Reynolds, George, 1842-1909
Dates
- Existence: 1842 - 1909
Biographical History
George Reynolds (1842-1909) was a polygamist and church leader in Utah, and is known mostly for being used as a test case for the constitutionality of the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862.
George Reynolds was born on January 1, 1842, in Marylebone, England. His parents were George and Julia Ann Tautz Reynolds. As a youth he became acquainted with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized at the age of fourteen. In 1865, Reynolds immigrated to Utah and settled in Salt Lake City. He there became Brigham Young's secretary and would continue to serve as the secretary to the First Presidency for the remainder of his life. He likewise served as a member of the municipal council of Salt Lake City from 1875 to 1879.
In 1874, George Reynolds was chosen by both civil leaders and leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a test case for the constitutionality of the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862. Reynolds was convicted of bigamy the following year, and his conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1879. He was imprisoned briefly in the Nebraska State penitentiary before being transferred to the Utah Territorial penitentiary where he served out the remainder of his sentence of two years. He thus became the first of many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be imprisoned for practicing polygamy.
Reynolds was actively involved in the Sunday School system and served on the Board of the Deseret Sunday School Union. Throughout his life Reynolds was a noted author of Mormon polemics and he frequently wrote for the Deseret News and the Juvenile Instructor. He is best remembered for his works on the Book of Mormon. In April 1890, Reynolds was sustained as a member of the First Council of the Seventies, a position he held until his death on August 9, 1909.
Citation:
Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, v.1, 1901: p. 206-210 (born January 1, 1842 in Marylebone, England; parents were George and Julia Ann Tautz Reynolds; joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of fourteen; came to Utah in 1865; served as a secretary and municipal council of S.L.C.; acted as a test case for Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act; imprisoned in Nebraska and Utah; active in Sunday Schools; author of works on the Book of Mormon; Sustained a member of the First Council of the Seventies in April 1890) Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, v.3, 1920: p. 771 (died on August 9, 1909)Found in 8 Collections and/or Records:
George Reynolds certificates and documents, 1863-1907
Contains receipts, certificates, and other documents related to Reynolds. Includes his sentence to prison for practicing polygamy, and a petition for his pardon submitted to President Rutherford B. Hayes. Dated 1863-1907.
George Reynolds correspondence, 1872-1909
Contains correspondence between various individuals, includings leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Topics revolved primarily around the doctrine of polygamy and Reynold's imprisonment for practicing polygamy. Dated 1872-1905.
George Reynolds writings, approximately 1877-1920
Contains writings by or related to Reynolds. Includes records related to the concordance to the Book of Mormon, a draft of a history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a biography of Reynolds by his daughter, Alice Louise Reynolds. Dated approximately 1877-1920.
George Reynolds autobiography
The autobiography of George Reynolds, an early member of the LDS church from London, England, circa 1878.
George Reynolds letters
Photocopies of handwritten letters addressed to Reynolds' wife Amelia. These items were written when Reynolds was in the Utah territorial penitentary for polygamy. Reynolds writes about conditions in the prison and of his desires to receive visitors.
George Reynolds letters
Handwritten and signed letters to his wife, Amelia. Twenty-eight itmes were written from 1879-1881 in the Utah Peniteniary while Reynolds was serving a two-year sentence for polygamy. Reynolds tells about prison life, reaffirms his dedication to the Mormon faith, and discusses family matters.
George Reynolds papers
Utah District Court records of United States vs. George Reynolds
The Utah District Court Records of United States vs. George Reynolds is a microfilm copy of papers and files of United States vs. George Reynolds case on polygamy from 1874.
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- Subject: Polygamy -- Religious aspects -- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints X
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