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Receipt from William Collins, 8 February 1839

Source Note

, Receipt, for JS and , , Clay Co., MO, 8 Feb. 1839; handwriting of ; signature of ; one page; JS Collection, CHL.
Single leaf measuring 3 × 7¼ inches (8 × 18 cm). The right edge of the recto has the straight cut of manufactured paper, while the top, bottom, and left edges have been unevenly cut. The receipt was folded for filing. From its reception, the document has presumably remained in the possession of the LDS church.

Historical Introduction

On 8 February 1839, visited JS and while they were imprisoned in , Clay County, Missouri; during the visit, Collins signed a receipt in return for receiving money owed. The payment probably stemmed from debts incurred during the prisoners’ stay in , Jackson County, Missouri, in early November 1838. JS recalled that the men “had to pay for [their] own board” during their time in Independence even though they were prisoners of Major General . Wight explained that the detainees stayed two nights in “Knowlten’s hotel,” likely referring to Noland’s Inn, a tavern operated by Smallwood Noland. Wight also noted that Lucas permitted the prisoners to move freely throughout Independence and that they even “traded some” at local establishments. According to Wight, “a gentleman by the name of Collins” accompanied the detainees just west of town to the lot the had purchased in 1831 as the site for a . The prisoners likely turned to Collins for help in covering their expenses while in Independence, becoming indebted to him.
visited the on 8 February to receive payment. After JS and reimbursed Collins, Wight wrote this receipt, which Collins signed to confirm he had been paid in full.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Bill of Damages, 4 June 1839.

  2. [2]

    Lyman Wight, Journal, in History of the Reorganized Church, 2:296; Deatherage, Early History of Greater Kansas City, 240; see also History of Jackson County, Missouri, 826.

    The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 8 vols. Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1896–1976.

    Deatherage, Charles P. Early History of Greater Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas: The Prophetic City at the Mouth of the Kaw. Vol. 1, Early History, from October 12, 1492, to 1870. Kansas City, MO: By the author, 1927.

    The History of Jackson County, Missouri: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc. Kansas City, MO: Union Historical, 1881.

  3. [3]

    Wight reported that Collins “presumed the place did not look as it would had we [the Saints] been permitted to have remained in this county.” (Lyman Wight, Journal, in History of the Reorganized Church, 2:295–296.)

    The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 8 vols. Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1896–1976.

  4. [4]

    A “Mr Collins” also delivered a letter from Parley P. Pratt to his wife, Mary Ann Frost Pratt, in Far West, Missouri. Jackson County land records indicate a William Collins owned at least thirty acres in the county. (Parley P. Pratt, Independence, MO, to Mary Ann Frost Pratt, Far West, MO, 4 Nov. 1838, Parley P. Pratt, Letters, CHL; Jackson Co., MO, Deed Records, 1827–1909, bk. C, pp. 280–281, 2 Jan. 1834; bk. D, pp. 43–44, 9 May 1835; bk. D, pp. 504–505, 17 Nov. 1836, microfilm 1,017,979; bk. E, p. 506, 6 Mar. 1838; bk. F, pp. 237–238, 9 Jan. 1839, microfilm 1,017,980, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

    Pratt, Parley P. Letters, 1838–1839. CHL. MS 5828.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  5. [5]

    Wight recalled that while the prisoners were in the Clay County jail they were required “to pay the most extravagant price” for their board in Independence or have their property seized. The prisoners evidently reimbursed Collins with an order that he could use to obtain repayment elsewhere—presumably from Bishop Edward Partridge in Far West. (Lyman Wight, Testimony, Nauvoo, IL, 1 July 1843, pp. 26–27, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; Pay Order to Edward Partridge for William Smith, 21 Feb. 1838; Receipt from Sarah Burt Beman, 26 Jan. 1839.)

    Nauvoo, IL. Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 16800.

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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Receipt from William Collins, 8 February 1839
ID #
2254
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D6:325–326
Handwriting on This Page

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