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Lincoln Log Search Browse Calendar This Day  |
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-03'>Monday, May 3, 1852.</date>
<place key='40.0167, -88.5667' teiForm='name'>Monticello, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>In the Piatt County Circuit Court, Lincoln's and Joel Seth Post's client, Jonathan C. Johnson,
dismisses his appeal in the case of <name type='case' key='L01706'>Johnson v. Marquis and
Marquis</name>. Lincoln and Charles Emerson represent plaintiff Eliza K. Thorpe, who seeks a
divorce from Moses Thorpe in the case of <name type='case' key='L00379'>Thorpe v. Thorpe</name>.
Moses Thorpe's attorneys demur to Lincoln's and Emerson's bill for divorce, and after hearing
arguments on the merits of the demurrer and the bill, Judge David Davis overrules the demurrer.
Lincoln files an affidavit for a continuance in the assumpsit case of <name type='case' key='L01710'>Loyd v. Thorpe</name>, in which he and David Longnecker represent defendant Moses
Thorpe. The court grants the continuance. <bibl default='NO'>Order, 3 May 1852, <ital>Johnson v. Marquis and
Marquis</ital>, Court Record B, 228; Decree, 3 May 1852, <ital>Thorpe v. Thorpe</ital>, Court
Record B, 228, both in Piatt County Circuit Court, Piatt County Courthouse, Monticello, IL;
Affidavit for Continuance, filed 3 May 1852, <ital>Loyd v. Thorpe</ital>, Herndon-Weik
Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Order, 3 May 1852, <ital>Loyd v.
Thorpe</ital>, Court Record B, 227, Piatt County Circuit Court, Piatt County Courthouse,
Monticello, IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-04'>Tuesday, May 4, 1852.</date>
<place key='40.0167, -88.5667' teiForm='name'>Monticello, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p> In the Piatt County Circuit Court, Lincoln and Charles Emerson represent plaintiff Eliza K.
Thorpe, who seeks a divorce from Moses Thorpe in the case of <name type='case' key='L00379'>Thorpe v. Thorpe</name>. Moses Thorpe files an answer to the bill for divorce and asserts that
he is not an abusive husband. Moses charges Eliza with, among other things, being verbally
abusive and taking money without permission. Lincoln and Emerson file a replication to the
answer that denies Moses Thorpe's allegations. Lincoln and Emerson apply to the court for
support for their client while her suit is pending. Judge David Davis hears both sides argue the
merits of the application and rules in favor of Eliza Thorpe. Judge Davis orders Moses Thorpe to
pay the circuit clerk $25 within thirty days and an additional $35 within ninety days for Eliza
Thorpe's support until the next term of court. Lincoln represents defendant Samuel L. Swords in
the appeal case of <name type='case' key='L01716'>Rarey v. Swords</name>, a dispute involving
the construction of a log cabin. The court calls a jury, and both sides make their arguments.
The jury finds in favor of Rarey and awards him $12. Judge Davis orders each of the litigants to
pay half of the $43.91 in court costs. <bibl default='NO'>Answer, 4 May 1852, <ital>Thorpe v. Thorpe</ital>,
case file, box 28; Affidavit of Moses Thorpe, 4 May 1852, <ital>Thorpe v. Thorpe</ital>, case
file, box 28; both in Menard County Circuit Court, Menard County Courthouse, Petersburg, IL;
Replication (copy), filed 4 May 1852, <ital>Thorpe v. Thorpe</ital>, copy files, Henry Horner
Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL; Judgment, c. May 1852, <ital>Thorpe v. Thorpe</ital>,
Court Record B, 230; Judgment, 4 May 1852, <ital>Rarey v. Swords</ital>, Court Record B, 229,
both in Piatt County Circuit Court, Piatt County Courthouse, Monticello, IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-05'>Wednesday, May 5, 1852.</date>
<place key='40.0167, -88.5667' teiForm='name'>Monticello, IL</place> and <place key='40.1000, -88.2000' teiForm='name'>Urbana, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p> [The Spring term of the Champaign County Circuit Court begins in Urbana with thirty-nine
cases on the docket. <bibl default='NO'>Orders and Decrees, 5-9 May 1852, Circuit Court Record A, 87-112,
Champaign County Circuit Court, Champaign County Courthouse, Urbana, IL.</bibl>]</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-06'>Thursday, May 6, 1852.</date>
<place key='40.1000, -88.2000' teiForm='name'>Urbana, IL</place>.
