JS, Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to , , Adams Co., IL, 24 May 1839. Featured version copied [between 25 May and 30 Oct. 1839] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 11–12; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.
Historical Introduction
On 24 May 1839, JS addressed three letters to close associates, requesting that they move to , Illinois. One of these letters was directed to , whose family provided lodging to JS, his wife , and their children when they arrived in on 14 March 1838. By the time this letter was written, the church had purchased land in the Commerce area and JS had relocated there, moving into a house formerly owned by . In the letter, JS discussed Harris’s potential move from , Illinois, to Commerce. JS also noted he was reserving a piece of land for Harris; his wife, ; and their children. This lot was located across the street from a lot for JS and adjacent to a lot JS was reserving for and .
It is not known when the Harris family moved to , but was appointed to the there in October. Although the original letter is apparently not extant, it was likely dictated to , who was the scribe for another letter JS dictated that day. Mulholland inscribed a copy of the letter to Harris in JS Letterbook 2 sometime between 25 May and 30 October 1839.
The Clevelands eventually owned a lot in block 147, located diagonally across the street from JS. (Trustees Land Book A, White Purchase Index, block [147], lot 2; Trustees Land Book B, 250.)
Trustees Land Books / Trustee-in-Trust, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Land Books, 1839–1845. 2 vols. CHL. MS 3437.
Minutes, 5–7 Oct. 1839, Times and Seasons, Dec. 1839, 1:30. Harris eventually owned property four blocks northeast of JS’s lot. (Trustees Land Book B, 250, 252.)
Trustees Land Books / Trustee-in-Trust, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Land Books, 1839–1845. 2 vols. CHL. MS 3437.
Mulholland copied this letter into JS Letterbook 2 after a letter dated 25 May 1839, making that the earliest likely copying date for this letter to Harris.
as to getting the temporary house erected which you desired, I have not been able to find any person willing to take hold of the job, and have thought that perhaps you may meet with some person at who could take it in hand.
Business goes on with us in quite a lively manner and we hope soon to have the acquisition of and family, with other friends to assist us in our arduous, but glorious undertaking. Our families are all well And as far as we have knowledge all things are going on quietly and smoothly.
JS’s journal entry for 20–24 May 1839 notes that he was “at home” and “employed dictating letters and attending to the various business of the Church.” (JS, Journal, 20–24 May 1839.)