BYU Library - Special Collections

Photocopies of two handwritten letters and two typescripts of these items dated 2 June and 6 Sept. 1846 from Sarah Bowers Colborn and Thomas Colborn to Daniel Bowers, Sarah's brother. The items were written when Sarah and Thomas were migrating with the Mormons across Iowa. The Colborn's explain why they were forced to leave Nauvoo, Illinois and describe their jouney. They also write about family matters and express appreciation for the Mormon faith.

Handwritten autobiography and photocopies of the item. Hutchings was born in New Hampshire and lived later in Vermont, New York, Ohio, Iowa, and Illinois. He was baptized a member of the Mormon Church in 1830, participated in the "Zion's Camp" march of 1834, served on a mission to New York and Pennsylvania, and personally knew Joseph Smith (1805-1844), first president of the Mormon Church. Hutchings died in 1845 in Nauvoo, Illinois.

This diary is Daniel Spencer's account of the trek from Nauvoo to Winter Quarters, Nebraska, from March to December 1846. The diary from 11 July to October is not a daily record, but rather a narrative of events observed by the author. The diary is an important record of the Mormon Exodus from Nauvoo, across Iowa to Winter Quarters on the Missouri River. Entries cover ca. 28 March 1846 to 20 December 1846.