</dateline>
<p>In the Champaign County Circuit Court, Lincoln files a plea for
defendant James F. Jennings in the case of <name type='case' key='L01305'>Burt
v. Jennings</name>, a suit involving a complaint of assault and battery. In the
plea, Lincoln states that Jennings acted in self defense. Lincoln also drafts a
standard response for plaintiff Benjamin Burt's attorneys to sign.<bibl default='NO'>Plea,
Replication, filed 6 May 1852, <ital>Burt v. Jennings</ital>, Champaign County
Circuit Court, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL.</bibl>
</p>
<p>In the
evening, Lincoln and Judge David Davis attend a performance by Hillis and his
choir. Lincoln and Davis take some of the "Tavern Keeper[']s" female relatives
as well. Davis writes, "We did it as an act of charity—for they looked as
if they were very tired from hard work." <bibl default='NO'>David Davis to Sarah Davis, 7
May 1852, David Davis Family Papers, Folder B-9, IHi, Springfield,
IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-07'>Friday, May 7, 1852.</date>
<place key='40.1000, -88.2000' teiForm='name'>Urbana, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p> [A Chicago newspaper reports that the jury begins deliberation in the U.S. District Court
case of <name type='case' key='L02337'>Johnston v. Jones and Marsh</name>. Lincoln would later
serve as one of the attorneys in the case, which is often referred to by the more familiar name
of the "Sand Bar" case. <bibl default='NO'>
<title>Chicago Daily Journal</title> (IL), 8 May 1852, 2:2; U.S. Circuit Court, District of
Illinois Transcript, 4 December 1854, <ital>Johnston v. Jones and Marsh</ital>, Record Group
267, Record 1, case file 3201, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington,
DC.</bibl>
</p>
<p>]</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-08'>Saturday, May 8, 1852.</date>
<place key='40.1000, -88.2000' teiForm='name'>Urbana, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p> [A Chicago newspaper reports that the jury decides in favor of the plaintiff in the U.S.
District Court case of <name type='case' key='L02337'>Johnston v. Jones and Marsh</name>.
Lincoln would later serve as one of the attorneys for the defendants in the case which is often
referred to by the more familiar name of the "Sand Bar" case. <bibl default='NO'>
<title>Chicago Daily Journal</title>, (IL), 8 May 1852, 2:2; U.S. Circuit Court, District of
Illinois Transcript, 4 December 1854, <ital>Johnston v. Jones and Marsh</ital>, Record Group
267, Record 1, case file 3201, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington,
DC.</bibl>
</p>
<p>]</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-10'>Monday, May 10, 1852.</date>
<place key='40.1167, -87.6167' teiForm='name'>Danville, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>In the Vermilion County Circuit Court, Lincoln and Usher F. Linder represent defendant Joshua
Hollingsworth in the appeal case of <name type='case' key='L01867'>Canterbury v.
Hollingsworth</name>. The parties reach an agreement, and the court orders Hollingsworth to pay
the court costs. In the case of <name type='case' key='L01482'>Ligget v. Frazier</name>, Judge
David Davis orders Lincoln and John H. Murphy, as attorneys for defendant Samuel Frazier, to
enter a plea for their client by the next day. Lincoln and Oliver L. Davis represent plaintiff
William N. Brown, a minor, in the case of <name type='case' key='L01864'>Brown v. Makemson et
al.</name> Brown accuses several men including Andrew Makemson of assault and battery. Judge
Davis orders Makemson and the other defendants to file pleas to answer Brown's allegations. The
court orders defendant Jabel B. Trent, Lincoln's client in two cases— <name type='case' key='L02051'>Murphy v. Trent</name> and <name type='case' key='L01924'>Jones
& Culbertson v. Trent</name>— to file pleas by Wednesday morning, May 12.
