Nauvoo Registry of Deeds, Deed Record Book A, 1840–1843
Source Note
Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL, Recorder, Deed Record, Book A, 18 Apr. 1842–2 Sept. 1843; handwriting of and ; 235 pages; CHL. Includes notations.
Commercially produced bound volume measuring 18¼ × 12 × 1½ inches (46 × 30 × 4 cm). The volume contains 246 pages, including pastedowns and flyleaves, each measuring 18⅛ × 11½ inches (46 × 29 cm). The endpaper, including three flyleaves and a pastedown in the front and one flyleaf and pastedown at the back of the volume, are not lined. The interior pages consist of ledger paper ruled horizontally with thirty-four preprinted blue lines and two red double lines, demarcating a row at the top of the page, and ruled vertically with two red double lines, demarcating a column to the right of each page, now faded. The volume is composed of fifteen gatherings, each of which contains eight leaves, except for the fourth gathering, which has ten leaves, and the last, which has six leaves. The recto of the final leaf of the last gathering was glued to the flyleaf. The boards are covered in marbled paper, now faded. The cover has a calfskin spine and corners. The spine bears two labels, the first of which reads: “DEED RECORD | NAUVOO | A”. The title page of the volume has an inscription in graphite: “No 1 or Book of | Entry”.
The first inscribed page was paginated with the numeral 3, and there is consistent pagination in the handwriting of or running to the last page, numbered 237, resulting in 235 inscribed pages. The top of the first inscribed deed was labeled with “No. 1”, and each inscribed deed thereafter was assigned a number in like manner, except that there are two deeds labeled “190”. The volume contains 216 items, mostly deeds, dating from 20 April 1840 to 28 August 1843, recorded between 18 April 1842 and 2 September 1843. Inserted into the book between pages 2 and 3 is a slip of paper inscribed with what looks like material for JS’s multivolume manuscript history; this inserted slip is not included here. The title page and the flyleaves of the volume show significant discoloration and dirt buildup. The wear pattern indicates that a smaller booklet, an index for the volume, was stored in the book. The entire volume shows significant discoloration due to water damage and mold damage, the boards and cover are deteriorated, and several pages have a central vertical tear between 2 and 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) in length from the top of the page.
On 5 March 1842, the Nauvoo City Council appointed JS registrar for the city of , authorizing him to record and certify official deeds for land transactions. JS appointed as recorder for the Nauvoo registrar, and by mid-April 1842 Clayton began recording deeds into this record book. was doing general clerical work for the church beginning in April 1842 and was appointed a private secretary to JS on 11 June 1842. His handwriting also appears in this record book, though it is often difficult to distinguish which handwriting is Whitehead’s and which is Clayton’s. Along with other records, this record book was kept in JS’s Nauvoo office and transported to Utah Territory, where it was kept in the Church Historian’s Office. The spine bears a red-bordered label that reads “02473R | 9 Fo”, likely placed on the record by Church Historian’s Office (now CHL) staff in the 1950s or 1960s.
or intended so to be, with the appurtenances, to the only proper use and behoof of the said D. G. Whitney Holmes & Wood John R. Randolp their heirs and assigns forever. and the said James Henderson Haven and Elizabeth his wife for their heirs, executors and administrators, doth covenant, promise and agree, to and with the said D. G. Whitney Holmes & Wood John R. Randolph their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, That they are the true and lawful owners of the premises hereby granted; and hath good right, full power, and lawful authority to sell and convey the same in manner and form aforesaid: And Further, That he the said James Henderson Haven his heirs, executors and administrators, will Warrant and Forever Defend the aforesaid premises, with their appurtenances, and every part and parcel thereof, unto the said D. G. Whitney Holmes & Wood & John R. Randolp their heirs or assigns, against all persons claiming or to claim, by, from or under his heirs or assigns; or by, from, or under any person or persons whomsoever. Provided always, and these Presents are upon this condition nevertheless: That if the said James Henderson Haven shall well and truly pay, or cause to be paid, unto the said D. G. Whitney Holmes & Wood & John R Randolph three several promisory Notes due and made payable to D. G. Whitney which Notes are endorsed by said D. G. Whitney Holmes & wood & John R. Randolph one given for $289.22 one for $230.17 one for $240.00 and due Feby 8/11 May 10/13 Aug 10/13 1843— and according to the tenor and effect thereof; Then these Presents, and the estate hereby granted, shall cease, determine and be absolutely void:— Otherwise, to be and remain in full force and virtue. In Testimony Whereof, the said James Henderson Haven together with Elizabeth the wife of the said James Henderson Haven who hereby forever relinquish all the right and claim of dower in and to the premises, have hereunto set their hands and seals this ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three James H. Haven E. S. C. Haven Seal Signed, sealed and acknowledged, <in> the Presence of . The State of Illinois [p. 215]