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Introduction to Ferris Administrator of the Estate of JS Bill in Chancery, circa 18 August 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Praecipe, circa 18 August 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Summons, 22 August 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] John Wolfe, Answer, circa 17 October 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Luke P. Prentice, Answer, circa 17 October 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] David W. Vrooman, Answer, circa 17 October 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Nathan Prentice, Answer, circa 17 October 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Emma Smith Bidamon and Others, Answer, 14 November 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Isaac S. Sanders and Others, Answer, 21 November 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] John Winter and Others, Answer, 21 November 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Gacque Martin, Answer, 21 November 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Charles Wetzel and Others, Answer, 21–22 November 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Daniel Brown and Others, Answer, 21–23 November 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] John Kelly, Answer, 22 November 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Anna Maria Ritter and George Ritter, Answer, 23 November 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Nathan Prentice, Answer, 23 November 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Luke P. Prentice, Answer, 23 November 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] David W. Vrooman, Answer, circa 1 December 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] John Wolfe, Answer, circa 1 December 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Amos Davis, Answer, circa 1 December 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Summons, 2 December 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] John M. Ferris, Answer, circa 4 December 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Supplemental Bill in Chancery, 5 December 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Praecipe, 5 December 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Summons, 5 December 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Joshua Ward, Answer, 16 December 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Report, 28 December 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Replications, circa 2 January 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Decree, 6 January 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Release of Dower, 23 January 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Summons, 25 February 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Notice, 25 February 1851, as Published in Popular Tribune [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Notice, 25 February 1851, as Published in Quincy Whig [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Silas G. Strong, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Gustavus Lewengren, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Mary Eagan, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Nathan Prentice, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to John C. McIntosh, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Bryant Gilbride, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Charles Bohne, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Melancton S. Carey, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Julia Ann Johnson Babbitt, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Julia Ann Johnson Babbitt, 8 April 1851, as Recorded in Hancock County Deeds [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Elizabeth Bixler, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Christopher E. Yates, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Mary Walworth, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to William J. Turner, 8 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to John Rice, 9 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to United States, 9 April 1851–A [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to United States, 9 April 1851–B [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to United States, 9 April 1851–C [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to United States, 9 April 1851–D [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Lewis C. Bidamon, 9 April 1851–A [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Lewis C. Bidamon, 9 April 1851–B [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to George Schmidt, 10 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Reuben Barton, 10 April 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to George Edmunds Jr., 4 May 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Emma Smith Bidamon and Others, Answer, circa 8 July 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Joseph Smith III and Others, Answer, circa 8 July 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Decree, 9 July 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Report, circa 10 July 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Certification, between 18 March and circa 10 July 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Certification, between 23 March and circa 10 July 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Report, circa 13 July 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Decree, 14 July 1851–A [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Decree, 14 July 1851–B [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Release of Dower, 22 July 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Notice, 11 October 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Matthew McClaughry, 8 November 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to James McIlvaine, 8 November 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to John W. S. White, 8 November 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Isaac R. Welch, 8 November 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Jesse W. Taylor, 8 November 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Fitzgerald Woolley, 8 November 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Phineas Kimball, 8 November 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Erastus Rossiter, 8 November 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Benjamin Cox, 8 November 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Onias Skinner, 8 November 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to James Richardson, 8 November 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to United States, 9 November 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to United States, 10 November 1851–A [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to United States, 10 November 1851–B [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to United States, 10 November 1851–C [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to United States, 10 November 1851–D [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Jabez A. Beebee, 18 December 1851 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Report, circa 12 January 1852 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Decree, 13 January 1852 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Release of Dower, 7 February 1852 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Notice, 20 March 1852 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Emma Smith Bidamon, 3 May 1852 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Wood, Abbott & Co., 4 May 1852 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Deed, Charles B. Lawrence to Thomas Wilson and George Greer, 4 May 1852 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Report, circa 16 July 1852 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Decree, 17 July 1852 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.] Transcript of Proceedings, circa 17 July 1852 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.]

Joshua Ward, Answer, 16 December 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.]

Source Note

Browning

10 Feb. 1806–10 Aug. 1881. Lawyer, politician. Born at Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Kentucky. Son of Micajah Browning and Sarah Brown. Attended Augusta College, in Augusta, Bracken Co., Kentucky. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, and practiced law...

