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Petition from Aaron Johnson, 18 December 1843

Source Note

Aaron Johnson

22 June 1806–10 May 1877. Farmer, gunmaker. Born in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Didymus Johnson and Ruhamah Stephens. Joined Methodist church, early 1820s. Married Polly Zeruah Kelsey, 13 Sept. 1827, in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut...

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, Petition,
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 [JS as mayor], [
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], 18 Dec. 1843. Featured version copied [18 Dec. 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...

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; one page; JS Collection (Supplement), CHL. Includes docket.
Single leaf measuring 9¾ × 7¾ inches (25 × 20 cm). The leaf was torn along the left side of the recto, possibly from a bifolium. Following this copy of the petition is a copy of JS’s subsequent military order to
Wilson Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

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; both were inscribed on the recto in the 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...

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.
1

See Military Order to Wilson Law, 18 Dec. 1843–A.


The document was later trifolded and docketed for filing.
The leaf was docketed, noting the presence of both copied documents, by
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...

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, who served as JS’s scribe from December 1841 until JS’s death in June 1844 and served as church historian from December 1842 until his own death in March 1854.
2

JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

The Church Historical Department (now CHL) published a register of the JS Collection in 1973. Between 1974 and 1984, staff continued to locate documents authored by or directed to JS in uncataloged church financial records and in name and subject files. The department also acquired additional JS documents from donors, collectors, and dealers. These newly located and acquired documents were kept together in a supplement to the JS Collection. A preliminary inventory of the supplement was created in 1992. This group of records was named the JS Collection (Supplement), 1833–1844, and its cataloging was finalized in 2017.
3

See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection (Supplement), 1833–1844, in the CHL catalog.


The document’s early docket and its later inclusion in the JS Collection (Supplement) suggest continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Military Order to Wilson Law, 18 Dec. 1843–A.

  2. [2]

    JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].

    Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

  3. [3]

    See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection (Supplement), 1833–1844, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 18 December 1843,
Hancock County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

More Info
, Illinois, justice of the peace
Aaron Johnson

22 June 1806–10 May 1877. Farmer, gunmaker. Born in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Didymus Johnson and Ruhamah Stephens. Joined Methodist church, early 1820s. Married Polly Zeruah Kelsey, 13 Sept. 1827, in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut...

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sent a petition to JS requesting
Nauvoo Legion

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

View Glossary
troops to support the arrest of
Levi Williams

18 Apr. 1794–27 Nov. 1860. Postmaster, farmer, military officer. Born in Madison Co., Kentucky. Married Mary (Polly) Reid. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, eventually settling in Green Plains. Served in Black Hawk War, 1832. Served as captain in ...

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. Earlier that day, Johnson had presided over a hearing for
John Elliott

Ca. 1820–3 Oct. 1862. Schoolmaster, deputy sheriff, constable, clerk, marshal. Born in Butler Co., Ohio. Lived four miles south of Warsaw, Hancock Co., Illinois, 1843, where he worked as a schoolmaster. Arrested for and later acquitted of kidnapping Daniel...

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, who was accused of participating in the kidnapping of
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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member
Daniel Avery

1 July 1797–16 Oct. 1851. Farmer, carpenter. Born in Oswego Co., New York. Son of Daniel Avery and Sarah. Moved to Franklin Co., Ohio, by 1821. Married Margaret Adams, 4 Jan. 1821, in Franklin Co. Moved to Worthington, Franklin Co., by Sept. 1825; to Perry...

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in early December.
1

See “Part 5: December 1843.”


During the hearing, witnesses implicated Williams, an ardent opponent of the church, in the kidnapping. Johnson issued an arrest warrant for Williams and gave it to
Hosea Stout

18 Sept. 1810–2 Mar. 1889. Farmer, teacher, carpenter, sawmill operator, lawyer. Born near Pleasant Hill, Mercer Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Stout and Anna Smith. Moved to Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, 1819; to Wilmington, Clinton Co., fall 1824; to...

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to serve on Williams, who lived in the Green Plains precinct in southern Hancock County. Stout left
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, sometime that afternoon to serve the warrant on Williams. However, at ten o’clock that night, messengers arrived from southern Hancock County and informed JS, Johnson, and others that Williams was gathering a mob to prevent any further arrests and possibly to rescue Elliott.
2

“Kidnapping,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 20 Dec. 1843, [2]–[3]; Docket Entry, 18 Dec. 1843, State of Illinois v. Levi Williams [J.P. Ct. 1843], Robinson and Johnson, Docket Book, 179; see also Historical Introduction to Complaint, 18 Dec. 1843; JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1843; and Amos Chase, Affidavit, Nauvoo, IL, 19 Dec. 1843, JS Office Papers, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Robinson, Ebenezer, and Aaron Johnson. Docket Book, ca. 1842–1845. In Chicago Historical Society, Collection of Mormon Materials, 1836–1886. Microfilm. CHL.

