History of John F. Boynton (1811-1890)

Member of the original Quorum of the Twelve, merchant, baptized 1832, missions to Pennsylvania and Maine, excommunicated 1837.

This sketch is part of the series, "History of Brigham Young," published in the Millennial Star, 1863–1865. It was originally published in the Deseret News in 1858.

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HISTORY OF JOHN F. BOYNTON.

MS 27, no. 7 (July 16, 1865): 102.

Born 1811

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John F. Boynton was born in Bradford, Essex county, Mass., on the 20th day of September 1811.

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Parentage

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His grandfather, Small, married Ruth Hardy. His father's name Eliphalet, his mother's maiden name was Susan Nichols.

1993�1994 almanac , 53 has Susannah Nicholas.

Baptized by Joseph 1832

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He was baptized into the Church in September 1832, by Joseph Smith, Jun., in Kirtland, Ohio. He was ordained to the office of an Elder by Sidney Rigdon.

Mission to Pennsylvania

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He went to Erie county, Penn., in 1832, with Zebedee Coltrin, on a mission; they preached and baptized in several places. He was called home to Kirtland by the Prophet Joseph in December following.

Mission to Maine 1834

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He was sent on a mission to Maine, and wrote a letter, dated Saco, Maine, Jan. 20, 1834, in which he says, "I have baptized about forty in this section; Elder Even M. Greene travelled with me from the 16th Jan., 1833, till October following; while together we baptized about 130."

For full text of the letter see EMS 2, no. 17 (Feb. 1834): 134.

Apostle

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He was chosen one of the Twelve Apostles at the organization of that Quorum.

Call to the Twelve: ¶ Minutes of February 14, 1835
Blessngs: Minutes of February 15, 1835

First mission of the Twelve

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In 1835 he accompanied the Twelve on their mission through the churches in the east; attend a Conference in Laboro', Upper Canada, with six of his Quorum on the 29th of June; continued preaching through the eastern country; returned to Kirtland in the fall, and preached to the Saints on Sabboth, Oct. 18th.

Married by Joseph

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He was married to Susan Lowell by Joseph Smith.

Merchant

Excommunicated 1837

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During his last mission he borrowed all the money he could among the brethren, and with it entered into the mercantile business with Lyman E. Johnson (h), and followed it until he apostatized and was cut off from the Quorum of the Twelve and the Church, on the 3rd day of September 1837.

Rejected/cut off in Kirtland: ¶ Minutes of September 3, 1837 // ¶ Thomas B. Marsh (h) but he was sustained two months later in Far West. ¶ Minutes of November 7, 1837

For an 1838 assessment of John F. Boynton, see ¶ Argument to Argument.

John died October 20, 1890 in Syracuse, Onandaga county, New York.

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