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Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Provenance
Related Materials in the Huntington Library
Biographical Note
Scope and Content
Arrangement
General
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Lewis C. Bidamon Papers
Identifier/Call Number: mssBidamon
Physical Description:
4 Linear Feet
(2 boxes and 2 oversize folders)
Date (inclusive): 1837-1962
Abstract: This collection contains letters and documents related to the business and legal activities of Lewis C. Bidamon (1801-1891)
of Nauvoo, Illinois, and his family. Notably, the collection contains papers of Bidamon's wife, Emma Hale Smith (1804-1879),
the widow of Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, and her son, Joseph Smith III.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Access
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
Publication Rights
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and
obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Lewis C. Bidamon papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Provenance
Purchased from Stanley B. Kimball, July 1966.
Related Materials in the Huntington Library
Related to the Mormon file, approximately 1805-1995.
Biographical Note
Lewis Crum Bidamon (1801-1891) was a Virginia-born settler of Canton, Illinois, who served as Lieutenant colonel of the 32nd
Regiment of Illinois Infantry. In 1846, just as the Mormons were being driven out, Bidamon moved to Nauvoo, Illinois. He married
Emma Hale Smith, widow of the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith (1804-1844). Bidamon engaged in various business practices in Nauvoo,
including selling stock for the Warsaw and Rockford Railroad Company and operating the Nauvoo House, a hotel whose construction
was begun by Joseph Smith and completed by Bidamon and his wife. Bidamon was also greatly involved in acquiring land in Nauvoo.
Scope and Content
The majority of the collection is made up of the business and legal papers of Lewis Crum Bidamon (125 pieces, 1837-1889),
his brother John C. Bidamon (26 pieces, 1840-1850), and his son Charles E. Bidamon (32 pieces, 1892-1941). Of interest in
the collection are the papers of Emma Hale Smith Bidamon and her son Joseph Smith (1832-1914). Joseph Smith was the founder
and lifelong President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The correspondence of Charles E. Bidamon
contains a series of letters regarding his attempts to sell the Nauvoo House during the period 1905-1909. In this connection
he corresponded with Heman Conoman Smith (Historian of the Reorganized Church) and Joseph Fielding Smith (President of the
Utah Mormon Church).
- Bidamon, Emma (Hale) Smith. Letter to Lewis Crum Bidamon, following letter to Bidamon from David Titus (?). 1871, June 24
- Hale, David. Letter to Emma (Hale) Smith Bidamon. 1873, Feb. 12-15
- Illinois. Courts. Hancock County Circuit Court. Agreement in case Phineas Kimball vs. Joseph Smith, et al in favor of Emma
(Hale) Smith Bidamon and her children. 1851, July 23
- Illinois. Courts. Hancock County Circuit Court. To Melgar Couchman: Order to sommon Nathan Prentice, Emma (Hale) Smith Bidamon,
Lewis Crum Bidamon, Joseph Smith, et al. 1849, Aug. 28
- McCallum, Josepha (Smith)? (daughter of Joseph Smith III). Letter to Emma (Hale) Smith Bidamon. 1871, Dec. 12
- Middleton, Julia (Murdock) Dixon (adopted daughter of Emma and Joseph Smith). 4 letters to Emma (Hale) Smith Bidamon. 1853-1873
- Spencer, Daniel and others. To Emma (Hale) Smith Bidamon: Request that debt of $1000 due John Robinson by Joseph Smith (1805-1844)
be fulfilled. 1844, Aug. 22
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
General
Call numbers included in this collection: mssHM 35603-35793.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Mormon women -- History -- Sources
Mormons -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Mormons -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
Mormons -- Illinois -- Nauvoo -- History -- Sources
Nauvoo (Ill.) -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Letters (correspondence) United States