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SMITH, Joseph. Partly printed document signed ("Joseph Smith"), Hancock County, Illinois, 6 May 1841. 1 page, oblong (4 x 7 3/8 in.), with decorative design engraved along left edge, matted and framed. A printed affidavit form, executed in manuscript and signed by Smith. Not examined out of frame.
THE MORMON FOUNDER'S AFFIDAVIT IN A CASE INVOLVING A FELLOW CHURCH LEADER. Smith signs this short affidavit attesting to his participation in the case of Singly v. Rigdon in the Circuit Court of Hancock County, Illinois. "...He attended said Court as a Witness in the above mentioned case, one day, at the instance of the defendant, during the present Term of said Court." The defendant is likely fellow Mormon leader, Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876), who joined with Smith in 1831, and soon became one of the Mormon Church's three presidents. He was instrumental in shaping the structure and doctrine of the Church and, in effect, acted as Smith's spokesman. Smith tapped him as his vice-presidential running mate for the 1844 presidential election bid, an effort cut short by Smith's murder in Carthage, Illinois in June of that year. Rigdon sought to succeed Smith as Church leader, but lost out to Brigham Young in a bitter succession battle.
THE MORMON FOUNDER'S AFFIDAVIT IN A CASE INVOLVING A FELLOW CHURCH LEADER. Smith signs this short affidavit attesting to his participation in the case of Singly v. Rigdon in the Circuit Court of Hancock County, Illinois. "...He attended said Court as a Witness in the above mentioned case, one day, at the instance of the defendant, during the present Term of said Court." The defendant is likely fellow Mormon leader, Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876), who joined with Smith in 1831, and soon became one of the Mormon Church's three presidents. He was instrumental in shaping the structure and doctrine of the Church and, in effect, acted as Smith's spokesman. Smith tapped him as his vice-presidential running mate for the 1844 presidential election bid, an effort cut short by Smith's murder in Carthage, Illinois in June of that year. Rigdon sought to succeed Smith as Church leader, but lost out to Brigham Young in a bitter succession battle.