Jun 21, 2016 - Sale 2420

Sale 2420 - Lot 205

Price Realized: $ 1,500
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500
(MORMONS.) Mitchell, James C. Letter discussing the possible relocation of the Reorganized Church to Florence, Nebraska. Autograph Letter Signed to Lewis C. Bidamon, 2 pages on one sheet, 7 3/4 x 5 inches; mount remnants on second page partially obscuring the signature. Florence, NE, 2 July 1860
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After the 1846 Mormon Exodus to Utah, Joseph Smith's widow Emma and their children remained in Nauvoo, IL. Joseph Smith III assumed leadership of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now the Community of Christ) in 1860, and considered several locations for the church, including Florence, NE, where the westward-bound Mormons under Brigham Young had made their winter quarters in 1846-47. This letter is addressed from the founder of Florence, NE to Lewis C. Bidamon (1806-1891), second husband of Emma Smith and stepfather of Joseph Smith III. He writes:
"I have consulted with Mr. Parker & others relative to the alteration which Mr. Smith desires to have made in the bonds executed to him by the citizens of Florence. . . . Whenever he makes up his mind to locate at this point & make it the headquarters of his branch of the Mormon Church there will be no difficulty in having said bonds altered to suit him. . . . As he has not yet determined to establish himself here, or to remove from Nauvoo at all, we deem it scarcely worth while to get up new bonds until further advised."
with--two related Florence land documents: a partly printed deed from the Florence Land Company to Eliza K. Mitchell, with "Nebraska Winter Quarters Company" crossed out, witnessed by James C. Mitchell. Florence, NE, 1 October 1855 and a manuscript deed from Andrew J. and Ellen R. Smith of Florence to John A. Nall of extensive property in Crescent City, Iowa; long closed tear. Florence, NE, 25 September 1857, with attached partly printed notary certificate printed in Nebraska City, NE.