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.
or copies thereof by which they claim that the title to said Lots and Blocks passed from the said Joseph Smith <deceased> to them respectively.
Your Orators further state that the said Joseph Smith deceased, shortly before his death was seized of the following <described> Real Estate, to wit;
The East half of the South East qr. of section No. thirty one in Township No. five North of Range eight West.
Also the West half of the North West of section No. 5, township No. 4 North of Range No. 8 West
Also the East half of the North East qr. of section No. six in said township No. 4 North of Range No. 8 West
And charge that while said Smith was so seized of said premises he was largely indebted to your Orators and others which said indebtedness remains due and unpaid, not satisfied or in any manner cancelled and being so indebted for the fraudulent purpose of hindering and delaying said creditors in the collection of their said debts and of defrauding your orators and the other creditors of said deceased of their said debts combined and confederated with the said (then Smith) , , and then infants to convey <to> them and did convey to them the lands in this paragraph discribed without consideration and with the fraudulent intent aforesaid.
Your Orators further state that the said Joseph Smith deceased a short time before his death was seized of the following described property situate in , Hancock County Illinois, to wit;
Lot No. 3 on Block No. 93, Lot No 4 on Block 94, Lots Nos 1, 2, and 3 on Block 95, Blocks 96, 97, 98, Lots Nos. 1 and 2 on Block No. 99, Lot No. 4 on Block No. 104, Lots Nos. 2 and 3 on Block 109, Block No. 110, Lot No. 3 on Block No. 111, Lot No. 3 on Block No. 112, Blocks Nos 128 and 129, Lots Nos 1, 2 and 4 on Block No. 131 Lots Nos. 1 an[d] 2 on Block No .135 Lots Nos. 2, 3 and 4 on Block 136, and Block No.137,
And charge that while said Joseph Smith deceased was so seized of said lots, blocks and premises he was largely indebted to your Orators upon the judgement aforesaid as well as to divers other persons in a large amount, and being so indebted he the said Joseph Smith deceased for the fraudulent purpose of hindering and delaying your Orators and other creditors of the said deceased in collecting their said debt and for the purpose of defrauding your Orators, combined and confederated with the said defendants (then his wife ) (then Smith) his adopted daughter, , , and Infant Children of the said deceased, fraudulently to convey to them the lands, lots, blocks, and premises in this [p. 495]