Correspondence: Simeon Adams DUNN and Brigham YOUNG

Letter to Brigham Young from Simeon Adams DUNN 10 Jun 1860
Courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Archives

CR 1234 1 /reel 37/ Box 27/ Folder 11/ begins image 1414

Front Page: Brigham City June 10, 1860
Simeon A. Dunn to B. Young
Wishes to know if he has or has not forfeited the privileges of being counseled as a son.

Recd. June 18, 1860/ Answered June 18, 1860
Brigham City June 10th 1860

Pres. Brigham Young Dear Sir
I avale my self of this opertunity to communicate to you some of my feelings. Having for a long time had a desire to talk with you, but having but few opertunities to even take you by the hand much less to talk with you. You will pleas(e) to pardon me for my thus interrupting you.

I still remember of coventing with you before the Lord in his house at Nauvoo to receive your council as a Father and
you to Council me as a son. Now this is what I wish to know if I have or have not forfeited that Covnent in your estimation.

I have never disobeyed your Council directly to me but once to my recollection and I have repented of that with sorrowing ever since. That was in relation to accompanying you to these vallies with the pioneers, if any other time I am not aware of it. Now Bro Brigham for this offense I conceive that you are intitled to my humble acknowledgement which I tender you sincerely—and if there is anything else that I have done to injure your feelings, I pray you to forgive me. I will say if there is anything that I have said or done it has been threw ignorance not feeling the responsibility that I was under.

Now I will tell you my reasons why I address you this letter. Ever since we have been in the vallies I never had four to
approach you with that freedom that I did in times before. The reasons which I have never been able to solve which has given me a great many unpleasant feelings. Sometimes I try to attribute it to a spirit of jealousy. I think when I approach you and Bro Kimble there is a spirit of repulsion, If I am correct in my feelings I wish to know the cause of this affect. If I have commited any sin that I have not repented of or any that cannot be repented of is a fact that I have not ascertained as yet. Therefore, if I have not entirely forfeited my right to your council if you will inform me on this point, and do feel free to give me a few words of comfort with your council what correct a person. It will be received with thankfulness and as a preshus jewel.

When I imbraced this gospel it was for the truth sake. I have never altered my mind, but I desire a full and compleat
Salvation, and I am just as willing to comply with any requisition of the gospel pertaining to my everlasting Salvation as I was to enter into baptism for the remission of my sins. My determination is by the help of the Lord and my good brethren to strive (not withstanding my many weaknesses) to be worthy to stand the test and gain a selestial glory, not withstanding I may come far short.

At the time of the reformation I made all things strait on my part as far as I was able with my brethren and have strove since to live my religion notwithstanding I find I have come far short of my privilege and come short of the blessings where(?)

No more at this time. I am your friend and brother in the everlasting gospel.
signed: Simeon A Dunn

Pres. Brigham Young
Pleas write if you feel free so to do.

Letter to Simeon Adams DUNN from Brigham YOUNG 18 Jun 1860
Courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Archives

GSL City June 18, 1860
http://www.dkwilde.com/Genealogy/Dunn/Dunn_and_Silver_Letters.pdf

Elder Simeon A. Dunn,
Brigham City, Box Elder Co, U.T.
Dear Brother,
I was not in the least aware of the state of your feelings as expressed in your letter of the 10th inst., neither do I know
why they are so. There neither is nor has been any feeling on my part toward you to cause the feelings you describe, for I have ever deemed that you have striven and are striving to do the best you can, and know of nothing prejudicial to your course and conduct in well doing.

No counsel occurs to me at present, further than for you to continue to strive to live your religion as you have hitherto
done; and when temptations assail redouble, if possible, your vigilance, and, so far as I know, no evil power can
overcome you or cause you to come short of the glory you have in view.

