Chipmans From Canada Found Trouble At DeWitt

From DeWitt To Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois

An excerpt from The Chipman's Family's Life Among The Mormons from the History of Leeds and Grenville Ontario from 1749 to 1879... below:

In January, 1837, Ami Chipman [and family were]...enroute for the Mormon El Dorado, in the far west. From [St. Louis]... they proceeded up the Missouri river...[and]...proceeding to Grand River, they found the Mormons encamped in considerable numbers... .

After remaining three weeks at this point, Ami Chipman and a friend named William Dickson determined to abandon Mormon life and return home. They set out and reached Quincy, where they met a large number of Mormons, and among the number, several old friends and neighbors, by whom they were induced to turn back to the Missouri River, to a place called DeWitt.  At DeWitt the Mormons were surrounded by a mob and threatened with extermination. The Mormons numbered about two hundred men, women and children. Skirmishing was kept up for some time, until a steamboat arrived, by which a message was despatched to the Governor of the State, asking for protection. The Governor, whose name was Boggs, paid no attention to the message but sent word to the mob " to kill every Mormon." In the interval the Mormons at Fairwest came to the rescue of their brethren and raised the siege and escorted them to Fairwest. Chipman, and his friends...camped out in the woods, about two miles from the Mormon headquarters.

The Governor of the State called out the militia, about two thousand strong, and pursued the Mormons, many of whom were taken prisoners, including Chipman and his friends. At night they encamped, a small fire was built, around which was placed a guard of militia with orders to fire upon any captive who attempted to make his escape. Chipman and the other members of the party were without anything to eat during the entire day, but during the night were given some flour and salt, which they mixed with water on the end-board of a wagon, baking the mixture in the coals. The prisoners were retained in custody for two days and two nights.

A compromise was effected by which it was agreed that the heads of the Mormon Church should surrender themselves as hostages, the remainder of the Mormons to be set free. Accordingly, Brigham Young, Lee, Lyman White, Lyman P. Pratt, Austin Pratt, and others, surrendered and were incarcerated in Clay County Gaol; subsequently they were tried and acquitted. They then proceeded to found the City of Nauvoo, Stephen Byington turning the first sod. Mr. Chipman longed to return to Canada, but at that time all new comers were closely watched and were not permitted to leave the Mormon camp.

This link contains Mormon War petitions.

An interesting link about The Missouri Old Sow Cannon can be seen here.