<bibl default='NO'>Order, 10 May 1852, <ital>Canterbury v. Hollingsworth</ital>, Circuit Court Record D,
394; Order, 10 May 1852, <ital>Ligget v. Frazier</ital>, Circuit Court Record D, 394; Order, 10
May 1852, <ital>Brown v. Makemson et al.</ital>, Circuit Court Record D, 396; Order, 10 May
1852, <ital>Murphy v. Trent</ital>, Circuit Court Record D, 395; Order, 10 May 1852,
<ital>Jones & Culbertson v. Trent</ital>, Circuit Court Record D, 396, all in
Vermilion County Circuit Court, Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL.</bibl>
</p>
<p> [A Chicago newspaper endorses a Bloomington newspaper's editorial that urges the Whig party
to consider Lincoln, John T. Stuart, or Orville H. Browning as the party's candidate in the
Illinois gubernatorial election. <bibl default='NO'>
<title>Chicago Daily Journal</title> (IL), 10 May 1852,
2:1; <title>The Bloomington Intelligencer</title> (IL), 28 April 1852, 2:4.</bibl>
</p>
<p>]</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-11'>Tuesday, May 11, 1852.</date>
<place key='40.1167, -87.6167' teiForm='name'>Danville, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>In the Vermilion County Circuit Court, Lincoln files a plea for defendant Samuel Frazier in
the case of <name type='case' key='L01482'>Ligget v. Frazier</name>. Two of the defendants in
the assault and battery case of <name type='case' key='L01864'>Brown v. Makemson et al.</name>
file an affidavit in which they ask the court for more time to produce a witness. Lincoln and
Oliver L. Davis represent plaintiff William N. Brown. <bibl default='NO'>Plea, filed 11 May 1852,
<ital>Ligget v. Frazier</ital>, Champaign County Circuit Court, Illinois State Archives,
Springfield, IL; Affidavits of Harper J. Campbell and Joseph Campbell, 11 May 1852, <ital>Brown
v. Makemson et al.</ital>, case file, box 61-3, Vermilion County Circuit Court, Vermilion
County Courthouse, Danville, IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-12'>Wednesday, May 12, 1852.</date>
<place key='40.1167, -87.6167' teiForm='name'>Danville, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p> In the Vermilion County Circuit Court, plaintiff Nelson Ligget requests a change of venue in
the case of <name type='case' key='L01482'>Ligget v. Frazier</name>, and the court orders "that
the venue in this cause be changed to the County of Champaign." Lincoln and John H. Murphy
represent defendant Samuel Frazier. <bibl default='NO'>Order, 12 May 1852, <ital>Ligget v. Frazier</ital>,
Circuit Court Record D, 411, Vermilion County Circuit Court, Vermilion County Courthouse,
Danville, IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-13'>Thursday, May 13, 1852.</date>
<place key='40.1167, -87.6167' teiForm='name'>Danville, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p> In the Vermilion County Circuit Court, Judge David Davis swears in a jury in the case of
<name type='case' key='L01864'>Brown v. Makemson et al.</name> Lincoln's and Oliver L. Davis's
client William N. Brown charged Andrew Makemson and several others with assault and battery. The
jury returns a guilty verdict, and assesses $100 in damages. Judge Davis orders Makemson and the
other defendants to pay the damages and all of the court costs. Lincoln pairs with Oliver L.
Davis in another case, <name type='case' key='L01997'>People v. Pate and Pate</name>. Lincoln
and Davis represent the defendants whom the state is suing to recover the penalties related to a
recognizance bond. Johnson W. Pate, and Charles L. Pate acting as his surety, signed five bonds
related to five larceny indictments issued against Johnson Pate. Lincoln and Davis file a plea,
and Judge Davis renders his judgment that the "court finds the issue for the defendant." Lincoln
files the judgment with the court. <bibl default='NO'>Judgment, 13 May 1852, <ital>Brown v. Makemson et
al.</ital>, Circuit Court Record D, 416; Order, 21 October 1851, <ital>People v. Pate and
Pate</ital>, Circuit Court Record D, 340, both in Vermilion County Circuit Court, Vermilion
County Courthouse, Danville, IL; Judgment, 13 May 1852, <ital>People v. Pate and Pate</ital>,
Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-14'>Friday, May 14, 1852.</date>
<place key='40.1167, -87.6167' teiForm='name'>Danville, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>In the Vermilion County Circuit Court, Lincoln, Ward Hill Lamon, and Joseph Peters represent
defendant Jepha Hensley in the appeal case of <name type='case' key='L01987'>People v.
Hensley</name>. 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 <name type='case' key='L01482'>Ligget v. Frazier</name>. 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 <name type='case' key='L02205'>People v. Vest</name>. 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. <bibl default='NO'>Jury Verdict, 3 February 1852, <ital>People v. Hensley</ital>,
case file, box 8; Order, 14 May 1852, <ital>People v. Hensley</ital>, Circuit Court Record D,
422, both in Vermilion County Circuit Court, Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL; Bond
for Costs, 14 May 1852, <ital>Ligget v. Frazier</ital>, Vermilion County Circuit Court,
Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Transcription of Declaration, 10 October 1851,
<ital>Ligget v. Frazier</ital>, copy files, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield,
IL; Indictment, May 1852, <ital>People v. Vest</ital>, case file, box 3, Vermilion County
Circuit Court, Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL; Affidavit, 15 May 1852, <ital>People
v. Vest</ital>, Stern Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Order, 14 May 1852,
<ital>People v. Vest</ital>, Circuit Court Record D, 418, Vermilion County Circuit Court,
Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL; .</bibl>
</p>
<p>In Judge David Davis's absence, Lincoln serves as judge in the chancery case of <name type='case' key='L01995'>Peabody v. Roney</name>. Lincoln dissolves an injunction, dismisses
the suit, and orders the plaintiff to pay the court costs.<bibl default='NO'>Decree, 14 May 1852,
<ital>Peabody v. Roney</ital>, Circuit Court Record D, 425, Vermilion County Circuit Court,
Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL; Decree (copy), 14 May 1852, <ital>Peabody v.
