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Nauvoo Registry of Deeds, Deed Record Book A, 1840–1843

Source Note

Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL, Recorder, Deed Record, Book A, 18 Apr. 1842–2 Sept. 1843; handwriting of
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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and
James Whitehead

12 Apr. 1813–27 July 1898. Clerk, farmer. Born in Roughhay, Fulwood, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Whitehead and Mary. Married first Jane Marshall Hindle, 25 Jan. 1837, in Preston, Lancashire, England. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...

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; 235 pages; CHL. Includes notations.
Commercially produced bound volume measuring 18¼ × 12 × 1½ inches (46 × 30 × 4 cm). The volume contains 246 pages, including pastedowns and flyleaves, each measuring 18⅛ × 11½ inches (46 × 29 cm). The endpaper, including three flyleaves and a pastedown in the front and one flyleaf and pastedown at the back of the volume, are not lined. The interior pages consist of ledger paper ruled horizontally with thirty-four preprinted blue lines and two red double lines, demarcating a row at the top of the page, and ruled vertically with two red double lines, demarcating a column to the right of each page, now faded. The volume is composed of fifteen gatherings, each of which contains eight leaves, except for the fourth gathering, which has ten leaves, and the last, which has six leaves. The recto of the final leaf of the last gathering was glued to the flyleaf. The boards are covered in marbled paper, now faded. The cover has a calfskin spine and corners. The spine bears two labels, the first of which reads: “DEED RECORD | NAUVOO | A”. The title page of the volume has an inscription in graphite: “No 1 or Book of | Entry”.
The first inscribed page was paginated with the numeral 3, and there is consistent pagination in the handwriting of
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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or
James Whitehead

12 Apr. 1813–27 July 1898. Clerk, farmer. Born in Roughhay, Fulwood, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Whitehead and Mary. Married first Jane Marshall Hindle, 25 Jan. 1837, in Preston, Lancashire, England. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...

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running to the last page, numbered 237, resulting in 235 inscribed pages. The top of the first inscribed deed was labeled with “No. 1”, and each inscribed deed thereafter was assigned a number in like manner, except that there are two deeds labeled “190”. The volume contains 216 items, mostly deeds, dating from 20 April 1840 to 28 August 1843, recorded between 18 April 1842 and 2 September 1843. Inserted into the book between pages 2 and 3 is a slip of paper inscribed with what looks like material for JS’s multivolume manuscript history; this inserted slip is not included here. The title page and the flyleaves of the volume show significant discoloration and dirt buildup. The wear pattern indicates that a smaller booklet, an index for the volume, was stored in the book. The entire volume shows significant discoloration due to water damage and mold damage, the boards and cover are deteriorated, and several pages have a central vertical tear between 2 and 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) in length from the top of the page.
On 5 March 1842, the Nauvoo City Council appointed JS registrar for the city of
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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, authorizing him to record and certify official deeds for land transactions. JS appointed
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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as recorder for the Nauvoo registrar, and by mid-April 1842 Clayton began recording deeds into this record book.
James Whitehead

12 Apr. 1813–27 July 1898. Clerk, farmer. Born in Roughhay, Fulwood, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Whitehead and Mary. Married first Jane Marshall Hindle, 25 Jan. 1837, in Preston, Lancashire, England. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...

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was doing general clerical work for the church beginning in April 1842 and was appointed a private secretary to JS on 11 June 1842.
1

“Elder James Whitehead,” Saints Herald, 3 Aug. 1898, 485.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

His handwriting also appears in this record book, though it is often difficult to distinguish which handwriting is Whitehead’s and which is Clayton’s.
2

Because Whitehead’s handwriting is difficult to distinguish from Clayton’s, no scribal handshifts are noted in the transcript below.


Along with other records, this record book was kept in JS’s Nauvoo office and transported to Utah Territory, where it was kept in the Church Historian’s Office.
3

“Inventory. Historian’s Office. 4th April 1855,” [2], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

The spine bears a red-bordered label that reads “02473R | 9 Fo”, likely placed on the record by Church Historian’s Office (now CHL) staff in the 1950s or 1960s.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “Elder James Whitehead,” Saints Herald, 3 Aug. 1898, 485.

    Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

  2. [2]

    Because Whitehead’s handwriting is difficult to distinguish from Clayton’s, no scribal handshifts are noted in the transcript below.

  3. [3]

    “Inventory. Historian’s Office. 4th April 1855,” [2], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

Historical Introduction

See Introduction to Nauvoo City Register of Deeds Records.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 7 April 1843 *Deed to Martha McBride Knight, 2 February 1842 *Deed to Emma Smith and Others, 12 July 1843 *Deed to Emma Smith, 13 June 1842 *Deed from Orson and Marinda Nancy Johnson Hyde, 10 February 1843 *Deed from Daniel H. and Eliza Robison Wells, 4 February 1843

Page 206

four (154) of the city of
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....

