In letter of November 4, 1851 to John D. Johnston Lincoln says: "When I came into Charleston day-before yesterday I learned that you are anxious to sell the land where you live, and move to Missouri." Abraham Lincoln to John D. Johnston, 4 November 1851, CW, 2:111-12.

Shelby Circuit Court convenes. Lincoln writes and signs "Ficklin & Lincoln" to pleas in Mercer v. Evans. He writes, signs, and files pleas in Nathan v. Noland, and writes affidavit of James Evans. He and Ficklin are for defense. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Photocopy.

[Lincoln has at least two cases at this term which cannot be assigned to particular days. In Stewardson v. Stewardson he and Ficklin dismiss complainant's bill. In Mercer v. Evans, slander, jury finds for plaintiff and assesses damages at $5. Lincoln is attorney for defense. Record.]

Lincoln writes to his stepbrother about his proposed removal to Missouri: "What can you do in Missouri, better than here? . . . Your thousand pretences for not getting along better, are all non-sense—they deceive no body but yourself. Go to work is the only cure for your case." At all events Lincoln intends to protect his mother's interest in Coles County land. Abraham Lincoln to John D. Johnston, 4 November 1851, CW, 2:111-12.

[In Lincoln's long absence on circuit, his banker pays his bills. Robert Irwin debits Lincoln's account $250 for bills payable. Irwin credits Lincoln with $35.30 interest, deposits $9.57 cash received from some Lincoln debtor, and gives Mrs. Lincoln $5 cash. Irwin Journal & Ledger.]

[Mrs. Lincoln buys $2 in merchandise. Irwin Journal & Ledger.]

[Mrs. Lincoln buys $2 bonnet at Irwin's store, and $4.97 worth of red flannel and merino at John Williams & Co. Irwin Journal & Ledger; Pratt, Personal Finances, 145.]

[Mrs. Lincoln buys yard of plaid flannel and buttons ($1.48) at John Williams & Co. Irwin Journal & Ledger; Pratt, Personal Finances, 145.]

Having received another letter from Johnston, Lincoln writes: "I still think as I did; but if the land can be sold so that I get three hundred dollars to put to interest for mother, I will not object if she does not. But before I will make a deed, the money must be had, or secured, beyond all doubt, at ten per cent." Abraham Lincoln to John D. Johnston, 9 November 1851, CW, 2:112.

[Moultrie Circuit Court convenes at Sullivan.]

Froman v. Pearson & Walton is dismissed by agreement. Lincoln and Benedict appear for defendants. Signing "Post & Lincoln," Lincoln writes and files five pleas and affidavit for defendant in Austin v. Whitley. After having agreed to submit dispute to referee, defendant refused to accept award and plaintiff sues for $500 damages. Lincoln writes and signs replication in King et al. v. Lee et al. In Andrews v. House he wins leave to take depositions for plaintiff. Record; Photocopy; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Emerson and Wait, attorneys for plaintiff in Austin v. Whitley, dismiss suit. Record.

In the Macon County Circuit Court, a jury grants a divorce to Lincoln's client Sarah Ogden in the case of Ogden v. Ogden. Among other charges, Sarah claims that the defendant, Jonathan Ogden, "repeatedly" hit her and then left her "in a destitute and suffering situation." "In lieu of alimony," the court orders Jonathan to give Sarah "bedding . . . [and] four hundred dollars." The court awards Jonathan "custody . . . of the children," but it allows Sarah to "visit said children occasionally" and "without hinderance." Answer of Jonathan Ogden, filed May 1851, Ogden v. Ogden; Bill for Divorce, filed 9 May 1851, Ogden v. Ogden, both in case file A1037, Macon County Circuit Court, Illinois State Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL; Decree, 14 November 1851, Ogden v. Ogden, Record C, 86, Macon County Circuit Court, Macon County Courthouse, Decatur, IL.

Lincoln writes to Joseph McIntyre, Pekin attorney, about legal document he needs at once. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph S. McIntyre, 14 November 1851, CW, 2:112.

