Ophir Mining District (Utah). Recorder Deeds, 1870-1873.

The earliest Ophir Mining District (Tooele County, Utah) recorders registered deeds transferring mining claims or mining property from one party to another. Prospectors in the early Ophir District were highly involved in trading mining property because the original Ophir by-laws limited the amount each individual could claim to 200 feet per person, an amount significantly less than later allowed by federal law. (Federal mining law passed in 1872 allowed 1500 feet, see Statutes at Large, Treaties, and Proclamations, of the United States of America, 1872, vol. 17, chap. 152). Mining deeds, sometimes called indentures, include the name and residence of involved parties, the amount of consideration money, the date, and the name and description of the claim being sold. Deeds were validated by the signatures of seller, notary public, district recorder, and witnesses. In addition to deeds, Book B contains file entries recorded between March and August 1871. The deed book also includes a fewother miscellaneous documents, such as a power of attorney and a location notice amendment.