Open to public research.
Originals of Ledgers D, E, and F: Manuscripts Department, Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
Manuscript volumes removed from the Brigham Young financial records collection for separate processing:
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Permission to publish material from the Brigham Young financial papers must be obtained from the
Until 1968, all of the volumes were in the possession of Patience Thatcher, a great granddaughter of Brigham Young. In that year, Brigham Young University acquired Ledgers D, E, and F, from her. Subsequently, by purchase and gift, in 1976 and 1977, Utah State University obtained Ledger C, the checkbook, the receipt books, and photocopies (in 6 volumes) of ledger D, E, and F. In 1979, Utah State University acquired the remaining books and three boxes of original invoices, deeds, bills of sale and of lading, etc.
Originals of Ledgers D, E, and F: Manuscripts Department, Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
Ledger C originally written in the Deseret Alphabet; translation available.
Brigham Young financial papers, 1852-1882. (COLL MSS 042). Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives department.
Collection arranged numerically by assigned book number.
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The financial records of Brigham Young (1801-1877) comprise Manuscript Collection 42 in Special Collections and Archives, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University. The collection consists of 30 manuscript volumes (24 in original holograph and 6 in photocopy). The original holographs of the photocopied volumes are in the Manuscripts Department, Lee Library; Brigham Young University; Provo, Utah. Until 1968, all of the volumes were in the possession of a great granddaughter of Brigham Young. In that year, Brigham Young University acquired Ledgers D, E, and F, from her. Subsequently, by purchase and gift, in 1976 and 1977, Utah State University obtained Ledger C, the checkbook, the receipt books, and photocopies (in 6 volumes) of Ledgers D, E, and F. In 1979, Utah State University acquired the remaining books and three boxes of original invoices, deeds, bills of sale and of lading, etc.
In addition to detailing Brigham Young's personal financial affairs, the records also contain an almost comprehensive account of his actions as trustee-in-trust of the Church. In essence, they are financial records of the Church from 1859 to 1877. Despite the fact that from April 1873 to September 1, 1875, George A. Smith replaced Young as trustee-in-trust, it appears that the accounts were still entered in Young's ledgers.
The ledgers, the heart of the collection, show that little distinction was made in accounting between properties of the Church and Brigham Young's personal business interests. The 1859 opening date for Ledger C effectively disproves Leonard Arrington's contention that the mingling of records was due to church efforts to subvert the financial provisions of the 1862 Anti-Bigamy Act which limited the Church to $50,000 worth of real estate.* (An interesting sidelight to life in Utah in 1859 is that Ledger C is written in the Deseret Alphabet).
In addition to the ledgers, Collection 42 contains 23 other account books, including daybooks for the Brigham Young Store in the Beehive House, employee pay register, carding books, checkbooks (one covering Young's railroad construction contract in Echo and Weber Canyons in 1859), and various memoranda from Brigham Young's Barn and the Globe Bakery. A major series consists of receipt books showing expenses for the Gardo House in 1882 and receipts for payment of rents to the Brigham Young estate in1879-1882.
The financial papers consist of original invoices for purchases from ZCMI in 1869-1875, invoices and accounts of the B.K. Tannery, and the deeds and land transfers in 1852-1873, including plats of the site of the Ogden Union Depot. Miscellaneous items of special interest: the "Memoranda for Tabernacle at Centerville Ward", "Inventory of the B.Y. Store, January 1866", "Accounts due Brigham Young, October 1866", and a series of "Military Orders and Inventories, July 16, 1857, to September 18, 1863".
* Leonard J. Arrington, "The Settlement of the Brigham Young Estate, 1877-1879," Pacific Historical Review, XXI, pp 2-4. See also note 11, p. 4.
Original holograph volume in black ink on blue paper. Initial entries were written in the Deseret Alphabet and re-transcribed at a later date into the Latin Alphabet. Trustee-in-Trust accounts date between May 20, 1859 to August 30, 1862. The general inclusive dates for Brigham Young's personal accounts are 1859 to 1862, with one entry as early as 1857 and a few final transactions as late as 1868 and 1869.
Photocopy (in two volumes) of original holograph in the Manuscripts Department, Brigham Young University. Trustee in-Trust accounts generally date 1862-1864 with inclusive dates for scattered entries between November 20, 1861 and July 20, 1864. Young's personal accounts date from 1862 to 1864 with a very few entries as early as 1861.
