BYU Library - Special Collections

Collection includes handwritten autobiography, patriarchal blessings, poems, and letters created by Johnson. Also included is a transcription of those materials by his great-great granddaughter. Materials date 1893 and 2000.

Photocopy of a typescript of an autobiography. Bigler writes about his relationship with the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), his life in Nauvoo, Illinois, his migration to Utah, and his life in Nephi, Utah. Bigler served on a mission for the Mormon Church in Ireland and was active in Mormon Church activities in Nephi.

Typescript and photocopy of a handwritten letter. The item is written to Cole's father. Cole tells about the Mormon expulsion from Nauvoo, Illinois and about personal family matters.

Handwritten deed verifying that Granger will purchase a lot in Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith, first president of the Mormon Church, signed as "accredited agent of Oliver Granger."

Handwritten autobiography. Kartchner writes about his early life in Pennsylvania; joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1843 and subsequently moving to Nauvoo, Illinois; and his migration to Utah in 1847. He lived in serveral places in Utah and settled in Arizona. Also included is a partriarchal blessing for Etta Kartchner.

Handwritten and printed legal instruments relating to Emma Hale Smith (1804-1879), wife of the Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith (1805-1844). One of the items deals with the payment of taxes owed on certain properties in the county. The other item is a statement of guardianship and real estate inheritances relating to the children of Emma Smith and signed by her.

Photocopy of a handwritten manuscript addressed to a Qunicy citizens' committee and written by a council of the Mormon Church at the home of John Taylor. The writers asked that there be a cessation of hostile acts against the Mormons, including the burning of their homes, and expressed the intent of the majority of them to leave the area in the spring of 1846.

Typewritten autobiography. Smith writes about being born in Pecham, Vermont, migrating to Haun's Mill, Missouri, what she observed during the "Haun's Mill Massacre," mob activities against the Mormons in Missouri, her life in Nauvoo, Illinois, her miraculous healing, her association with the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith, and her sister's marriage to Joseph Smith as a plural wife.

Photocopy of a handwritten letter with a typescript of the item. Westover writes to "Lew" in response to his questions about the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith (1805-1844). She outlines her life and tells of her conversion to the LDS Church, her life in Nauvoo, Illinois, the death of Joseph Smith, and her migration to Utah.