In the Vermilion County Circuit Court, Lincoln, Ward Hill Lamon, and Joseph Peters represent defendant Jepha Hensley in the appeal case of People v. Hensley. A jury reverses the decision of the lower court and finds Hensley guilty of assault and battery. The court orders Hensley to pay a $3 fine and the court costs. Lincoln writes and files a bond for costs for Jesse Ligget, plaintiff Nelson Ligget's surety, in the case of Ligget v. Frazier. Lincoln and John H. Murphy represent Samuel Frazier whom Ligget is suing for assault. Lincoln represents Johnson Vest, charged with larceny, in the case of People v. Vest. Vest pleads not guilty, and a jury deliberates but cannot reach a verdict. Lincoln requests a continuance to the next term so that he can locate a witness to testify on behalf of Vest. Judge David Davis continues the case and orders Vest to remain in the custody of the county sheriff until Vest renews his bail. Jury Verdict, 3 February 1852, People v. Hensley, case file, box 8; Order, 14 May 1852, People v. Hensley, Circuit Court Record D, 422, both in Vermilion County Circuit Court, Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL; Bond for Costs, 14 May 1852, Ligget v. Frazier, Vermilion County Circuit Court, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Transcription of Declaration, 10 October 1851, Ligget v. Frazier, copy files, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL; Indictment, May 1852, People v. Vest, case file, box 3, Vermilion County Circuit Court, Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL; Affidavit, 15 May 1852, People v. Vest, Stern Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Order, 14 May 1852, People v. Vest, Circuit Court Record D, 418, Vermilion County Circuit Court, Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL; .

In Judge David Davis's absence, Lincoln serves as judge in the chancery case of Peabody v. Roney. Lincoln dissolves an injunction, dismisses the suit, and orders the plaintiff to pay the court costs.Decree, 14 May 1852, Peabody v. Roney, Circuit Court Record D, 425, Vermilion County Circuit Court, Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL; Decree (copy), 14 May 1852, Peabody v. Roney; Minutes of Testimony (copy), 14 May 1852, Peabody v. Roney, both in copy files, IHi, Springfield, IL.