Roney</ital>; Minutes of Testimony (copy), 14 May 1852, <ital>Peabody v. Roney</ital>, both in
copy files, IHi, Springfield, IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-15'>Saturday, May 15, 1852.</date>
<place key='40.1167, -87.6167' teiForm='name'>Danville, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>In the Vermilion County Circuit Court, the court orders Joseph Wilson and James J. Wilson to
file a bond for cost in the case of <name type='case' key='L02060'>Wilson et al. v. Kingsbury et
al.</name> Lincoln and John H. Murphy represent Joseph Wilson, James J. Wilson, and William
Wilson's conservator James Parmer. The Wilsons are suing their former guardian Enoch Kingsbury
and several others over the estate of Edward M. Wilson. Lincoln submits an affidavit supporting
his request from the previous day for a continuance in the case of <name type='case' key='L02205'>People v. Vest</name>. <bibl default='NO'>Answer of Enoch Kingsbury, filed 16 January 1852,
<ital>Wilson et al. v. Kingsbury et al.</ital>, case file, box 67-9; Decree, 15 May 1852,
<ital>Wilson et al. v. Kingsbury et al.</ital>, Circuit Court Record D, 452, both in Vermilion
County Circuit Court, Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL; Affidavit, 15 May 1852,
<ital>People v. Vest</ital>, Stern Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.</bibl>
</p>
<p> Charles L. Pate, one of the defendants in the case of <name type='case' key='L01997'>People
v. Pate and Pate</name>, signs a contingency fee agreement, written by Lincoln, promising to
pay Lincoln and fellow attorney Oliver L. Davis $80 "whenever the five suits brought in the
Vermillion county circuit court, by the People of the State of Illinois, against me, on five
several Recognizances of bail, shall be finally decided in my favor, and not before."
<bibl default='NO'>Contingent Fee Agreement, 15 May 1852, <ital>People v. Pate and Pate</ital>, Private
Collection.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='New' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-16'>Sunday,
May 16, 1852.</date>
<place key='' teiForm='name'>En route</place> to <place key='39.6000, -87.6833' teiForm='name'>Paris,
IL</place>.</dateline>
<p>In the evening, Lincoln arrives by buggy
at Paris. The spring term of the Edgar County Circuit Court is scheduled to
begin on Monday. <bibl default='NO'>David Davis to Sarah W. Davis, 17 May 1852, David Davis
Family Papers, folder B-9, IHi, Springfield, IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-17'>Monday, May 17, 1852.</date>
<place key='39.6000, -87.6833' teiForm='name'>Paris, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>In the Edgar County Circuit Court, Lincoln appears in court on behalf of his client William C.
McReynolds in the case of <name type='case' key='L00791'>Munsell v. McReynolds</name>, a suit to
settle a partnership. Along with Leander Munsell's attorney, Kirby Benedict, Lincoln files an
agreement which dismisses the case and obliges McReynolds to pay the court costs. In the case of
<name type='case' key='L00750'>Noblitt v. Duck</name>, a suit involving a broken contract,
Lincoln and Kirby Benedict represent defendant John Duck. Judge David Davis orders Lincoln and
Benedict to file their plea by Wednesday, May 19. <bibl default='NO'>Judgment, 17 May 1852, <ital>Munsell v.
McReynolds</ital>, Order Book 3, 291; Declaration, 7 May 1852, <ital>Noblitt v. Duck</ital>,
case file, box 25; Order, 17 May 1852, <ital>Noblitt v. Duck</ital>, Order Book 3, 289, all in
Edgar County Circuit Court, Edgar County Courthouse, Paris, IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-18'>Tuesday, May 18, 1852.</date>
<place key='39.6000, -87.6833' teiForm='name'>Paris, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>In the Edgar County Circuit Court, Lincoln represents several defendants in the breach of
contract case, <name type='case' key='L00761'>Archer v. Bartlett et al.</name> Archer's attorney
files a compromise agreement among the litigants and requests a dismissal, which Judge David
Davis approves. Lincoln, Charles Emerson, James Steele, and Milton M. Dill represent defendant
Robert Clark in the case of <name type='case' key='L00751'>People v. Clark</name>. Clark,
indicted for loaning public money, pleads not guilty. The court tries Clark, and a jury finds
him not guilty. Lincoln and Kirby Benedict request continuances in both <name type='case' key='L00777'>Paddock v. Snyder</name> and <name type='case' key='L00758'>Wolfe v. Snyder</name>.
