Lincoln writes to Peter Doty, clerk of Woodford Circuit Court: "Herein is the writ . . . which I brought off to get the Sheriff's return amended. Please place it with the papers again." He writes Mason Brayman that he is free to make engagement with Illinois Central in McLean County case: " 'Count me in'. . . . I shall be here at least ten days." Abraham Lincoln to Peter Doty, 3 October 1853, CW, 2:205; Abraham Lincoln to Mason Brayman, 3 October 1853, CW, 2:205.

Court finds for complainants in Smallwood et al. v. Allen, and orders that lands in litigation be divided in accordance with their bill. Lincoln, complainants' attorney, writes decree of court. Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Gridley, Wickizer, and Lincoln, for plaintiffs in Scott et ux. v. Ellis, argue demurrer filed for defendant by Lewis, Swett, and McWilliams. Demurrer is partially sustained, whereupon defendant is allowed to plead again. Plaintiffs join issue on plea. Record.

Defendant in Scott et ux. v. Ellis obtains change of venue to Logan County. Barger v. Illinois Central RR, before court Monday, is tried before jury which awards appellant $637.33 damages. Illinois Central RR v. Hill, petition for right of way, is tried by Moore for plaintiff and Lincoln for defendant. Court takes it under advisement. Record.

Lincoln and Scott lose Slatten v. Alsop & Clark, before court May 21, 1853, when they fail to file their answer within time specified. Lincoln writes order of court in Barger v. Illinois Central RR, and in Smallwood et al. v. Allen. In latter case he writes and files replication, for complainants. He writes answer of William Hutchin, defendant, in Hutchin et al. v. Hutchin & Hutchin, petition for partition. Record; Photocopy; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Leonard Swett recalled that in fall of 1853, as he and Lincoln were driving from Clinton to Urbana, Lincoln, at his request, told him of his early life. Rice, 456-68.

Fall term of Champaign Circuit Court begins. Lincoln has at least three cases, but record does not give dates on which they come to trial. He loses appeal, Lyons v. Rea, when court awards plaintiff $20 damages. In Davis et ux. v. Redmond et al., court orders distribution of net proceeds of sale of lands. Master is to keep $5 as further fee and "to pay to A. Lincoln, Esq. Fifteen Dollars as a counsel fee." Record.

Lincoln writes court order to partition land in Davis et ux. v. Redmond et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln collects $15 fee for services in Davis et ux. v. Redmond et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Vermilion Circuit Court convenes. B. R. & J. Whitcomb v. Madden, trespass, Lincoln and Lamon for plaintiffs, continued from spring term, is again continued, at defendant's costs. Record.

Lincoln, signing "Davis, Lincoln & Lamon," joins issue for defendants in Lamm v. Bachop, assumpsit suit. Court finds for defendant. Defendant in Toney v. Sconce, trespass, consents that judgment for $5,000 damages be entered against her. Davis, Lincoln and Lamon for plaintiff remit all except $50. Lincoln writes court order. Record; Photocopy; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Mrs. Lincoln buy $4.66 worth of yard goods. Pratt, Personal Finances, 146.]

Lincoln files pleas for defendants in Lamm v. Bachop and Helmick v. Helmick. In latter case he denies that defendant committed adultery, although her husband, in order to secure divorce, attempted to induce different men to make attempts on her chastity. Photocopy.

Murphy and Lincoln for complainant and Davis for defendant try Wilson et al. v. Kingsbury et al. Court takes it under advisement. Record.