Collection includes photocopies of court records created by judge Albert Neely in 1826. Includes documents related to the trial of Joseph Smith.

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.

Original court summons issued by the State of Illinois, Hancock County to Joseph Smith Jr. and John P. Greene to appear at the Hancock County Circuit Court before May 1844 in order to address the complaint of Orsemus F. Bostwick for trespass to damage in the amount of two hundred dollars. The summons was signed by J. B. Backenstos, clerk of the circuit court. Dated March 4, 1844.

Photocopy of a change of venue order. "Caleb Baldwin, Lyman Wight, Joseph Smith Jr. and others" were charged with arson. The judge ordered them transferred to Boone County where he thought they could receive a fair trial.

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.

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed letter dated 17 July 1845 and addressed to "Gen. Ewing." Deming admits that the hope of expelling the Mormons from Hancock County had been abandoned and indicates that he had been accused of the murder of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith.

One handwritten court record. The item is a copy made in 1860 by William N. Keeny, clerk of Geauga County, of the original court record dated 1839. The Halsted Haines Co. sued Joseph Smith (1805-1844), Hyrum Smith, Olivery Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Brigham Young, and other Mormon Church leaders for redress in connection with questionable business practices. Since the defendants failed to appear when summoned, the plaintiffs were awarded $2337.35 plus expenses.

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed statement dated 15 April 1844. Smith outlines his views on many political issues in the United States.

Handwritten and signed letter dated 4 May 1842 and addressed to Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the first president of the Mormon Church. Gurley writes that he was unable to attend a meeting with the Nauvoo Legion militia organization and describes the founding of a branch of the Mormon Church in Wisconsin.