Transcript of Proceedings, , Sangamon Co., IL, ca. 17 July 1852, U.S. v. Joseph Smith III et al. (United States Circuit Court for the District of IL 1852); U.S. District Court for the District of Illinois, Complete Records, 1837–1856, vol. 4, pp. 486–697; handwriting of ; Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21, National Archives at Chicago, Chicago.
complainants or any of the creditors of said Joseph Smith in the collection of their debts or in any fraud of the rights of the said Complainants.
Respondants admit as they are now informed that said Conveyances are now recorded as in said bill alledged, these respondants do not know, nor can he state as to his belief or otherwise as to any other of the matter in said 7th. interrogatory referred to
And these respondants <further> answering as to Interrogatory No. 8 in said bill propounded saith:—
That they do not know, nor can he state as to his belief or otherwise as to any of the matter and things therein in said bill referred to.
And these respondants further answering as to Interrogatory No. 9 says:—
That they do not know nor can they state as to their belief or otherwise whether the said of the premises in the said bill described or any part thereof is entitled to be endowed other than the premises herein before described as owned by these respondants, and as to these premises, respondants deny that she is entitled to be endowed therein or any part thereof, and charges that since the death of said Joseph Smith that she has conveyed by deed in fee to this respondant as above stated.
Which said deed is herein in this answer before referred to and made a part of the same.
These respondants deny all fraud, combination, or collusion whatever of which they stands charged in the bill of complainants.
Respondants pray that they may have the same benefit and advantages of any defence herein set forth the same as if such matter had been specially pleaded, and to any and all matters in said bill contained and not herein fully set forth and answered.
Respondants do not know nor can they state as to their belief or otherwise.
And now having fully answered all the matter and things contained in said bill pray hence to be dismissed with their costs in this behalf most wrongfully sustained.
Anna Maria Ritter
George Ritter.
By & [Joseph] Sibley
their Solicitor
United States of America)
ss. [scilicet]
District of )
I Ann Maria Ritter being duly sworn do depose and swear that the facts stated and set forth in the [p. 588]