Hear (here) harbor no suspicions nor jealous feelings, for there is no ground for them on my part and be so kind as to
ever meet me, and communicate with the friendship of old which is felt and will be cordially reciprocated by

Your Brother in the Gospel
(signed) Brigham Young

Letter to Brigham YOUNG from Simeon Adams DUNN 14 Apr 1874

Courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Archives

April 14, 1874 North Stratford, N. H.
Recd. April 21
Pr Brigham Young

Dear Brother,
You will notice by this my present whereabouts, I arrived here on the 10th when writing the other sheet. I was in
Canada and calculating to mail at Buffalo having not put it in the envelope. I laid it in my note book and going from
Buffalo in some what of a hurry I forgot to mail after I wrote the first I began to see some of the fruits of my labours in Canada to one of my brothers sons confessed their conviction of the truth of the gospel and circumstance was such that I that (thought) it would be wise to not make a public thing of it and they went to work to arrange their business for to migrate to Utah. They thought they would be there next fall. I have got 1 appointment out here and as far as I can see things look very faleonable (favorable).

I am no wise discoraged as yet. When I get my work done here I exspect to go to Newark New Jersey or more
espeacely where the spirit directs. According to my appointment on my mission is to stay as long as I feel and return
when I feel disposed to if not I am subject to your order. My present PO will (be) North Stratford N. H. on the Grand Trunk R. R.

As ever your Humble servant and Bro in the Gospel of peace.
S. A. Dunn Senior

Bottom: April 2 and 13 Simeon A. Dunn about his missionary travels in the states.

See Letter to Harriet's mother.
See more DUNN letters: http://www.dkwilde.com/Genealogy/Dunn/Dunn_and_Silver_Letters.pdf
Also Thanks to the family history work of Paula Paradise and Karen Rasmussen and others.

Letter to Sophia E. Silver from son in-law Simeon Adams Dunn

above pages 1 and 4 / below pages 2 and 3

Courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Archives

Letter from Simeon A. Dunn
To Sophia E. Silver (Harriet Atwood Silver Dunn's Mother)

[Written about 1859 a year after Harriet's death]

Dear Mother – Agreeable to Harriett’s request I would fain lay before you the plan of our holy religion that Harriet Esteemed so highly if I could see in your writing a spirit of inquiry I would direct you to that peaceful home that Harriet is now in possession of, through her obedience and careful adherence to the principals of the gospel of Salvation without which no one can enter that rest; this is my testimony which is faithful and true. My little Henry is also gone with his mate Little Harriet A to rest in the bosom of his Mother to wate the resurrection of the just, which if I am faithful I shall receive with all those little ones that I have parted with in this life, with their mothers at their sides to dwell with me on this Earth when wickedness and death shall be known no more on this earth; David says the righteous shall inherit Earth; This is a blessing that will attend the Righteous when the wicked shall not be.

N.B. Serve the Cause of godliness;

S. A. Dunn

I in my last conversation with Harriet I asked her if she would name the Babys. She said you better name them. I called them Harriet Atwood and Henry Silver. She said she would like to have that their names; She also wished me to get what was owing to her from her Father’s estate and use it in raising and schooling her children this is the reason that I have written in relation to it; you say that it is not agreeable to the Law of that State unless I would give bale that the money should be kept for the children when they become of age; it is but a small sum but if I had it now it somewhat to the comfort of the Children in their present condition; if it is that necessary to give bonds for the faithful payment of that amount to be divided to each of them as they become of age I am willing to do so. It will place the money in my hands; I can use it for their comfort; also be bound to them for principal and interest.

As it regards what you have paid or what we have rec, I am ignorant but I presume you are correct; I presume we have rec all that you have sent as far as you have given an account of therefore I am willing to sign the receipt; if you will procure it there among your friends for me I will sign a bond and you can have it made out and send it to me; I will sign it and return it to you. A check can be forwarded to me payable in N.Y. or St. Lewis. I can draw the money here on the for the check; all this is in your own hands as I shall take no steps to collect it myself against your will; Enough of that.

