Nov 21, 2024 - Sale 2687

Sale 2687 - Lot 177

Price Realized: $ 50,000
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 60,000 - $ 90,000
(MORMONS.) John P. Greene. Original manuscript diary of a mission to western New York with Joseph Smith. [1], 9, [1] manuscript pages, 6 x 3¼ inches, on 2 folding sheets; minor wear and short separations at folds. Various places, 16 September to 20 October 1833
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John Portineus Greene (1793-1844) who was given a Book of Mormon by Samuel Smith--the brother of Joseph Smith and first missionary of the church. Soon after, he joined the faith along with his wife Rhoda (sister of Brigham Young), and soon became one of the leading missionaries. This diary was kept during one of his missions, and bears the manuscript title "1833 Sept 16 Mission to the East." It is most noteworthy for the three days he spent in and near Perrysburg, NY with Joseph Smith.

Greene's mission began by heading eastward from Kirtland along the shore of Lake Erie, and did their work in Chautauqua County at the far western tip of New York state. They mostly stayed near the coast of Lake Erie in small towns such as Westfield, Portland, Fredonia, Portland, Pomfret, Villenova, and Silver Creek, with an inland foray down Chautauqua Lake to Jamestown. He names the brethren who met with him along the way and the success of their prayer meetings.

On 13 October, Greene's group crossed paths in Perrysburg, NY (just east of Chautauqua County) with another mission led by none other than Joseph Smith. This section is worth quoting in full: "13 Sundy I went to Br Nickersons in Perresburgh & met Brs. Joseph Smith & Sidney Rigdon & Sidney Preac'd in the demmonstrtion of the Spirrit & afterward I baptised Sister McBride & afterward spent the Evnig with the Brethn with great satisfaction in company with Joseph & slept with him & 14 day Mondy we went to Lodi [now Gowanda] & Sidney preachd.

15th next morning the people desired to hear again. & Esq. Mr. Ker gave out word that Sidney would preach at 10 o'cl. in the Presbyterians house, but one man who had the key of the house wold not Suffer the door opend; & so we came off & left them all in confusion; & in the afternoone came to Collings and parted with my brotherin, & they went on to Canada."

Greene's mission soon returned home by land, stopping in Elk Creek, PA. The final page is a series of memoranda regarding New York adherents who had agreed during this mission to help contribute toward what became the famed Kirtland Temple, the young faith's first temple which would be dedicated in 1836: "Westfield Sept. 23 1833. The breth. agree too procure one fourth part of the shingles for the Lord's house to be built in Kirtland, Ohio to be delivered at Portland Harbor by the 15 of Oct. Also the breth. in Harmony agree too furnish 5 M.S. to be delivered at Portland Harbor by the 15 of Oct. The Breatherin at Jamestown agree to furnish 6 M.S." Two of the diary entries also mention this project. On 27 September he notes "Br. H Winters & I went in to the woods too find some timber for to make shingles for the lords house in Kirtland." On 9 October, he visited a reservation on the Cattaraugus Creek: "I went with Brs. Moore & Childs to the Indian on the Cattaraugust to buy some shingle timber." The Kirtland Temple was reacquired by the LDS Church earlier this year to great fanfare.

Provenance: John P. Greene to his son Evan Melbourne Greene (1814-1882); to his daughter Zerviah Susie Greene Smith (1874-1970), and through the family to the consignor. A photocopy of the diary has been donated to the LDS Church History Library, and is transcribed in full at http://young.parkinsonfamily.org/john/histories/jpg-1833-diary.htm.