In preparation for the upcoming term of the Tazewell County Circuit Court, Lincoln writes and mails a notice of motion to Alexander McNaghton and William Cromwell, the plaintiffs in the Tazewell County Circuit Court case of Cromwell & McNaghton v. Baker and Tazewell County, Illinois. Lincoln represents defendant Edward D. Baker in the case regarding a mortgage foreclosure. Notice of Motion (copy), 5 April 1852, Cromwell & McNaghton v. Baker and Tazewell County, Illinois, copy files, IHi, Springfield, IL.

Lincoln buys "1¾ yds. Paper Cambric @ .15" at John Williams' store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 145.

[A Springfield paper prints Lincoln's name, along with the names of approximately 200 other Whigs, called to attend a meeting "at the court house...this evening at 7 o'clock to nominate candidates for the coming city election." The attendees nominate a Whig slate of candidates, and they also adopt a resolution asking Ninian W. Edwards "to resign his seat as the representative of the county of Sangamon in the State Legislature." Edwards's fellow Sangamon County Whig members pass the resolution because they feel that Edwards has "abandoned the party who elevated him to office and the principles he professed when canvassing for the seat." Even though Lincoln's name appears in the newspaper notice as one of the local Whigs requested to attend the meeting, it is unclear whether or not he is at the meeting. He is likely on his way to Pekin, Illinois, to participate in the spring term of court taking place there. Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 7 April 1852, 2:1; Call for a Whig Meeting, 7 April 1852, CW, 2:120; Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 9 April 1852, 2:1.

The spring term of the Tazewell County Circuit Court begins in Pekin. Judge's Docket Entries, April 1852 term, Judge's Docket, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL.

]

Lincoln arrives in Pekin on the second day of the Tazewell County Circuit Court in time to participate in several cases in which he represents Gideon Hawley. In a criminal case for obstructing a road, People v. Hawley, Lincoln defends Hawley. The jury cannot agree on a verdict, and Judge Davis discharges the jury and sets the case aside for a rehearing. In Gibson et al. v. Hawley, the court rules in favor of Hawley by arresting an earlier judgment against him. The plaintiffs in Cullom et al. v. Hawley and in Gibson et al. v. Hawley dismiss their cases against Hawley. Order, 8 April 1852, People v. Hawley, General Record F, 352; Judgment, 8 April 1852, Gibson et al. v. Hawley, General Record F, 353; Judgment, 8 April 1852,Cullom et al. v. Hawley, General Record F, 353; Judgment, 8 April 1852,Gibson et al. v. Hawley, General Record F, 355, all in Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL.

In the Tazewell County Circuit Court, Judge David Davis hears the testimony and the evidence in the case of Tremont Female Seminary Trustees v. Hamilton. He reverses a lower court decision and rules in favor of Lincoln's and Alexander H. Saltonstall's client Lorenzo D. Hamilton. Lincoln takes the affidavit of defendant Remington K. Webster and files a plea for him in the case of Gill & Rupert v. Webster. Lincoln and Halsey O. Merriman represent defendant William B. Doolittle in the appeal case, Doolittle v. Doolittle. Doolittle is the administrator of his brother Irwin Doolittle's estate, and Irwin's widow Anne Maria Doolittle is suing William Doolittle to stop the sale of property to pay Irwin Doolittle's debts. Lincoln and Merriman make a motion to dismiss the appeal. The court takes the motion into consideration and continues the case. Lincoln serves as a juror to hear the petition of Mary Fitting in Ex Parte Mary Fitting. Mary Fitting's attorney presents evidence regarding the mental state of Fitting's husband John Fitting. The jury determines that John Fitting is a "distracted" person, and Judge Davis appoints Alexander Robinson as a conservator to oversee John Fitting's estate. Lincoln files a notice to the plaintiffs that he intends to ask the court "to enter satisfaction of said Decree" in the case of Cromwell and McNaghton v. Baker and Tazewell County, Illinois. Logan & Lincoln represent Edward D. Baker in a dispute over money the plaintiffs claim that Baker owes to the estate of Nathan Cromwell.Order, 9 April 1852, Tremont Female Seminary Trustees v. Hamilton, General Record F, 371-72, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin IL; Affidavit, 9 April 1852, Gill & Rupert v. Webster, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Plea, 9 April 1852, Gill & Rupert v. Webster, New York Public Library, New York, NY; Motion to Dismiss, 9 April 1852, Doolittle v. Doolittle, case file, box 78; Decree, 9 April 1852, Doolittle v. Doolittle, General Record F, 361; Judgment, 9 April 1852, Ex Parte Mary Fitting, General Record F, 374, all in Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL; Notice of Motion (copy), filed 9 April 1852, Cromwell and McNaghton v. Baker and Tazewell County, Illinois, copy files, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL .

