TO EDWARD HUNGER
1842 JANUARY 5

FC. Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois, to Edward Hunter, West Nantmeal, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 5 January 1842, 4 pp. in hand of Willard Richards, Joseph Smith Collection, LDS Church Archives.

During winter 1839-40, Joseph Smith eagerly awaited an answer from the federal government in the matter of the Mormon expulsion from Missouri. While in the East Joseph visited the Edward Hunter family in West Nantmeal, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Although not a member of the Church when the Prophet visited, Edward Hunter was seriously impressed with the message of the Restoration, which he had first heard from a Mormon elder a short time before Joseph's visit. Born in Newton, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, on 22 June 1793, Edward had engaged in agricultural pursuits during his early years. He also learned the trades of tanner, currier, and surveyor, and had experience as a merchant. He served three years as county commissioner before moving to Chester County at the age of 40. There he purchased a 500-acre farm and married Ann Standly. A seeker after the true form of worship, and having a vigorous sense of justice and fair play, Edward Hunter contributed land for and helped build the West Nantmeal Seminary -a community hall erected for educational and religious purposes -with the stipulation that persons of all persuasions be allowed to speak there. Upon hearing a Mormon missionary earlier in 1839 and receiving a spiritual manifestation of the truth of what he said, Hunter subsequently opened his home to any Church representative who came his way. In October 1840, a few months after Joseph Smith visited the Hunters and preached in the seminary, Edward was baptized. The following year he traveled to Nauvoo, where he purchased a farm and several town lots in preparation to move there. Returning to Pennsylvania, he disposed of much of his property and invested a considerable sum in merchandise for Joseph Smith's Nauvoo store. In June 1842, he joined the Saints in Illinois.636 Five months before he left Chester County, Edward received this letter from the Prophet.

Nauvoo January 5" 1842

Mr Edward Hunter.

Beloved Brother,

I wrote you on the 21 ultimo, in reply to yours of the 27" of october, but lest by any means the letter should fail to reach you I will recapitulate very briefly some important itims therein contained.

The power of Attorney was duly executed by Mrs Smith & forwareded to the clerks office for seal of state, to be sent, from thence direct to you.

The goods are accepted and <will be> applied according to your request.

I have purchased 90 acres of woodland, a little up the River; have made proposals to Mr Foll. [McFall] but am yet waiting his answer, from his eastern correspondent.

Steam Engines & mills of any description will do well here, the more of such things you can bring, the better. for particulars on the foregoing I would refer you to my letter of the 21 ult which I hope you have received ere this.—

The

I am happy that it is my privilige to say to you that the large New Building which I had commenced when you were here, is now completed, and the doors are opened this day for the sale of goods for the first time. The foundations of the building is somewhat spacios, (as you will doubtless recollect.) for a country store, The principal part of [p. 1] the building below, which is nearly 10 feet high is devoted to exclusively to Shelves <&> drawers Except 1 door opening back into the space, on the left of which are the cellar & chamber stairs & on the Right the counting Room; from the space at the top of the chamber stairs, opens a door into the Large front room, of the same size with the one below. the walls lined with counters, covered with reserve goods. in f[r]ont of the stairs opens the door to my private office, or where I keep the sacred writings. with a window to the south, overlooking the River below & the opposite shore for a great distance, <which> together with the passage of boats in the season thereof, constitutes a peculiarly interesting situation, in prospect & no less interesting from its retirement from the bustle & confusion of the neighborhood & city, and altogether is a place the Lord is pleased to bless. 637

The painting of the store has been excuted by some of our English brethren. 638 & the counters, drawers & pillars present a very respectable representation of oak, mahagony & marble for a back woods establishment.

The Lord has blessed our exertions in a wonderful manner. and although some individuals have suceeded in detai[ni]ng goods to a considerable amount for the time being, yet we have been enabled to s[e]cure goods in the building Sufficient to fill aIl the shelves <& soon as they were completed> & have some in reserve, both in loft & cellar. Our assortment is tolerably good very good considering the different purchases made by differe[n]t individuals, at different times, and under circumstances which controuled their choice to some extent, but, I rejoice [p. 2] that we have been enabled to do as well as we have, for the hearts of many of the poor brethren & sisters will be made glad, with those comforts which are now within their reach. The store has been filled to overflowing all day, & I have stood behind the counter <all day myself> dealing out goods as steady as any clerk you ever saw to oblige those who were compelled to go without their <usual> Christmas & New years dinners for the want of a little sugar, molasses, Raisons &c. &c. & to please myself also for I love to wait upon the Saints, and be a servant to all hoping that I may be exalted in the due time of the Lord.

It is highly necessary that the store be well supplied with merchandise from this time forward, both for the interest of the church generally & the comfort of the brethren individually and as expences have been incurred already to a great amount in building the store, Temple, "Nauvoo house" &c &c a great many of the goods on hand will have to pass away on orders previous contracts, &c. & we shall be obliged to lean upon other resources <to a great extent> rather than the profits of goods, this winter, to supply a new stock in the spring, & for this reason as well as those before stated, & also, for your gratification in learning of our prosperity, I write you this early to disire you to have the money you are to get on the power of Attorney, of Mrs Smith ready for disposal in Philadelphia as soon as the rivers shall open, & I sincerely hope & trust that nothing will prevent your getting the money as you expect, so that it may be ready in deposit at Philadephia, or or so that you can meet Mr Whitney <at Phila>. or someone who may go for the goods at a time which may be appointed hereafter. So that we may have an [p. 3] early supply, of a spring selection. as you are aware that the first opening of a new assortment would be much to the advantage of the establishment, and I wish you to give me the earliest information possible, of any thing new, in relation to this, matter. With Sentiments of high consideration I remain your Brother in Christ,

Joseph Smith
pr. W. Richards, Scribe

Edward Hunter Esqr

West. Nantmeal Chester County
Pensylvania