“We called to se[e] squire Adam Black who was mainfestly an enimy of ours, for the evidences were before us that he did last summer unite himself to a band of mob[b]ers to drive our brethern from the County and to prohibit them from settleing in the County and that personally warned many of said bretheren to leave in a certain given time or they should be further delt with ... we presented him with a paper to sign which was an article of peace, but he being jealous of us would not sign it but said he would draw one himself and sign it to our sattisfaction, he did so, and we left him in peace,” — Joseph Smith¹

Adam Black (1801-1890) was a farmer, sheriff, justice of the peace, and judge in Missouri. Born in Kentucky, he moved to Missouri in 1819 and held various public offices, including sheriff and assessor of Ray County. In 1833, he relocated to what eventually became Daviess County, where he served as a justice of the peace and county judge. In 1838, Black was involved in the conflicts with Latter-day Saints in Missouri and pressured them to leave Daviess County.² Joseph Smith, Lyman Wight, Sampson Avard, and other Saints demanded Black sign a statement ensuring fair treatment for the Saints in Missouri, which he refused. Joseph eventually negotiated a peaceful resolution, and Black signed a document saying the Saints’ rights would be protected. However, Black later accused Joseph and Lyman of intimidation, saying he was threatened with “instant death,” which lead to further hostilities and legal tensions in the region. In September, Joseph responded to the charges made against him, and Black admitted to having lied about his accusations. Nonetheless, Joseph was ordered to return for a trial.³

1. 7-9 July 1838, Journal, March–September 1838, josephsmithpapers.org

2. “Black, Adam,” josephsmithpapers.org; 7-9 July 1838, Journal, March–September 1838, josephsmithpapers.org

3. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 28, 327-328; Historical Introduction, Journal, March–September 1838, josephsmithpapers.org