In the Tazewell County Circuit Court, Lincoln and William B. Parker represent attorney Edward Jones, who seeks $5,000 in damages from Dr. Joseph S. Maus in the case of Jones v. Maus. Jones claims that Maus caused injury to Jones's eyesight during a fight the two men had after Jones questioned Maus's medical training. The parties file an agreement which stipulates that Maus will pay all of the court costs. The court hears arguments in the case of Gill and Rupert v. Webster, in which Lincoln represents defendant Remington K. Webster, and James Haines represents plaintiffs Thomas Gill and Columbus J. D. Rupert. Lincoln and Haines sign an agreement for Webster to pay the money he owes to the plaintiffs. As part of the agreement, the attorneys also sign an award to credit Webster $4 for twenty gallons of peach liquor that Gill and Rupert had in their possession. Judge David Davis enters the judgment against Webster for the agreed amount of $437.55 and court costs. Lincoln files a bond for costs in the case of Harris Lime Rock Company v. Harris. Lincoln represents the Harris Lime Rock Company, which is suing Samuel B. Harris for the money it claims Harris illegally took from the company. Affidavit of Edward Jones, 24 July 1851, Jones v. Maus, case file, box 32; Judgment, 10 April 1852, Jones v. Maus, General Record F, 379, both in Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL; Agreement, filed 10 April 1852, Gill and Rupert v. Webster, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Plea, 9 April 1852, Gill and Rupert v. Webster, New York Public Library, New York, NY; Judgment, 10 April 1852, Gill and Rupert v. Webster, General Record F, 379-80, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL; Bond for Costs, Harris Lime Rock Company v. Harris, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL.

In the Tazewell County Circuit Court, Lincoln and Clifton H. Moore, attorneys for the defendants in Wisner v. T. E. Sawyer & Company, ask for a continuance, and the court continues the case until the next term. Lincoln enters a motion for plaintiff Stacy B. Opdycke in the case of Opdycke v. Opdycke & Opdycke. Stacy B. Opdycke requests more time to sell the land that his children, Thomas G. Opdycke and Charlotte P. Opdycke, inherited upon their mother's death. The court had previously approved Stacy B. Opdycke's request to sell some of the land and had ordered him to reinvest the profits for the children's benefit. Lincoln writes and files the affidavit of defendant James West in preparation for West's arraignment in the forgery case, People v. West. Order, 12 April 1852, Wisner v. T. E. Sawyer & Company, General Record F, 384, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL; Decree, 12 April 1852, Opdycke v. Opdycke and Opdycke, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Decree, 24 September 1851, Opdycke v. Opdycke and Opdycke, General Record F, 321, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL; Affidavit of James West, filed 12 April 1852, People v. West, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL.

[Mary Lincoln buys a piece of "carpet binding" for 40¢ from John Williams & Company in Springfield. Harry E. Pratt, The Personal Finances of Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1943), 145.

