[Macon Circuit Court convenes for three-day term at Decatur. Judge John Pearson presides.]

First of "Old Settler" letters, perhaps written by Lincoln, appears in "Journal." Adams is accused of irregularities in acquisition of lots in Springfield. In article is letter of Elijah Iles giving details of another case, in which he claims Adams dealt unfairly. Sangamo Journal, 7 October 1837.

Stuart & Lincoln have three cases called on the first day of the fall term of the Sangamon County Circuit Court. They represent Rachel Roll, the complainant in the divorce case Roll v. Roll. The court grants her a divorce decree after her husband fails to appear. In Whitney v. Johnson, they represent the defendant Joel Johnson and confess to the court his indebtedness of $250 to the plaintiff. The court grants their petition for the partition of land in Broadwell v. Broadwell et al.Record.

Lincoln writes and signs praecipe filed in Rupert & Lindenberger v. H. Garrett & Co., and declaration in Thomas H. Buckmaster v. Alexander Garrett.Photocopy.

Lincoln files an answer as guardian ad litem for William Nelson, an infant defendant in White v. Harris et al., a petition for the partition of land.Record.

The court grants Stuart & Lincoln's client, the plaintiff in James Bell & Co. v. Trailor, a judgment by default for $133.15. Stuart & Lincoln inform the court of the death of their client Abraham Dingman, the plaintfiff in Dingman v. Dearing. At their request, the court orders Jemima Dingman, the administrator of Abraham Dingman's estate, to continue the case as the plaintiff. Their motion, entered July 3, 1837, to strike from docket Neff and wife v. Holmes, is overruled. The court also dismissed two of firm's cases and continued a third.Record.

Defendants file pleas in three cases: Buckmaster v. Garrett, Rupert & Lindenberger v. Garrett, and Rupert & Lindenberger v. Garrett & Co.. Stuart & Lincoln, representing the plaintiffs, seek damages of $500 in first case and $200 each in the remaining two cases.Record.

Stuart & Lincoln file pleas for their clients Felix Green and Tarleton Lloyd in Torrey v. Green and Torrey v. Lloyd. The court grants Stuart & Lincoln's petition to sell land to pay widow's dower and debts in Carrico v. Carrico et al. The jury fails to agree on a verdict in Torrey v. Green and the court discharges the jury. Lincoln represents the defendant, William Green. The plaintiffs dismiss and pay all court costs in their case against Lincoln's clients, the defendants inLevick & Jenkins v. A. Withers & Co. In Fleming v. Ransdell, Lincoln files a subpoena for a defense witness, Charles S. Dorsey of Tazewell County.Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In three cases, Torrey v. Lloyd, Torrey v. Green, and Torrey v. Green the parties agree to dismiss their cases. As part of the agreement Stuart & Lincoln's clients, Tarleton Lloyd, Felix Green, and William Green pay all court costs. Stuart & Lincoln obtain a judgment for $696.26 in damages in McKee, Stewart & Lind v. Tharp, after the defendant confesses his indebtedness to the plaintiffs. Lincoln files a petition to sell real estate for his client Moses Martin in Martin v. Martin et al. Lincoln writes the court's decree and the court rules that real estate in the Isaac Martin estate be sold to pay the debts of the estate.Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Logan and Lincoln file a replication to the defendant's amended answer in Wright et al. v. Adams. In three cases, Buckmaster v. Garrett, Rupert & Lindenberger v. Garrett, and Rupert & Lindenberger v. H. Garrett & Co., the defendants withdraw their pleas and the parties agree to dismiss the cases at the defendants' cost. Stuart & Lincoln appear for plaintiffs in these cases. In Trailor v. Radford, the court grants both parties permission to open depositions that they have filed. Record.

In two cases, Stuart & Lincoln win judgments of $175.60 each for their clients, the plaintiffs in T. & J.S. Wilbourn v. Simmons and T. & J.S. Wilbourn v. Simmons. In Billon v. White, they obtain a judgment by default for their client Charles P. Billon, and the court awards $145.34 in damages. Stuart & Lincoln file a plea for their cleint, the defendant in Fleming v. Ransdell. Lincoln, representing the plaintiff in Chiles v. Sudduth, signs a joinder to the defendant's demurrer, "Stuart & Lincoln." Stuart & Lincoln file an affidavit and request that the defendant provide additional security for court costs in Campbell v. Knox.Record.

Lincoln writes second reply to James Adams, published in "Sangamo Journal" October 28, 1837.Second Reply to James Adams, 18 October 1837, CW, 1:101-6.

Lincoln, P. C. Latham, Garrett Elkin, and John T. Stuart sign William Butler's bond for $2,000 as circuit court clerk. On motion of her attorneys, Stuart & Lincoln, the court gives the appellant, Jemima Dingman, leave to open depositions in Dingman v. Dearing. Later after hearing the evidence in the case, the court orders a nonsuit.Record.

Stuart & Lincoln win nine cases by default, getting damages of $935.71. The court appoints Stuart guardian ad litem of the minor defendants in Musick v. Musick et al. Stuart & Lincoln represent the complaintants in two chancery cases involving an estate, Mason v. Mason et al. and Mason v. Mason et al.. In both cases the court decrees the petitions as confessed by the defendants. The court appoints commissioners to assign dower in one case and to partition land in the other.Record.

Lincoln writes and files the defendant's affidavit in Fleming v. Ransdell. A jury awards Stuart & Lincoln's client, the plaintiff in the attachment case Coffman v. Smith, $21.50 in damages. By agreement of both parties the court dismisses, Ellis v. Hughes and orders the plaintiff to pay court costs. The court decrees Stuart & Lincoln's bill for specific performance taken as confessed by the defendants in St. John v. Chilton et al..Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Public protest meeting against abolitionists resolves that "efforts of abolitionists in this community are neither necessary nor useful," and that immediate emancipation is at variance with Christianity.Sangamo Journal, 28 October 1837. Morgan Circuit Court convenes.]

[Benjamin Talbott, Sangamon County recorder, writes long letter defending himself and Lincoln against assertions made in letter of James Adams published in "Republican" today.Sangamo Journal, 4 November 1837.

Citizens meet to take steps to pay first installment of $50,000 pledged toward cost of new state house.Trustee's Minutes.]

[Illinois Antislavery convention opens three-day meeting in Upper Alton. Call is signed by 20 residents of Springfield, 12 of whom are members of Second Presbyterian Church. Clinton L. Conkling, "History of Westminster Presbyterian Church" (MS.).]

Lincoln writes and attests Crawford B. Dalby's permission for his daughter Hester Ann to marry Edward H. Tyler.Photocopy.