Hawn’s Mill
Braymer, Missouri
Today, Hawn’s Mill, located in Braymer, Missouri, is a large, open field with trees and Shoal Creek on one side and farmland on the other. In the late 1830s, Hawn’s Mill was a bustling center of action and productivity—a small community centered on a mill owned by Jacob Hawn. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lived in the community, and some worked for Hawn, who was not a member of the Church. On October 30, 1838, a mob attacked the Latter-day Saints there, killing 14 men and 3 young boys and wounding 14 others.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints owns the land where the attack occurred. The only markers on the land are signs placed by Community of Christ, who once owned the land. For information about visiting the site, click or tap here.
Questions and Answers about the Hawn’s Mill Massacre
The story of the Hawn’s Mill Massacre is tragic and complex. In this video, historians Jenny Lund and Emily Utt tackle questions about the massacre.
Interactive Map: Latter-day Saint Places of Interest in Northwest Missouri
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Blessings amidst Tragedy
This piece of cast-iron machinery is one of the few remaining pieces of the gristmill owned by Jacob Hawn. This mill was the site of what is now known as the Hawn’s Mill massacre.
“We Weep When We Remember Zion”: Early Latter-day Saints as Refugees
In late 1838, thousands of Latter-day Saints were expelled from their homes in Missouri. Writings of Albert Perry Rockwood, Franklin D. Richards, and Elizabeth Haven reveal how the Latter-day Saint refugees dealt with tragedy and maintained family ties in the midst of a maelstrom.
What to Expect When You Visit the Church’s Historic Sites in Missouri
Find information that can help you plan a visit to these sites.