May 1845
People v. John C. Elliott: John C. Elliott was accused of murdering Joseph Smith. The grand jury refused to indict.
Legal Events
June 1845
State of Illinois v. Levi Williams, Jacob C. Davis, Thomas C. Sharp, Mark Aldrich and Thomas Grover. All defendants were acquitted for the murders of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
June 7, 1845
Smith v. Emmons: Suit was brought on an attested debt of $22.75. Sylvester Emmons was subpoenaed on June 22, 1844. Lucien Woodworth and Eliza Partridge were also subpoenaed.
August 14, 1845
Sweeney v. Miller: Joseph Smith, Guy C. Sampson (Sweeney's attorney), transferred judgment to Sheriff William Backenstos of Nauvoo, who collected from the Church trustees. Backenstos later transferred the May 5, 1842, judgment to the Church Trustees Almon W. Babbitt, Joseph L. Heywood, and John S. Fullmer on April 4, 1846.
September 1, 1845
Almon W. Babbitt, Guardian for heirs of Edward Lawrence v. William Law, Joseph Coolidge: Almon W. Babbitt, acting as guardians for the Lawrence heirs, filed suit against the estates of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith, and against William Law (based on Hyrum and Law's bond for Joseph Smith as guardian).
October 23, 1845
Almon W. Babbitt, Guardian for heirs of Edward Lawrence v. William Law, Joseph Coolidge: Babbitt withdrew his claim.
November 2, 1845
In speaking of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, Robert D. Foster told Abraham Hodge: "I haven't seen one moment's peace since that time. . . . The thought of meeting Joseph and Hyrum Smith at the bar of God is more awful to me than anything else."
January 1846
Almon W. Babbitt, Guardian for heirs of Edward Lawrence v. Smith and Coolidge: Babbitt filed a new action, adding Sarah and Maria Lawrence as co-petitioners. Babbitt filed only against the estates of Joseph Smith and Hyrum.
May 19, 1846
Almon W. Babbitt, Guardian for heirs of Edward Lawrence v. Smith and Coolidge: The case was tried. Mary Fielding Smith and Joseph Coolidge failed to appear. After hearing evidence of damages, judgment was rendered against each estate for $4,275.88 plus court costs. It does not appear that Babbit made any effort to execute on the judgments.
August 8, 1848
John M. Ferris was appointed administrator of Joseph Smith's estate, following the appointments of Emma Smith (in July 1844) and of Joseph Coolidge (on September 19, 1844).
Pages
Read peer-reviewed articles about Joseph Smith and other Church history topics from BYU Studies. Visit byustudies.byu.edu.