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Utah District Court records of United States vs. George Reynolds

 File — Folder: 1
Identifier: MSS 6286

Scope and Contents note

Utah District Court Records of United States vs. George Reynolds is a microfilm copy from 1985 of the records group #21. There are papers and files in Case Nos. 1631 and 2148, United States vs. George Reynolds from the National Archives--Denver Branch. The case is regarding George Reynolds who was a general authority for the LDS Church as well as a longtime secretary to the First Presidency. He served as a defendant and was indicted for bigamy on 23 October 1874. Reynolds argued that polygamy was protected by the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution. The case is the first freedom of religion to issue from that court.

Dates

  • 1985

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use note

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Utah District Court records of United States vs. George Reynolds must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Utah District Court was established to provide for the distribution of justice to the people of the district and to help keep the domestic peace.

Under authority granted by the United States Congress through sections nine and sixteen of the Organic Act to Establish a Territorial Government for Utah (approved September 9, 1850), Governor Brigham Young (through a proclamation dated August 8, 1851) and the legislative assembly (through an Act Concerning the Judiciary, and for Judicial Purposes, approved October 4, 1851) organized three judicial court districts. Established as a trial court of general jurisdiction, its purpose was to provide for the distribution of justice to the people of the district and to help keep the domestic peace.

Extent

1 microfilm reel (0.15 linear ft.)

1 sound tape reel (0.15 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

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.

Custodial History note

Donated by Bruce A. Van Orden in 1987.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Donated; Bruce A. Van Orden; 1987.

Appraisal note

19th Century Western and Mormon Americana because this case is in Utah and deals with issues surrounding freedom of religion, specifically Mormonism.

Related Archival Materials note

George Reynolds letter, 1891; MSS 4000.

Bigamy and polygamy [microform] : review of the Supreme Court of the United States, rendered at the October term, 1878, in the case of George Reynolds, plaintiff in error vs. the United States, defendant in error ; E 203.P36x MR 253.

George Reynolds, plaintiff in error, vs. United States, error to Supreme Court of Utah : defendants' brief on motion for reargument ; BX 8608 .A1a no.5519.

Processing Information note

Processed; Katie Connors, student processor, and John Murphy, curator; 2008.

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Register of Utah District Court records of United States vs. George Reynolds
Status
Completed
Author
Katie Connors, student processor, and John Murphy, curator,
Date
11 September 2008
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Physical Storage Information

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

http://sc.lib.byu.edu/
Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States

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