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.
And these respondants further answering as to the 2nd. interrogatory in said bill propounded say:
That they have no personal knowledge of any of the matters and things therein set forth and referred to, but have been informed and believe that said Joseph Smith died as in said bill alledged and left him surviving his , and heirs as in said bill stated.
That the marriages took place as in said bill alledged, that the infants therein named as defendants are such infants and therefore admit the same to be true,
But these respondants do not know and cannot state as to their belief or otherwise, what interest they have in the premises in said bill described except as to the North half of lot No. 1 in Block No. 117. situate in the said City of and upon the said South East quarter of section (2) two township 6 North Range 9 West of the 4th. principal meridian, and as to which said premises these respondants represent that the following are the facts:
That said Joseph Smith deceased on the 20th. day of May A. D. 1850 by his deed of that date, for a valuable consideration in said deed named conveyed all his interest in the whole of said lot No. 1 in block 117 to one , which said deed is herewith filed, marked exhibit “A” and made a part of this answer.
That afterward on the 28th. day of May A. D. 1846 said and Mary [Magill Sloan] his wife by their deed of that date, conveyed the North half of said lot 1 Block 117 to one William Bropley [Brophy] for the consideration of the sum of three hundred dollars then paid,
Which said deed is herewith filed marked exhibit “B” and made a part of this answer and that said Bropley at the time of said conveyances obtained the possession of said premises from said who was in possession claiming title in fee to the same.
That afterward respondant George Ritter purchased the said premises last above described one Martin Huber who purchased the same from the heirs and administratrix of said Bropley for the valuable consideration of two hundred dollars then paid, and obtained the possession thereof supposing, that he had acquired a good title to the said premises, but that he was informed that the title thereof was in said (now Bidamon).
And that afterward on the 22nd. day of June A. D. 1848 the said together with her husband Lewis C. Bidamon by their deed of that date for a valuable consideration in said deed named conveyed the said North 1/2 of lot 1 Block 117 to respondant George Ritter.
Which said deed is herewith filed, marked exhibit “C” and made a part of this answer.
That said George Ritter afterward on the 1st. day of April A. D. 1850 by his deed of that date, conveyed the said premises to one [p. 583]