Descriptive Summary
MSS 2452
Elias Smith Journal Typescripts,
1836-1888
Smith, Elias, 1804-1888
L. Tom Perry Special Collections
1 boxes, 4 folders (0.75 linear feet)
Elias Asael Smith
(1804-1888), a cousin to the Prophet Joseph Smith, was born in Windsor County,
Vermont. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was
31 years old and moved to Kirtland, where he became a school teacher. He was
one of the seven captains of the Kirtland Camp that moved the main body of the
Church from Kirtland to Missouri. He was a member of the Quorum of the
Seventies as well as becoming a High Councilman. In 1845 in Nauvoo, Illinois,
he married Lucy Brown with whom he had at least four children. He migrated to
Utah in 1851 and was elected probate judge of Salt Lake County. He was also
business manager of the Deseret News, and postmaster of Salt Lake City. Later,
he became editor of the Deseret News. He died June 24, 1888, in Salt Lake City,
Utah.
The Elias Smith Journal Typescripts,
1836-1888 include one archival series: Journal Typescripts, 1836-1888. The
journal consists of 3 spiral-bound volumes: Volume 1 (19 January 1836-23 March
1862); Volume 2 (18 September 1863-31 December 1874); Volume 3 (1 January
1875-18 June 1888). They chronicle his travels, experiences, and events of the
times.
Provenance
Donation: Lester Allen
Access
Available for research.
Conditions of Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary
copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from Elias Smith Journal Typescripts,
1836-1888 must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the
Special Collections Board of Curators.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: MSS 2452; Elias Smith
Journal Typescripts, 1836-1888; 19th Century Western and Mormon Americana; L.
Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University.
Following Citations:MSS 2452, LTPSC.
Biographical History
Elias Asael Smith (1804-1888), a cousin to the Prophet Joseph Smith,
was born in Windsor County, Vermont. When he was a young boy, Elias and his
family moved to New York, where he grew up without much opportunity for
education. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he
was 31 years old and moved to Kirtland, where he became a school teacher. He
was one of the seven captains of the Kirtland Camp that moved the main body of
the Church from Kirtland to Missouri. He was a member of the Quorum of the
Seventies as well as becoming a High Councilman. In 1845 in Nauvoo, Illinois,
he married Lucy Brown with whom he had at least four children. While in
Illinois, he became the manager of the Times and Seasons and the Nauvoo
Neighbor. He migrated to Utah in 1851 and was elected probate judge of Salt
Lake County. He was also business manager of the Deseret News, and postmaster
of Salt Lake City. Later, he became editor of the Deseret News. He died June
24, 1888, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Scope and Content Note
The Elias Smith Journal Typescripts, 1836-1888 include one archival
series: Journal Typescripts, 1836-1888. The journal consists of 3 spiral-bound
volumes: Volume 1 (19 January 1836-23 March 1862); Volume 2 (18 September
1863-31 December 1874); Volume 3 (1 January 1875-18 June 1888). They chronicle
his travels, experiences, and events of the times. Also included is a ten-page
index to the journal prepared by Elias Smith Castle, his grandson.
Curatorial Note
The typescripts were compiled by Sarah C. Thomas. The index to the
journals was prepared by Elias Smith Castle.
Subject Tracings
People
Smith, Elias, 1804-1888.
Places
Utah.
Nauvoo (Illinois).
Ohio.
New York.
California.
Tennessee.
Iowa.
Vermont.
Genre/Form
Typescripts.
Subject
Joseph Smith family.
Container List
SERIES 1: JOURNAL TYPESCRIPTS, 1836-1888
JOURNAL TYPESCRIPTS,
1836-1888
Box
Folder
Description
1
1
Volume 1,
1836
January 19-1862 March 23
1
2
Volume 2,
1863
September 18-1874 December 31
2
1
Volume 3,
1875
January 1-1888 June 18
2
2
Journal Index,
undated