]

In the Tazewell County Circuit Court, Lincoln makes a motion to quash the indictment of defendant James West in the criminal case of People v. West. West had been indicted by the state's attorney for allegedly passing a $20 "forged bank note." The court apparently denies the motion, and West pleads not guilty to the charge. Later in the day, the court approves Lincoln's request for a continuance and requires West to file a recognizance bond for $300. In the appeal case of Hall v. Tyler, Lincoln represents plaintiff Ira B. Hall. The justice of the peace court had earlier ruled in Hall's favor in his suit to recover $17.66 from Benoni Tyler. Lincoln argues before the court and presents evidence from four witnesses. Judge David Davis rules in favor of Hall, approves the lower court's award, and orders Tyler to pay all the court costs. Order, 13 April 1852, People v. West, General Record F, 393, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL; Order, 10 April 1852, People v. West, Tazewell County Circuit Court, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Order, 13 April 1852, People v. West, General Record F, 395-96; Justice of the Peace Transcript, 13 February 1852, Hall v. Tyler, case file, box 27; Judgment, 13 April 1852 Hall v. Tyler, General Record F, 397; Fee Book Entry, 24 September 1852, Hall v. Tyler, Fee Book, 617, all in Tazewell County Circuit Court, Tazewell County Courthouse, Pekin, IL.

[In Springfield, Mary Lincoln joins the First Presbyterian Church. Church Meeting Minutes Entry, 13 April 1852, Session Minutes, 1828-1862, 89, First Presbyterian Church, Springfield, 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 .

In the Woodford County Circuit Court, State's Attorney David B. Campbell enters a motion of nolle prosequi in the case of People v. Snyder et al. Campbell's motion ends the state's prosecution of Lincoln's clients Isaac Snyder, John Johnson, Aaron Burt, and Dempsey Hawkins, who were indicted for "gaming." In the chancery case of Dressler v. Dressler et al., Lincoln files an answer for the minor heirs of Abraham Dressler: Levi Dressler, Jane Dressler, and Hannah Dressler. Lincoln is the guardian ad litem for the children in the land partition case. In the case of Rogers v. Rogers et al., another chancery case involving the partition of land, Lincoln files a guardian ad litem's answer for minor heirs Susan F. Morton, John W. Morton, Tabitha Ann Morton, Elizabeth Morton, Jeremiah R. Morton, and John A. Halderman. Order, 15 April 1852, People v. Snyder et al., Common Law Record A, 230; Decree, 15 April 1852, Dressler v. Dressler et al., Chancery Record A, 109-10, both in Woodford County Circuit Court, Woodford County Courthouse, Eureka, IL; Guardian Ad Litem's Answer (copy), 15 April 1852, Dressler v. Dressler et al., copy files, IHi, Springfield, IL; Decree, 15 April 1852, Rogers v. Rogers et al., Chancery Record A, 114-16, Woodford County Circuit Court, Woodford County Courthouse, Eureka, IL; Guardian Ad Litem's Answer (copy), filed 15 April 1852, Rogers v. Rogers et al., copy files, IHi, Springfield, IL.

In the Woodford County Circuit Court, Lincoln and Asahel Gridley defend Joseph K. Johnson in the case of People v. Johnson. Johnson, accused of committing perjury, pleads not guilty to the charge, and a jury hears the case against him. Lincoln questions one defense witness, makes his closing arguments, and proposes a set of instructions for the judge to give to the jury. The jury finds Johnson not guilty. Lincoln and Asahel Gridley represent Jesse Dale in the case of People for the use of Woodford County, Illinois v. Dale. The county alleges that Dale had withheld some money he had collected while serving as county treasurer. Lincoln and Gridley submit several pleas on behalf of Dale. Judgment, 16 April 1852, People v. Johnson, Common Law Record A, 236, Woodford County Circuit Court, Woodford County Courthouse, Eureka, IL; Jury Instructions, 16 April 1852, People v. Johnson, Private Collection; Pleas (copy), 16 April 1852, People for the use of Woodford County, Illinois v. Dale, copy files, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL.

[Under act of Congress of 1850 warrant for 40 acres of land is issued to Lincoln for services in Black Hawk War. Paul M. Angle, Lincoln 1854-1861: Being the Day-By-Day Activities of Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1933), 313.]

