Better Information
Raw Information about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Original documents and sources


Eliza Winters


   Levi Lewis states, that he has been acquainted with Joseph Smith Jr. and Martin Harris, and that he has heard them both say, adultery was no crime.  Harris said he did not blame Smith for his (Smith's) attempt to seduce Eliza Winters &c.;
Full Source
External Link
Mormonism Unvailed, E.D. Howe, pg 268
Levi Lewis account
E.D. Howe
1834
   Levi Lewis states, that he has "been acquainted with Joseph Smith Jr. and Martin Harris, and that he has heard them both say, adultery was no crime. Harris said he did not blame Smith for his (Smith's) attempt to seduce Eliza Winters &c.;"
(Note:  Levi's brother, Hiel Lewis, reproduced this statement in a "Reply to Elder Caldwell," published in the Amboy Journal on August 6, 1879)

   Mrs. Eliza Winters Squires, now living in Oakland borough, was often at Smith's house and much in Mrs. Smith's company. The young women were on very intimate terms, and very many times did Mrs. Smith tell her young friend about the finding of the golden plates or the golden Bible.<br>
   ...Mrs. Eliza Winters Squires was born in 1812, in Delaware County, N. Y.  She came with her mother, Mrs. Winters, to this place and settled near the McKune Cemetery in 1825.  She was married to Elisha Squires in 1837.
External Link
Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, pgs 554 & 557
Rhamanthus M. Stocker statement
Mrs. Rhamanthus M. Stocker
1887
   Mrs. Eliza Winters Squires, now living in Oakland borough, was often at Smith's house and much in Mrs. Smith's company. The young women were on very intimate terms, and very many times did Mrs. Smith tell her young friend about the finding of the "golden plates" or the "golden Bible."
   ...Mrs. Eliza Winters Squires was born in 1812, in Delaware County, N. Y. She came with her mother, Mrs. Winters, to this place and settled near the McKune Cemetery in 1825. She was married to Elisha Squires in 1837.

No Preview Available
External Link
Susquehannah County Courthouse
Accusation against Martin Harris
B.T. Case
7 Feb, 1833
   Martin Harris late of said county, yeoman, was attached to answer Eliza Ann Winters, a minor under the age of twenty one years, who sued by her next friend Benjamin Comfort, of a plea of trespass on the case, & And Whereupon the said Eliza Ann Winters, by Benjamin Comfort, her next friend, complain that whereas she the said Eliza Ann Winters is a good, true, honest, chaste and faithful citizen of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and of good name, fame, behavior and character, and so amongst all her neighbors and others to whom she was known deservedly hath been esteemed of a good name, fame, behavior and character and free from all hint of fornication and from all suspicion of committing such crime. By reasons whereof the said Eliza Ann Winters the favor, good will and esteem of all her neighbors and others to whom she was known deservedly did acquire and gain. Nevertheless the said Martin Harris not being ignorant of the premises, but continuing and maliciously intending, the said Eliza Ann Winters not only of her good name, credit and esteem to deprive, but also to render her infamous and scandalous among her neighbors aforesaid. And also the said Eliza Ann Winters into danger of the penalties of the law against fornicators made to induce & bring - the first day of November, in the year one thousand, eight hundred & thirty two, at the county aforesaid, (and having discourse then and there with divers persons of & concerning the said Eliza these false, feigned, and scandalous English words, in substance as follows, of and concerning the said Eliza Ann Winters, in the ... hearing of those persons, falsely & unjustly did say, speak, and with a loud voice proclaim & publish to wit, "She" (the said Ann Eliza Winters ...) has had a bastard child," by means of the speaking and publishing of which said false and scandalous words, the said Ann Eliza Winters in her good name and fame aforesaid is grievously hurt and injured. To the damage of the said Ann Eliza Winters of one thousand dollars. And therefore she brings her suit, &c.
(Note:  In a letter dated May 7, 1833 Martin's brother Emer wrote "Altho we have found many apposers & bitter Enimyes, the Lord revward them according to their deed. The 24th of Last January Bro. Martin was taken a prisenor on a fals charge of standen went to prison a few days until we got Bail to answer to Cort the Last Monday in April, or we should probably have been to the Ohio before this time. But it is now put over until the next September tirm;" On September 3, 1833, judgment was "entered against the plaintiff," meaning against Eliza Winters. The original document is located in the Susquehannah County courthouse basement. A facsimile is in the possession of Mark B. Nelson. Please contact me if you have any information regarding it.)

   Mrs. Elizabeth Squires, who is about seventy years old, was present at the interview with Mrs. McKune. She always lived in that neighborhood, and thoroughly corroborated Mrs. McKune in all her statements, and often prompted her in her recollections of fifty years ago. The interview occurred at Mrs. Squires' residence, where Mrs. McKune chanced to be visiting. They unite in saying that Joe Smith never made a convert at Susquehanna
External Link
The Sources of Information, Broome Republican, Binghamton, NY, Vol 73, No 6,
1880 Interview
Broome Republican
28 Jul, 1880
   Mrs. Elizabeth Squires, who is about seventy years old, was present at the interview with Mrs. McKune. She always lived in that neighborhood, and thoroughly corroborated Mrs. McKune in all her statements, and often prompted her in her recollections of fifty years ago. The interview occurred at Mrs. Squires' residence, where Mrs. McKune chanced to be visiting. They unite in saying that Joe Smith never made a convert at Susquehanna
(Note:  Nothing about a relationship with Joseph Smith was recorded here.)

kimballthenom@yahoo.com