BYU Library - Special Collections

Printed and handwitten injunction dated March 10, 1843, signed by Jacob B. Backenstos The item is addressed to Joseph Smith, mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois, demanding a halt in further proceedings in the case of Charles R. Dana vs. William B. Brink. The action had been taken to recover $99.

Handwritten bond dated September 7, 1838, signed by Joseph Smith, Jr. and others before Judge Austin King of the 5th Judicial Circuit Court. The bond was for $500.00 and bound Joseph Smith, Jr. and Lyman Wight over to the court.

Photocopies of handwritten court proceedings of cases tried in Daviess County and Boone County, Missouri. The trials relate to Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and others being tried for treason; the trial of Parley P. Pratt (1807-1857), an apostle of the Church, for murder; testimony against Caleb Baldwin; and testimony against King Follet on charges of robbery. Dated 1839.

Handwritten and printed summonses for Joseph Smith, first president of the Mormon Church, and John C. Bennett, and apostle in the Mormon Church. Also included is a receipt from Emma Hale Smith, first wife of Joseph Smith, made out to Thomas Sharp.

Phtocopies of handwritten court records. The materials are pages 1 and 486 to 697 from volume 4 of a much larger record on court proceedings. The entries regard the case of the "United States of America vs. Joseph Smith, et al." The manuscript deals with the estate of Joseph Smith, first president of the Mormon Church. The originals are located at the Federal Records Center, Chicago, Illinois.

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed legal document. The item relates to the estate of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith.

Handwritten certificate, dated 3 May 1847, establishing Emma's guardianship of the Smith children: Julia, Joseph, Frederick, and Alexander; includes Emma's signature.

Photocopy of a handwritten summons. The item calls John Taylor (1808-1887), president of the Mormon church, and all the apostles of that church to appear in court on 15 Sept. 1887 to answer a complaint.