-By Lindsey Boyce Lewis

In Episode 104: Clayton’s Dirty Deeds, we need to correct a few things. At around thirty minutes in, Michelle discusses how Emma’s Deed from July 12, 1843 compares to deeds from after Joseph’s death where Emma sells property to others. She has been working SO hard on these deeds and it is completely understandable that in the rush to get the episode out, she mistyped on her slides and therefore misspoke on a few details while recording. Don’t worry, Michelle! You are doing great and mistakes happen! 

Thus, we will do our best to correct and clarify those details, here.

First of all, here is what is included in Emma’s Deed:

Then, how it compares to Hyrum’s Deed:

With what is in Hyrum’s but not Emma’s, highlighted:

And finally, what is in Emma’s but not Hyrum’s highlighted:

Here is an animation of the comparisons:

If you would like to view the spreadsheet with the data collected from the deeds, feel free to view it here:

Emma’s & Hyrum’s Deed Comparisons

So as Michelle stated in episode 104, here are the lots Emma deeded after Joseph’s death:

At 30 minutes in– Deed from Emma to Mercy, 6/30/1846 for $5

Lot 1, Block 149
Does not overlap.

At 30:25 – From Emma to Benjamin Vancourt, 8/26/1847 for $50

Lots 1 & 4 on Block 117
Lots 2 & 3 on Block 119
Lot 1 on Block 125
Lot 2 & 4 on Block 140
Do not overlap.

At 30:38 – From Emma to her son David H. Smith (b. 11/17/1844), 12/21/1844 (so David would have been barely 3 years old! What is that about?!) for $1,200 (what?! Where is a toddler getting that kind of cash?!? I digress.)

Only 1/5th of Lot #3 on Block 147

DO overlap with Emma’s deed, but not Hyrum’s. See maps above.

‘Comments’ on this deed include:

Block 155
Lot 1 on Block 160
Lot 2 on Block 161

Block 155 and Lot 1 on Block 160 DO overlap with Emma’s, but not Hyrum’s.

Lot 3 on Block 161 does not overlap.

Are these ‘comments’ from Susan Easton Black’s team (in their compilation of Nauvoo Land Deeds)? What does, “All my interest in,” relate to?

At 30:53 – From Emma to Benjamin Vancourt, 12/21/1847 for $50

Lot 4 on Block 101
Lot 2 on Block 103
Lot 3 on Block 106
Lot 3 on Block 108

Lot 1 & 4 on Block 109 (Notice the lot# key on the maps above to see that lots 1 & 4 do not overlap with Emma & Hyrum’s deeds.)

*Lot 1 & 4 on Block 110*
Lot 4 on Block 117
Lot 3 on Block 120
Lot 3 on Block 125
Lot 3 on Block 140

As mentioned in the description of the video, Michelle accidentally wrote Block 100 on her slide and therefore misstated that it did not overlap. As you can see in the order of the list, it was meant to say, “Lot #1 and 4, Block #110,” and as such, it DOES overlap with both Emma and Hyrum’s deeds.

Thank you for your patience with our lay historian selves! We are doing our best.

As always, if you double check our work and find any mistakes, PLEASE let us know and we will be happy to correct them.

-The 132 Problems Team

Do you think the corrections change anything? What are your thoughts on the differences between Emma and Hyrum’s deeds? As Michelle points out in this episode, what do you think the significance of the deeds being signed or not, is? Comment below!