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Recommendation for Samuel Bent and George W. Harris, between circa 17 and circa 28 July 1840

Source Note

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
,
William Marks

15 Nov. 1792–22 May 1872. Farmer, printer, publisher, postmaster. Born at Rutland, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Cornell (Cornwall) Marks and Sarah Goodrich. Married first Rosannah R. Robinson, 2 May 1813. Lived at Portage, Allegany Co., New York, where he...

View Full Bio
,
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 ...

View Full Bio
,
Alpheus Cutler

29 Feb. 1784–10 June 1864. Stonemason. Born in Plainfield, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of Knight Cutler and Elizabeth Boyd. Married Lois Lathrop, 17 Nov. 1808, in Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire. Moved to Upper Lisle, Broome Co., New York, ca. 1808...

View Full Bio
,
David Dort

6 Jan. 1793–10 Mar. 1841. Farmer, miller. Born at Gilsum, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of John Dort and Elishaba Briggs. Married first JS’s cousin Mary (Polly) Mack, 2 June 1813, at Gilsum. After Mary’s death, married her sister Fanny Mack. Moved to Pontiac...

View Full Bio
,
Charles C. Rich

21 Aug. 1809–17 Nov. 1883. Schoolteacher, farmer, cooper. Born in Campbell Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Rich and Nancy O’Neal. Moved to Posey Township, Dearborn Co., Indiana, ca. 1810. Moved to Tazewell Co., Illinois, 1829. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ...

View Full Bio
,
David Fullmer

7 July 1803–21 Oct. 1879. Teacher, merchant, farmer. Born in Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Fullmer and Susannah Zerfoss. Moved to Huntington Township, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Married Rhoda Ann Marvin, 18...

View Full Bio
,
Seymour Brunson

1 Dec. 1798–10 Aug. 1840. Farmer. Born at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York. Son of Reuben Brunson and Sally Clark. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Gould of Hector, Tompkins Co., New York, ca. 1823. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...

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,
Thomas Grover

22 July 1807–20 Feb. 1886. Farmer, boat operator. Born at Whitehall, Washington Co., New York. Son of Thomas Grover and Polly Spaulding. Married first Caroline Whiting of Whitehall, 1828. Became a Methodist preacher, by 1834. Moved to Freedom, Cattaraugus...

View Full Bio
,
William Huntington

28 Mar. 1784–19 Aug. 1846. Farmer, brick maker, potash manufacturer. Born in New Grantham, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of William Huntington and Prescendia Lathrop. Married first Zina Baker, 28 Dec. 1806, in Plainfield, Sullivan Co. Moved to Watertown...

View Full Bio
,
Lewis Dunbar Wilson

2 June 1805–11 Mar. 1856. Born in Milton, Chittenden Co., Vermont. Son of Bradley Wilson and Mary (Polly) Gill. Married Nancy Ann Waggner, by ca. 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 23 May 1836. Ordained an elder, Sept. 1836. ...

View Full Bio
,
Newel Knight

13 Sept. 1800–11 Jan. 1847. Miller, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Knight Sr. and Polly Peck. Moved to Jericho (later Bainbridge), Chenango Co., New York, ca. 1809. Moved to Windsor (later in Colesville), Broome Co., New...

View Full Bio
, and
Henry G. Sherwood

20 Apr. 1785–24 Nov. 1867. Surveyor. Born at Kingsbury, Washington Co., New York. Son of Newcomb Sherwood and a woman whose maiden name was Tolman (first name unidentified). Married first Jane J. McManagal (McMangle) of Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland, ca. 1824...

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, Recommendation, for
Samuel Bent

19 July 1778–16 Aug. 1846. Born in Barre, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joel Bent and Mary Mason. Married first Mary Kilburn, 3 Mar. 1805, in Wendell, Franklin Co., Massachusetts. Colonel in Massachusetts militia. Lived in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts...

View Full Bio
and
George W. Harris

1 Apr. 1780–1857. Jeweler. Born at Lanesboro, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Harris and Diana (Margaret) Burton. Married first Elizabeth, ca. 1800. Married second Margaret, who died in 1828. Moved to Batavia, Genesee Co., New York, by 1830. Married...

View Full Bio
, [
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, between ca. 17 and ca. 28 July 1840]. Featured version copied [probably July 1840] in JS Letterbook 2, p. 158; handwriting of
Robert B. Thompson

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

View Full Bio
; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.

