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Trustees Land Book A, 11 September 1839–30 April 1842

Source Note

JS as trustee-in-trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Land Book A,
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., 11 Sept. 1839–1 Nov. 1843; handwriting of
James Mulholland

1804–3 Nov. 1839. Born in Ireland. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Married Sarah Scott, 8 Feb. 1838/1839, at Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri. Engaged in clerical work for JS, 1838, at Far West. Ordained a seventy, 28 Dec. 1838....

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,
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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, and
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...

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, with insertions by
John S. Fullmer

21 July 1807–8 Oct. 1883. Farmer, newsman, postmaster, teacher, merchant. Born at Huntington, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Fullmer and Susannah Zerfass. Moved to Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, spring 1832. Married Mary Ann Price, 24 May 1837...

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,
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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,
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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,
James Whitehead

12 Apr. 1813–27 July 1898. Clerk, farmer. Born in Roughhay, Fulwood, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Whitehead and Mary. Married first Jane Marshall Hindle, 25 Jan. 1837, in Preston, Lancashire, England. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...

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,
Newel K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

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, and unidentified scribes; 102 pages; CHL.

Historical Introduction

After significant persecution and Governor
Lilburn W. Boggs

14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...

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’s order that the
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...

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be expelled from the state of
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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during winter 1838–1839, the Saints gathered in
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
and
Iowa Territory

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...

More Info
. In April 1839, JS and his fellow prisoners in Missouri were allowed to escape and rejoin their families. In spring and summer 1839, JS and other church leaders purchased over six hundred acres of land in and around
Commerce

Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...

More Info
, Hancock County, Illinois, for the Saints.
1

See Documents, Volume 6, Introduction to Part 3: 4 Nov. 1838–16 Apr. 1839; and Documents, Volume 6, Introduction to Part 4: 24 Apr.–12 Aug. 1839.


Some of these purchases were made 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...

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and others were made by land
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...

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. By that fall, church leaders had plotted out the new town 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
on the land they had purchased.
2

Hancock Co., IL, Plat Books, 1836–1938, vol. 1, pp. 37–39, Nauvoo Plat, 3 Sept. 1839, microfilm 954,774, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Church property was consolidated first under the First Presidency, with land agents transferring the purchased land to the First Presidency to hold for the church. This practice was revised in February 1841—after the church was incorporated in Nauvoo and the office of trustee-in-trust for the church was created, JS held these lands as trustee on behalf of the church.
3

Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840; Report of Agents, ca. 30 Jan. 1841; Appointment as Trustee, 2 Feb. 1841.


To manage the city properties, in September 1839, JS’s scribes repurposed an 1836 ledger, used by the
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
mercantile firm of
H. Smith & Co.

A mercantile company created and run by Hyrum Smith. It is unclear when Smith started the business. An extant daybook and ledger for the company indicate that he sold goods between July and November 1836. It is not clear if Smith operated an independent store...

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, to record the sale of lands. Over the next several years, the record book was used to create a daybook of JS’s financial transactions as trustee-in-trust and to create multiple indices of city lots that had been sold or transferred. The daybook portion of this record book appears to have been used a short time and abandoned or only used sporadically after October 1839. The land index was first organized by the major land purchases that church leaders made, using the name of the individual from whom the land was purchased. Thus, the index was divided into sections for property purchased from
Hugh White

Ca. Jan. 1810–30 Mar. 1891. Steamboat captain. Born in St. Charles, St. Charles Co., Missouri Territory. Son of James White and Lurana Barber. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, by 1828. Family among first settlers of what became Commerce, Hancock Co. Married...

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,
Horace Hotchkiss

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

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, and
Isaac Galland

15 May 1791–27 Sept. 1858. Merchant, postmaster, land speculator, doctor. Born at Somerset Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Matthew Galland and Hannah Fenno. Married first Nancy Harris, 22 Mar. 1811, in Madison Co., Ohio. Married second Margaret Knight, by 1816....

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.
4

For more on these land purchases, see Documents, Volume 6, Introduction to Part 4: 24 Apr.–12 Aug. 1839.


