Albert Carrington papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0549

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Albert Carrington papers (1847-1887) contain a collection of diaries that have been a part of the University of Utah library for many decades. These are all original documents and consist of letters, notes, certificates, deeds, financial accounts, tax records, receipts, and a few printed sheets. Because of the value of many of these documents, they have been photocopied for use by researchers.

The diaries, which are located in the first two boxes, cover the period from 1847 to 1886. Most have many blank pages and very sketchy information on his activities.

Boxes 3 and 4 contain the correspondence of Carrington and other documents. The family letters are mostly letters which he sent home to his wives and children while serving as president of the European Mission. Also included at the end of box 4 are various notes and transcriptions made by Carrington's great-granddaughter, Mirra Jacobs Bird, and a biography written by Steven H. Heath, a professor at Southern Utah University in Cedar City.

Dates

1847-1887

Creator

Carrington, Albert, 1813-1889 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

All boxes have been placed in Reserve. Photocopies are available in the collection for research use. Access to the original materials must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the items if being used.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical / Historical

Although Albert Carrington (1813-1889) was born in Royalton, Windsor County, Vermont, only a few miles from the birthplace of Joseph Smith, he did not meet the Prophet until 1844, only a few days before his martyrdom. A graduate of the Dartmouth College class of 1833 (graduated in 1834), Carrington taught school and studied law in Pennsylvania, later moving to Wisconsin where he was engaged in lead mining at the time of his conversion to the Church. His fine education and legal training enabled him to be of great service to the people of Utah. Soon after his arrival in 1847, Carrington was elected Salt Lake City clerk, historian, and postmaster. He was chairman of the committee which drafted the constitution for the Provisional State of Deseret and an officer in that state government. After the territorial government was organized, he served in the legislature. He helped survey the Great Salt Lake and was for eight years editor of the Deseret News.

Carrington rendered valuable service to the Church both in Utah and abroad as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve and an assistant counselor to President Brigham Young. Four times during the period from 1868 to 1882 he served two-year terms as president of the European Mission. In 1872 he journeyed throughout Europe and Asia Minor with George A. Smith of the First Presidency, fellow apostle Lorenzo Snow, and others under assignment from President Brigham Young. In March 1873 in Palestine the group held a solemn worship service on the Mount of Olives in which they, as Orson Hyde had done thirty-two years before, dedicated that land to the return of the Jews.

Because of his close association with Brigham Young (he had served as his secretary for over twenty years), Carrington was appointed one of the administrators of President Young's estate when he died in 1877. The settling of the huge and complex estate was a long and involved process because of the large number of heirs and the difficult relationship between personal and Church property held by President Young. At one point the three administrators, Albert Carrington, George Q. Cannon, and Brigham Young Jr., as well as President John Taylor, were sentenced to prison by an anti-LDS judge in connection with the settlement of Church property. All but President Taylor served three weeks of the sentence before the decision was reversed by a higher court.

Albert Carrington's service to the Church ended four years before his death. In November of 1885, he was tried by his fellow apostles, found guilty of adultery and excommunicated. Two years later he was rebaptized and died a member of the Church.

Extent

1.75 Linear Feet (5 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Albert Carrington papers (1847-1887) contain diaries, correspondence, and other documents that recount Carrington's life and dealings with his family, mission, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), business, school, politics, and other aspects of his life.