27541

Letter to William W. Phelps and others, 25 July 1836

 
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

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, Ohio, July 25, 1836.
Dear Brethren:—Yours of the 1st  inst. accompanying the proceedings of  a public meeting, held by the people of  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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, was duly received. We are  sorry that this disturbance has broken  out—we do not consider it our fault.  You are better acquainted with circum stances than we are, and of course  have been directed in wisdom in your  moves, relative to leaving the county.  We forward you our letter to Mr.  [John] Thornton and others, that you may  know all we have said. We advise  that you be not the first aggressors— give no occasion, and if the people will  let you dispose of your property, set tle your affairs, and go in peace, go.  You have thus far had an asylum, and  now seek another as God may direct.  Relative to your going to Wisconsin,  we cannot say, we should think if you  could stop short, in peace you had bet ter. You know our feelings relative  to not giving the first offence, and also  of protecting your wives and little  ones in case a mob should seek their  lives. We shall publish the proceed ings of the public meeting, with your  answer, as well as our letter. We  mean that the world shall know all  things as they transpire. If we are  persecuted and driven men shall know  it!
Be wise, let prudence dictate all  your counsels, preserve peace with all  men, if possible, stand by the constitu tion of your country, observe its prin ciples, and above all, show yourselves  men of God, worthy citizens, and we  doubt not, community ere long, will do  you justice, and rise in indignation  against those who are the instigators of  your suffering and affliction.
In the bonds of brotherly love we  subscribe ourselves, as ever.
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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,
JOSEPH SMITH, J.
OLIVER COWDERY

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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F[rederick] G. WILLIAMS

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

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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; to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co., by...

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To W[illiam] W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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 and others. [p. 359]

Facts

Editorial Title
Letter to William W. Phelps and others, 25 July 1836
ID #
325