Judge Davis approves the requests and sets both cases for hearing during the fall term of court.
In the case of <name type='case' key='L00753'>Rightmire v. Curtis</name>, Lincoln informs the
court that his client, defendant Joseph Curtis, has died since the previous court term, and
Judge Davis abates the suit. Lincoln signs his name on the judge's docket, making an appearance
for the plaintiffs in the case of <name type='case' key='L00786'>Dubois et al. v. Wise</name>;
Judge Davis continues the case until the fall term of the court. Lincoln files a plea on behalf
of his clients George K. Larkin and Daniel G. Burr in the case of <name type='case' key='L00793'>Jaquith v. Larkin and Burr</name>, a dispute over the sale of a drugstore. <bibl default='NO'>Order to
Dismiss, filed 18 May 1852, <ital>Archer v. Bartlett et al.</ital>, case file, box 18;
Judgment, 18 May 1852, <ital>Archer v. Bartlett et al.</ital>, Order Book 3, 293; Judgment, 18
May 1852, <ital>People v. Clark</ital>, Order Book 3, 294; Order, 18 May 1852, <ital>Paddock v.
Snyder</ital>, Order Book 3, 296; Order, 18 May 1852, <ital>Wolfe v. Snyder</ital>, Order Book
3, 296; Order, 18 May 1852, <ital>Rightmire v. Curtis</ital>, Order Book 3, 297; Judge's Docket
Entry, May 1852 term, <ital>Dubois et al. v. Wise</ital>; Order, 18 May 1852, <ital>Dubois et
al. v. Wise</ital>, Order Book 3, 297, all in Edgar County Circuit Court, Edgar County
Courthouse, Paris, IL. Plea, filed 18 May 1852, <ital>Jaquith v. Larkin and Burr</ital>;
Affidavit of George K. Larkin, 19 May 1852, <ital>Jaquith v. Larkin and Burr</ital>, both in
Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-19'>Wednesday, May 19, 1852.</date>
<place key='39.6000, -87.6833' teiForm='name'>Paris, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>In the Edgar County Circuit Court, Lincoln, representing defendants George K. Larkin and
Daniel G. Burr, appears before Judge David Davis to request a continuance in the case of <name type='case' key='L00793'>Jaquith v. Larkin and Burr</name>, a dispute over the sale of a
drugstore. Lincoln files an affidavit to support his request. Judge Davis approves the
continuance until the next court term and orders Larkin and Burr to pay the court costs for that
term. In a dispute involving a sale of hogs, Lincoln and Usher F. Linder represent defendants
John S. Hite and Alexander Mann in the case of <name type='case' key='L00766'>Dudley &
Sutherland v. Hite and Mann</name>. Judge Davis sets the case for trial and calls a jury. After
witnesses testify and each side makes closing arguments, Lincoln submits instructions for Judge
Davis to read to the jury. The jury finds in favor of Dudley & Sutherland and awards
them $150 in damages. Linder submits a motion for a new trial, and Judge Davis grants the new
trial and sets the hearing for the next court term. Lincoln files a plea for John Duck in the
gold-mining-contract case of <name type='case' key='L00750'>Noblitt v. Duck</name>. Judge Davis
calls a jury for the trial, and after hearing testimony and arguments, the jury decides in
Duck's favor. Noblitt's attorneys request a new trial, and Judge Davis approves the motion and
continues the case until the fall term. In <name type='case' key='L00755'>Sizemore v. Moke,
Conservator of Sizemore</name>, an assumpsit case, Lincoln and his co-counsel Milton M. Dill
file an agreement for plaintiff John Sizemore with the attorney for George Moke to continue the
case until the next term. Judge Davis renders a verdict against Lincoln's client Jesse K. Dubois
in the ejectment suit of <name type='case' key='L00783'>Dubois v. Nabb</name>. Lincoln requests
a new trial, and Judge Davis approves the motion. Lincoln signs the judge's docket and appears
in court on behalf of his client Daniel M. Triplett in the assumpsit case of <name type='case' key='L00756'>Triplett v. Neff</name>. William Neff's attorney applies for a continuance, and
Judge Davis continues the case until the next term. <bibl default='NO'>Order, 19 May 1852, <ital>Jaquith v.