In the Woodford County Circuit Court, a jury decides against Abner A. Wolf in the case of Ramsey and Welsh v. Wolf. Lincoln takes the affidavit of Samuel L. Fleming, Wolf's attorney. Later in the day, Fleming asks the court to set aside the verdict, and he files the affidavit in which he argues for a new trial. Judge David Davis continues the case until the fall term. In the case of Taylor v. Sands et al., involving an incomplete land sale, Lincoln and Asahel Gridley represent plaintiff Sylvenus Taylor. Lincoln writes a replication to the defendants' answers, and the parties agree to continue the case until the next term. Affidavit, 17 April 1852, Ramsey and Welsh v. Wolf, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL; Order, 17 April 1852, Ramsey and Welsh v. Wolf, Common Law Record A, 241, Woodford County Circuit Court, Woodford County Courthouse, Eureka, IL; Replication (copy), 17 April 1852, Taylor v. Sands et al., copy files, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL; Decree, c. April 1852, Taylor v. Sands et al., Chancery Record A, 117, Woodford County Circuit Court, Woodford County Courthouse, Eureka, IL.

The McLean County Circuit Court begins its Spring session and a Bloomington newspaper reports that Lincoln and John T. Stuart are "in attendance." The Bloomington Intelligencer (IL), 28 April 1852, 2:1.

In the McLean County Circuit Court, Lincoln defends Samuel Beaver in a suit of trespass on the case in Lash v. Beaver. Plaintiff Isaac Lash is suing Beaver for $300 in damages. Both sides present their arguments to the jury. The jury finds in favor of Lash but awards him only $2.20 in damages. The court also orders Beaver to pay the court costs. Lincoln files pleas for his clients Benjamin Martin and Wilder Gurnsey in the case of Flagg & Ewing v. Martin and Gurnsey. William F. Flagg and John W. Ewing of the firm of Flagg & Ewing are suing Martin and Gurnsey for $300 in damages for a debt involving the purchase of a reaper. In the ejectment suit of Fell v. McIntire, Lincoln represents plaintiff Kersey H. Fell. The parties agree to continue the case until the next term, and the court allows the continuance. Judgment, 20 April 1852, Lash v. Beaver, Common Law Record 4, 259, McLean County Circuit Court, McLean County Courthouse, Bloomington, IL; Plea, filed 20 April 1852, Flagg & Ewing v. Martin and Gurnsey, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Order, 20 April, Fell v. McIntire, Common Law Record 4, 258, McLean County Circuit Court, McLean County Courthouse, Bloomington, IL.

In the McLean County Circuit Court, Lincoln represents defendants Benjamin Martin and Wilder Gurnsey in the case of Flagg & Ewing v. Martin and Gurnsey. Flagg and Ewing agree to dismiss their suit, and both sides agree to pay their own court costs. In the slander suit of Thompson v. Henline, Lincoln represents plaintiff David L. Thompson who seeks $3,000 in damages from George W. Henline. Thompson claims that Henline maligned him when Henline publicly declared that Thompson had committed bestiality. The parties make their arguments and present evidence before a jury. The members of the jury cannot agree on a verdict, and Judge David Davis discharges them. The parties reach an agreement, and the court dismisses the case. The court dismisses a bill for discovery in the debt case of Hawks, Osborn & Company v. Major, a suit that the Illinois Supreme Court had remanded back to the circuit court. Lincoln, William H. Holmes, and John M. Scott represent plaintiffs/business partners Matthew H. Hawks, James T. Walton, and Harmon Osborn. Judgment, 21 April 1852, Flagg & Ewing v. Martin and Gurnsey, Common Law Record 4, 262, McLean County Circuit Court, McLean County Courthouse, Bloomington, IL; Plea, Replication, 3 October 1851, Thompson v. Henline, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Judgment, 21 April 1852, Thompson v. Henline, Common Law Record 4, 265, McLean County Circuit Court, McLean County Courthouse, Bloomington, IL; Opinion, 17 January 1851, Major v. Hawks, Osborn & Company, Illinois Supreme Court, Journal & Opinion Record CGD, 390, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Order, 21 April 1852, Hawks, Osborn & Company v. Major, Common Law Record 4, 260, McLean County Circuit Court, McLean County Courthouse, