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 22 Collections and/or Records:
George Reynolds letter
Correspondence from Reynolds to Abraham Smoot authorizing an order for $1,000 labor and merchandise tithing for the Brigham Young Academy.
George Reynolds letter to Brigham Young
Handwritten and signed letter, dated 5 Feb. 1873, and addressed to Brigham Young, second president of the Mormon Church. Reynolds writes about his concerns for the state of the Salt Lake Theatre.
George Reynolds letter to Brigham Young
Typewritten and unsigned letter, dated 6 June 1876, and addressed to Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon Church. Reynolds writes to Young concerning the harvest for the year and the plastering of the Gordo house.
George Reynolds letters
Photocopies of a letter-press book kept by Reynolds while he served as president of the European Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Reynolds writes about numerous church-related matters in Europe. Many of the items are of a personal nature.
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 letters received
Handwritten letters dated April 15, 1876 and October 11, 1876. One is from an H. Jones of Provo, Utah, requesting information on the state of business in Utah. The other is from a William Jennings stating that he does not remember William Dawson.
George Reynolds letters received
Handwritten letters dated April 15, 1876 and October 11, 1876. One is from an H. Jones of Provo, Utah, requesting information on the state of business in Utah. The other is from a William Jennings stating that he does not remember William Dawson.
George Reynolds papers
William Wollerton Riter letter
Handwritten and signed letter, dated September 12, 1876, and addressed to George Reynolds. The item was written in Echo, Utah. Riter instructs Reynolds to request information of Union Pacific Railroad Company directors to see if sufficient transportation would be furnished during the fall and winter.
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