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William Henderson journal

 Item — Box: 1
Identifier: MSS 8210

Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten diary by Henderson, documenting the years 1885 to 1887 when he served as a missionary in the British Isles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He describes his journey from Utah to Liverpool with brother-in-law Anton Anderson, and he details his travels and ministry in Scotland, where he spent the entirety of his mission. Most of Henderson's religious, family, social, and tourist experiences as a missionary take place primarily in the southern part of the country in and around Glasgow and Edinburgh, but also in the northern region in Dundee and Aberdeen. Mission companions mentioned by Elder Henderson include: Elder Martin, Elder Ritchie, Elder Galt, Elder Lowe, and Elder Anderson. He also mentions associating with Elder B. H. Roberts in the summer of 1887.

Noteworthy transcriptions of documents and events contained in this diary include a blessing from Franklin D. Richards that set apart Henderson as a Mormon missionary, a letter Henderson writes to Apostle George Teasdale intended for inclusion in the Millennial Star, and a letter of appointment from George Teasdale requesting that Henderson preside over the Glasgow Conference in 1887.

In the last pages of his diary, Henderson lists names, locations, and dates of baby blessings and baptisms he performed during his mission. He also includes a summary of the letters he sends and receives between 1885 and 1887.

Dates

  • 1885-1887

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the William Henderson journal must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

William Henderson (1851-1932) was a Mormon missionary.

William Henderson was born in 1851 in Scotland to Robert and Mary Henderson and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1863. The Hendersons arrived in New York City during the Draft Riots in July of that year and travelled westward to Utah.

William Henderson, a polygamist, had three wives: Martha Gabriella Pearson, Eliza Hannah Easthope, and Keziah Jane Capell. He was imprisoned for two months during the winter of 1884 to 1885 for practicing polygamy; that summer Henderson was called to serve a mission to the British Isles. Henderson reconnected with many extended family members and conducted genealogy research as a missionary in Scotland.

Henderson later moved to Canada with his first wife Martha Gabriella Pearson and died there in 1932.

Extent

1 box (0.5 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Ken Alford, a professor of Church History at Brigham Young University, is William Henderson's great-great-grandson. He loaned the journal to Special Collections for photocopying and digitization, but had to return the original journal to his father in Ogden, Utah because of an inscription on the journal's first page that requires it to remain in the family.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Loaned and photocopied; Ken Alford; June 2013.

Appraisal

As a handwritten missionary journal dated 1885-1887, this journal fits in the 19th Century Western & Mormon Manuscripts collection.

Existence and Location of Originals

The original diary resides with the family.

Existence and Location of Copies

Photocopies available in Folder 1-25. Transcription available in Folder 26.

Processing Information

Processed; Annie Wiederhold; June 2013.

Title
Register of the William Henderson journal
Status
Completed
Author
Annie Wiederhold
Date
2013 June 19
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States