Utah District Court records of United States vs. George Reynolds
Scope and Contents note
Utah District Court Records of United States vs. George Reynolds is a microfilm copy from 1985 of the records group #21. There are papers and files in Case Nos. 1631 and 2148, United States vs. George Reynolds from the National Archives--Denver Branch. The case is regarding George Reynolds who was a general authority for the LDS Church as well as a longtime secretary to the First Presidency. He served as a defendant and was indicted for bigamy on 23 October 1874. Reynolds argued that polygamy was protected by the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution. The case is the first freedom of religion to issue from that court.
Dates
- Creation: 1985
Creator
- Utah. District Court (3rd District) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access note
Open for public research.
Conditions Governing Use note
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Utah District Court records of United States vs. George Reynolds must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Biographical History
Utah District Court was established to provide for the distribution of justice to the people of the district and to help keep the domestic peace.
Under authority granted by the United States Congress through sections nine and sixteen of the Organic Act to Establish a Territorial Government for Utah (approved September 9, 1850), Governor Brigham Young (through a proclamation dated August 8, 1851) and the legislative assembly (through an Act Concerning the Judiciary, and for Judicial Purposes, approved October 4, 1851) organized three judicial court districts. Established as a trial court of general jurisdiction, its purpose was to provide for the distribution of justice to the people of the district and to help keep the domestic peace.
Extent
1 microfilm reel (0.15 linear ft.)
1 sound tape reel (0.15 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Utah District Court Records of United States vs. George Reynolds is a microfilm copy of papers and files of United States vs. George Reynolds case on polygamy from 1874.
Custodial History note
Donated by Bruce A. Van Orden in 1987.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Donated; Bruce A. Van Orden; 1987.
Appraisal note
19th Century Western and Mormon Americana because this case is in Utah and deals with issues surrounding freedom of religion, specifically Mormonism.
Processing Information note
Processed; Katie Connors, student processor, and John Murphy, curator; 2008.
Subject
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Organization)
- Reynolds, George, 1842-1909 (Person)
- Title
- Register of Utah District Court records of United States vs. George Reynolds
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Katie Connors, student processor, and John Murphy, curator,
- Date
- 11 September 2008
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States