Fearing for Stout’s safety, Johnson made a formal request for a detachment of one hundred Nauvoo Legion troops to enforce the arrest warrant.
Although JS is not named in the document,
Johnson

22 June 1806–10 May 1877. Farmer, gunmaker. Born in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Didymus Johnson and Ruhamah Stephens. Joined Methodist church, early 1820s. Married Polly Zeruah Kelsey, 13 Sept. 1827, in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut...

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made the request to JS in his capacity as mayor of
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
, which gave JS state-sanctioned authority to call out the legion in defense of
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...

More Info
law.
3

JS’s journal noted that “Esqr Johnson— made a dimand on me as mayor for a posey [posse] to send to Hosea Sto[u]ts assistanc[e].” The act incorporating the city of Nauvoo authorized the mayor to call out the legion to enforce city ordinances and state laws. (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1843; Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840.)


In response to Johnson’s petition, JS issued orders to Major General
Wilson Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

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of the Nauvoo Legion to detach one hundred men to assist in
Williams

18 Apr. 1794–27 Nov. 1860. Postmaster, farmer, military officer. Born in Madison Co., Kentucky. Married Mary (Polly) Reid. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, eventually settling in Green Plains. Served in Black Hawk War, 1832. Served as captain in ...

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’s arrest.
4

Military Order to Wilson Law, 18 Dec. 1843–A.


JS’s scribe
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...

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noted in his journal that he made a copy of
Johnson

22 June 1806–10 May 1877. Farmer, gunmaker. Born in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Didymus Johnson and Ruhamah Stephens. Joined Methodist church, early 1820s. Married Polly Zeruah Kelsey, 13 Sept. 1827, in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut...

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’s petition sometime before midnight on 18 December.
5

Richards, Journal, 18 Dec. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

On the same page as this copy, Richards copied JS’s subsequent order to
Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

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. Because Johnson’s original petition is not extant, Richards’s copy is featured here.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See “Part 5: December 1843.”

  2. [2]

    “Kidnapping,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 20 Dec. 1843, [2]–[3]; Docket Entry, 18 Dec. 1843, State of Illinois v. Levi Williams [J.P. Ct. 1843], Robinson and Johnson, Docket Book, 179; see also Historical Introduction to Complaint, 18 Dec. 1843; JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1843; and Amos Chase, Affidavit, Nauvoo, IL, 19 Dec. 1843, JS Office Papers, CHL.

    Robinson, Ebenezer, and Aaron Johnson. Docket Book, ca. 1842–1845. In Chicago Historical Society, Collection of Mormon Materials, 1836–1886. Microfilm. CHL.

  3. [3]

    JS’s journal noted that “Esqr Johnson— made a dimand on me as mayor for a posey [posse] to send to Hosea Sto[u]ts assistanc[e].” The act incorporating the city of Nauvoo authorized the mayor to call out the legion to enforce city ordinances and state laws. (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1843; Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840.)

  4. [4]

    Military Order to Wilson Law, 18 Dec. 1843–A.

  5. [5]

    Richards, Journal, 18 Dec. 1843.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Petition from Aaron Johnson, 18 December 1843
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [1]

<​Copy.—​>
City of
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
, Dec 18th 1843.
Sir I have been informed that a writ issued by me for the purpose body of
Levi Williams

18 Apr. 1794–27 Nov. 1860. Postmaster, farmer, military officer. Born in Madison Co., Kentucky. Married Mary (Polly) Reid. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, eventually settling in Green Plains. Served in Black Hawk War, 1832. Served as captain in ...

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for kidnapping
Dani[e]l Avery

1 July 1797–16 Oct. 1851. Farmer, carpenter. Born in Oswego Co., New York. Son of Daniel Avery and Sarah. Moved to Franklin Co., Ohio, by 1821. Married Margaret Adams, 4 Jan. 1821, in Franklin Co. Moved to Worthington, Franklin Co., by Sept. 1825; to Perry...

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will be resisted by an armed force,
1

See JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1843.


Therefore according to the provision of the Charter
2

See Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840.


I wish you to order me a detachment of the
Nauvoo Legion

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

View Glossary
Say 100 men to enforce the Law of the
State

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...

More Info
and bring the said
Williams

18 Apr. 1794–27 Nov. 1860. Postmaster, farmer, military officer. Born in Madison Co., Kentucky. Married Mary (Polly) Reid. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, eventually settling in Green Plains. Served in Black Hawk War, 1832. Served as captain in ...

View Full Bio
to Justice.
Araon [Aaron] Johnson

22 June 1806–10 May 1877. Farmer, gunmaker. Born in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Didymus Johnson and Ruhamah Stephens. Joined Methodist church, early 1820s. Married Polly Zeruah Kelsey, 13 Sept. 1827, in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut...

View Full Bio
J. P.
 
[See Military Order to Wilson Law, 18 Dec. 1843–A.] [p. [1]]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Petition from Aaron Johnson, 18 December 1843
ID #
1230
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D13:397–398
Handwriting on This Page
  • Willard Richards

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1843.

  2. [2]

    See Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840.

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