Series 85246
Brigham City (Utah). City Recorder Town site deeds
Dates: 1870-1877.
0.20 cubic foot and 1 microfilm reel
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
The Brigham City recorder transcribed deeds conveying town site lots from the mayor to individual claimants. When the Brigham City town site was originally surveyed, lots were distributed by the Mormon Church. Since this distribution was not valid under federal law, Congressional and Territorial legislation were necessary to correct the problem. In March 1867, Congress passed "An Act for the Relief of the Inhabitants of Cities and Towns upon the Public Lands" (Statutes at Large, Treaties, and Proclamations, of the United States of America, vol. 14, chap. 177). This act provided that officials of incorporated towns should enter town site lands at the land office and purchase them for the benefit of all inhabitants. Pursuant to this law, the Territorial Legislature established further regulations (Compiled Laws of Utah, 1876. Chap 4). Each person claiming to be a rightful owner of any part of this land was required to present a claim to the probate court, which was to determine the validity of each claim. Once the probate court had validated a claim the mayor was required to issue a deed conveying that land to the claimant. Each deed in this record book refers to the above mentioned acts of Congress and of the Territorial Legislature. Each deed states that the land is being conveyed by the mayor to a certain individual. Each deed describes the lot being transferred and tells the amount being paid for it. All deeds are signed by the mayor, the probate court judge and the city recorder.
Arrangement
Chronological.
Research Note
In the back of this bound book someone has recorded a history of the Brigham City council from 1867 to 1888. It includes details about individuals elected or appointed to office in each year and also summarizes important actions taken by the council.
Related Records
Minutes from Brigham City (Utah). City Council, Series 3803, contain many resolutions making corrections to town site deeds and also resolutions appropriating unclaimed town site lots. Council minutes are also supplemented by a brief history of the council which is recorded in the back of this volume.
Deeds from Box Elder County (Utah). County Recorder, Series 6291, includes recording of additional early Brigham City deeds, though possibly not additional copies of these deeds.
Access Restrictions
This series is classified as Public.
Preferred Citation
Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.
Processing Note
Brigham City town site deeds, recorded in "City Record C," were microfilmed by Utah State Archives in April 1978 and processed by Rosemary Cundiff in August 2002.
Finding Aids
Indexes: This volume includes an alphabetical index, which cites the name of the recipient and the page number on which the deed is recorded.
Indexing Terms
- Land titles—Registration and transfer—Utah—Brigham City.
- Municipal government—Utah—Brigham City.
- City council members—Utah—Brigham City.
Page Last Updated October 18, 2012.