8.

JOSEPH LOUIS MOTT in the SAN LUIS VALLEY

Joseph's migration to the San Luis Valley of Colorado brought new events into his life that have affirmed his existence and have finally created a paper trail.

BAPTISM
"Joseph Louis Mott was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 1, 1881 by William Ball, and was confirmed a member the same day by Hans Heiselt at Richfield, CO."
(From the records of the Richfield Ward, San Luis Stake, Richfield, Colorado; now the La Jara Ward, La Jara Colorado Stake)


DECLARATION OF INTENTION
Joseph filed his Declaration of Intention papers at Del Norte, Rio Grande, Colorado. As an alien, he filed this document in a formal manner, before a court of record, and affirmed his bonafide intention to become a citizen of the United States, and to "renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State, or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to Victor Emannuel, Emperor of Italy, whereof I was heretofore a citizen or subject.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 26th day of June, A. D. 1885.
 (signed) Joseph Mott

John B. Huffy, District Court Clerk (witness)
State of Colorado, County of Rio Grande
(signed) Antonio J. N. Valdez
Clerk, District Court (witness)"


MARRIAGE TO MARY EMELINE KELLY

State of Colorado Division of Vital Statistics, Marriage Record Report No. 601
         Husband's Name: Mutt, Joseph L.  age 24  Race: W
         Wife's Name: Kelley, Mary E.  age 18   Race: W
                Place of Marriage: Richfield, Colo.  Date: 1-24-1886
                Name of Official who Performed Ceremony: T. N. Peterson
                      Title: MIN (minister)   Address: Richfield, Colo.

*note: In the transcribed recordings of son Elmer Mott, it was revealed that Mary Emeline "fudged" about her age when she married Joseph Mott. Son Elmer thought that she was 17, and not 18.


HOMESTEAD CERTIFICATE No. 696, Application No. 934

"Whereas, there has been deposited in the General Land Office of the United States a certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Del Norte, Colorado, whereby it appears that, persuant to the Act of Congress approved 20th May, 1862, to secure Homesteads to actual Settlers on the Public Domain, and the acts supplemental thereto, the claim of Joseph Mott has been established and duly consummated, in conformity to law for the South East quarter of Section 30, in township thirty- six North of Range nine East, of New Mexico Meridian in Colorado, containing one hundred and sixty acres, according to the Official Plat of the survey of said land, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General.

Now know ye that there is, therefore, granted by the United States unto the said Joseph Mott the tract of land above described. To have and to hold the said tract of land, with the appurtenances thereof unto the said Joseph Mott and to his heirs and assigns forever, subject to any vested and accrued water rights for mining, agricultural, manufacturing, or other purposes, and rights to ditches and reservoirs used in connection with such water rights as may be recognized and acknowledged. by the local customs, laws, and decisions of courts, and also subject to the right of the proprietor of a vein or lode to extract and remove his ore therefrom, should the same be found to penetrate or intersect the premises as hereby granted as provided by law.

In testimony whereof, I, (signed) Benjamin Harrison , President of the United States of America, have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed.
Given under my hand at the City of Washington, the eighth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety one and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and fifteenth.

   By the President: (signed) Benjamin Harrison
   by M. McKean, Secretary
   J. M. Townsend, Recorder of the General Land Office
This document was signed twice by President Harrison!

https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=CO0180__.165&docClass=STA&sid=w5zgr4ej.hro