| Notes |
- Baldwin, Caleb, one of the early Elders of the (Mormon) Church, was born Sept. 2, 1791, at Nobletown, Orange co., New York. He served as an ensign under Captain Chas. Parker in the war of 1812. Becoming a convert to "Mormonism" he was baptized Nov. 14, 1830, by Parley P. Pratt. Soon afterwards he gathered with the early saint to Jackson county, Mo., and took part in the so-called battle on the Big Blue. In 1833 he was driven out of Jackson county with the rest of the saints, and subsequently settled in Caldwell county, Mo. In the fall of 1838 he was arrested on a trumped up charge and shared a prison cell with the Prophet Joseph Smith and others at Liberty, Clay co., Mo., during the winter of 1838–39. When the prisoners were detected in trying to make their escape by cutting a hole through the wall of the goal, and Judge Tillery was about to have them ironed and chained to the floor of their cells, Bro. Baldwin said to the judge: "Judge Tillery! If you put these chains on me, I will kill you, so help me God." The judge left without putting on the chains. Bro. Baldwin emigrated to Great Salt Lake Valley in the year 1848 and died in Salt Lake City June 11, 1849.
(from: LDS Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, UT: Andrew Jenson History Co., 1901.)
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Another version of how they got out of jail:
There is even good reason to believe that Governor Boggs himself was privy to their escape, and doubtless had a hand in the planning for it. At any rate such in effect was the statement of Samuel Tillery, the jailor at Liberty, to the prisoners about the time Sidney Rigdon was admitted to bail. He told the prisoners that Governor Boggs was heartily ashamed of the whole transaction against the "Mormons," and would be glad to set the prisoners free if only "he dared to do it." "But," said Tillery to the prisoners, "you need not be concerned, for the governor has laid a plan for your release." Tillery also said that Judge Burch had been instructed to so fix the papers that the prisoners would be clear from any incumbrances in a very short time. All which is so very like what took place with respect to the escape of the prisoners; as also with what would most likely be the views of Governor Boggs when he found that the treatment of the "Mormons" in Missouri was bringing so much reproach upon his administration, that his connivance at the escape of Joseph Smith and his associates was very likely.
(from: Roberts, Brigham H. Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830 - 1930,, - Vol. I-VII (7). )
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A third version:
They were chained together and fed on human flesh in prison by their Christian guards, and he continued to suffer with his brethren until April 15, 1839, when he started with Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Alex. McRae and Caleb Baldwin and guard, to go to jail in Columbia, Boone county, but on the night of the 16th, the sheriff fell asleep, the guard got drunk, and the prisoners left them, and went to their families and friends in Illinois.
(from: LDS Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, UT: Andrew Jenson History Co., 1901.)
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More:
...After the saints had left Clay County, Joseph Smith the Prophet, his brother Hyrum, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wright, Alexander McRae, and Caleb Baldwin were incarcerated on trumped-up charges in the Liberty Jail during the winter of 1838-39, awaiting trial, which never took place.
(from: Clay County in Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret News Publishing Co., 1941. )
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The case of Samuel Brown
In 1834 Samuel Brown chastens the Mormon church leadership for speaking against the Methodists. In a church trial to determine the status of Samuel Brown, "Caleb Baldwin testifies that Brother Brown said missionaries should not preach that the world in darkness, for they were not. He said he could not preach against the Methodists." His wife Nancy Baldwin and his son Caleb Clark Baldwin also testify, supporting Caleb's statements. Samuel Brown is forced to surrender his licenses of eldership and high priest. Brown is told to repent or be kicked out of the church altogether.
(source: Saints Without Halos, "The Minutes of August 1, 1834," http://www.saintswithouthalos.com/m/340801.phtml)
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Our Family History
1791 - 1848 (56 years)
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