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&
Bushnell

9 Oct. 1813–31 Jan. 1873. Editor, lawyer, railroad company president. Born in Westbrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Nehemiah Bushnell and Mehitable. Graduated from Yale University, 1835. Admitted to Connecticut bar, 1837. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co...

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on behalf of Joshua Ward, Answer, [
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

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], Adams Co., IL, 16 Dec. 1850, U.S. v. Joseph Smith III et al. (United States Circuit Court for the District of IL 1852). Copied [ca. 17 July 1852] in Transcript of Proceedings, U.S. District Court for the District of Illinois, Complete Records, 1837–1856, vol. 4, pp. 626–637; handwriting of
George W. Lowry

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; Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21, National Archives at Chicago, Chicago.

Historical Introduction

See Introduction to Ferris Administrator of the Estate of JS.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. Joshua Ward, Answer, 16 December 1850 [ United States v. Joseph Smith III et al. ] Transcript of Proceedings, circa 17 July 1852 [ United States v. Joseph Smith III et al. ]

Page 631

recorded in the Recorder’s office in and for the said County of
Adams

Situated in western Illinois; bounded on west by Mississippi River. Organized from Pike Co., 1825. Quincy established as county seat, 1825. Population in 1830 about 2,200. Population in 1840 about 14,500. Latter-day Saint exiles from Missouri found refuge...

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all of which will more fully and at large appear, reference being had to the said deed a copy whereof duly certified from the proper recording office of deeds of the said County of
Adams

Situated in western Illinois; bounded on west by Mississippi River. Organized from Pike Co., 1825. Quincy established as county seat, 1825. Population in 1830 about 2,200. Population in 1840 about 14,500. Latter-day Saint exiles from Missouri found refuge...

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is hereto annexed marked “No 2” exhibit” and made a part of this defendant’s answer to the said bill,
This defendant further answering says:—
That at the time of the making of the said last deed the said Joseph Smith was acting as the Trustee of a Religious Society having its principal location at
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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in the County of
Hancock

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

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in the said State of
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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, called and known as “the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints” which said Society was afterwards duly incorporated as well under that name by the election of the said Joseph Smith the Trustee of said Church a certificate whereof was afterwards duly filed and recorded in the Recorder’s Office in the County of
Hancock

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

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and State of
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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according to the law of the said
State

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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as this defendant is informed and believes, and that by reason of the said conveyance if held to be valid as a conveyance at law operated to vest the title of said premises in the said Joseph Smith as Trustee for the benefit, and use of the said association or religious society, and not for his own benefit, nor subject to the debts of the said Joseph Smith, whether due to the complainants or any other persons, and that if as this defendant believes to be the fact, that the said deed was wholly and absolutely void, the title of said premises still remained vested in the said
Emma

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

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the same as if the said deed had never been made, and subject to her control and disposition after the decease of her said husband, free from all claims of his heirs at law or the said church or of the creditors of the said Joseph Smith and that this defendant knows nothing of his own knowledge of the consideration paid by the said Church for the said conveyance except that he is informed and believes and therefore denies that the said Joseph Smith ever paid any part, or ever undertook or assumed to pay any part of the consideration thereof.
This defendant further answering says:—
That after the death of the said Joseph Smith deceased in June A. D. 1844 as hereinbefore stated, the said Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints elected new Trustees in place of and as the successors of the said Joseph Smith deceased and that on the fifth day of June A. D. 1845
Newall R. [Newel K.] Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

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and
George Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

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being as this affiant is informed and believes and therefore alledges to be the fact the said Trustees of the said Church and successors of the said Joseph Smith decd. in the said office of trustees of said Church and in whom by operation of the law of the State of
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
was vested whatever title passed to said Joseph Smith as trustee of said Church, in the premises described in the said last mentioned deed, by virtue of said [p. 631]
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Page 631

Document Information

Related Case Documents

United States v. Joseph Smith III et al., U.S. Circuit Court for the District of IL, 17 July 1852

Editorial Title
Joshua Ward, Answer, 16 December 1850 [United States v. Joseph Smith III et al.]
ID #
20592
Total Pages
12
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • George W. Lowry

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