Historical Introduction

Sometime in the second half of July 1840, 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
,
William Marks

15 Nov. 1792–22 May 1872. Farmer, printer, publisher, postmaster. Born at Rutland, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Cornell (Cornwall) Marks and Sarah Goodrich. Married first Rosannah R. Robinson, 2 May 1813. Lived at Portage, Allegany Co., New York, where he...

View Full Bio
,
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 ...

View Full Bio
, and ten members of the
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
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
signed a letter of recommendation for
Samuel Bent

19 July 1778–16 Aug. 1846. Born in Barre, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joel Bent and Mary Mason. Married first Mary Kilburn, 3 Mar. 1805, in Wendell, Franklin Co., Massachusetts. Colonel in Massachusetts militia. Lived in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts...

View Full Bio
and
George W. Harris

1 Apr. 1780–1857. Jeweler. Born at Lanesboro, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Harris and Diana (Margaret) Burton. Married first Elizabeth, ca. 1800. Married second Margaret, who died in 1828. Moved to Batavia, Genesee Co., New York, by 1830. Married...

View Full Bio
, who were the other two members of the high council. On 17 July 1840, the council appointed Bent and Harris to procure funds for printing a new edition of the Book of Mormon, a new hymnal, and JS’s revision of the Bible.
1

Minutes, 17 July 1840; “Books!!!,” Times and Seasons, July 1840, 1:139–140.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

The recommendation bears no date but was probably written between the time of this appointment and 28 July.
2

Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 22 and ca. 28 July 1840.


For several months prior to this appointment,
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
leaders had discussed a shortage of copies of the Book of Mormon and of other church publications, particularly in the eastern
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

More Info
and abroad, and had carefully considered how to meet the growing demand for books.
3

See, for example, Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 22 Nov. 1839; Editorial, Times and Seasons, Dec. 1839, 1:25; Letter from Hyrum Smith, 2 Jan. 1840; and Letter from Brigham Young, 7 May 1840.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

On 29 December 1839, the
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
high council resolved “that the book of Mormon be printed in this place under the instruction of this
Presidency [the First Presidency]

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

View Glossary
as soon as monies can [be] raised to defray the expense of the same.”
4

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 29 Dec. 1839, 39.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

Raising the funds necessary to publish these books proved difficult. On two separate occasions in spring 1840,
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
printers
Ebenezer Robinson

25 May 1816–11 Mar. 1891. Printer, editor, publisher. Born at Floyd (near Rome), Oneida Co., New York. Son of Nathan Robinson and Mary Brown. Moved to Utica, Oneida Co., ca. 1831, and learned printing trade at Utica Observer. Moved to Ravenna, Portage Co....

View Full Bio
and
Don Carlos Smith

25 Mar. 1816–7 Aug. 1841. Farmer, printer, editor. Born at Norwich, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816–Jan. 1817. Moved to Manchester, Ontario Co., 1825. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

View Full Bio
unsuccessfully advertised for a loan to print a new edition of the Book of Mormon, first for $1,000, then for $500.
5

“Wanted,” Times and Seasons, Apr. 1840, 1:91; May 1840, 1:112.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

That June, Robinson borrowed $145 from a Nauvoo resident and, with JS’s permission, proceeded to
Cincinnati

Area settled largely by emigrants from New England and New Jersey, by 1788. Village founded and surveyed adjacent to site of Fort Washington, 1789. First seat of legislature of Northwest Territory, 1790. Incorporated as city, 1819. Developed rapidly as shipping...

More Info
with a copy of the 1837 edition of the Book of Mormon apparently containing editorial corrections
6

Ebenezer Robinson, “Items of Personal History of the Editor,” Return, May 1890, 258–259. Robinson later recalled that he and JS “compared a copy of the Kirtland edition [1837] with the first edition [1830], by reading them entirely through, and I took one of the Kirtland edition as a copy for the stereotype edition.” The 1837 Kirtland edition Robinson carried to Cincinnati apparently contained editorial notations because the text of the 1840 edition, in addition to containing grammatical alterations, differs from the earlier version in about forty-seven places. (Larson, “Study of Some Textual Variations in the Book of Mormon,” 278–283; Walker, “As Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” 16–18.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Return. Davis City, IA, 1889–1891; Richmond, MO, 1892–1893; Davis City, 1895–1896; Denver, 1898; Independence, MO, 1899–1900.

