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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 31

[vid]ual suffering. They would fill a volume. We forbear from our regard to humanity to details the particulars of the Conduct of the
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

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Militia we could relate instances of House bu[r]nings destruction, of property, robbery, rapes and Murder, that would shame humanity. One instance as a sample of many scenes they enacted. Two hundred of the Militia came suddenly upon some
Mormon

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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families emigrating to the
state

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

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and then encamped at
Hauns [Hawn’s] Mill

Located on north bank of Shoal Creek in eastern part of Caldwell Co., about sixteen miles east of Far West, Missouri. Jacob Hawn (Haun) settled in area, 1832; established mill, 1834. Location of branch of church, 1838. By Oct. 1838, about twenty Latter-day...

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in
Caldwell County

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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. The Morm[on]s men women & children took refuge in an old log house which had been used as a black smith shop On seeing the militia approach, the Mormons cried for quarter but in vain, they were instantly fired upon. Eighteen fell dead, and their murderres putting the muzzls of their guns between the logs, fired indiscriminately upon women & childrn upon the Dead & Dying. One little boy whose father (
Warren Smith

1794–30 Oct. 1838. Blacksmith. Son of Chileab Smith and Nancy. Born in Massachusetts. Married Amanda Barnes, 9 July 1826, at Black River (later in Lorain), Lorain Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1831. Moved to Kirtland...

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) had just been shot dead, cried piteously to the Militia to spare his life. [p. 31]
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Page 31

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

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