As it regards the difficulty between us and the US it is all settled; yet whereas we had all good order and good will towards all men we now have in our midst disorder of all kinds; drinking, gambling, ling, hordom, rapepine and murder… This is the way US introduces sivilization in the lands of the heathen as they term it.

As we were obliged to leave our homes last spring and flee before our enemies in order to evade collision with the US and for the safety of our wives and children we have been deprived of raising any crops this year; Altho we are all back in our homes yet we are destitute of many of the comforts of life that we might have had if we could have stayed at home in peace. Yet we trust in our God for deliverance. He has delivered us so far; and he has said that it is his business to provide for his Saints; & WE KNOW THAT WE ARE HIS SAINTS

My family is now enjoying good health at present. The children are all going to school that is old enough. Simeon A is learning very fast. He is a bright boy. They all send their love to their grandmother, uncles, ants, & cousins. I have got me another woman. She is an elderly woman; has but one child and she is married. My woman proves to be a good and a feeling mother to my children and a comfort to me.

Write often.

[to] Sophia E. Silver Simeon A Dunn

Letters Home from Harriet Atwood SILVER DUNN

From Lee Library Home Page, Brigham
Young University:

Harriet Silver Dunn, 1818-1857 and Simeon Adams Dunn, 1803-1883

Letters of Harriet and Simeon Dunn, 20 April 1844, Nauvoo; 21 June 1846, Camp of Israel; 8 October 1848, Salt Lake Valley.

In the absence of diaries, these letters provide snapshots of the three phases of the Mormon movement west. The first is from Nauvoo, the second from Winter Quarters, and the third written after the arrival in the Salt Lake Valley.

Simeon Adams Dunn [1803-1883] was born in Groveland, New York on August 7, 1803. He eventually moved to Michigan, marrying his first wife Adaline Rawson in 1828. His brother James came as a Mormon missionary to his home in 1838; Simeon was baptized in April 1839. He moved to Nauvoo in 1840 with his wife and three children. He served several missions for the Church during the Nauvoo period. While in Nauvoo Simeon served as a policeman, helped in the construction of the Nauvoo Temple, and received his endowments in December 1845. His first wife died during this period. In 1845 he married Margaret Snyder, with whom he had two additional children. She died shortly after the birth of their second child. He married again, to Jane Caldwell, but the marriage was of a short duration.

When he left Nauvoo on 18 May 1846, he traveled with his four young daughters. He also served as a policeman in Winter Quarters. It was there that he met and married Harriet Atwood Silver on 3 January 1847. This new family left Winter Quarters on 16 May 1848 and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on 28 September 1848. He served another mission, this time to the South Sea Isles, from 1850 to 1852. Following his return home, they made their home in Brigham City, Utah, and they were the parents of six additional children, including two sets of twins. Harriet died in childbirth in December 1857. Unfortunately, we lack the detail for Harriet's life that we have for Simeon.

The first item displayed is Harriet's 20 April 1844 letter to her parents in Bloomfield, Vermont. It conveys her deep faith in the religion she has accepted, and asks that her parents understand her choice.

The second item is her letter to her parents, dated Camp of Israel, 21 June 1846. It reaffirms her faith and choices.

The third item, also to her parents, but signed by both Harriet and Simeon, is dated the Salt Lake Valley, 8 October 1848. It contains a summary of their pioneering trek to the Great Basin.

http://net.lib.byu.edu/imaging/into/lvnauvoo/29adlfs.html

Letters of Harriet and Simeon Dunn, 20 April 1844, Nauvoo; 21 June 1846, Camp of Israel; 8 October 1848, Salt Lake Valley.

