James Jesse Strang collection

Collection

Call Number: WA MSS 447

James Jesse Strang collection

Scope and Contents: The James Jesse Strang Collection documents and explores the life of religious leader, politician and self-proclaimed monarch James Jesse Strang and the development of the Church of Jesus Christ (Strangites).

James Jesse Strang and Church of Jesus Christ (Strangites) Collection, 1832-1869, (Series I) represents the bulk of the material in the collection. It consists of more than 550 items that relate to the early life of Strang as well as his founding of what became known as the Church of Jesus Christ (Strangites) and through his death in 1856. It includes substantial examples of his correspondence as well as church documents. The correspondence includes the "letter of appointment," June 18, 1844, attributed to Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which Strang and his followers believed designated him as the successor to Smith.

Charles Jesse Strang Papers, 1871-1898, (Series II) consists of material collected by Charles Jesse Strang about his father, James Jesse Strang and the Church of Jesus Christ (Strangites).

Milo Milton Quiafe Papers, 1870-1947, (Series III) consists of material, 1870-1947, collected by Quaife for his book, Kingdom of St. James (New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 1930). Significant portions of the early material in this series were likely initially collected by Charles Jesse Strang, circa 1870-1916, and augmented afterward by the collecting of his brother Clement James Strang.

Visual Resources, 1870-1943, (Series IV) consists of original photographs and prints as well as copy photographs of portraits, documents, and publications related to James Jesse Strang and the development of the Church of Jesus Christ (Strangites).
Language of Materials: In English.
Conditions Governing Access: This collection is open for research.

James J. Strang's "Letter of Appointment": Restricted material. A reference surrogate has been substituted inBox 1, folder 4. For further information consult the appropriate curator.

Conditions Governing Access
The James Jesse Strang Collection is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.
Immediate Source of Acquisition: James Jesse Strang and Church of Jesus Christ (Strangites) Collection series, gift of William Robertson Coe, 1951.

Charles Jesse Strang Papers, Milo Quiafe Papers, and Visual Resources series, gift of Charles Eberstadt, 1956.
Arrangement: Organized into four series: I. James Jesse Strang and Church of Jesus Christ (Strangites) Collection, 1832-1869. II. Charles Jesse Strang Papers, 1871-1898. III. Milo Milton Quiafe Papers, 1870-1947. IV. Visual Resources, 1870-1943.
Related Materials: James Jesse Strang Journal (WA MSS S-186). Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

James Jesse Strang Letterbook (WA MSS S-187). Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

James Jesse Strang Diary (WA MSS S-188). Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

Order of the Illuminati Covenant (WA MSS S-189). Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

Dates: 1832-1947
Extent: 6.8 Linear Feet (15 boxes)
Related Names: Eberstadt, Charles F. (Charles Francis), 1912-1974; Coe, William Robertson, 1869-1955
Language of Materials: English