Description:

Mormons

Important Mormon Document Navigating the Migration to Zion and the Perpetual Emigration Fund


Bi-fold autograph letter signed by "James M. Brown for Erastus Snow". Dated "St Louis, Mo. 5 May 1855".  7.75" x 9.75". Penned to first page, balance of pages blank. Near fine with expected mailing folds, and a tiny intact tear along bottom edge.

This outstanding letter supports the passage of Latter-day Saint James Bywater who paid the Emigration Office $130 for supplies for his journey, written in the midst of the emigration and consolidation of Latter Day Saints to Zion, James Brown was writing on behalf of Erastus Snow. The Bearer, James Bywater paid the Emigration Office $130 for supplies for their journey to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1855.  Gathering to Zion, or moving to live in communities with the rest of the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was a central principle of the faith; in fact, the tenth Article of Faith stated, "We believe in the literal gathering of Israel..." The converts to the church were Israel and they needed to be gathered to the Promised Land. The process to attain this end was the sophisticated establishment of The Perpetual Emigrating Fund which started in 1849 and whose goal was to assist with mass emigration on what would equate to relatively little financial resources to do so. Assistance by the church was always given as a loan, rather than as a gift. Emigrants were expected to repay the loan as they were able. Funds were raised from profits from church assets, as well as private contributions, and were made available based on individual need. However, because the funds were so limited, priority was given to individuals with skills that were desperately needed in the West. Special preference was also given to those whose relatives had contributed to the fund or those with the longest faithful church membership, usually 10 years or more.

To stretch the limited funds even further, doubling up in wagons, group contracts and the organization of handcart companies were some of the processes employed. As the emigrants were able to establish themselves and begin to repay the loans, the monies were extended again to aid more PEF emigrants. This cycle lead to a perpetual fund and allowed the church to emigrate an enormous number on very little "seed" resources. According to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, more than 30,000 people were helped through the Perpetual Emigration Fund, about one-third of them from Europe.

 

The letter is shown in full below and represents an impressive example of the outfitting of both a family for their wagon trip to Utah:

 

"L.D.S. Emigration Office

St. Louis Mo. 5 May 1855

 

No 15

Elder James McGaw

Agent

Dear Brother

The bearer James Bywater, has paid at this office the sum of $130 (say, One hundred and thirty dollars), on account of the following which you will please supply him with, One yoke of Oxen, one yoke of Cows, yokes and chains for … one hundred and fifty pounds of flour and twenty five pounds of Bacon.

 

Should the cost of these amount to more than he has already paid the difference you will collect of him, and pass it to his Credit. Should it help the balance you will refund him.

I am

Yours

for Erastus Snow

James M. Brown"

 

James Mcgaw led a company of 239 immigrants. He served missions for the Church in 1842, 1848, 1851, 1854, and 1865. The family settled in Filmore, Millard County; American Fork, Utah County; and then moved by 1863 to Ogden, Weber, Utah. He died January 15, 1872, in Ogden, Weber, Utah. In 1855, Orson Spencer, and James McGaw visited the Indian Territory from St. Louis, Missouri, and on April 8, five more missionaries were sent from Salt Lake City, and four from St. Louis. The Indian Territory Mission was created and placed under the leadership of Miller on June 26, 1855.

  

By 1880, the 50th anniversary of the church, President John Taylor forgave half the outstanding debt to the fund that was still owed by the poor. Those with means were still expected to repay their loans in full. Private assistance to emigrants surpassed loans made through the PEF by the early 1880s, and the fund was dissolved in 1887 when it was no longer needed.

 

Provenance: Originally from the Robert A. Siegler Auction Galleries, New York City. This piece was part of Lot 62A sold for $4,750 at the 464th sale conducted between January 28-30, 1975


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