Transcription:

Nauvoo April 20 1844

Dear Farthr &;Mother

Your kind letter of March 27 was recd April 18 and it rejoiced me verry mutch in receiving the same in hearing from you &;that you wher [all well?] and as well situated as you stated you where as to reguards matters of local interest and at the same time in view of the feeling that you express about my leaving I have reasons to regrett on your Accounts and it is in view of the sorrow you seem to have in my leaving my ones happy home my kindred &;friends know more to see them again for ever it was a great trial for me sure to do but the matter I well considered before I left Cabbotvill but in view of the knowledge that I have concerning my [ ? ] will I was fore his sake constrained to sackrafice all Earthly things to do as he has Commanded and that is in the language of John to come out of [her?] my peopell that you be not partakers of [her?] sins &;ye receive not of her plauges. and oh Dear Farther &;Mother if you could but realise for a moment the destruction that the mighty God of Jacob is to pore out upon this nation and that [?] with in the course of a few more setting suns your [trouble?] would not be a bought your absent daughter but it would be in making all hastey preperation to come &;meet her [weither?]-- it should be in the peakes of the woods or on the shores of the Pacifict and in as mutch as this is probiley the last communication that you will receive from me fore the present and prehaps the last for ever And I want that you should remember what I say, and that is that this religion that I heave embraced is the religion of Heaven and that God is with this peopel [p. 2] and I know that sutch is the case and their is not enney thing under the Heavens but what I would be willing to pass through to [be] with this peopel. You seems to think that it is verry straing that Mrs Brook should of left her Husband in the way that she did and that and that sister King you mention but did you ever think what the savior said concerning sutch matters he said he that would not leave Farther &;Mother &;Sisters &;Brothers Wifes &;Husbands &c.;For my Name sake was not fit for the kingdom of Heaven and the same causes will produce the same affect in theis dayes as they did in thoes days in regeard to the case of Sister King it was not as you stated for she &;my self in connection with Sister Brook may come in company togeather and there was know Mormon Elder that run a way with enny of but with our own accord we left the land &;home that gave us birth for the purpos of being numbered among his peopel and to heave our naimes rote in the Lambs book of life and I as yet have now reason to be sorrey neither am I I would not your lack a gain to him for a world but the desir of my heart is to be on the march for my new home in the far distant West and if you was only a long with me and my Brothers &;Sisters I should feel happey and may God grant that you should be wise for yourselves that you may choose that better part that never can be taken from you and that is his spirit that will guid you into all truth &;show you things to come but that [dost ver?] you do not believe and that is what produces the difference between us but you shall ever heare my prayer &;best wishes and if we should not heare the privalidge of meeting again in this World may I conduct myself in sutch a wa that I shall be able to come up in the morn of the first resurrection and heave the power to make yours graves yeald its keeping and to heave [p 3 of letter] you come up in newness if life where we shall be parted know more for ever but to walk the golden streets of the new Jerusalem and while the iternal ages shall role away themselves a way to walk in the presents of God &;the Lamb and sing our loud hallayahs for Ever &;Ever Amen Amen ..................... in regeard to my journey to this place I can say it was truely a good one the tim pasd plesently a way we meet with know accidents what ever we was 15 dayes from the time we left home till we arrived hear I shall start in Company of abought 5000 the first of May a part of the Saints started in March and are on their journey, with spirits as boyant as air, you can rite to me as often as you choose their will be a line of Communication keep opend from this place to our Br in the west for a year or more to come and theier will be thoes [who?] will be emigrating from Nauvoo to the West constantley all the time and if ennay of you want to come &;be with us you can come this way if you choose when you wright you will want to direct it to me as follows Harriet A Silver Isreal Camp Camp of Isreal and a sheet of paper around it and the outside one directed to Mr Almond W Babbitt Esp. [P M?] Nauvoo requesting him to forward the one to me the first opportunity and please pay the postage to this [place?] so he shall heave know troubl a bought it

I remain as Ever your Affectionat

Daughter Harriet A Silver

I received a letter from Adeline at the same time the onely time I have herd from her, but you must all [written on p 3] write often

Courtesy of the Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University