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.
1/2 of Lot 1 in Block 121, to Respondants Evert L. Yates and Isaac S. Sanders, for the valuable consideration of three hundred and eighty five dollars in said deeds named, and then paid therefor, which said two last mentioned deeds are herewith filed marked exhibits “C” and “D” and made a part of this answer.
That said Mills on the 8th. day of May A. D. 1850, by his deed of that date conveyed said East 1/2 of Lot 1 in Block 121, to one Christopher E. Yates for a valuable consideration in said deed named which said deed is herewith filed marked exhibit E. and made a part of this answer.
That Respondants Yates and Sanders afterward purchased the same from said Christopher E. Yates for the valuable consideration $25 dollars then paid therefor.
That on the 3rd. day of June 1842 said Joseph Smith deceased by his deed of that date for a valuable consideration in said Deed named, conveyed all his interest in said Lot No. 2 in Block 123, to one Elias Hanna [Harmer], a copy of which said deed (the original thereof not being in the control or power of Respondants to produce) duly certified from the records of the Recorder’s Office of said County of is herewith filed marked exhibit “F” and made a part of this answer, that said Joseph Smith deceased also on the 11th. day of July <1843> by his deed of that date for a valuable consideration therein named conveyed all his interest in the East 1/2 of Lot 4 in said Block one hundred and forty three (143) to one Amos Moore a copy of which said deed (the original thereof not being in the control or power of Respondants to produce), duly certified from the records of the Recorder’s Office of said County of is herewith filed marked exhibit “G” and made a part of this answer.
That said Joseph Smith deceased on the 6th. day of September 1841 by his deed of that date conveyed all his interest in said West 1/2 of Lot 4 Block 141 for a valuable consideration in said deed named to one a copy of which said deed (the original thereof not being in the control or power of Respondants to produce) is herewith filed marked exhibit “H” and made a part of this answer.
And these Respondes Yates and Sanders say that they obtained possession of said premises by virtue of their purchase bonafide make and claim the same in fee, and all interest of the said Joseph Smith deceased by claims, rights and conveyances through and under him, and persons acting as Trustees of said Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and Successors <in> office of said Smith deceased after his death, bona fide, and which are to numerous and complicated to set forth in this answer.
These respondants further answering say, That as to said lots No. 1, 3 and 4 in Block 159, Lot 4 in Block 160 [p. 526]