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.
Transcript of Proceedings, circa 17 July 1852 [ United States v. Joseph Smith III et al. ]
Page 589
foregoing answer in the above suit, so far as the same are stated of my own knowledge are true and so far as the same are stated and set forth upon the information of others, I believe them to be true.
Anna Maria Ritter
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd. day of November A. D. 1850.
G[eorge] Edmunds Jr. Master in Ch. of C. C. of U. S. Dist. of
This day, to wit, the second day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty, came the defendant Nathan Prentice by his and filed his seperate answer herein.
The Seperate answer of Nathan Prentice defendant to the Complainants’ bill herein filed.
And the said Nathan Prentice saving and reserving to himself all and all manner of exceptions to the many uncertainties informalities and insufficiencies in the complainants’ bill for answer thereto or to so much thereof as he is advised it is necessary for him to answer says.
That he is the owner in fact of the fee simple title of lot No. one (1) on Block No. one hundred and forty six (146) in Illinois according to the plat of said , also 4 in Block 138, Lot 1 in Block 120, according to the plat of said in the said Complainants’ bill mentioned.
Respondant admits that said premises herein described are situate in the South East quarter of section No. two township No. six North of Range No. Nine West as in said bill mentioned.
But positively denies that the said Joseph Smith deceased at the time of his death owned or had any interest in the same or any part thereof.
Respondant further denies that said Smith ever had any interest either at law or in equity to the said lots or any part thereof that he ever paid any part of the purchase money therefor.
Respondant admits that the conveyed said quarter section of land to as in bill mentioned, that said contracted with one to sell the same to said and made his bond to said , that said assigned said bond to said Joseph Smith deceased and that afterwards and that afterwards said premises were conveyed by said to one and [p. 589]