Porter Rockwell: Guns, Legends, and Loyalty — A Presentation by Brent Ashworth

In June 2024, historian, collector, and author Brent Ashworth delivered a captivating presentation on the life of Orrin Porter Rockwell, one of the West’s most legendary and controversial figures. Speaking at a Utah museum, Ashworth wove together vivid stories and rare historical artifacts — many from his personal collection — to illuminate Rockwell’s legacy.

🧠 Brent Ashworth is a well-known historian, attorney, and lifelong collector of rare LDS and American frontier artifacts. You can learn more about him on his Wikipedia page, or visit his B. Ashworth’s Rare Books and Collectibles shop in Provo, Utah: Google listing here.

This post offers a curated summary of the talk, focusing on key historical claims about Rockwell’s life and the unique relics that help bring his story to life.

🔑 Key Historical Claims About Porter Rockwell

Brent Ashworth presented a number of notable (and at times controversial) facts and anecdotes about Rockwell, including:

• Close Friendship with Joseph Smith
  Porter Rockwell was baptized as one of the earliest members of the Church and was personally close to Joseph Smith. Ashworth claims Rockwell contributed financially to the publication of the Book of Mormon and was deeply loyal to the Prophet to the very end.

• Wrongly Accused in the Boggs Assassination Attempt
  Though widely suspected in the 1842 shooting of ex-Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, Rockwell was never charged with the crime. Ashworth, a former prosecutor, notes that Rockwell was instead jailed for “breaking jail” — and sentenced to five minutes. Rockwell allegedly remarked, “If I’d shot him, I wouldn’t have missed.”

• The Hair Prophecy
  According to Ashworth, Joseph Smith blessed Rockwell, saying that if he never cut his hair and lived righteously, no man would kill him. Rockwell upheld that vow (except once, to help a widow make a wig) and died of natural causes — a rarity among frontier gunmen.

• Lawman and Enforcer
  Rockwell served as a deputy U.S. marshal and scout in Utah. Ashworth claims he killed more outlaws than legendary figures like Doc Holliday and Bat Masterson combined, and was known for his “shoot first” policy — a point backed by several period quotes.

• Danite Connections and the Aiken Brothers Mystery
  Ashworth affirms Rockwell’s early involvement with the Danites and discusses his alleged role in the mysterious deaths of the Aiken brothers during the Utah War. While some blamed Rockwell, others (including Ashworth) highlight alternative theories.

• Rockwell’s Reaction to Joseph’s Martyrdom
  Rockwell did not accompany Joseph Smith to Carthage — by Smith’s own request — but upon hearing the news of the Prophet’s death, he rushed to the scene and was reportedly inconsolable. He later served justice to one of the men involved in the martyrdom.

🧾 Artifacts Presented During the Talk

Ashworth used artifacts as narrative anchors throughout the presentation. Some of the standout items included:

• Porter Rockwell’s “X” Signature
  A notarized legal document from 1875 bearing Rockwell’s mark (an “X”), verified by William Clayton. It may be the only known original with his personal legal mark.

• Ledger from the Far West Church Store
  A rare document listing transactions from church leaders including Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and even early Danite founder Samson Avard.

• CDV Photograph Labeled “Chief of the Danites”
  A Civil War–era carte de visite (CDV) photograph labeled “Porter Rockwell, Chief of the Danites or Destroying Angels,” offering a glimpse into how Rockwell was viewed in his own time.

• Promissory Note Signed by Joseph Smith Jr. (1840)
  A handwritten financial note offering a rare sample of Joseph Smith’s original handwriting.

• Wells Fargo Shotgun
  While not owned by Rockwell, this shotgun is emblematic of the era and lawmen like him. Ashworth uses it as a prop while discussing Rockwell’s preference for shotguns.

• Brand Book Featuring Lilburn W. Boggs
  A Jackson County, Missouri, brand book from 1827 containing 92 entries signed by Boggs — Rockwell’s suspected target in the 1842 shooting.

• Pony Express Letter
  A near tissue-thin letter marked “PSR by Pony Express,” referencing Rockwell’s connection to western mail routes and the early express system.

• Documents Signed by Controversial Figures
  Items signed by John C. Bennett and William Law — former LDS leaders who turned critics and were involved in events surrounding Joseph Smith’s death.

• Rockwell-Connected Furniture (Shared by Descendants)
  During the presentation, a descendant of Rockwell mentioned owning a door from Rockwell’s ranch and a trundle bed he installed in a Lehi home lean-to for his travels.