Larson, Stanley R. “A Study of Some Textual Variations in the Book of Mormon Comparing the Original and the Printer’s Manuscripts and the 1830, the 1837, and the 1840 Editions.” Master’s thesis, Brigham Young University, 1974.

Walker, Kyle R. “‘As Fire Shut Up in My Bones’: Ebenezer Robinson, Don Carlos Smith, and the 1840 Edition of the Book of Mormon.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 1 (Winter 2010): 1–40.

to commence the process of stereotyping and printing a new edition.
7

At this time, Cincinnati was widely viewed as the center of book publishing in the western United States. By 1841 an estimated one to two million books were published in that city annually, and by 1850 it ranked fourth in the nation in the output of books behind New York, Philadelphia, and Boston. (Teaford, Cities of the Heartland, 13–16; Walker, “As Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” 20.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Teaford, Jon C. Cities of the Heartland: The Rise and Fall of the Industrial Midwest. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1993.

Walker, Kyle R. “‘As Fire Shut Up in My Bones’: Ebenezer Robinson, Don Carlos Smith, and the 1840 Edition of the Book of Mormon.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 1 (Winter 2010): 1–40.

In Cincinnati, Robinson contracted on credit the work of printing the book.
8

Robinson later recalled that he contracted with foundry owners C. K. Gleason and Edwin Shepard to create stereotype plates for $550. Robinson paid $100 up front with a promise to pay “two hundred and fifty dollars more in three months” and “the remaining two hundred dollars within three months after the work was done.” Robinson also purchased on credit $250 worth of paper to print two thousand copies of the Book of Mormon and contracted a bookbinder to bind the copies once they were printed. (Ebenezer Robinson, “Items of Personal History of the Editor,” Return, May 1890, 260.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Return. Davis City, IA, 1889–1891; Richmond, MO, 1892–1893; Davis City, 1895–1896; Denver, 1898; Independence, MO, 1899–1900.

The production costs totaled $1,050, requiring Robinson and church leaders to raise the sum through subscriptions, donations, and additional loans.
9

Minutes, 17 July 1840; “Books!!!,” Times and Seasons, July 1840, 1:139–140; Agreement with Ebenezer Robinson and Don Carlos Smith, 14 Dec. 1840.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

This recommendation described the official nature of
Bent

19 July 1778–16 Aug. 1846. Born in Barre, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joel Bent and Mary Mason. Married first Mary Kilburn, 3 Mar. 1805, in Wendell, Franklin Co., Massachusetts. Colonel in Massachusetts militia. Lived in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts...

View Full Bio
and
Harris

1 Apr. 1780–1857. Jeweler. Born at Lanesboro, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Harris and Diana (Margaret) Burton. Married first Elizabeth, ca. 1800. Married second Margaret, who died in 1828. Moved to Batavia, Genesee Co., New York, by 1830. Married...

View Full Bio
’s mission, urged church members to assist them, and authorized Bent and Harris to borrow money on behalf of the church, if necessary. Although the letter indicates that Bent and Harris were appointed by the First Presidency and the high council of the church,
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
stake

Ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. Stakes were typically large local organizations of church members; stake leaders could include a presidency, a high council, and a bishopric. Some revelations referred to stakes “to” or...

View Glossary
president

An organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and other ecclesiastical organizations. A November 1831 revelation first described the office of president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...

View Glossary
William Marks

15 Nov. 1792–22 May 1872. Farmer, printer, publisher, postmaster. Born at Rutland, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Cornell (Cornwall) Marks and Sarah Goodrich. Married first Rosannah R. Robinson, 2 May 1813. Lived at Portage, Allegany Co., New York, where he...

View Full Bio
also signed the letter, as did
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 ...

View Full Bio
.
10

As president of the Nauvoo stake, Marks presided over the Nauvoo high council. Higbee possibly signed the letter as a substitute member of the Nauvoo high council, a position to which he was appointed at the council’s 25 July 1840 meeting. (Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839; Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 25 July 1840, 68.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

Bent and Harris presumably carried the letter with them on their trip east. It is unclear when they left Nauvoo, but they were in
Cincinnati

Area settled largely by emigrants from New England and New Jersey, by 1788. Village founded and surveyed adjacent to site of Fort Washington, 1789. First seat of legislature of Northwest Territory, 1790. Incorporated as city, 1819. Developed rapidly as shipping...

