dropsy, which is now referred to as edema, was seen as a medical condition that sometimes occurred “in persons of lax habits” and as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. (“Dropsy,” in American Dictionary [1828]; Keller, “Historical Overview of Alcohol and Alcoholism,” 2825.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

Keller, Mark. “A Historical Overview of Alcohol and Alcoholism.” Cancer Research 39, no. 7, part 2 (July 1979): 2822–2829.

left late in the evening gone 6 or 8 months in Kentucky, inder suspicus circumstances
Mrs Thacher says that Isabellas sister said every family had a black sheep— & they had one.
9

“Mrs Thacher” may have been Catharine McMinn Thacher, Armstrong's sister. (Church of the Brethren [Germantown, Philadelphia Co., PA], Cemetery Records, Old Section, lots 158 and 159, microfilm 1,723,615; Marriage Record for Arthur Thacher and Catharine McMinn, 25 Dec. 1833, in Union Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, PA, Church Records, 1801–1923 [Marriages, 1829–1867], microfilm 1,730,931, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; “Catharine Evans Mc Minn, 1810–1877,” Individual Record, FamilySearch [ID no. LH3F-L6T].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

FamilySearch. https://familysearch.org

a certain Lady had seen her in drink, & run in debt to give money to the Saints.—
Ned simpson: Is ferquntly seen with her.
10

Ned Simpson—apparently an alias for Ned Hammond—was a well-known thief and pickpocket who was arrested at various times between 1838 and 1850 in Philadelphia and New York City. He was reportedly a member of a gang of English pickpockets based in Philadelphia. He was arrested on 27 March 1843 for pickpocketing in Philadelphia but was released on $500 bail. There is no evidence from extant newspaper reports that Armstrong and Simpson were connected. (“Arrest of a Fugitive from Justice,” New-York Tribune [New York City], 7 June 1841, [4]; “An English Pickpocket Caught,” Public Ledger [Philadelphia], 1 July 1843, [1]; “Movements of Thieves,” National Police Gazette [New York City], 17 Feb. 1849, [2]; Philadelphia, PA, Prisoners for Trial Docket, 1790–1882, vol. 22, pp. 316, 406, 27 Mar. and 6 June 1843, microfilm 973,544, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Public Ledger. Philadelphia. 1836–1925.

National Police Gazette. New York City. 1845–.

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

& blackley, atrocois villain.—
She have been the public talk in 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
, my being silencd by 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
has caused me a great deal of trouble &c
11

In May 1842, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles silenced Winchester from preaching “until he makes satisfaction for not obeying” instruction from the First Presidency. Winchester was “restored to his former fellowship and standing in the Church” in July 1842. (“Notice,” Times and Seasons, 16 May 1842, 3:798; “Notice,” Times and Seasons, 15 July 1842, 3:862.)


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
. when he was 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
—
12

Hyrum Smith and William Law traveled to Philadelphia in October 1842 to reorganize the branch and set it in order. (Philadelphia Branch Record Book, 15 Oct. 1842, 32–33.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Philadelphia Branch Record Book, 1840–1854. Microfilm. CHL. Original at CCLA.

one said Isabellas conduct was very rediculous. & if she was not moved she ought to be.— towns talk,— when I preached on adultery, she left the house
J. G. [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
said he was pesident of the counsil in
Philadelphai

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 this subject was investegated,
J. 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
, said the council might be called at my request, to settle the money affair, nothing—
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
, I deny having in vited any thing about old affairs.— in calling the council—
to <​but​> it was called to investigate the money.
13

On 21 and 22 April 1843, Adams presided over a meeting of the “official members” of the Philadelphia branch that, on Winchester’s request, investigated monetary issues involving Peter Hess, who was both the presiding elder of the branch and the branch treasurer. The main issue seems to have been Hess loaning money from church members to Adams, something that Hess denied. After “disscussing the subject fully,” the council decided to drop the matter and to have Hess pay sixteen dollars as rent for the church building the branch was using. The same meeting also considered charges that James B. Nicholson made against Winchester for disparaging the character of his mother, Eliza Nicholson. When Hyrum Smith and William Law reorganized the Philadelphia branch in October 1842, Smith counseled the branch to forget “all former dificulties” and never speak of them again. (Philadelphia, PA, Council Minutes, 21–22 Apr. 1843, General Ecclesiastical Court Trials, CHL; Philadelphia Branch Record Book, 14 Sept. and 15 Oct. 1842, 31–33.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

General Ecclesiastical Court Trials 1832–1963. CHL.

