1814 – Letter from an eager-to-please young man, who later would be ordained as a Latter-Day Saint High Priest by Joseph Smith, expressing his regret at not being able to complete a favor from one of the most prominent businessmen in New York City
New Haven, Connecticut: 1814, 1814. Envelope or Cover. This two-page stampless folded letter, measuring 16” x 10”” unfolded and datelined “New Haven March 1st, 1814,” was sent by Algernon Sidney Gilbert to Benjamin Aymar in New York City. It bears a manuscript “10” rating and an excellent strike of a scarce oval New Haven, Connecticut postmark dated March 1. In nice shape.
In this letter, Gilbert informs Ayar, a prominent shipping magnate, that although he “attended to your little errand with much pleasure but unfortunately could not find the Grammar” that Ayar had requested. He further explains that “During my momentary visit to N. York the disappointment of your good company was equally regretted” and recalls an “exquisite repast” that they had shared before,. Finally, he fawningly observes that although “I could hardly reconcile to my mind the necessity of a noncompliance with your polite billet. . .. I anticipate . . . that pleasure hereafter and . . . I should feel a lively satisfaction at all times in rendering you such favors as your public or private business may require. . ..”
Gilbert was born in New Haven in 1789, and, not long after he wrote this letter, moved to Ohio where later, in partnership with Newel K. Whitney, he opened a store in Kirtland. By 1830, both men joined the Latter-Day Saints, and Gilbert was ordained as an elder by Joseph Smith in the summer of 1831. Following a revelation, Smith directed Gilbert to open a “Lord’s Storehouse” in Independence, Missouri that would sell dry goods and groceries “without fraud. And thus provide for my saints, that my gospel may be preached to those who sit in darkness in the region . . .” and ordained him as a High Priest.
. Very good. Item #010752Gilbert’s store prospered, he ran afoul of Orson Hyde and Hyrum Smith, and in 1833, Joseph Smith recorded a revelation from the Lord that “I am not pleased with my servant . . . Sidney Gilbert. . ..” Sidney continued to serve the church despite the rebuke, and later that year kept his faith after anti-Mormon mobs destroyed his home and business, and local authorities imprisoned him. Upon his release, Gilbert and his family fled continued religious persecution in Jackson County and crossed the Missouri River to settle in Clay County and opened a story in Liberty, Missouri, where he shared his profits with less fortunate members of the church. After allowing a band of Mormon emigrants with cholera to camp on his land, Gilbert contracted the disease as well and died in 1834.
(For more information, see Sections 53 and 57 of the Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Bangerter and Black’s My servant Algernon Sidney Gilbert: provide for my Saints, and “Algernon Sidney Gilbert 1789-1834” at the Doctrine and Covenants Central website.)
At the time of listing, no other original material penned by Gilbert is for sale in the trade. The Rare Book Hub and ABSA show no original Gilbert writings have ever appeared at auction, and OCLC shows no original Gilbert writings are held by institutions.
.Price: $750.00