“We, the individuals and members of our community, have also determined in mass to do the same with their effects, and have empowered agents to sell. The bearer, Mr. Babbitt, is empowered to represent as our authorized agent all our said property and interest in this city and county.” — Willard Richards¹

Almon Babbitt was born in 1812 in Cheshire, Massachusetts. Baptized around 1830, Babbitt served multiple missions and held other leadership roles.² In October 1845, Babbitt traveled to confer with Catholic leaders in St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Chicago to negotiate the sale or lease of these properties.³ By 1846, he was appointed one of five trustees responsible for the financial and temporal affairs of Nauvoo. He also played a role in the Battle of Nauvoo and signed the surrender treaty in September 1846, marking the final departure of the Saints from the city.⁴ After the main body of Saints left, it was burned by an arsonist, purchased by French communal group, destroyed by a tornado, and finally razed to the ground.⁵

1. Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to John Baptist Purcell et al., 31 Oct. 1845, copy, General Correspondence, Outgoing, 1843-1876, Brigham Young Office Files, CR 1234 1, catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org

2. “Babbitt, Almon Whiting,” josephsmithpapers.org;

3. “Almon Babbitt Conferred with Catholic Leaders,” josephsmithpapers.org;

4. “Almon Babbitt,” churchofjesuschrist.org; “Babbitt, Almon Whiting,” josephsmithpapers.org;

5. “Nauvoo Temple,” churchofjesuschristtemples.org