Philadelphia Branch Record Book, 1840–1854. Microfilm. CHL. Original at CCLA.

& about
Bro Derby Darby [Erastus Derby]

14 Sept. 1810–3 Dec. 1890. Tailor, carpenter, farmer, joiner. Born in Hawley, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Edward Darby and Ruth Phoebe Hitchcock. Moved to Ohio, by 1834. Married Ruhamah Burnham Knowlton, 10 Aug. 1834, in Carthage, Hamilton Co., Ohio...

View Full Bio
,
14

The minutes of the 21–22 April 1843 meeting do not contain anything about Derby, who was proselytizing in Philadelphia in fall 1842. According to Edwin Woolley, who was also preaching in the area, Derby made “some disturbance in the branch” when he was there. (Philadelphia, PA, Council Minutes, 21–22 Apr. 1843, General Ecclesiastical Court Trials, CHL; Woolley, Diary, 16 Nov. 1842.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

General Ecclesiastical Court Trials 1832–1963. CHL.

Woolley, Edwin D. Diary, Sept.–Dec. 1842. CHL.

—— after which.—
Mrs Nicholsen

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
, & othe[r]s came forward after the money investigation.—
President Joseph Smith called for order.—
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
said there was no tiel [trial] before the councel.
“J. Smith said that there it was a bag of nonsense to sit here without witnesses & hear one story [after?] another. Prest, J. Smith, it has been the character of
B Wincheste

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
from the beginning to contredict every body & evey thing, and I have been under the ire of his tongue.— he introduced me into several familyes & I had to have a contention with him at every house. I disgraced him before the
confernce

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
.
15

This may have happened when JS visited Philadelphia in December 1839 and January 1840. He also attended a conference of the Philadelphia branch in January 1840, during which he advised “travelling Elders” to be “especially cautious of incroaching on the ground of stationed & presiding Elders,” although the minutes do not indicate that he referred to Winchester, who was one of the traveling elders, by name. (Orson Pratt to Sarah Marinda Bates Pratt, 6 Jan. 1840, in Times and Seasons, Feb. 1840, 1:61; Historian’s Office, JS History, Draft Notes, 21 Dec. 1839; Minutes and Discourse, 13 Jan. 1840.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

& to be revenged he told one of the most damnable lies about me. visited Sister Smith sister [Hannah Dubois] Dibble. small hat shop.— told her to come 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....

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with me. & I would protect hers &
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, ...

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set up a howl [p. 2]
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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. [8]

    Dropsy, which is now referred to as edema, was seen as a medical condition that sometimes occurred “in persons of lax habits” and as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. (“Dropsy,” in American Dictionary [1828]; Keller, “Historical Overview of Alcohol and Alcoholism,” 2825.)

    An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

    Keller, Mark. “A Historical Overview of Alcohol and Alcoholism.” Cancer Research 39, no. 7, part 2 (July 1979): 2822–2829.

  2. [9]

    “Mrs Thacher” may have been Catharine McMinn Thacher, Armstrong's sister. (Church of the Brethren [Germantown, Philadelphia Co., PA], Cemetery Records, Old Section, lots 158 and 159, microfilm 1,723,615; Marriage Record for Arthur Thacher and Catharine McMinn, 25 Dec. 1833, in Union Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, PA, Church Records, 1801–1923 [Marriages, 1829–1867], microfilm 1,730,931, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; “Catharine Evans Mc Minn, 1810–1877,” Individual Record, FamilySearch [ID no. LH3F-L6T].)

