Algernon Sidney Gilbert

Algernon Sidney Gilbert (December 28, 1789 – June 29, 1834) was a merchant best known for his involvement with Latter-day Saint history and his partnership with Newel K. Whitney in Kirtland, Ohio. He is mentioned in seven sections of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Doctrine and Covenants. He was ordained as a high priest in the state of Missouri and served as a missionary in the United States.

Personal life

Gilbert was born on December 28, 1789, at New Haven, Connecticut, to Eli Gilbert and Lydia Hemingway. He married Elizabeth Van Benthusen, September 30, 1823, in Chagrin (later Willoughby), Ohio. He moved to Kirtland in 1826 and was a partner with Newel K. Whitney in the N. K. Whitney & Co. store by 1827. In 1831 he moved to Independence, Missouri, opened a store there, and was appointed bishop's agent. Gilbert condemned church leaders in a letter in 1832; the church leaders promised Gilbert that God would bless him with prosperity if he was faithful. A mob came to Independence, Missouri, in July 1833 and destroyed many things. Gilbert sold what he could before leaving Missouri.

On November 4, 1833, Gilbert was arrested and imprisoned for seven days at Independence and was among the Latter-day Saints driven from Jackson into Clay County, Missouri, later that month. He died of cholera in Clay County on June 29, 1834.