More Info
by 23 September, when they wrote a letter to the First Presidency and the Nauvoo high council reporting the results of their fund-raising efforts.
11

Letter from Samuel Bent and George W. Harris, 23 Sept. 1840.


The original recommendation has not been located.
Robert B. Thompson

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

View Full Bio
most likely copied the document into JS Letterbook 2 sometime in 1840, likely in July, before he copied into the letterbook a letter JS wrote to
Oliver Granger

7 Feb. 1794–23/25 Aug. 1841. Sheriff, church agent. Born at Phelps, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Pierce Granger and Clarissa Trumble. Married Lydia Dibble, 8 Sept. 1813, at Phelps. Member of Methodist church and licensed exhorter. Sheriff of Ontario Co. ...

View Full Bio
before 28 July.
12

Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 22 and ca. 28 July 1840; see also Letter to William W. Phelps, 22 July 1840.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Minutes, 17 July 1840; “Books!!!,” Times and Seasons, July 1840, 1:139–140.

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

  2. [2]

    Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 22 and ca. 28 July 1840.

  3. [3]

    See, for example, Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 22 Nov. 1839; Editorial, Times and Seasons, Dec. 1839, 1:25; Letter from Hyrum Smith, 2 Jan. 1840; and Letter from Brigham Young, 7 May 1840.

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

  4. [4]

    Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 29 Dec. 1839, 39.

    Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

  5. [5]

    “Wanted,” Times and Seasons, Apr. 1840, 1:91; May 1840, 1:112.

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

  6. [6]

    Ebenezer Robinson, “Items of Personal History of the Editor,” Return, May 1890, 258–259. Robinson later recalled that he and JS “compared a copy of the Kirtland edition [1837] with the first edition [1830], by reading them entirely through, and I took one of the Kirtland edition as a copy for the stereotype edition.” The 1837 Kirtland edition Robinson carried to Cincinnati apparently contained editorial notations because the text of the 1840 edition, in addition to containing grammatical alterations, differs from the earlier version in about forty-seven places. (Larson, “Study of Some Textual Variations in the Book of Mormon,” 278–283; Walker, “As Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” 16–18.)

    The Return. Davis City, IA, 1889–1891; Richmond, MO, 1892–1893; Davis City, 1895–1896; Denver, 1898; Independence, MO, 1899–1900.

    Larson, Stanley R. “A Study of Some Textual Variations in the Book of Mormon Comparing the Original and the Printer’s Manuscripts and the 1830, the 1837, and the 1840 Editions.” Master’s thesis, Brigham Young University, 1974.

    Walker, Kyle R. “‘As Fire Shut Up in My Bones’: Ebenezer Robinson, Don Carlos Smith, and the 1840 Edition of the Book of Mormon.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 1 (Winter 2010): 1–40.

  7. [7]

    At this time, Cincinnati was widely viewed as the center of book publishing in the western United States. By 1841 an estimated one to two million books were published in that city annually, and by 1850 it ranked fourth in the nation in the output of books behind New York, Philadelphia, and Boston. (Teaford, Cities of the Heartland, 13–16; Walker, “As Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” 20.)

    Teaford, Jon C. Cities of the Heartland: The Rise and Fall of the Industrial Midwest. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1993.

    Walker, Kyle R. “‘As Fire Shut Up in My Bones’: Ebenezer Robinson, Don Carlos Smith, and the 1840 Edition of the Book of Mormon.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 1 (Winter 2010): 1–40.

  8. [8]

    Robinson later recalled that he contracted with foundry owners C. K. Gleason and Edwin Shepard to create stereotype plates for $550. Robinson paid $100 up front with a promise to pay “two hundred and fifty dollars more in three months” and “the remaining two hundred dollars within three months after the work was done.” Robinson also purchased on credit $250 worth of paper to print two thousand copies of the Book of Mormon and contracted a bookbinder to bind the copies once they were printed. (Ebenezer Robinson, “Items of Personal History of the Editor,” Return, May 1890, 260.)

    The Return. Davis City, IA, 1889–1891; Richmond, MO, 1892–1893; Davis City, 1895–1896; Denver, 1898; Independence, MO, 1899–1900.