More Info
together with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining To have and to hold the above described premises unto the said
Charlotte

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<​
Haws

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party of the second part her heirs and assigns forever And the said Joseph Smith party of the first part his assigns and successors in office the aforesaid premises <​unto the said
Charlotte

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​>​>
Haws

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party of the second part her heirs and assigns, against the claim or claims of all and every person whomsoever, do and will warrant and for ever defend by these presents. In testimony whereof the said Joseph Smith, party of the first part has hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year above written. Joseph Smith Seal
673

TEXT: “Seal” enclosed in a hand-drawn representation of a seal.


As sole Trustee in Trust for the
church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

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. Signed sealed and delivered in presence of
Wm. Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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—
State of Illinois,
Hancock County

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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ss. I
Robert D. Foster

14 Mar. 1811–1 Feb. 1878. Justice of the peace, physician, land speculator. Born in Braunston, Northamptonshire, England. Son of John Foster and Jane Knibb. Married Sarah Phinney, 18 July 1837, at Medina Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of ...

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a Justice of the Peace, in and for the City of
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....

More Info
, in said
county

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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, do certify that Joseph Smith, whose signature appears to the foregoing deed, and who is personally known to me to be the person described in and who executed the same, did acknowledge that he had executed the said conveyance for the uses and purposes therein mentioned. Given under my hand and seal, this 18th. day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three.
Robert D. Foster

14 Mar. 1811–1 Feb. 1878. Justice of the peace, physician, land speculator. Born in Braunston, Northamptonshire, England. Son of John Foster and Jane Knibb. Married Sarah Phinney, 18 July 1837, at Medina Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of ...

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J. P. L. S.
674

TEXT: “L. S.” enclosed in a hand-drawn representation of a seal.


Recorded July 25th. 1843.
 
No. 191.
Deed
Willm. Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

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to
H[enr]y A. Buckwalter

6 June 1817–10 Aug. 1891. Miller, farmer. Born in West Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Henry Buckwalter and Margaret Funk. Married first Emily Winn. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 11 July 1843. Moved to Hancock Co...

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for East 1/2 L 3 in B 148 in the City of
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....

More Info
675

TEXT: The recorder added this notation in the left margin when copying the deed into the deed book.


This Indenture made and entered into this eleventh day of July A. D. 1843 between
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

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of 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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of the one part, and
Henry A. Buckwalter

6 June 1817–10 Aug. 1891. Miller, farmer. Born in West Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Henry Buckwalter and Margaret Funk. Married first Emily Winn. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 11 July 1843. Moved to Hancock Co...

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of 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 ...

More Info
aforesaid, of the other part Witnesseth that the said
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

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for and in consideration of the Sum of Two hundred dollars to him in hand paid by the said
Henry A. Buckwalter

6 June 1817–10 Aug. 1891. Miller, farmer. Born in West Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Henry Buckwalter and Margaret Funk. Married first Emily Winn. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 11 July 1843. Moved to Hancock Co...

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, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents doth grant bargain, sell, alien and confirm unto the said
Henry A. Buckwalter

6 June 1817–10 Aug. 1891. Miller, farmer. Born in West Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Henry Buckwalter and Margaret Funk. Married first Emily Winn. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 11 July 1843. Moved to Hancock Co...

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, and to his heirs and assigns for ever. All that tract or parcel of land situate in the City of
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....

More Info
Hancock County and state aforesaid, being the East half of Lot No. three (3) in Block No. one hundred and forty eight. (148) To have and to hold the above described premises, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining, unto him the said
Henry A. Buckwalter

6 June 1817–10 Aug. 1891. Miller, farmer. Born in West Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Henry Buckwalter and Margaret Funk. Married first Emily Winn. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 11 July 1843. Moved to Hancock Co...

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and his heirs and assigns for ever Provided always that these presents are upon this express condition that if the said
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

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, his heirs, executors, or administrators, shall pay or cause to be paid to the said
Henry A. Buckwalter

6 June 1817–10 Aug. 1891. Miller, farmer. Born in West Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Henry Buckwalter and Margaret Funk. Married first Emily Winn. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 11 July 1843. Moved to Hancock Co...

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, his heirs or assigns the Sum of Two hundred dollars with ten per cent Interest per annum, within one year from this date, together with the interest, in manner particularly specified in a certain note bearing even date herewith, executed by the said
Wm. Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

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. to the said
Henry A. Buckwalter

6 June 1817–10 Aug. 1891. Miller, farmer. Born in West Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Henry Buckwalter and Margaret Funk. Married first Emily Winn. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 11 July 1843. Moved to Hancock Co...

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, [p. 206]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 206

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Nauvoo Registry of Deeds, Deed Record Book A, 1840–1843
ID #
13081
Total Pages
246
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • James Whitehead
  • George Walker

Footnotes

  1. [673]

    TEXT: “Seal” enclosed in a hand-drawn representation of a seal.

  2. [674]

    TEXT: “L. S.” enclosed in a hand-drawn representation of a seal.

  3. [675]

    TEXT: The recorder added this notation in the left margin when copying the deed into the deed book.

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