Minutes of Meetings of the Nashville Branch, 1840–1843

Historical Introduction

Like this document, there are likely many other documents which have to do with the history of the stake in Iowa but which were not documented in official record books. For example, Wandle Mace, in his autobiography, records that he was called on a mission during a conference of the Iowa Stake in November 1841 at Augusta, Iowa Territory.¹ This conference, however, was not recorded in the Iowa Stake minutes. The Iowa Stake minutes, along with these other documents, do help to present a more detailed picture of the functions of the Church in Iowa, but it is not complete.

However, these minutes do paint quite a vivid picture. Kept by a bishop, Elias Smith, the minutes of the Nashville branch reveal deep tensions, conflicts, and issues between the members themselves. For example, the minutes start with a report of William A. Hickman, known by others as “Wild Bill Hickman” or “notorious Bill Hickman,” assaulting and threatening to kill another member of the branch. The bishop’s course for Hickman’s case takes several pages of the minutes, with the issue even surfacing later, after it seemed it had been resolved. This is followed by a report by Abraham Washburn of an eleven-year-old girl being raped in his home by an elder, whose name has been blacked out in the digitized version of these minutes. There is no record of a bishop’s court for this case within these minutes. The rest of the minutes of the meetings of the Nashville branch are filled with complaints and charges being brought by some members against others for a variety of issues, with notes about widows needing assistance and members being visited interspersed between these charges.

These minutes start in December 1840, a little over a year after the minutes of the Iowa Stake began to be kept, but they go until October 1843, meaning that they cover a period after the end of the Iowa Stake minutes and the record of the Lesser Priesthood. These minutes, thus, help to show the official activity of the Church in Iowa after the disbandment of the Iowa Stake.

Document Transcript

[p. 2] To Elias Smith bishop of the branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Iowa

I herby present the following charges against elder William A Hickman²

1st For assaulting me when travelling the road on my own premises threatening to kill me and drawing an axe to put his threats into execution, but was prevented by the interposition of others

2^d For profane swearing and circulating or telling falsehoods in relation to a certain piece of Land.

Dec 12th 1840

Joseph Mecham³

[p. 3] At a Bishop Court held at Nashville Lee County, Iowa, December 19th 1840 by Elias Smith Bishop of Latter Day Saints in Iowa established and organized agreeable to the Laws of said Church, a complaint was presented by Elder Joseph Mecham jr against Elder William A Hickman, in the words following vis,,

1st For assaulting me when travelling the road on my own premises, threatening to kill me, and drawing an axe to put his threats into execution, but was prevented by the interposition of others

2d For profane swearing, and circulating or telling falsehoods in relation to a certain piece of Land

The Court was organised by the Bishop “Elias Smith” Joseph B. Noble, counsellor was present and Elder Moses Martin⁴ was appointed counsellor pro. tem in the place of Joseph Mecham jr, the complainant.

After the court was organized and opened by prayer the parties not being ready for trial in consequence of the failure of witnesses to attend the court was adjourned to Tuesday the 22d inst at 12 oclock M. at the house of Joseph Mecham sen.

The court was held pursuant to adjournment at Joseph Mecham Sen. On the 22d and after a patient hearing of the witnesses and investigation of the case the court decided that the the first charges was fully sustained and the 2d mainly and that Elder Hickman must make confession for the same and should be disfellowshipped and must give up his [illegible] if he neglects or refuses to comply with the decision which was agreed to by the councillors

Elder Hickman then made confession to the satisfaction of the court and their [illegible]

[p. 4] Charges having been prepared by Elder Nathan Tanner⁵ against Morrison Mecham⁶ for telling falsehood concerning a combat between Joseph Mecham jr and Wm. A. Hickman,—Against Ephraim Mecham⁷ “For telling falsehood concerning a combat which took place between Joseph Mecham jr and Wm. A. Hickman, — and Also against Joseph Mecham “For telling falsehoods as may be hereafter shown for drawing an axe on William A Hickman” A bishops court was held in Nashville Jany 8th 1841. Moses Martin was called upon to sit as counsellor to the bishop pro tem

After the court was opened by prayer the charges against Morrison Mecham was read and was not present to answer. Elder Tanner presented to the Court a writing purporting to be a confession of the said Morrison Mecham, who as appeared to be a boy that could neither read nor write, and [illegible] was easily scared &c.

The complaint against Ephraim Mecham was then read, who plead not guilty, and said he had not been laboured with. The Court decided that no trial could come before them under such circumstances till the aggrieved had Laboured with the offender. The defendant then said he would waive all objections and come to trial.