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    FamilySearch. https://familysearch.org

  3. [10]

    Ned Simpson—apparently an alias for Ned Hammond—was a well-known thief and pickpocket who was arrested at various times between 1838 and 1850 in Philadelphia and New York City. He was reportedly a member of a gang of English pickpockets based in Philadelphia. He was arrested on 27 March 1843 for pickpocketing in Philadelphia but was released on $500 bail. There is no evidence from extant newspaper reports that Armstrong and Simpson were connected. (“Arrest of a Fugitive from Justice,” New-York Tribune [New York City], 7 June 1841, [4]; “An English Pickpocket Caught,” Public Ledger [Philadelphia], 1 July 1843, [1]; “Movements of Thieves,” National Police Gazette [New York City], 17 Feb. 1849, [2]; Philadelphia, PA, Prisoners for Trial Docket, 1790–1882, vol. 22, pp. 316, 406, 27 Mar. and 6 June 1843, microfilm 973,544, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

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

    Public Ledger. Philadelphia. 1836–1925.

    National Police Gazette. New York City. 1845–.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  4. [11]

    In May 1842, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles silenced Winchester from preaching “until he makes satisfaction for not obeying” instruction from the First Presidency. Winchester was “restored to his former fellowship and standing in the Church” in July 1842. (“Notice,” Times and Seasons, 16 May 1842, 3:798; “Notice,” Times and Seasons, 15 July 1842, 3:862.)

  5. [12]

    Hyrum Smith and William Law traveled to Philadelphia in October 1842 to reorganize the branch and set it in order. (Philadelphia Branch Record Book, 15 Oct. 1842, 32–33.)

    Philadelphia Branch Record Book, 1840–1854. Microfilm. CHL. Original at CCLA.

  6. [13]

    On 21 and 22 April 1843, Adams presided over a meeting of the “official members” of the Philadelphia branch that, on Winchester’s request, investigated monetary issues involving Peter Hess, who was both the presiding elder of the branch and the branch treasurer. The main issue seems to have been Hess loaning money from church members to Adams, something that Hess denied. After “disscussing the subject fully,” the council decided to drop the matter and to have Hess pay sixteen dollars as rent for the church building the branch was using. The same meeting also considered charges that James B. Nicholson made against Winchester for disparaging the character of his mother, Eliza Nicholson. When Hyrum Smith and William Law reorganized the Philadelphia branch in October 1842, Smith counseled the branch to forget “all former dificulties” and never speak of them again. (Philadelphia, PA, Council Minutes, 21–22 Apr. 1843, General Ecclesiastical Court Trials, CHL; Philadelphia Branch Record Book, 14 Sept. and 15 Oct. 1842, 31–33.)

    General Ecclesiastical Court Trials 1832–1963. CHL.

    Philadelphia Branch Record Book, 1840–1854. Microfilm. CHL. Original at CCLA.

  7. [14]

    The minutes of the 21–22 April 1843 meeting do not contain anything about Derby, who was proselytizing in Philadelphia in fall 1842. According to Edwin Woolley, who was also preaching in the area, Derby made “some disturbance in the branch” when he was there. (Philadelphia, PA, Council Minutes, 21–22 Apr. 1843, General Ecclesiastical Court Trials, CHL; Woolley, Diary, 16 Nov. 1842.)

    General Ecclesiastical Court Trials 1832–1963. CHL.

    Woolley, Edwin D. Diary, Sept.–Dec. 1842. CHL.

  8. [15]

    This may have happened when JS visited Philadelphia in December 1839 and January 1840. He also attended a conference of the Philadelphia branch in January 1840, during which he advised “travelling Elders” to be “especially cautious of incroaching on the ground of stationed & presiding Elders,” although the minutes do not indicate that he referred to Winchester, who was one of the traveling elders, by name. (Orson Pratt to Sarah Marinda Bates Pratt, 6 Jan. 1840, in Times and Seasons, Feb. 1840, 1:61; Historian’s Office, JS History, Draft Notes, 21 Dec. 1839; Minutes and Discourse, 13 Jan. 1840.)

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

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