Within those sections, the property was organized by location based on the numerical block order in the town plat. The initial index, inscribed by
James Mulholland

1804–3 Nov. 1839. Born in Ireland. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Married Sarah Scott, 8 Feb. 1838/1839, at Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri. Engaged in clerical work for JS, 1838, at Far West. Ordained a seventy, 28 Dec. 1838....

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, primarily recorded names associated with specific lots and often the purchase price for the lot. This initial index comprises pages 12–34 of the record book. Additionally, in October 1840,
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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, who was serving as an agent for JS, made an inventory 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
town lots that were being rented or were available for purchase, comprising pages 36–44. The pages that compose both the initial index and Sherwood’s inventory are significantly damaged, with considerable amounts of text missing from the margins of the pages, including block and lot numbers. In some places these numbers can be reconstructed from contextual information, and these have been supplied within the transcript.
By late 1840 or 1841,
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...

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created a second, more detailed index of city lots with substantial insertions and emendations inscribed by
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...

View Full Bio
,
John S. Fullmer

21 July 1807–8 Oct. 1883. Farmer, newsman, postmaster, teacher, merchant. Born at Huntington, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Fullmer and Susannah Zerfass. Moved to Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, spring 1832. Married Mary Ann Price, 24 May 1837...

View Full Bio
,
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...

View Full Bio
,
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

View Full Bio
, and
James Whitehead

12 Apr. 1813–27 July 1898. Clerk, farmer. Born in Roughhay, Fulwood, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Whitehead and Mary. Married first Jane Marshall Hindle, 25 Jan. 1837, in Preston, Lancashire, England. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...

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. Thompson organized this index, comprising pages 83–139, in a similar style to the original index, but Thompson’s index contains considerably more information, including purchase date and conditions of the sale for each lot. In many instances, these entries apparently did not document an official transfer but rather an intention or promise to sell the lot to the named individual.
5

See, for example, Deed to Sarah Ann Whitney, 6 Sept. 1842; and Poem from William W. Phelps, 7 Nov. 1843.


This index was in use from 1839 to 1843, with at least one entry each for 1846 and 1847. These two later entries aside, it appears that by mid-1843, JS’s clerks ceased using this volume and began using a newer land index that they had recorded in a new record book they titled Trustees Land Book B.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Documents, Volume 6, Introduction to Part 3: 4 Nov. 1838–16 Apr. 1839; and Documents, Volume 6, Introduction to Part 4: 24 Apr.–12 Aug. 1839.

  2. [2]

    Hancock Co., IL, Plat Books, 1836–1938, vol. 1, pp. 37–39, Nauvoo Plat, 3 Sept. 1839, microfilm 954,774, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  3. [3]

    Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840; Report of Agents, ca. 30 Jan. 1841; Appointment as Trustee, 2 Feb. 1841.

  4. [4]

    For more on these land purchases, see Documents, Volume 6, Introduction to Part 4: 24 Apr.–12 Aug. 1839.

  5. [5]

    See, for example, Deed to Sarah Ann Whitney, 6 Sept. 1842; and Poem from William W. Phelps, 7 Nov. 1843.

Page [106]–[107]

HOTCHSKISS [Hotchkiss]

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

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Purchase
Block Lot Names of Purchasers Price Date of Purchase Terms of Payment
13 1
2
3
4 <​
Alanson Brown

1795–1844. Farmer. Married Cynthia Dorcus Hurd, ca. 1816. Moved to Steuben Co., New York, by 1823. Moved to Choconut, Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania, by Feb. 1828. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by June 1838. Moved to Missouri, ...

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​>
110

TEXT: This name was first written in graphite and then overwritten with ink.


500.00 March 9 1840 To pay in five biennial paymts of $100.00 each—
 
14 1 George Gates 500.00 March 23 <​Paid​>

Insertion in unidentified handwriting.


To pay in 5 bienial payments of $100.00 each from date hereof
2 Elijah I Ackard 500.00 March 23 1840 <​Paid​>

Insertion in unidentified handwriting.


To pay in 5 bienial payments of $100.00 each— from date hereof
3
4
Caleb C Baldwin

2 Sept. 1791–11 June 1849. Born in Nobletown (later Hillsdale), Orange Co., New York. Son of Philemon Baldwin and Esther. Served in War of 1812 in Ohio militia. Married Nancy Kingsbury, 7 Dec. 1814, in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. Moved to Warrensville (later in University...