On Lincoln's motion Robert M. Evans of Indiana is admitted to practice in Macon Circuit Court. In Eckel v. Warnick, defendant, represented by Post and Lincoln, is enjoined from further proceedings in ejectment suit. King et al. v. Lee et al. is tried by Lincoln for complainants. Court takes it under advisement. Lincoln copies bond for execution of warranty deed and has clerk certify it. Lincoln wins Andrews v. House when jury is waived and case is tried by court by agreement. Court finds for plaintiff and assesses $116.48 damages. Record; Photocopy.

Sanders et ux. v. Dunham is dismissed by agreement at defendant's cost. Plaintiffs sued for $5,000 charging that Dunham circulated report that Katherine Sanders, his wife, had child in adultery by Negro. Lincoln is Dunham's attorney. Tanner v. Ketchum et al., continued at last term, is abated by death of defendant, Lincoln's client. Lincoln writes his own name on judge's docket in several cases. He evidently acquires these clients on arriving in Taylorville on morning of 16th or 17th. Record.

Lincoln writes and files affidavit for continuance in Hill v. Bennett & Maupin. Order in Record continuing case is in Lincoln's handwriting. Lincoln files defendant's plea in Duncan v. Boyd, trespass case in which plaintiff asks $200 for injury to mares placed in care of defendant. Jury finds defendant not guilty. Record.

Lincoln writes and files defendants' pleas in John Webb v. William and John Hays. He writes and files papers in John Hays v. William Hays. Photocopy.

Lincoln writes and files summons in Baker v. Moffett & Allen. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

His bank account is debited $5 for "Subscription." Irwin Journal.

Sangamon Circuit Court convenes for special session. Lincoln & Herndon file interrogatories for Jacob Bunn, plaintiff in garnishee suit against Snow and Keys. Three other Lincoln & Herndon cases are continued. Record.

In Husband v. Elder, appeal, Lincoln & Herndon file plaintiff's declaration and secure rule on defendant to plead to 20 days. With Logan, they file exceptions to complainant's depositions in Glynn v. Glynn. Record.

On motion of Lincoln & Herndon, defendant in Porter v. Porter is ruled to answer by first day of next term. Three of their cases are continued. Record.

Lincoln writes to his step-brother John D. Johnston, of Charleston, Illinois, regarding some property that Lincoln's stepmother Sara Lincoln owns. Lincoln writes, "[I]f it be sold, of course, she is intitled to the interest on all the money it brings, as long as she lives; but you propose to sell it for three hundred dollars, take one hundred away with you, and leave her two hundred, at 8 per cent, making her the enormous sum of 16 dollars a year. Now, if you are satisfied with treating her in that way, I am not." Abraham Lincoln to John D. Johnston, 25 November 1851, CW, 2:113.

Lincoln & Herndon obtain divorce and custody of children for their client, Reuben Radford, in Radford v. Radford when defendant defaults. In Bunn v. Snow and Keys, defendants confess debt of $18.26. Record.

Defendants Anderson Blackburn and Trustees of Illinois College, having failed to answer complainants' original, amended, and supplemental bills, filed by Lincoln and Smith in Gilman et al. v. Hamilton et al., bill is taken pro confesso. Lincoln and Smith file bill suggesting death of Mary A. Thornton, another defendant, and secure order of revivor against her unknown heirs. Record.

Lincoln takes mortgage on 80 acre farm from Thomas Cantrall and Elizabeth, his wife, to secure promissory note for $600, payable two years from date with interest at 10 per cent. Book HH, 148.

In Circuit Court, exceptions to complainant's depositions in Glynn v. Glynn, filed by Logan, Lincoln & Herndon on 22nd, are argued and overruled. Record.

In "Illinois Journal" Lincoln's name heads list of leading Whigs who call convention to meet in Springfield December 22, 1851. Call for Whig Convention, 29 November 1851, CW, 2:113-14.

Circuit Court finds pro forma for plaintiffs in Lincoln's two Sangamon & Alton cases, last before court September 2, 1851, and assesses railroad's damages at $1,350 and $1.75 respectively. Defendants are allowed appeals to Supreme Court. Three other Lincoln & Herndon cases are dismissed. Record.

Lincoln writes court judgment in Alton & Sangamon RR v. Klein. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

He deposits $9.57 in his bank account. Irwin Journal.

Mrs. Lincoln buys calico and "Swiss" at John Williams' store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 145.