Affidavit from Solomon Hancock and Others, 20 June 1844
Source Note
, , and John G. Lofton, Affidavit, before , , Hancock Co., IL, 20 June 1844; handwriting of ; signatures of , , and John G. Lofton; certified by ; docket in handwriting of John McEwan; one page; JS Office Papers, CHL.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
Affidavit from Solomon Hancock and Others, 20 June 1844
Personally appeared before me—— < an acting Justice of the Peace> , , and John G. Lofton, who being first duly sworn, depose and say, that on saturday the 15th day of June 1844. at , in said , certain persons, to wit; John Clark, John Crawford, and three others, all farmers, came to your deponents, and made three several propositions to them, to wit, 1st that we were to take up our arms and join with them in going to to take Joseph Smith and others prisoners. 2nd to remove with our effects to immediately, or 3rd to give up our arms to Colonel and remain neutral. We were ordered to give in our decision on monday then next by 8 o’clock in the morning, and if we would not agree to their decisions, we must abide theconsequences. And in consequence of mobs gathering in the neighborhood, we have been obliged to leave our homes in order to save our lives, and are come to for protection.
further deposeth and saith, that said John Clark did on Tuesday the 18th inst. inform your that one of their party was gone to and had obtained three cannon, and were expecting three companies of soldiers from to join them in going to to exterminate the Mormons— and further your deponents say not.
John G. Lofton
Subscribed and sworn to, this 20th day of June, 1844.— before me—