Collection context
Summary
- 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.
- Extent:
- 4 Linear Feet (2 boxes and 2 oversize folders)
- Language:
- Materials are in English.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item]. Lewis C. Bidamon papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Background
- 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
- Biographical / historical:
-
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.
- Acquisition information:
- Purchased from Stanley B. Kimball, July 1966.
- Arrangement:
-
Arranged chronologically.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
- Terms of access:
-
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.
- Location of this collection:
-
1151 Oxford RoadSan Marino, CA 91108, US
- Contact:
- (626) 405-2191