Benjamin Harrison pardon of John Ammon Powell
Scope and Contents
Contains a handwritten pardon in the hand of James Gillespie Blaine, United States Secretary of State, signed by President Benjamin Harrison in Washington D.C., pardoning John Ammon Powell of Price, Utah of his sentence of adultery related to polygamy from one year to six months. Dated 1891 March 18.
Dates
- Creation: 1891 March 18
Creator
- Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901 (creator, Person)
- Blaine, James Gillespie, 1830-1893 (contributor, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Open for public research.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Benjamin Harrison pardon of John Ammon Powell must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.
Biographical History
Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901) was the 23rd president of the Unites States from 1889 to 1893.
Benjamin Harrison was born on August 20, 1833 in North Bend, Ohio to parents John Scott Harrison and Elizabeth Ramsey. Harrison attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio then went on to practice law in Indianapolis. He married Carolina Scott on October 28, 1853 in Oxford, Ohio. Shortly after, Harrison served in the Union Army during the Civil war from 1862 to 1865 as a Brigadier General. After the war Benjamin Harrison served as a United States Senator in 1881 to 1887 and went on to be elected as the 23rd President of the United States on the Republican ballot from 1889 to 1893.
Benjamin Harrison died on March 13, 1901 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Biographical History
John Ammon Powell (1884-1928) was a Mormon farmer, polygamist and pioneer of Price, Utah.
John Ammon Powell was born on November 27, 1884 in Pisgah, Illinois to parents Jemima Wimmer and James Powell. His father died when he was young, leaving him to move to Kamas, Utah, with his mother and siblings. John Ammon Powell was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a polygamist, having married three women: Hannah Matilda Snyder on January 13, 1863, Sarah Jane Shields on January 6, 1873 and Rosaltha Jane Allred on January 12, 1882. John Ammon Powell was one of the first settlers in Price, Utah. In 1890 he was charged with adultery and sentenced to a year in the penitentiary. He applied for his sentence to be commuted under the provisions of the Copper Act and President Benjamin Harrison lessened his sentence to six months.
John Ammon Powell died on December 14, 1928 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Biographical History
James Gillespie Blaine (1830-1893) was an American Republican politician who served as a United States Senator and Secretary of State.
James Gillespie Blaine was born on January 31, 1830 in West Brownsville, Pennsylvania. Blaine served on the United States Senate from 1876 to 1881 and also as Secretary of State to President James A. Garfield in 1881 and again for President Benjamin Harrison in 1889 to 1892.
James Gillespie Blaine died on January 27, 1893 in Washington, D.C.
Extent
1 sheet (0.01 linear ft.) ; 53 x 40 cm
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
Purchased from Tschanz Rare Books on March 27, 2018.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased; Tschanz Rare Books; March 27, 2018.
Appraisal
LDS, Utah and the American West cultural, social, and religious history (19th Century Mormon and Western Manuscripts collection development policy IV.a.i.1 and 4, November 2013).
Processing Information
Processed; Whitney Dean, student manuscript processor and Ryan K. Lee, curator; April 2018.
Subject
- Powell, John Ammon, 1844-1928 (Person)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- Register of Benjamin Harrison pardon of John Ammon Powell
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Whitney Dean
- Date
- 2018 March 3
- 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