See Romans 8:28.

Harrison served as a military leader and commander of Fort Washington (near present-day Cincinnati, Ohio) in the Northwest Territory. After Indiana Territory was created in 1800, Harrison became that territory’s first governor; he served in that role for the next twelve years. Harrison later battled Native peoples on the Indiana western frontier during the War of 1812. He was particularly known for leading the American forces at the Battle of Tippecanoe. (See Owens, Mr. Jefferson’s Hammer, chap. 3; and Jortner, Gods of Prophetstown, 62–65, 79, 191–195.)

Owens, Robert M. Mr. Jefferson’s Hammer: William Henry Harrison and the Origins of American Indian Policy. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2007.

Jortner, Adam. The Gods of Prophetstown: The Battle of Tippecanoe and the Holy War for the American Frontier. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.

A 19 January 1841 revelation encouraged JS to send a proclamation to the “President Elect.” It is likely that the calamities referred to by Galland involved the financial situation of the church resulting from the Missouri experience. The Latter-day Saints had been rebuffed in their earlier attempt to gain assistance from President Martin Van Buren and likely would have approached Harrison for aid in obtaining redress for losses sustained in Missouri. JS and others estimated that property losses alone amounted to $2 million. (See Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:3]; and Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840.)

See 2 Corinthians 1:3.

See Isaiah 57:1.

This phrase is found in the Church of England’s Book of Common Prayer in the section on burial services. (Book of Common Prayer, 182.)

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, according to the Use of the United Church of England and Ireland: Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, Pointed as They Are to Be Sung or Said in Churches. Oxford: Clarendon, 1825.

Galland’s language here is similar to language in other, later newspaper reports of Harrison’s death. The Philadelphia North American and Daily Advertiser printed an article stating, “The mysteries of that high and inscrutable Providence which has so suddenly cut off this distinguished, good and patriotic individual, leaving to his constitutional successor the chair of the Chief Magistracy of this nation, in just one month after his accession, are yet to be unfolded in the events of the future.” John Tyler similarly stated, “While standing at the threshold of this great work, he has, by the dispensation of an all-wise Providence, been removed from amongst us, and by the provisions of the Constitution the efforts to be directed to the accomplishing of this vitally important task have devolved upon myself.” (“President Harrison’s Death,” North American and Daily Advertiser [Philadelphia], 6 Apr. 1841, [2]; John Tyler, Washington DC, to “the People of the United States,” 9 Apr. 1841, in Daily National Intelligencer [Washington DC], 10 Apr. 1841, [3]; see also Howe, What Hath God Wrought, 589.)

North American and Daily Advertiser. Philadelphia. 1839–1845.

Daily National Intelligencer. Washington DC. 1800–1869.

Howe, Daniel Walker. What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815–1848. The Oxford History of the United States. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.

Latin for “foolish fire,” meaning something deceptive or deluding. (“Ignis fatuus,” in Oxford English Dictionary, 5:31.)

Oxford English Dictionary. Compact ed. 2 vols. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1971.

The party strife and political turmoil accompanying the 1840 election resurfaced with Harrison’s death. (See “To the Whigs of Virginia,” Richmond [VA] Whig and Public Advertiser, 6 Apr. 1841, [2]; “Death of the President,” New York Herald, 6 Apr. 1841, [2]; and “The Change of Administration,” Emancipator [New York City], 8 Apr. 1841, 198.)

Richmond Whig and Public Advertiser. Richmond, VA. 1833–1867.

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

Emancipator. New York City. 1835–1841.

According to a 4 April 1841 letter from Daniel Webster and other presidential cabinet members to vice president John Tyler, “This distressing event took place this day, at the President’s Mansion in this city, at thirty minutes before one in the morning.” (Daniel Webster et al., Washington DC, to John Tyler, 4 Apr. 1841, in Daily National Intelligencer [Washington DC], 5 Apr. 1841, [3].)

Daily National Intelligencer. Washington DC. 1800–1869.