Deed to Robert Peirce, 28 February 1842
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Source Note
JS and , Deed for property in , Hancock Co., IL, to , 28 Feb. 1842; sealed by JS and ; witnessed by and ; certified by . Featured version copied 4 June 1842 in Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, vol. K, pp. 281–282; unidentified handwriting; Hancock County Recorder’s Office, Carthage, IL.The deed was recorded in Deed Book K, the original physical dimensions of which volume are unknown. The volume contained 294 leaves (588 pages) and endpaper, now measuring 16⅜ × 10½ inches (42 × 27 cm). Nothing is known of the original binding, but by 1974 the volume was rebound and covered in white canvas, with “DEED RECORD | K | HANCOCK COUNTY” stamped in ink on the spine. A twenty-four leaf (forty-eight page) index in an unknown hand was inserted in the front of the volume, presumably around the same time. At an unknown time the text block and index were cut from the new binding, inserted into individual Mylar sleeves, and placed in a metal-and-board binder with a red exterior. The binder measures 18½ × 13 × 3¾ inches (47 × 33 × 10 cm). The volume contains handwritten deeds recorded 11 December 1841 to 2 June 1842.The volume has remained in the continuous custody of the , Illinois, recorder since its creation.
Footnotes
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Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. K, 1841–1842, microfilm 954,599, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.
U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.
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Historical Introduction
On 28 February 1842 JS and deeded three lots on the , Illinois, plat to member . In March 1841 Peirce sold his farm in , Pennsylvania, to church in exchange for a note, valued at $5,000, that could be redeemed for property in Nauvoo. The three lots deeded to Peirce on 28 February 1842 were worth a total of $2,700 and were the final installment of the church’s obligation to Peirce. JS paid earlier installments in response to an August 1841 letter from Peirce requesting land be deeded to William Gheen “on my account” and a debt be paid to “Brother Whitesides.”The deed was produced in by . JS and signed that copy, which was witnessed by Richards and and certified by JS’s brother . This original deed was then taken to the clerk’s office in , Illinois, to be recorded in a county deed book, which was done on 4 June 1842. That copy is featured here.viewed the reception of the deed as a vindication of his faith. Earlier, news of his initial transaction with church agents garnered controversy in . Local newspapers suggested that church agents would not fulfill the land transactions they had entered into with eastern converts. The Saturday Courier cited the church’s purchase of Peirce’s farm land as a particularly blatant effort to defraud them. After receiving this deed, Peirce exonerated the church from any wrongdoing in a letter that was published in the Times and Seasons.
Footnotes
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Letter from Robert Peirce, 20 Aug. 1841; JS and Emma Smith to William Gheen, Deed, 18 Sept. 1841, Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. I, p. 446, microfilm 954,598, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL. In May 1841 JS and Emma Smith transferred $1,550 worth of land to Peirce, which might have also been an installment on the debt to Peirce. (JS and Emma Smith to Robert Peirce, Indenture, 29 May 1841, Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. I, pp. 330–331, microfilm 954,598, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)
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“The Mormons—the Crimes of Their Leaders and the Delusion of Their Dupes—Their History, Etcetera,” Saturday Courier (Philadelphia), 14 Aug. 1841, [2].
Saturday Courier. Philadelphia. 1841–1848.
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4780
J. Smith To
Recorded 4th June 1842
This Indenture, Made, and entered into, This Twenty eighth day of February in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty Two between Joseph Smith and his wife, of the county of and State of , of the one part, and of the county of and State aforesaid, of the other part, Witnesseth, that the said Joseph Smith and his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of Twenty Seven hundred dollars, to them in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, do hereby grant, bargain, sell, convey, and confirm unto the said his heirs and assigns forever, all those tracts or parcels of land, situate and being in the county of in the state of , Viz: Lot No four, in Block Seventy eight, and Lot No -Two- in Block No Ninety Four; and Lot Four in Block Ninety five, of the city of . 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 his heirs and assigns forever, And the said Joseph Smith and his wife, their heirs and assigns, the aforesaid premises, unto the said his heirs and assigns, against the claim or claims of all and every person whomsoever, do and will warrant and forever defend by these presents.
In Testimony Whereof, the said Joseph Smith and his wife of the first part, have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written
Joseph Smith L. S.
L. S.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of)
— ) [p. 281]
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