The to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting:

Know ye, that whereas Joseph Smith of the county of and Territory of State of , died intestat[e], as it is said, on or about the 27th day of June A. D. 1844 having, at the time of his decease, personal property in this whic[h] may be lost, destroyed, or diminished in value, if [s]peedy care be not taken of the same. To the end, therefore, that said property may be collected and [p]reserved for those who shall appear to have a legal r[i]ght or interest therein, we do hereby appoint of the county of Des Moines and Territory of , administrator of all a[n]d singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits, which were of the said Joseph Smith at the time of his decease, with full power and authority to secure and collect the sa[i]d property and debts [wheresoever] the same may be found in this , and in general to do and perform all other acts [which are now,] or hereafter may be required of him by law.

Witness John W Webber Judge of Probate, in and for the county of Des Moines at his office in this 14th day of September A. D. 1844