Larkin and Burr</ital>, Order Book 3, 300, Edgar County Circuit Court, Edgar County
Courthouse, Paris, IL; Affidavit, 19 May 1852, <ital>Jaquith v. Larkin and Burr</ital>,
Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Order, 19 May 1852, <ital>Dudley
& Sutherland v. Hite and Mann</ital>, Order Book 3, 301, Edgar County Circuit Court,
Edgar County Courthouse, Paris, IL; Jury Instructions (copy), 19 May 1852, <ital>Dudley
& Sutherland v. Hite and Mann</ital>, copy files, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection,
IHi, Springfield, IL; Judge's Docket Entry, May 1852 term, <ital>Noblitt v. Duck</ital>; Order,
19 May 1852, <ital>Sizemore v. Moke, Conservator of Sizemore</ital>, Order Book 3, 302; Order,
19 May 1852, <ital>Dubois v. Nabb</ital>, Order Book 3, 302; Judge's Docket Entry, May 1852
term, <ital>Triplett v. Neff</ital>, Judge's Docket; Order, 19 May 1852, <ital>Triplett v.
Neff</ital>, Order Book 3, 302, all in Edgar County Circuit Court, Edgar County Courthouse,
Paris, IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-20'>Thursday, May 20, 1852.</date>
<place key='39.6000, -87.6833' teiForm='name'>Paris, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>In the Edgar County Circuit Court, Judge David Davis sets aside his order for a continuance
from the previous day in the case of <name type='case' key='L00755'>Sizemore v. Moke,
Conservator of Sizemore</name>. Judge Davis calls a jury to hear the testimony of the witnesses
and the arguments in the case. Lincoln and Milton M. Dill successfully argue their case for
plaintiff John Sizemore Sr. who is suing to recover $300 from George Moke. Moke serves as the
conservator for Joshua Sizemore, John Sizemore Sr.'s mentally incompetent adult son. The jury
awards Sizemore Sr. $260. Lincoln and Kirby Benedict represent plaintiff John Henderson in the
case of <name type='case' key='L00785'>Henderson v. Reed</name>. Lincoln files an amended
declaration for Henderson, who seeks payment for a "roan stallion" that he agreed to sell to
defendant William Reed. <bibl default='NO'>Judge's Docket Entry, May 1852 term, <ital>Sizemore v. Moke,
Conservator of Sizemore</ital>, Judge's Docket; Order, 20 May 1852, <ital>Sizemore v. Moke,
Conservator of Sizemore</ital>, Order Book 3, 304, both in Edgar County Circuit Court, Edgar
County Courthouse, Paris, IL; Amended Declaration, filed 20 May 1852, <ital>Henderson v.
Reed</ital>, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-21'>Friday, May 21, 1852.</date>
<place key='39.6000, -87.6833' teiForm='name'>Paris, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p> In the Edgar County Circuit Court, Lincoln and Milton M. Dill represent defendant John A.
Metcalf in the assumpsit suit of <name type='case' key='L00747'>Alexander v. Metcalf</name>. The
court rules in favor of the plaintiff and orders Metcalf to pay $41.83 and the court costs.
Lincoln and Dill represent plaintiff Sally Whitley in the chancery case of <name type='case' key='L00779'>Whitley v. Alexander et al.</name> James Steele and Charles Emerson, attorneys for
the defendants, file a replication to Whitley's bill of complaint, and the court continues the
case. Lincoln defends William Maxwell in the appeal case of <name type='case' key='L00772'>Cassady v. Maxwell</name>. The jury decides in favor of plaintiff James M. Cassady, but awards
him only $13.50, a reduction from the $40 awarded by the lower court. In the chancery case of
<name type='case' key='L00773'>Diblee, Richardson & Company v. Tenbrook et al.</name>,
Lincoln, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, writes an answer for two of the defendants: Mary
Chestnut and James W. Ross. Lincoln also writes the decree in which the court orders that the
case "be set down and stand for hearing at the next term of this court"; Lincoln files the
decree with the court.<bibl default='NO'>Order, 21 May 1852, <ital>Alexander v. Metcalf</ital>, Order Book 3,
308; Decree, 21 May 1852, <ital>Whitley v. Alexander et al.</ital>, Order Book 3, 309; Order,
21 May 1852, <ital>Cassady v. Maxwell</ital>, Order Book 3, 306, all in Edgar County Circuit
Court, Edgar County Courthouse, Paris, IL; Answers of Mary Chestnut and James W. Ross, 22 May
1852, <ital>Diblee, Richardson & Company v. Tenbrook et al.</ital>; Decree, 21 May 1852
<ital>Diblee, Richardson & Company v. Tenbrook et al.</ital>, both in Lincoln
Collection, University of Chicago Library, Department of Special Collections, Chicago,
IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-24'>Monday, May 24, 1852.</date>
<place key='39.4000, -88.7833' teiForm='name'>Shelbyville, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>Judge David Davis opens the Shelby County Circuit Court with sixty cases on the docket. Judge
Davis orders Lincoln's clients, the defendants in two related cases, <name type='case' key='L00665'>Alderson v. Noland et al.</name>, and <name type='case' key='L00666'>Alderson v.
