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Petition to United States Congress, circa 29 November 1839, Draft

Source Note

JS,
Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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, and
Elias Higbee

23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ...

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, Petition Draft,
Washington DC

Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...

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, to United States Congress, Washington DC, ca. 29 Nov. 1839; handwriting of
Elias Higbee

23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ...

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; 35 pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes dockets.

Historical Introduction

See Historical Introduction to Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. Petition to United States Congress, circa 29 November 1839, Draft History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith” “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 11

lands by driving off the
Mormons

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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and taking forcible possession or constraining them to sell them, through fear and coercion at a price merely nominal.
After the Mormons removed from
Clay

Settled ca. 1800. Organized from Ray Co., 1822. Original size diminished when land was taken to create several surrounding counties. Liberty designated county seat, 1822. Population in 1830 about 5,000; in 1836 about 8,500; and in 1840 about 8,300. Refuge...

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they settled in the County of
Caldwell

Located in northwest Missouri. Settled by whites, by 1831. Described as being “one-third timber and two-thirds prairie” in 1836. Created specifically for Latter-day Saints by Missouri state legislature, 29 Dec. 1836, in attempt to solve “Mormon problem.” ...

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as aforesaid. Your memorialists do not deem it necessary for their purpose to detail the history of the progress, the cares & anxieties of the Mormons settlement from the time they settled in
Caldwell

Located in northwest Missouri. Settled by whites, by 1831. Described as being “one-third timber and two-thirds prairie” in 1836. Created specifically for Latter-day Saints by Missouri state legislature, 29 Dec. 1836, in attempt to solve “Mormon problem.” ...

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untill in the year 1836— untill the Fall of the year 1838. They would howevever [say?] that during all that time they deported themselves as good citizens obeying the laws [of the?] land and the moral and religious duties enjoined by their faith. That there might have been some faithless among the faithful is possible, they would <​not​> deny that there might have been some who were a scandal to their brethern and what society they would ask has not some unworthy Member? Where is the sect, where they community in which there cannot be found some who trample under foot the laws of God and man? [p. 11]
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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Petition to United States Congress, circa 29 November 1839, Draft
ID #
1895
Total Pages
36
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • Elias Higbee

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