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.
Joseph Smith decd. in his lifetime, and after the month of September 1842; that such conveyances were made to him as sole Trustee in Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints; that said witness upon such examination of said records was unable to find any conveyance by said Joseph Smith deceased of said premises or any part thereof, said examinations of said records having been made by said witness since the filing of the original bill herein and that from such examination of said records it further appears that in 1842 and witness thinks in the month of September of said year a certificate was filed and recorded in the said Recorder’s office of the election of said Smith to the Office of sole Trustee in Trust of the Society or Church called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, under the general incorporation act for the incorporation of religions societies of the State of .
It was further proven that after the death of said Smith a certificate was filed in said Recorder’s office of the election of whom and as successors of said Smith in said Office as Trustee; that in 1846 a certificate was filed in said Recorder’s Office showing the removal or resignation of said and as such Trustees and the election of , and as successors in said Office as Trustees.
The following is the list of lands above referred to and described by said witness
1. Fifty acres, North end of the East half of the north West of section twelve, township six North, Range eight West; the chain of title from the patentee of said land does not appear perfect of record.
2. 160 acres North East quarter of section thirty one, township five North, Range seven West; same remarks by witness as to that tract of land.
3. Eighty acres, the South half of the North West quarter of section thirty two (32) township three North, Range eight West, the chain of title appears perfect of record.
4. Five acres North half of lot No. 35 Block no 6 in Kimball’s addition to the city of .
The chain of title appears perfect of record.
5. 160 acres being the South West quarter of section ten (10) township five (5) North, Range eight West.
This title does not appear perfect of record.
6. One hundred and sixty acres, the North West quarter of section twenty two (22) township six (6) North, Range seven (7) West.