  9. [9]

    Minutes, 17 July 1840; “Books!!!,” Times and Seasons, July 1840, 1:139–140; Agreement with Ebenezer Robinson and Don Carlos Smith, 14 Dec. 1840.

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

  10. [10]

    As president of the Nauvoo stake, Marks presided over the Nauvoo high council. Higbee possibly signed the letter as a substitute member of the Nauvoo high council, a position to which he was appointed at the council’s 25 July 1840 meeting. (Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839; Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 25 July 1840, 68.)

    Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

  11. [11]

    Letter from Samuel Bent and George W. Harris, 23 Sept. 1840.

  12. [12]

    Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 22 and ca. 28 July 1840; see also Letter to William W. Phelps, 22 July 1840.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Recommendation for Samuel Bent and George W. Harris, between circa 17 and circa 28 July 1840
Letterbook 2 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 158

Letter of recommendation to
Samuel Bent

19 July 1778–16 Aug. 1846. Born in Barre, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joel Bent and Mary Mason. Married first Mary Kilburn, 3 Mar. 1805, in Wendell, Franklin Co., Massachusetts. Colonel in Massachusetts militia. Lived in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts...

View Full Bio
&
George W Harris

1 Apr. 1780–1857. Jeweler. Born at Lanesboro, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Harris and Diana (Margaret) Burton. Married first Elizabeth, ca. 1800. Married second Margaret, who died in 1828. Moved to Batavia, Genesee Co., New York, by 1830. Married...

View Full Bio
To all whom it may concern
This is to certify that
Elders

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
Samuel Bent

19 July 1778–16 Aug. 1846. Born in Barre, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joel Bent and Mary Mason. Married first Mary Kilburn, 3 Mar. 1805, in Wendell, Franklin Co., Massachusetts. Colonel in Massachusetts militia. Lived in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts...

View Full Bio
and
George W Harris

1 Apr. 1780–1857. Jeweler. Born at Lanesboro, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Harris and Diana (Margaret) Burton. Married first Elizabeth, ca. 1800. Married second Margaret, who died in 1828. Moved to Batavia, Genesee Co., New York, by 1830. Married...

View Full Bio
are authorized
agents

A specific church office and, more generally, someone “entrusted with the business of another.” Agents in the church assisted other ecclesiastical officers, especially the bishop in his oversight of the church’s temporal affairs. A May 1831 revelation instructed...

View Glossary
of the
church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

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
, being appointed by the
first Presidency

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

View Glossary
and
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
of said Church to visit the
branches

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
of the church in the East or wherever they may be led in the providence of God, to obtain donations and subscriptions for the purpose of printing the Book of Mormon. Doctrines & Covenants and Hymn Books and the new translation of the scriptures &c. They are likewise instructed and authorized to make loans in behalf of the Church for carrying into opperation the above and other important works necessary to the well being of said church
From our long acquaintance with these our beloved brethren,— their long tried friendship under circumstances the most trying and painful,—
1

Bent joined the church in 1833 and witnessed the confiscation of church members’ property at Far West, Missouri, by militia members in 1838. Harris joined the church in 1834 and similarly lost property in Missouri during the 1838 Missouri conflicts. (Samuel Bent and Lettice Palmer Bent, Affidavit, 2 Jan. 1840, Record Group 233, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, National Archives, Washington DC; Affidavit, 20 Jan. 1840.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Record Group 233, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives / Petitions and Memorials, Resolutions of State Legislatures, and Related Documents Which Were Referred to the Committee on Judiciary during the 27th Congress. Committee on the Judiciary, Petitions and Memorials, 1813–1968. Record Group 233, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1789–2015. National Archives, Washington DC. The LDS records cited herein are housed in National Archives boxes 40 and 41 of Library of Congress boxes 139–144 in HR27A-G10.1.

their zeal for the cause of truth, and their strict moral honesty, we most cheerfully reccommend them to the saints of the most high. Any statements they may make relative to their mission may be implicitly relied upon, And any loans which they may effect will be considered binding on the Church and we do hope the saints will do all in their power to effect the object proposed and lift up the hands
2

See Hebrews 12:12.


of our beloved brethren who have cheerfully come forward to engage in a work so great and important
Joseph Smith Jr)
Prst

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

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William Marks

15 Nov. 1792–22 May 1872. Farmer, printer, publisher, postmaster. Born at Rutland, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Cornell (Cornwall) Marks and Sarah Goodrich. Married first Rosannah R. Robinson, 2 May 1813. Lived at Portage, Allegany Co., New York, where he...

