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Whitmer, John, 1802-1878

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1802 - 1878

Biography

John Whitmer (1802-1878) was a early Latter-day Saint leader in Missouri.

John Whitmer was born in 1802 in Pennsylvania, but his family soon moved to New York. In New York, John's family heard about Joseph Smith and offered to let him live with them. During this time, John Whitmer was a scribe for Joseph Smith. John was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Seneca Lake. John Whitmer was also one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. In 1830, John was appointed to Church historian and recorder. On February 10, 1833, John married Sarah Maria Jackson. In 1834, John served as counselor for the presidency for the Church in Missouri. In March 1838, John Whitmer was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John Whitmer died in 1878.

Found in 12 Collections and/or Records:

Collection on early Mormon history

 Collection
Identifier: MSS SC 954
Scope and Contents

Materials include typescripts of records on early Mormon history. Includes information on Joseph Smith, William Smith, and John Whitmer, and other early Church leaders. Dated 1830-1846.

Dates: 1830-1846

John Jackson letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231045730]
Identifier: MSS 1214
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter, dated 2 May 1849, written in Centerville, Utah, and addressed to John and Sarah Witmer. Jackson expresses regards and writes about some local activities. Also included is a handwritten and signed letter from John Jackson addressed to "Dear Children."

Dates: 1849 May 2

John Whitmer land patents

 File — Oversize-folder 1
Identifier: MSS SC 245
Scope and Contents

Two land patents, one for 40 acres and one for 160 acres of public land in Lexington District, Clay County, Missouri, issued by the U.S. General Land Office.

Dates: 1838

Marriages solemnized by John Whitmer in Caldwell Co. state of Missouri

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233287629]
Identifier: Vault MSS 241
Scope and Contents

Handwritten list dated 14 May and 25 June 1837. The item is a record of two marriages performed by John Whitmer, an early Mormon Church leader and one of the "Eight Witnesses" to the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. The marriages were between Willard Snow and Malvina Harvy and John H. Zimmar and Elisa Jackson.

Dates: May-June 1837

David C. Martin collection on Mormon history

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232560455]
Identifier: MSS 8879
Content Description

Contains correspondence between various people, an autobiography of Andrew Hunter Scott's missionary work, notes about leaders of the Church of Christ, writings on some of the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including notes on John Whitmer, and magazine and newspaper clippings. The book was created by David C. Martin. Dates approximately 1927 to 1975, bulk approximately 1950 to 1975.

Dates: approximately 1927-1975; Majority of material found within 1950-1975

Joseph Smith patriarchal blessing for John Whitmer

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233243838]
Identifier: Vault MSS 239
Scope and Contents

Handwritten partriarchal blessing, dated 22 Sept 1835, and given to John Whitmer. Smith assures Whitmer that he may receive salvation by following the teachings of the Mormon Church.

Dates: 1835 September 22

Thomas J. Jackson receipt

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233287595]
Identifier: Vault MSS 242
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed receipt which obligates John Whitmer to pay money before 22 April 1845.

Dates: 1845

Hyrum Smith papers

 Collection — Oversize 4: [Barcode: 31197233641825]
Identifier: Vault MSS 774
Scope and Contents

Collection includes diaries, letters, property records, bibles and family records related to Hyrum Smith. Includes diaries of missions taken by Hyrum, the 1834 Hyrum Smith family bible, with family record dating up to 1872, and material used by the School of the Prophets in Kirtland, Ohio. Dated 1831-1872.

Dates: 1831-1872

Whitmer family papers and photographs

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197225531463]
Identifier: MSS 3198
Scope and Contents Three items, as follows: 1) Civil War letter dated 13 September 1864, "Camp near St. Joseph, Missouri," written from A. [Alexander] Whitmer to his father, John. 1 pg. writes that one boy has been discharged and that some of the boys are homesick; 2) Printed program for the "Sunday School and Religion Convention of the Far West District." St. Joseph, Missouri, Jan. 16-17, 1915; 3) Prints of 26 digitally scanned photographs relating to the Whitmer family. Most are unidentified except for a few...
Dates: 1864-1915

John Whitmer letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231045748]
Identifier: MSS 1215
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter, dated 29 Aug. 1837, and addressed to the Mormon Church leaders, David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery. Whitmer writes about the title to lands in Far West, Missouri. The sheet also includes a some miscellaneous notes and scribblings from 1862. Also included is a typescript of the item.

Dates: 1837 August 29

Filtered By

  • Type: Collection X

Additional filters:

Subject
Letters 7
Correspondence 5
Material Types 5
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 4
Far West (Mo.) -- History -- Sources 2