After a patient hearing of the testimony on both sides the bishop decided the charge (not sustained) which was agreed by the counsellors.

The charge against Joseph Mecham was then read, who also plead not guilty and had not been Laboured with, and refused to be brought to trial. The complainant also said he was not ready for trial, and would not take an adjournment for he objected to the decisions of the bishop, and proceeded as he had done before repeatedly in the course of the trial to censure him for erroneous proceedings in this and a previous trial, but was silenced and rebuked severely by the court. The court then dismissed by prayer

[p. 5] Mont Rose Lee Co. May 31^st 1841

To the Bishop and his Council

I herby prefer the following Charges against Elder [redacted]

1^st for coming in to my hous in the absence of me and family except a Little girl about eleven years old and another [illegible] years old and highly abuseing my hous by un lawfully laying hold of the eldest girl and forcing verry improper conduct upon her unbecoming any man [illegible] more as man of his Standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Laterday Saints

Abraham Washburn⁸

[p. 6] A Conference of the elders & members of the Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Nashville Iowa was held pursuant to adjournment at the house of Elias Smith on the fourth day of February 1843

The Conference was opened by singing a hymn and prayer by the president Asahel Smith

Elias Smith was then on motion seconded unanimously appointed clerk of the branch

The conference was addressed by the president & elders Moses Martin Amos B. Fuller Elias Smith

On the subject of the organizing & reorganizing &c of the branch of the Church

On motion it was unanimously voted that the President of this branch of the Church be continued in his office

Voted unanimously that William R. Cole⁹ & William J. Bennet¹⁰ be appointed priests of this branch

Hiram Bennett¹¹ Teacher & Justus A. Seeley¹² Deacon

Voted that the priests Teachers & Deacons be required to make return on the first Saturday of every month at eleven oclock &C till it shall be thought expedient to alter the time to suit circumstances

Moved and seconded that the class recommended to meet every Saturday evening for the present to gain knowledge in matters of faith &c

Adjourned to 1st Saturday in March

Closed by prayer by Elder Martin

[p. 7] A Special Conference of the branch of the Church in Nashville was held on the 22d Feby 1843 President John Smith being present was called to preside & Elias Smith was present as clerk.

After singing, the meeting was opened by prayer by the president.

A difficulty existing between Br. J. A. Seeley & elder C[yrus] H. Wheelock¹³ reduced to writing in the following words was then investigated

“That Elder Wheelock had taught doctrine contrary to the doctrine & covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints”

Elders Moses Martin & A[mos] B. Fuller were appointed to counsel the complainant & elder Elias Smith & W[illiam] W. Willis¹⁴ for the defenda[nt] elders Asahel Smith & John A. McIntos[h]¹⁵ were chose by the president to act as [coun]sellors to him during the trial¹⁶

after the witnesses were heard & the c[oun]cillors & parties had spoken the president decided that the charge was not sustained and decided that the parties should shake hands &c. and then the conference by vote accepted of the decision by a unanimous vote.

Adjourned for twenty minutes

Met pursuant to adjournment some business of Little importance was transacted Eld. J. A. McIntosh & family & elder A Day¹⁷ were received into the church

Conference closed by prayer

[p. 8; second draft] A special conference of the elders & members of the branch of the Church of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints at Nashville was held pursuant to appointment at the house of Samuel P. Hoyt on Tuesday 28th Feby 1843 president Asahel Smith was called to preside over the conference & Elias Smith was present as Clerk. A charge was presented by Samuel P. Hoyt & wife against elder Moses Martin the following words vis

A charge prefered against Elder Moses Martin for unchristian like conduct in writing certain Letters and otherwise defaming the character of Samuel P. Hoyt with others named in the Letters, belonging to the Church of Latter day Saints. By Samuel P. Hoyt & wife

The conference was opened by prayer by the president

Elders Alfred Bell¹⁸ & John RA. McIntosh were chosen by the president to act as his counsellors during the trial & Elders W. W. Willis and Ellis Eames¹⁹ acted as counsellors for the defendant & C[yrus] H. Wheelock & A[mos] B. Fuller for the complainants. The defendant objected to being tried contending that he had not been laboured with according to the rules of the church that Saml P. Hoyt who was not a member of the church²⁰ & that the complaint was not definite &c. The objections were overruled by the president on the testimony of priests Wm J. B[illegible] &c [illegible]. Elder Martin appealed to the church when a vote was [p. 9] called and the decision of the president sustained by a majority of the members.

