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 597
sole Trustee in trust &c to as appears from Records of my office.
L. S.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at my Office in this sixteenth day of November A. D. 1850.
Clerk
This day to wit, the second day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty came the defendant John Wolf[e], by his and filed his seperate answer herein.
The seperate answer of <defendant> John Wolf[e] to the complainants’ bill filed herein.
And the said defendant 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. two (2) and the South half of the South half of Lot No. one in block No. one hundred and seventeen in Illinois, according to the plat of said in the said complainants’ bill mentioned.
Respondant admits that said premises herein described are situate on 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 upon information and belief, denies that said Smith ever had any interest either at law or in equity to the said lots or that he ever paid any part of the purchase money.
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 said premises were conveyed by said to one and that said conveyed that part of said quarter section which contains the lots aforesaid to then wife of said Joseph Smith.
But respondant positively denies that said [p. 597]