Leman Copley
Leman Copley was an early convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of later day saints. Born in Connecticut, Copley moved to Rutland County, Vermont sometime before 1800 and was living in Thompson Township, Ohio by 1820. Prior to his conversion to the Church of Christ, Copley was a Shaker.
In March 1831, Copley was called by Joseph Smith, through a revelation to preach the gospel to the Shakers along with Sidney Rigdon and Parley P. Pratt.
When the members of the branch of the Church of Christ from Colesville, New York came to settle in Ohio, Copley was persuaded to consecrate his large farm for their settlement. When he and the church had a falling out he forced them all to leave. Joseph Smith received a revelation to have the "Colesville Saints" go to Missouri, where God would reveal to Smith the location of the land of Zion. This was the beginning of the church's movement to Missouri and the dual centers of church activity.
In June 1831, Copley was excommunicated from the church. He was readmitted to the church in October 1832. He served another mission with Doctor Hurlbut.
Sometime before 1850 Copley moved to Madison, Ohio, where he died in May 1862.