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David Ful[l]mer

7 July 1803–21 Oct. 1879. Teacher, merchant, farmer. Born in Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Fullmer and Susannah Zerfoss. Moved to Huntington Township, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Married Rhoda Ann Marvin, 18...

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L D [Lewis Dunbar] Wilson

2 June 1805–11 Mar. 1856. Born in Milton, Chittenden Co., Vermont. Son of Bradley Wilson and Mary (Polly) Gill. Married Nancy Ann Waggner, by ca. 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 23 May 1836. Ordained an elder, Sept. 1836. ...

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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...

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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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Seymour Brunson

1 Dec. 1798–10 Aug. 1840. Farmer. Born at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York. Son of Reuben Brunson and Sally Clark. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Gould of Hector, Tompkins Co., New York, ca. 1823. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...

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Newel Knight

13 Sept. 1800–11 Jan. 1847. Miller, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Knight Sr. and Polly Peck. Moved to Jericho (later Bainbridge), Chenango Co., New York, ca. 1809. Moved to Windsor (later in Colesville), Broome Co., New...

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Alpheus Cutler

29 Feb. 1784–10 June 1864. Stonemason. Born in Plainfield, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of Knight Cutler and Elizabeth Boyd. Married Lois Lathrop, 17 Nov. 1808, in Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire. Moved to Upper Lisle, Broome Co., New York, ca. 1808...

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Thomas Grover

22 July 1807–20 Feb. 1886. Farmer, boat operator. Born at Whitehall, Washington Co., New York. Son of Thomas Grover and Polly Spaulding. Married first Caroline Whiting of Whitehall, 1828. Became a Methodist preacher, by 1834. Moved to Freedom, Cattaraugus...

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H. G. Sherwod [Henry G. Sherwood]

20 Apr. 1785–24 Nov. 1867. Surveyor. Born at Kingsbury, Washington Co., New York. Son of Newcomb Sherwood and a woman whose maiden name was Tolman (first name unidentified). Married first Jane J. McManagal (McMangle) of Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland, ca. 1824...

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David Dort

6 Jan. 1793–10 Mar. 1841. Farmer, miller. Born at Gilsum, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of John Dort and Elishaba Briggs. Married first JS’s cousin Mary (Polly) Mack, 2 June 1813, at Gilsum. After Mary’s death, married her sister Fanny Mack. Moved to Pontiac...

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Wm Huntington

28 Mar. 1784–19 Aug. 1846. Farmer, brick maker, potash manufacturer. Born in New Grantham, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of William Huntington and Prescendia Lathrop. Married first Zina Baker, 28 Dec. 1806, in Plainfield, Sullivan Co. Moved to Watertown...

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Charles C Rich

21 Aug. 1809–17 Nov. 1883. Schoolteacher, farmer, cooper. Born in Campbell Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Rich and Nancy O’Neal. Moved to Posey Township, Dearborn Co., Indiana, ca. 1810. Moved to Tazewell Co., Illinois, 1829. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ...

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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Recommendation for Samuel Bent and George W. Harris, between circa 17 and circa 28 July 1840
ID #
562
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D7:357–359
Handwriting on This Page
  • Robert B. Thompson

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Bent joined the church in 1833 and witnessed the confiscation of church members’ property at Far West, Missouri, by militia members in 1838. Harris joined the church in 1834 and similarly lost property in Missouri during the 1838 Missouri conflicts. (Samuel Bent and Lettice Palmer Bent, Affidavit, 2 Jan. 1840, Record Group 233, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, National Archives, Washington DC; Affidavit, 20 Jan. 1840.)

    Record Group 233, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives / Petitions and Memorials, Resolutions of State Legislatures, and Related Documents Which Were Referred to the Committee on Judiciary during the 27th Congress. Committee on the Judiciary, Petitions and Memorials, 1813–1968. Record Group 233, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1789–2015. National Archives, Washington DC. The LDS records cited herein are housed in National Archives boxes 40 and 41 of Library of Congress boxes 139–144 in HR27A-G10.1.

  2. [2]

    See Hebrews 12:12.

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