Phelps, William Wines, 1792-1872
Dates
- Existence: 1792 - 1872
Biographical History
William Wines Phelps (1792-1872) was a publisher, scribe, and pioneer.
William Wines (W. W.) Phelps was born on February 17, 1792, in Hanover, New Jersey, to Enon Phelps and Mehitable Goldsmith. He married Sally Waterman on April 28, 1815, in Smyrna, New York. In June 1831, he traveled to Kirtland, Ohio, met the Prophet Joseph Smith, and was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1832 he moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and began publishing the Church's first periodical, the "Evening and the Morning Star". However, mobs attacked his house and destroyed his printing equipment. Phelps eventually had to escape Jackson County into Clay County and was later called to work in Kirtland.
In 1835, the Church purchased Egyptian mummies and papyrus from Michael H. Chandler; Phelps acted as a scribe for Joseph Smith while the latter translated the manuscripts into what we now know as the Pearl of Great Price. In 1838 Church authorities accused Phelps of reneging on a financial deal for building a temple in Missouri and they excommunicated Phelps. However, he was rebaptized two days later and he regained full membership two years later and was sent on a mission to the eastern United States. He also married two more wives: Laura Stowell and Elizabeth Dunn. After Joseph Smith died in 1844, Phelps embarked on the trek to the West and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1848. In Utah, he was a member of the Utah legislature and an almanac maker.
Phelps died on March 7, 1872, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Citation:
Phelps Family History, via WWW, March 27, 2014 (Enon Phelps and Mehitable Goldsmith; married Sally Waterman on April 28, 1815, in Smyrna, New York; June 1831, he traveled to Kirtland, Ohio; baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 10, 1831; 1832 he moved to Jackson County, Missouri; publishing "Evening and the Morning Star"; mobs attacked his house and destroyed his printing equipment. Phelps eventually had to escape Jackson County into Clay County and was later called to work in Kirtland; scribe for Joseph Smith; In 1838 Church authorities accused Phelps of reneging on a financial deal for building a temple in Missouri and they excommunicated Phelps; regained full membership 1840 and was sent on a mission to the Eastern States; two more wives: Laura Stowell and Elizabeth Dunn; Phelps went on trek to the West and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1848; a member of the Utah legislature and an almanac maker)Praise to the man, 1997: CIP galley (William Wines Phelps, pioneer; b. Feb. 17, 1792, Hanover, Morris Co., N.J.; d. 1872, Salt Lake City, Utah)
Light on free masonry, 1869: p. viii, 318 (W.W. Phelps)
Found in 21 Collections and/or Records:
A memorial to Congress for the construction of a great national central railroad
Handwritten legislative motion passed by the Utah territorial legislature on 3 March 1852. The item was signed by Brigham Young (1801-1877), "governor;" Willard Richards (1804-1854), "Pres. of the Council;" and William W. Phelps (1792-1872), "Speaker of the House of Rep." The measure requests that the federal government build a railroad across the United States.
A memorial to Congress for the extension of the legislative to 90 days
Handwritten legislative appeal to the United States congress to extend a legislative session. The item was signed by Brigham Young (1801-1877), "Governor" ; Willard Richards (1804-1854), "President of the Council" ; and William W. Phelps (1792-1872), "speaker of the House of Rep." The item is dated 3 March 1852.
Per diem receipt
Handwritten per diem receipt dated 20 February 1852 signed by W. W. Phelps and Albert Carrington. The receipt is for Albert Rockwood's attendance at the 1851-1852 Utah Territaorial Legislature.
Brigham Young, William Wines Phelps and Willard Richards petition to Congress
Handwritten petition to the Congress of the United States for an appropriation of sixty-thousand dollars for the erection of a territorial prison in Utah. The item is signed by W. W. Phelps, Willard Richards, and Brigham Young. The petition states that the prison is needed because of "multiplied crimes and offenses which demand the retribution of imprisonment."
William Wines Phelps land patents
Two land patents, one for 152 and 54/100 acres and one for 160 acres of public land in Lexington District, Clay County, Missouri, issued by the United States General Land Office.
George Washington Brimhall reimbursement voucher
Holograph voucher for $171 for expenses while serving in the 1851-1852 Utah territorial House of Representatives signed by William W. Phelps and Albert Carrington.
A resolution creating the office of superintendent of common schools
Handwritten legislative resolution passed by the Utah territorial legislature on 4 Oct. 1851. The item was signed by Brigham Young (1801-1877), "Governor;" Willard Richards (1804-1854), "President of the Council;" and William W. Phelps (1792-1872), "Speaker of the House of Rep." The measure establishes the office of school superintendent in the schools of the Utah territory.
Resolution in relation to distributing constitution
Handwritten legislative resolution by the Utah legislature on 30 Jan.1852. The item was signed by Brigham Young (1801-1877), "Governor;" Willard Richards (1804-1854), "President of the Council;" and William W. Phelps (1792-1872), "speaker of the House of Rep." The resolution directs that copies of the constitution be distributed among the members of the legislature.
A resolution making appropriations to the assessor and collector and auditor of public accounts
Handwritten legislative act passed by the Utah legislature on 6 March 1852. The item was signed by Brigham Young (1801-1877), "Governor;" Willard Richards (1804-1854), "President of the Council:" and William W. Phelps (1792-1872), "speaker of the House of Rep." The item relates to public finances.
Joseph Smith, Jr. letter
Photocopy and photostat copy of a handwritten letter. Smith writes in his capacity as the leader of the "Nauvoo Legion" of the Illinois state militia. He informs Wilson Law to keep the militia in readiness "as may be necessary to compel obedience to the ordinances of said city (i.e. Nauvoo) and secure the peace of the citizens." The item was notarized by W. W. Phelps.