History Draft [6 August 1838–30 December 1839]

Source Note

History draft; handwriting of
Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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; 71 pages; CHL. This manuscript covers the period from 6 August 1838 to 30 December 1839.
Historical Introduction

See Introduction to History Drafts, 1844–1856.

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examin[e]d In in behalf of the , who if we may jud[g]e form [from] their testimo[n]y swore upon the same pri[n]ciple as . (viz) Wyatt Cravens (X Doc 151) [Patrick] Lynch.

18 November 1838 • Sunday

<18. November> <Sunday 18. while our suit was going forward , gave the foll[ow]ing permit in (X Richds [Levi Richards, Memorandum Book] 18) aid> We were called upon to for our witness, and we gave the names of some 40 <or> 50, was dispatchd with a company of militia to procure them, arrested all he could find. & th[r]ust them into prison and we were not allowed to see them. We were again called upon most tauntingly, for witness. we gave the names of some others and they were also thut [thrust] into prison so many as were to be found.— In the mean time Malinda [Porter] (# Doc 151) Jr. volunterd & were sworn, on the defence but was preventd by threats from telling the truth as much as possible. we saw a man at the window and beckond him to come in, & had him sworn, but when he did not testify to please the court, several rushd upon him with their bayonets, & he fled the place barely escaping with his life. It was of no use to get any more witnesses if we could have done it. and our Lawyrs & . sob

24 November 1838 • Saturday

<. & <othe[r]s> acquitted.—> <24> <24[th]> Then this mock investigation continu[e]d from day to day till the <Saturday th> 24 [th]. when Several of the breth[re]n were discharged by as follows “Defendats (X see paper.) &c.”

Our orgenization was converted by the testimony of the apostates into (X Per 104)” &c” just as though it was treason to believe the bible.

28 November 1838 • Wednesday

<28.> Wednesday 28. Daniel Ashby, a member of the <> Senate He wrote that he was in the battle -[mob]- at , that 31 Mormons were killed & 7 of his party wounded.

29 November 1838 • Thursday

<Court closed> <29> Thurday 29 The remai[ni]ng prisoners were all released (# ap, 49,) crimes,— during the investigation we were mostly confin[e]d in chains, and recevd [received] much abuse, The matter (ϕ ap 48) swore.

<“ Eqr. (X Doc 94, 5,) ” is not a Mormon but a fri[en]d of man.>

30 November 1838 • Friday

<30> Friday 30[th] about this time Those of us who had been senten[ce]d thereto were conveyed to , & put in close confinem[e]nt, & all communicati[o]n with our fri[e]nds cut off. [p. 37]

examined in behalf of the , who if we may judge form [from] their testimony swore upon the same principle as . (viz) Wyatt Cravens (X Doc 151) Patrick Lynch.

18 November 1838 • Sunday

18. Sunday 18. while our suit was going forward , gave the following permit in (X Richds [Levi Richards, Memorandum Book] 18) aid We were called upon for our witness, and we gave the names of some 40 or 50, was dispatchd with a company of militia to procure them, arrested all he could find. & thrust them into prison and we were not allowed to see them. We were again called upon most tauntingly, for witness. we gave the names of some others and they were also thut [thrust] into prison so many as were to be found.— In the mean time Malinda [Porter] (# Doc 151) Jr. volunterd & were sworn, on the defence but was preventd by threats from telling the truth as much as possible. we saw a man at the window and beckond him to come in, & had him sworn, but when he did not testify to please the court, several rushd upon him with their bayonets, & he fled the place barely escaping with his life. It was of no use to get any more witnesses if we could have done it.

24 November 1838 • Saturday

. & others acquitted.— 24[th] Then this mock investigation continued from day to day till Saturday th 24 [th]. when Several of the brethren were discharged by as follows “Defendats (X see paper.) &c.”

Our orgenization was converted by the testimony of the apostates into (X Per 104)” &c” just as though it was treason to believe the bible.

28 November 1838 • Wednesday

28. Wednesday 28. Daniel Ashby, a member of the Senate wrote that he was in the battle -[mob]- at , that 31 Mormons were killed & 7 of his party wounded.

29 November 1838 • Thursday

Court closed 29 Thurday 29 The remaining prisoners were all released (# ap, 49,) crimes,— during the investigation we were mostly confined in chains, and recevd [received] much abuse, The matter (ϕ ap 48) swore.

“ Eqr. (X Doc 94, 5,) ” is not a Mormon but a friend of man.

30 November 1838 • Friday

30 Friday 30[th] about this time Those of us who had been sentenced thereto were conveyed to , put in close confinement, & all communication with our friends cut off. [p. 37]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History Draft [6 August 1838–30 December 1839]
ID #
8472
Total Pages
74
Handwriting on This Page
- Willard Richards
Footnotes
1. 116
  See 18 Nov. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. C-1, pp. 858–859.
2. 117
  See 24 Nov. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. C-1, p. 859.
3. 118
  See 28 Nov. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. C-1, p. 859.
4. 119
  See 29 Nov. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. C-1, pp. 859–860.
5. 120
  See 30 Nov. 1838 entry in JS History, vol. C-1, p. 861.

History Draft [6 August 1838–30 December 1839]

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