Correspondence Between John S. Fullmer and Josiah Stowell, Jr.   BYU Studies published this article in BYU Studies 38, no.3 (1999)      "In 1843, Mormon missionary John S. Fullmer encountered difficulties proselyting in Pennsylvania due to widespread rumors regarding Joseph Smith’s youthful activities in that state and in New York. In an effort to overcome local opinion, Fullmer wrote to Josiah Stowell Jr. asking for a statement regarding Joseph Smith’s character. Josiah and Joseph had been schoolmates and friends from 1825 to 1827, when Joseph worked for Josiah Stowell Sr. The following letter of response from Josiah Stowell Jr., including a postscript by Josiah Stowell Sr., conveys their firsthand knowledge of Joseph Smith’s character. Most people who wrote about Joseph Smith during his lifetime were either faithful Latter-day Saints or carping critics. As one would expect, their respective viewpoints tended to influence that which they wrote. Unlike his father, however, Josiah Stowell Jr. never converted to the new faith. In fact, he kept aloof from all denominations. His letter of reply to John S. Fullmer thus provides a rare report by one who was both impartial in his religious convictions and well acquainted with Joseph during the time the Prophet was preparing to receive the golden plates. In addition, the elder Stowell’s postscript provides us with the testimony of one of the earliest believers in the divinity of Joseph Smith’s prophetic mission. The interchange between Fullmer and the Stowells offers two distinct and significant perceptions of the young Joseph Smith."   To download a PDF of the actual letter: The Josiah Stowell Jr.–John S. Fullmer Correspondence Mark Ashurst-McGee   The LDS Church Archives cataloged the Fullmer and Stowell letters in 198o and 1972, respectively. This and many other writings of John S. Fullmer are also found in " John Solomon Fullmer, The Man and His Writings complied by Jerry D. Wells and published by Brigham Young University.  For more information about this book please e-mail me at RichardWinmill@yahoo.com.  I will put you in touch with the compiler.    Letter from John S. Fullmer to Josiah Stowell, Jr.   John S. Fullmer's Letter to Josiah Stowell Jr.   Cambria, Luzerne Co. Penn. Josiah Stowell Jr. Esqr.}    February 10th 1843 Elmira N. Y. Dear Sir, I hope you will pardon pardon me for the liberty I am taking in ad­dressing you this letter, which is intended, not as an obtrusion, but to elicit a statement of facts which came under your own personal observation, or such as you know to be facts from circumstances with which you are well acquainted, relative to the youthful, and also more mature character of Joseph Smith Jun your play mate and school fellow, but now the leader of the "Latter day Saints." I have been laboring now for some weeks in this section of the coun­try, by way of preaching the gospel as understood by the said Smith and others, and find here a great deal of opposition and persecution, in consequence of the reputed bad character of Mr. Smith in his youth, and the consequent deception he is practicing upon the public. Being convinced of the great injustice done him everywhere in alleging charges of the most heinous character against him, which are ver­ily believed by the people here, and greatly to the prejudice of the spread of the gospel in this section; and having recently had an opportunity of con­versing with you, (while at your house together with Mr. Bird) on the sub­ject and learned that you were his youthful companion, and had, on many occasions, defended his character from the fulsome abuse of the slanderer; I cannot forbear to solicit from you a statement of such things as you feel warranted in making in his defense and in defense of the truth, and more especially as you are not a member of the Church. It is here stated and verily believed, that he, Smith, was a gambler, a Black leg, a notorious horse jockey, an adept at the slight of hand or juggling, and was notorious for frequenting grogshops, and intemperance, and that he was also exceedingly profane, etc. etc. Now if this matter can be answered to the satisfaction of some half a dozen persons in this neighborhood, it would have quite a beneficial effect here; besides, it would be a vindication of the character and reputation of one who is receiving more than his share of misrepresentation and abuse. I have openly and boldly denied these charges, and although not required to prove a negative, have <still> agreed to do so in several instances, which if I can do, through you, will set the matter at rest in this place. I hope you will take the trouble, (if you think me reasonable in re­questing it,) to answer in reply to those charges as soon as circumstances will possibly admit of your doing so; I should be pleased to have you make also such general remarks as the occasion seems to require. I should be pleased also to have the old gentleman, your father, subscribe to as much of your reply as he is knowing to. Address to Cambria etc. as above. Give my compliments to all that I had the pleasure of seeing at your house and to Mr. Bird, should you see him. Very Respectfully Jno: S. Fullmer P .S. I would gladly pay the postage on this letter; but to tell the truth I have not got it. Am laboring without purse or scrip, and without compensa­tion, only such good as I may be the means of doing while on my mission. and may God bless you and yours. Send yours without paying postage. J. S. F.     Letter from Josiah Stowell, Jr. to John S. Fullmer   Letter from Josiah Stowell Jr.  to John S. Fullmer Chemung Feb 17th 1843 Mr J S Fullmer I rec[eive]d yours of the 10 Feb on the 14th and have binn so busy that I Could not answer it until now & now I will as near as I can at this time you will know tis a Perplixing time for business men & my mind is fully Engaged in my business on ac[coun]t of the great derangement of the currency[.] I will give you a short history of what I know about Joseph Smith Jr. I have binn Intemetely acquainted with him about a years he then was about 20 years old or there about. I also went to school with him one winter[.]" he was a fine likely young man & at that time did not Profess religion he was not a Profain man although I did onc[e] in a while hear him swair. He never gambled to my knowledge I do not believe he ever did. I well know he was no Hoars Jocky for he was no judge of Hoarses I sold him one[.] that is all I ever knowd he dealt in the kind[.] I never new him to git drunk. I believe he would now and then take a glass,  He never Pretended to Play the Slight of hand nor Black leg.  It was fashionable at that time to drink Liquor. I do not Believe in any religion & there fore am friendly to all. I Believe that there is a heaven & hell & those that do not right here through there lives will be damned but still I believe I do right myself I State this for facts that any thing from what I have said about Joseph Smith that is wors than I say is fals & untru [end of first page] I am [a]fraid you Cannot read what I have wrote my pen is Poor I am in a glassy & tired after doing a hard days work                I am yours truly                   Josiah Stowell   I now write you for my father he says what I have wrote you is true & he has been acquainted with him 6 years & he never knew anything of him but that was right als[o] know him to be a Seer & a Phrophet & Believe the Book of mormon to be str-ue true & all these Stories is fals & untue that is told about Joseph Smith[.] Im yours truly & Reply[,] you Brother in the Churgh of Latter day Saints             Josiah Stowell By J Stowell, Jr.