Sidney Wheeler was only about 17 in 1890. What lead up to this strange transaction?

Deed book 43, page 91, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office.

From Lu Williams to Sidney Wheeler Wilson N.C. January the 8, 1890. Sidney Wheelers I will give you this house an lot of mine you can have it you may Sell it or you can do what you Please with it now I consider my Property your.   [Joseph] Smith, Martha Smith, Lu William

I wondered if Lu Williams was Lula Wheeler, Sidney Wheeler’s wife. However, per their marriage license, Sidney Wheeler, 24, married Lou Armstrong, 20, in Wilson on 23 December 1896. Baptist minister W.T.H. Woodard performed the ceremony in the presence of Richard Renfrow, S.A. Smith, and Janie Booth.

The deed was registered on 19 January 1897. Is the 1890 date in the transfer a misreading of “1896”?