Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
![Autobiography of George Pectol [microform] : 1858](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Frail.huntington.org%2FIIIF3%2FImage%2F22APN4D7428X%2Ffull%2F%5E360%2C%2F0%2Fdefault.jpg&w=750&q=75)
Manuscripts
Microfilm of the autobiography of George Pectol, covering the years from approximately 1846-1858. Portions of the volume are missing, but it opens with George's examination of the Book of Mormon and his decision to travel to Nauvoo, hearing Mormon preachers, and deciding to join the Mormon Church. He also writes of performing baptisms and preaching the gospel around Jackson County, Missouri, of anti-Mormon experiences in Missouri, of his overland travel to Utah, of leaving home in Iron County due to Indian attacks, of moving to Sanpete, and of life in Washington to 1858.
MSS MFilm 00195 item 01
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Manuscripts
Typescript of a brief biographical account of Martin Harris and his involvement with the translation of the Book of Mormon and organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Describes the arrival of a teenaged Joseph Smith in Palmyra, New York, in 1816, and his finding of the tablets later used to write the Book of Mormon; Harris' taking of a transcript of the tablets to Columbia University; his assistance to Smith in translating the tablets; and his inclusion as one of three witnesses (along with Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer) who were permitted to view the tablets. Also briefly recounts Harris' involvement with selecting the Twelve Apostles of the Mormon Church and helping Joseph Smith find holy ground in Missouri, as well as Harris' disillusionment with the Mormon Church following Smith's death. Includes a transcript of a portion of Martin Harris' sworn testimony taken at the time of his death in 1845, in which he describes witnessing the angel Moroni and hearing the voice of God.
mssHM 72353
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Manuscripts
A collection of family letters written by Sydney Smith to his father Robert Smith, his sister Maria Smith, and one letter to Rev. C. Dives. There is an additional letter from their brother Courtenay Smith to Robert Smith. The letters deal with family and financial matters, as well as social and current events.
mssHM 30411-30471
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Manuscripts
A collection of family letters written by Sydney Smith to his father Robert Smith, his sister Maria Smith, and one letter to Rev. C. Dives. There is an additional letter from their brother Courtenay Smith to Robert Smith. The letters deal with family and financial matters, as well as social and current events.
mssHM 30411-30471
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Manuscripts
Handwritten letter by George R. Taylor to Missouri Congressman John S. Phelps, conveying news of the financial challenges facing the Southwest Branch of the Pacific Railroad (later known as the Southwest Pacific Railroad) and the reorganization necessitated by its difficulties. Presumably written in St. Louis, Missouri.
mssHM 83487
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Manuscripts
Typescript of Bean's 1855-1856 diary, which details interactions between Mormon missionaries at Las Vegas, New Mexico, and local Indians, including baptisms, trade, and some hostilities. Included are Bean's account of a journey from Las Vegas to California across the Mojave in October-November 1855 (which included stops in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Mission, and El Monte) and of travels between Las Vegas and the "Colorado Muddy" in 1856. Bean also references an encounter with the "murderers" of J.W. Gunnison, an Army captain killed in an Indian massacre in 1853; remarks on the camp visit of explorers Jules Remy and Julius Lucius Brenchley, who published "A Journey to Great Salt Lake City" in 1861; mentions his attendance of a performance of J.H. Martineau's "Missouri Persecutions;" and describes various interactions with Las Vegas Mission President William Bringhurst. The diary concludes with a series of prayers/poems dedicated to "The Wives and Families of the L.V. Missionaries," "The Pioneers of '47," and "Pres. B. Young and His Counselors," as well as the minutes of a meeting held "under the Bowery" at Las Vegas on June 24, 1856 and minutes of a celebration of the Fourth of July at Las Vegas, and a song entitled, "I Got Drunk Again."
mssHM 72278