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Spaulding, Solomon, 1761-1816

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1761 - 1816

Biographical History

Solomon Spaulding (1761-1816) was a Revolutionary War veteran and graduate of Dartmouth College who served the majority of his life as a minister in Windham, CT and store-owner in locations ranging from New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. He also was the author of "Manuscript, Found," a book which some claim to be the inspiration of "The Book of Mormon."

Solomon Spaulding was born on February 20, 1761 in Ashford, Connecticut. As he grew up, he served as a member of the Continental Army in the American Revolution. After the war concluded, he then entered Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH between 1782-1785. After graduating, he served as a Congregationalist preacher in Windham, CT starting in 1787.

In 1795, Spaulding left the ministry, married Matilda Sabin, and opened a store withn his brother Josiah in Cherry Valley, NY. In 1799, he then moved the store to Richfield and later relocated to Conneaut, OH. While living in Ohio, he began writing the book "Manuscript, Found," a historical romance about a lost civilization of Greeks who found themselves and established their society in America. Although more based on Greek epics, rumors escalated that this unpublished book was the basis to Joseph Smith's "The Book of Mormon."

Eventually due to the War of 1812, Spaulding eventually moved his family east to Pennsylvania. After four years of living there, he eventually passed away on October 20, 1816.

Citation:
Wikipedia, May 16, 2017 (b. Feb. 20, 1761; d. Oct. 20, 1816; served as Revolutionary War vet, minister, and store-owner; author of "Manuscript, Found," a work which some claim to be the basis of "The Book of Mormon.")

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

The origin of Mormonism and reminiscences of the Mormons in Illinois

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230233634]
Identifier: MSS SC 89
Scope and Contents Prepared typescript of a series of ten articles written by J.H. Sherman which appeared in the Ithaca Daily Journal during April and May, 1886. The articles, decidedly anti-Mormon, tell of Joseph Smith's early life, the Solomon Spaulding manuscript from which Smith supposedly got the idea for the Book of Mormon, the organization of the Latter-day Saint Church, the settlement of the Mormons in Nauvoo, Illinois, death of Joseph Smith, mob violence in Illinois, expulsion of the Mormons from...
Dates: 1886
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / The origin of Mormonism and reminiscences of the Mormons in Illinois

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