Noland et al.</name>, to file a plea by the next morning. Lincoln and Samuel W. Moulton
represent defendant Thomas Hardy in the slander case of <name type='case' key='L00671'>Johnson
v. Hardy</name>. Judge Davis orders Hardy to file a plea by the next morning. Lincoln
represents plaintiff William Reader in the chancery case of <name type='case' key='L00676'>Reader v. Williams</name>, a dispute over a land transaction. Judge Davis orders defendant
William H. Williams to file an answer to the complaint by Wednesday, May 26. <bibl default='NO'>Judge's
Docket Entries, May 1852 term, Judge's Docket; Judge's Docket Entry, May 1852 term,
<ital>Alderson v. Noland et al.</ital>, Judge's Docket; Judge's Docket Entry, May 1852 term,
<ital>Alderson v. Noland et al.</ital>, Judge's Docket; Judge's Docket Entry, May 1852 term,
<ital>Johnson v. Hardy</ital>, Judge's Docket; Decree, 27 May 1852, <ital>Reader v.
Williams</ital>, Circuit Court Record D, 352; Judge's Docket Entry, May 1852 term, <ital>Reader
v. Williams</ital>, Judge's Docket, all in Shelby County Circuit Court, Shelby County
Courthouse, Shelbyville, IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-25'>Tuesday, May 25, 1852.</date>
<place key='39.4000, -88.7833' teiForm='name'>Shelbyville,
IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>In the Shelby County Circuit Court, Lincoln writes a
promissory note for John A. Mercer, his client in the case of
<name type='case' key='L00675'>People v. Noland et al.</name> In the note,
Mercer promises to pay Lincoln $7.69 within five months for "value received."
<bibl default='NO'>Promissory Note, 25 May 1852, <ital>People v. Noland et al.</ital>, IHi,
Springfield, IL.</bibl>
</p>
<p> In inventory of Lincoln's estate, note is
listed as "worthless." <bibl default='NO'>IHi—Lincoln Estate Inventory.</bibl>
</p>
<p>Lincoln appears in court for the defendants in two related trespass vi et
armis cases, <name type='case' key='L00665'>Alderson v. Noland et al.</name>,
and <name type='case' key='L00666'>Alderson v. Noland et al.</name> Lincoln
asks Judge David Davis to require plaintiff German Alderson to file a bond for
costs in both cases. Lincoln files an affidavit in support of that motion and
he also files a set of pleas in both cases. Lincoln and Anthony Thornton
represent defendant James Mitchell in the slander case of
<name type='case' key='L00673'>Mitchell et ux. v. Mitchell</name>, and they
file a plea on his behalf. In another slander case,
<name type='case' key='L00671'>Johnson v. Hardy</name>, Lincoln and Samuel W.
Moulton file three pleas for defendant Thomas Hardy. Johnson's attorneys file
replications to all three pleas, and Lincoln endorses the replications with
joinders. Judge Davis calls a jury to hear the evidence in the case. The jury
finds Hardy guilty and awards plaintiff John W. Johnson $50 in damages. Judge
Davis also orders Hardy to pay $9.85 for court costs. The court rules against
Lincoln's client, William Walker, in the appeal case of
<name type='case' key='L00696'>Walker v. Morrison</name>, and orders him to pay
defendant John Morrison $7.39. The court also orders Walker to pay "the costs
of this suit, in both courts, except the attendance and costs of subpoenaing
Joseph Morrison, the Defendants son." <bibl default='NO'>Affidavit, 25 May 1852,
<ital>Alderson v. Noland et al.</ital>, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of
Congress, Washington, DC; Pleas, filed 25 May 1852, <ital>Alderson v. Noland et
al.</ital>, Lincoln Collection, Tokyo Lincoln Center, Meisei University, Tokyo,
Japan; Pleas, Notice, 25 May 1852, <ital>Mitchell et ux. v. Mitchell</ital>,
Shelby County Circuit Court, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Plea, c.
May 1852, <ital>Johnson v. Hardy</ital>, case file, box 9; Plea, c. May 1852,
<ital>Johnson v. Hardy</ital>, case file, box 9, both in Shelby County Circuit
Court, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, Eastern Illinois University,
Charleston, IL; Plea, Replication, c. May 1852, <ital>Johnson v. Hardy</ital>,
Alfred Whital Stern Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC;
Replication, c. May 1852, <ital>Johnson v. Hardy</ital>, Henry Horner Lincoln
Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL; Judgment, 25 May 1852, <ital>Johnson v.