Photocopy (in three volumes) of original holograph at Brigham Young University. Trustee in-Trust Accounts date from August 24, 1863 to April 28, 1871. Personal entries generally date between 1863 and 1870, with one entry in 1862 and many in 1876, the year Brigham Young transferred to others property previously held in his name (see page 259). Since entries are as late as 1879, and refer to the settlement of the Young Estate.
Photocopy of original holograph at Brigham Young University. Inclusive dates for the Trustee in-Trust accounts are September 4, 1870 to August 13, 1877 (sixteen days before Young's death). Personal business entries are generally between 1870 and 1877 with a few as early as 1868 and many as late as 1879 and the settlement of the Young estate.
Original printed forms with check stubs filled-in. Orders were signed by Brigham Young, Jr. Inclusive dates are July 18, 1868 to January 22, 1869 and seem to cover Young's expenses incurred on the Sharp and Young U.P.R.R. contract in Echo and Weber Canyons.
Original holograph volume. Entries show folio number were accounts were transferred to main ledgers. 241 pp.
240 pp. Holograph volume.
116 p. Lists employees and enterprise where employed. Weekly work schedule, pay per day, total pay in cash, Co-op orders, orders for cloth and provisions, and sigmature of person receiving pay.
Pages not numbered. Accounts and memoranda and daybook entries of Brigham Young's carding mill. Back of volume contains memoranda regarding carding from as early as 1848, including an agreenent with "A.Norton," March 1848. Other accounts not identified, but seen to be payments to carding machine employees.
Holograph volume.32 cm. 255 p. Pages 1-85 daily carding accounts. Pages 85-195 blank. Pages 196-255 carding machine expense.
Holograph. Leather notebook. Pages not numbered; seems to include payments in kind to employees.
Holograph. Leather notebook. Pages not numbered. Back pages are in Danish and show list of members of Danish Choir: "Der danske Sangchors Regnskalsbog, organiseret den 27 de Octbr 1863."
Black Leather. Pages not numbered. Daily Memoranda, possibly for Brigham Young Store.
Book of blank notes dated "18-," probably used as drafts by Brigham Young prior to the establishment of banks in Utah Territory.
(Same)
Receipts for payments of rents to the Estate of Brigham Young.
Receipts for payments of rents to the Estate of Brigham Young.
Receipts for payments of rents to the Estate of Brigham Young.
Receipts for payments of rents to the Estate of Brigham Young.
Receipts for payments of rents to the Estate of Brigham Young.
Receipts for payments of rents to the Estate of Brigham Young.
Receipts for payments of rents to the Estate of Brigham Young.
Receipts for payments of rents to the Estate of Brigham Young.
Receipts for payments of rents to the Estate of Brigham Young.
Receipts for payments of rents to the Estate of Brigham Young.
Receipts for payments, orders of Brigham Young for furniture, purchases by ZCMI, statement of dividends (1869, 1870)
Contents of boxes apparently shipment for Provo Woolen.
Credited to Disbursing Account.
William Glover to David Candland lot 5 Block 78, Salt Lake City.
lots 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Block 104 Manti City by Brigham Young and lot 1 Block 8 Big Field Survey 282 acres.
Brigham Young, Blocks 1 to 56 enclosure, Plat D, Salt Lake City.
Frederick Froerer to William Deft, S 1/2 acre, lot 4, Block 83, Salt Lake City.
Chandler Hotbrook to Brigham Young, lot 3, Block 20, Five Acre Plot, Salt Lake County.
Land Claim of Brigham Young to lots 1,2,3,4, Block 1 to 56, Plat D, Salt Lake City.
Isaac Chmse to Brigham Young, lot 6, Block 14, Bigfield 5 Acre Plat, Salt Lake City.
Elijah Averett to Brigham Young, Block 7, Big Field north of Manti.
Joseph E. Johnson to Brigham Young. Lot 8, Block 83, Plat A, Salt Lake City.
Isaac Brockbank to Robert A. Russell. SW corner, lot 5, Block 69, Plat A, Salt Lake City.
Land Claim of Brigham Young and Frederick Kester, lot 150, Big Cottonwood Survey, Salt Lake County.
John A. Wakeham and Mariah S. Durfie to Brigham Young, piece of ground 5 rods square in the North West Corner of lot 8, Block 74, Plat A
LeGrand Young to Judge E.H. Smith re: assignment on property June 14, 1873.
Tax Assesment for John Wakeharn.
Re: receipt of deep.
Young Property.
To Trustee in-Trust.
City Creek Saw Mill Timber Orders:
Inventory of Stock on hand of Brigham Young's Private Store.