The testimony was then introduced after which the counsellors on both sides spoke and the defendant. When the president decided that the charges were sustained which was approved by a majority of the members present. Elder Martin then wished a vote taken to try his fellowship but on motion of W. R. Cole it was it was laid over till the conference to be held on Saturday next to give time if possible for the parties to settle the difficulty between themselves.

On motion adjourned

E. Smith Clerk

[p. 10; first draft] Minutes of a conference held in the branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Nashville I.T. 28th Feby 1843

Conference met pursuant to appointment at the house of S. P. Hoyt and was opened by prayer

[illegible] Asahel Smith presiding elder of the branch

A complaint was then presented against Elder Moses Martin as follows

A charge prepared against elder Moses Martin for unchristian conduct in writing certain Letters and otherwise defaming the character of Samuel P. Hoyt with others belonging to the Church of Latter day Saints by

Saml. P. Hoyt & wife

The president appointed elders Alfred Bell and John A McIntosh to assist him as counsellors during the investigation. elders W. W. Willis and Ellis Eames acted as councill for the Deft. And E. H. Wheelock and A. B. Fuller for the complainants. The defendants plead not guilty The deft objected to being tried because he had not ben Laboured with according to the rules of the Church. That Samuel P. Hoyt was not a member of the Church and because the Complaint was not definite

After hearing the arguments on both sides and the testimony relative to the Labour the pr. overruled elder Martin’s objections when the deft appealed from the decision of the president to the members of the branch present whereupon a vote was taken and the decision of the president sustained by a majority [p. 11] of the members. The testimony was then introduced. After the hearing of which the counsellors on both sides spoke on the case and also the defendants.

The president decided that he considered the complaint sustained which decision was approved by vote of the conference

Elder Martin then asked for a vote to his fellowship but on motion it was Laid over to a meeting of the Church previously appointed to be held on Saturday 4th of March that if possible the matter might be settled between the parties

On motion the conference adjourned

On Saturday 4th March 1843 at a meeting of the branch of the Church as above refered to the case of elder Martin was called up and as it appeared that every effort to settle it had faild a motion to disfellowship him was made and carried unanimously with the exception of two individuals

By the request of the deft another meeting of the branch was called to have a rehearing of the case on the 25th March. When Elder Martin as in the first trial objected to being tried for the [illegible] then made and demanded a dismission which the president decided could not be granted when elder Martin withdrew and the conference adjourned

Asahel Smith prest

Elias Smith Clerk

[p. 12] An adjourned conference of the branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Nashville was held on Saturday 4th of March 1843 at the house of Samuel P. Hoyt (as the weather was too severe to meet at the house of Elias Smith where it was appointed) Conference was opened by prayer by Elder McIntosh. The Priests Teacher and Deacon were called on to make report of their Labours in this branch of the Church and represented the branch to be in general a prosperous condition

The following were then on recommendation recvd. Into the branch

Alley B. Boren²¹ Nicholas Rameyous Emily Raymeous Wm R Parrish Lucena Parrish

Br Cole presented the case of widow Elizabeth Hinson whom he represented to be in a suffering condition for the necessaries of Life and on motion Elder A. Bell was appointed to receive and forward to her such things as the brethren shall donate as soon as confenient

Elder Ellis Eames presented himself to the Church and made a statement of his standing &c heretofore was accepted and and he was recd into the Church by a unanimous vote. Alvah Hancock²² was also recd and acknowledged as a Priest brother William Rees also was acknowledged as a teacher and brother Nicholas Rameyous was on motion ordained a Priest

The case of difficulty between S. P. Hoyt and wife and Elder Moses Martin which was deferred till today for the conference on the 28 Feby for the purpose of making an attempt to have the parties settle it themselves (which having failed) was called up and the hand of fellowship was withdrawn from him by a unanimous vote with two exceptions

Conference adjourned. Closed by prayer by the President

E. Smith Clerk

[p. 13] A Special Conference of the Elders & Members of the branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Nashville met agreeable to appointment to take into consideration a charg prefered against Bro. E Pettit²³ by Bro C Daniels²⁴ for unchristian like conduct in suing his Bro S. Daniels

Charge as far as respects unchristian like conduct denyed by Bro Pettit

After an open discussion of the matter Bro Pettit was acquitted in cosequence of his not knowing Sterlin Daniel to be a member of the Church

October 26th 1843

Alfred Bell
Clerk Pro tem