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Utah. Militia

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1852 - 1887

Administrative History

The Utah Militia (1852-1887), also known as the Nauvoo Legion, was the territorial militia organization for Utah Territory.

Citation:
Bennett, Richard Edmond. The Nauvoo Legion in Illinois, 2010 CIP introd. (the Nauvoo Legion functioned at the behest of the governor of the state of Illinois; a regularly constituted arm of the Illinois State Militia from its chartering in 1841 until its repeal in 1845; after 1845, Nauvoo Legion acted under the direction of Mormon Church leadership until 1849; in 1849 became a militia in the State of Deseret; in 1852 became a [i.e. the] militia in the Utah Territory)

Utah State Div. of Archives and History www homepage, May 26, 2009 (These papers document the administration and activities of various segments of the territorial militia, also known as the Nauvoo Legion)

Encycl. of Mormonism, c1992 (Nauvoo Legion; disbanded as a result of the Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1887)

Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:

Black Hawk committee meeting minutes

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230320886]
Identifier: MSS SC 2233
Scope and Contents

Handwritten entries into a book of blank pages. The entries relate to the meetings of the "Black Hawk Committee" of Springville, Utah. The organization commemorated the Black Hawk War between the whites and Indians of Utah. Also included are financial records and a list of men from Springville who participated in the war.

Dates: 1897-1959
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Black Hawk committee meeting minutes

James H. Martineau certificates

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 235
Scope and Contents

Printed and handwritten certificates, bonds, and commissions. The items document Martineau's commission in the Utah Militia, his appointment as the Sheriff of Iron County, Utah, and his position as an alderman of Parowan, Utah. Seven of the manuscripts were signed by Brigham Young (1801-1877), the second president of the Mormon Church.

Dates: 1851-1876
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / James H. Martineau certificates

Nelson Higgins certificates

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230318294]
Identifier: MSS SC 1974
Scope and Contents Photocopies of handwritten and printed certificates, applications, correspondence, patriarchal blessings, and miscellaneous items. Most of the materials relate to Nelson's militia activities in Nauvoo, Illinois and in Utah. They include certificates relating to his various military appointments and applications for pensions relating to his military service. A few items relate to the "Walker War" (1853-1854) with the Ute Indians. A few of the materials were signed by the Mormon Church leaders...
Dates: 1836-1909
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Nelson Higgins certificates

Aaron Johnson correspondence

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230314012]
Identifier: MSS SC 1598
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of handwritten correspondence and memos between Aaron Johnson and other officers in the Utah Militia, relating to the procurement of supplies, enlistment of men, the settlement of Provo, relations with the Indians (especially Peteetneet and Tabby), muster rolls, and other military concerns.

Dates: 1852-1866
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Aaron Johnson correspondence

McClellan family histories

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230244615]
Identifier: MSS SC 561
Scope and Contents

Typescripts (some duplicated). The collection includes autobiographical sketch of William C. McClellan, member of the Mormon Battalion and of the Nauvoo Legion in Utah Valley, Utah, a biographical sketch of his wife, Almeda D. McClellan by Zitelle M. Snarr, and an autobiography of their son David A. McClellan Sr. which includes details of life in the Mormon colonies in Mexico and Arizona.

Dates: date of production not identified
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / McClellan family histories

Newel Kimball Whitney collection on military units, 1840-1858

 Sub-Series
Identifier: Vault MSS 76 Series 1 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains poll books, certificates, petitions, reports, orders, and other materials related to Mormon militia units, including both the Nauvoo Legion and the Mormon Battalion. Materials date from between 1840 and 1858.

Dates: 1840-1858
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 76, Newel Kimball Whitney papers / Newel Kimball Whitney collection on Mormon Church

L. John Nuttall papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 790
Scope and Contents Handwritten diaries, correspondence, lists, minutes, patriarchal blessings, and notes. The materials relate to Nuttall's involvement in numerous Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Utah Militia activities. Nuttall's position as secretary to the president of the Church allowed him to record various observations on Church conduct and doctrine. He records many of the meetings of the Church's ruling bodies. Nuttall also recounts campaigns against the Ute Indians during the Black Hawk...
Dates: 1857-1904
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / L. John Nuttall papers

Samuel W. Richards diaries

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197232486305]
Identifier: MSS 732
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of excerpts from handwritten diaries. The items cover the years 1846-1847, 1857-1859, 1868, 1869, 1873, and 1875-1876. Richards lived in Nauvoo, Illinois, presided over the European Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, prepared Utah Militia units for an expedition into Sanpete County, and served on another mission to the Eastern United States. Also included are patriarchal blessings and miscellaneous items relating to Richards and his family.

Dates: 1846-1876
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Samuel W. Richards diaries

Utah Indian war records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230321165]
Identifier: MSS SC 2234
Scope and Contents

Handwritten lists and meeting minutes of the Sons and Dauthers of Black Hawk and Indian War Veterans in Springville, Utah from 1946 to 1954. The lists date from 1908 and include the name, residence, age, war in which they served (Walker, Tintic, or Black Hawk), length of service, under whose command served, and death dates--when appropriate--of 1731 veterans of the major Utah Indian wars.

Dates: 1908-1954
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Utah Indian war records

Edwin Gordon Woolley autobiography and diary

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230337153]
Identifier: MSS 490
Scope and Contents Photocopy of a typescript. Woolley writes about his early life in an autobiography and then continues his story in a diary. The journal has many gaps. He writes about his militia activities and his enconters with Paiute Indians early in his life. Wolley spent much of his adult life in St. George, Utah. He also spent time in Salt Lake City, Utah, on business and on political activities. Woolley served as a justice the peace, a city recorder, a member of a Utah constitutional convention,...
Dates: 1869-1896
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Edwin Gordon Woolley autobiography and diary

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