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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 28

The next morning the Prisoners were marched under a strong guard to
Independence

Located twelve miles from western Missouri border. Permanently settled, platted, and designated county seat, 1827. Hub for steamboat travel on Missouri River. Point of departure for Santa Fe Trail. Population in 1831 about 300. Latter-day Saint population...

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in Jackson County, and after being detained there for a week or two they were marched to
Richmond

Area settled, ca. 1814. Officially platted as Ray Co. seat, 1827. Population in 1840 about 500. Seat of Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri; also location of courthouse and jails. JS and about sixty other Latter-day Saint men were incarcerated here while...

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where
General Clark

17 Apr. 1802–29 Oct. 1885. Lawyer, politician. Born at Madison Co., Kentucky. Moved to Howard Co., Missouri Territory, 1818. Practiced law in Fayette, Howard Co., beginning 1824. Clerk of Howard Co. courts, 1824–1834. Appointed brigadier general in Missouri...

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then was with his troops— Here a Court of inquiry was held before
Judge King

21 Sept. 1802–22 Apr. 1870. Attorney, judge, politician, farmer. Born at Sullivan Co., Tennessee. Son of Walter King and Nancy Sevier. Married first Nancy Harris Roberts, 13 May 1828, at Jackson, Madison Co., Tennessee. In 1830, moved to Missouri, where he...

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, this continued from <​the​> 11th. until the 28th. of Nov. while the five prisoners were kept in chains while about fifty other Mormons taken at
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

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were penned up in an open unfinished Court House,
In this Mock Court of inquiry the
Judge

21 Sept. 1802–22 Apr. 1870. Attorney, judge, politician, farmer. Born at Sullivan Co., Tennessee. Son of Walter King and Nancy Sevier. Married first Nancy Harris Roberts, 13 May 1828, at Jackson, Madison Co., Tennessee. In 1830, moved to Missouri, where he...

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could not be prevailed upon examine any witnesses in favor of the prisoners but heard only such as was brought against them <​defendants were prevented from any testimony a their had by an armed force under at the court house they was advised by their lawyers not to bring any as they would be in danger of their lives or drove out of the country so their was no testimony examined only against them​>

Insertion in the handwriting of Robert D. Foster.


This Inquiry was had principally into their religious opinions which were entirely misrepresented <​a great many Questions were asked relative to religious opinions​>

Insertion in the handwriting of Robert D. Foster.


The conclusion of the Court of inquiry was to send the prisoners to jail upo[n] a charge of Treason. They do not deem it necessary to detail their sufferings while in Prison, The horrors of a Prison, for four long months, in darkness in want, alone, and during the cold of winter can better be concieved than expressed—— [p. 28]
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Page 28

Document Information

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
  • Robert D. Foster

Footnotes

  1. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Robert D. Foster.

  2. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Robert D. Foster.

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