Hardy</ital>, Circuit Court Record D, 340; Order, 25 May 1852, <ital>Walker v.
Morrison</ital>, Circuit Court Record D, 339, both in Shelby County Circuit
Court, Shelby County Courthouse, Shelbyville, IL .</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-26'>Wednesday, May 26, 1852.</date>
<place key='39.4000, -88.7833' teiForm='name'>Shelbyville, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>In the Shelby County Circuit Court, Lincoln files the affidavit of Marshall F. Elam in support
of a motion for a continuance in the case of <name type='case' key='L00675'>People v. Noland et
al.</name> Elam is one of twelve defendants indicted for rioting in conjunction with an assault
on German Alderson. <bibl default='NO'>Affidavit of Marshall F. Elam, 26 May 1852, <ital>People v. Noland et
al.</ital>; Indictment, May 1852, <ital>People v. Noland et al.</ital>, case file, both in
Shelby County Circuit Court, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-27'>Thursday, May 27, 1852.</date>
<place key='39.4000, -88.7833' teiForm='name'>Shelbyville, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>In the Shelby County Circuit Court, Lincoln represents plaintiff William Reader in the
chancery case of <name type='case' key='L00676'>Reader v. Williams</name>, a dispute over a land
transaction. Reader is suing William H. Williams to obtain the deed to 67.06 acres of land
located in Fayette County. Lincoln files a replication for Reader. The attorneys present
evidence, question witnesses, and argue their cases before Judge David Davis. Judge Davis rules
in favor of Reader. Lincoln writes the judgment, in which Judge Davis orders Williams to convey
the deed in question to Reader. Judge Davis swears in a jury to hear the arguments in the
slander case of <name type='case' key='L00673'>Mitchell et ux. v. Mitchell</name>. Plaintiffs
Elijah Mitchell and Missouri Mitchell are suing Lincoln's client, James Mitchell, for making
disparaging remarks about Missouri Mitchell. The jury decides in favor of the plaintiffs and
awards them $500. Elijah Mitchell and Missouri Mitchell immediately remit $400, and Judge Davis
orders the defendant to pay the remaining $100 and all of the court costs which amount to
$36.10. In the criminal case of <name type='case' key='L00675'>People v. Noland et al.</name>,
Judge Davis calls a jury to hear the attorneys' arguments. The jury finds eight of the eleven
defendants guilty of participating in a riot. Judge Davis imposes fines ranging from $5 to $50
on the guilty defendants. Judge Davis divides the court costs of $58.95 among the eight guilty
men, and he requires each man to file a bond to ensure payment of the fines and costs within
five months. <bibl default='NO'>Replication, 27 May 1852, <ital>Reader v. Williams</ital>; Judgment, 27 May
1852, <ital>Reader v. Williams</ital>, both in Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress,
Washington, DC; Judgment, 27 May 1852, <ital>Mitchell et ux. v. Mitchell</ital>, Circuit Court
Record D, 351-52; Order, 27 May 1852, <ital>People v. Noland et al.</ital>, Circuit Court
Record D, 348-50, both in Shelby County Circuit Court, Shelby County Courthouse, Shelbyville,
IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-30'>Sunday, May 30, 1852.</date>
<place key='39.4000, -88.7833' teiForm='name'>Shelbyville, IL</place> and <place key='' teiForm='name'>En route</place> to <place key='39.5833, -88.6000' teiForm='name'>Sullivan, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>Lincoln, Judge David Davis, State's Attorney David B. Campbell, and attorneys Samuel W.
Moulton and Anthony Thornton leave Shelbyville in the morning for Sullivan, Illinois, the next
stop on the circuit court itinerary. Along the route, they stop four miles north of Shelbyville
at the home of John Ward, where they have dinner before departing at three o'clock. The men
arrive in Sullivan at around 6 o'clock in the evening. <bibl default='NO'>David Davis to Sarah Davis, 3 June
1852, folder B-9, Davis Family Papers, IHi, Springfield, IL.</bibl>
</p>
</div2>
<div2 part='N' sample='complete' type='Revised' org='uniform'>
<dateline>
<date value='1852-05-31'>Monday, May 31, 1852.</date>
<place key='39.5833, -88.6000' teiForm='name'>Sullivan, IL</place>. </dateline>
<p>[Judge David Davis opens the Moultrie County Circuit Court for a three-day session. There are
fifty-one cases on the docket. <bibl default='NO'>Orders and Decrees, 31 May-June 2, 1852, Circuit Court
Record O, 133-59, Moultrie County Circuit Court, Moultrie County Courthouse, Sullivan, IL.
</bibl>] </p>
</div2> |