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500.00 April 1 1840 <​Paid​>

Insertion in unidentified handwriting.


To be paid in 5 biannual payments of $100.00 each from date hereof
 
15 1
2
3
4 <
John Outhouse

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—
500.00 April 1 1840 To be paid— one note of $100.00 1842— $200.00 in 1845— $200.00 in 1850>

Insertion in the handwriting of Henry G. Sherwood.


 
16 1
Jane Miller

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200.00 March 6 1840 To pay $50.00 in 2 years 50.00 in 4 years 50.00 in 6 years & 50.00 in eigh[t] years
2
3 James Houston 350.00
111

TEXT: Everything in this row except the lot number is written in graphite.


4
 
17 1
2
3
4 <Lavina Murphy w[est] 1/2 200.00 Apil 30 1842>

Insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.


<​Deed for west half given April 30th. 1842​>

Insertion in the handwriting of William Clayton.


 
18 1
Joseph <​C​> Allen

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450.00 March 6 1840 To pay $225.00 in 5 years & $225.00 in ten years
112

TEXT: Everything in this row except the lot number is written in graphite.


2 Samuel C. Benjiman
113

TEXT: The canceled text is written in graphite.


450.00
114

TEXT: The canceled text is written in graphite.


March 12 1840 To pay $200.00 in 5 years and $200.00 in ten years from date hereof
Samuel C. Brown

27 Feb. 1799–29 June 1884. Farmer. Born in Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Deliverance Brown and Mary. Moved to Chagrin, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, by Jan. 1820. Married first Betsy Waterman, 4 Jan. 1820, in Chagrin. Married second Hannah Fox, 18 Nov. 1826...

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450.00 <​aug​>
115

TEXT: Written in graphite.


<​august​> <​3​>
116

TEXT: Written in graphite


<​3.​> <​1841​>
<​Paid check $100.00— To pay $350.00— as soon as he can—probably by spring​>

Insertions in this row in the handwriting of Henry G. Sherwood. “Samuel C. Brown”, “august”, “3.”, and “1841” are in blue ink.


3 [illegible] Murdock <​
John Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

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​>

Insertion in the handwriting of Henry G. Sherwood.


<​450.00​>
117

TEXT: This amount was first written in graphite and then overwritten in ink.


March 6 1840
118

TEXT: Written in graphite.


4
Daniel Allen

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450.00 March 6 1840 To pay $225.00 in 5 years & $225.00 in ten years
119

TEXT: Everything in this row except the lot number is written in graphite.


[p. [106]–[107]]
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Cite this page

Source Note

Document Transcript

Page [106]–[107]

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Trustees Land Book A, 11 September 1839–30 April 1842
ID #
7031
Total Pages
87
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • Robert B. Thompson
  • Unidentified
  • Henry G. Sherwood
  • Willard Richards
  • William Clayton

Footnotes

  1. [110]

    TEXT: This name was first written in graphite and then overwritten with ink.

  2. new scribe logo

    Insertion in unidentified handwriting.

  3. new scribe logo

    Insertion in unidentified handwriting.

  4. new scribe logo

    Insertion in unidentified handwriting.

  5. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Henry G. Sherwood.

  6. [111]

    TEXT: Everything in this row except the lot number is written in graphite.

  7. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.

  8. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of William Clayton.

  9. [112]

    TEXT: Everything in this row except the lot number is written in graphite.

  10. [113]

    TEXT: The canceled text is written in graphite.

  11. [114]

    TEXT: The canceled text is written in graphite.

  12. [115]

    TEXT: Written in graphite.

  13. [116]

    TEXT: Written in graphite

  14. new scribe logo

    Insertions in this row in the handwriting of Henry G. Sherwood. “Samuel C. Brown”, “august”, “3.”, and “1841” are in blue ink.

  15. new scribe logo

    Insertion in the handwriting of Henry G. Sherwood.

  16. [117]

    TEXT: This amount was first written in graphite and then overwritten in ink.

  17. [118]

    TEXT: Written in graphite.

  18. [119]

    TEXT: Everything in this row except the lot number is written in graphite.

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