Wednesday, April 14, 1852.Pekin, IL. | In the Tazewell County Circuit Court, Lincoln defends John Bennett in the case of Rorebeck v. Bennett, a land dispute between Bennett and his
son-in-law John Rorebeck. Judge David Davis dismisses the case, and the court orders Rorebeck to
pay the court costs. Lincoln represents plaintiff James Shoaff in the case of Shoaff v. Thompson. Judge Davis dissolves an injunction in the case after
the litigants reach an agreement. Lincoln and local attorney Benjamin S. Prettyman represent
John A. Crain in the case of Crain v. Mattox et al. The
longstanding suit concerns the title claims to a steam distillery, a gristmill, and the
twelve-acre lot on which they are located in Pekin. Judge Davis hears the arguments of the
attorneys and considers the evidence. The court rules in favor of Crain, and orders the
administrator of the Mattox estate, Middleton Tackaberry, to pay Crain $250 for the "value of
the property taken from the premises." The court also orders Tackaberry to pay Crain $135 in
interest. Lincoln writes the court decree, and Judge Davis approves it. The court continues two
cases in which Lincoln represents the plaintiffs: Atchison for
use of Allen v. Pekin, Illinois, and Hamilton v. Pekin,
Illinois. Bill of Complaint, filed 5 September 1851, Rorebeck v.
Bennett, box 96; Judgment, 14 April 1852, Rorebeck v. Bennett, General
Record F, 398; Judgment, 14 April 1852, Shoaff v. Thompson, General Record F, 424,
all in Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL; Attorney's Notes
(copy), 14 April 1852, Crain v. Mattox et al., copy files; Judgment (copy), filed
14 April 1852, Crain v. Mattox et al., copy files, both in Henry Horner Lincoln
Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL; Order, 14 April 1852, Atchison for use of Allen v.
Pekin, Illinois, General Record F, 403; Order, 14 April 1852, Hamilton v. Pekin,
Illinois, General Record F, 403, both in Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County
Courthouse, Pekin, IL . |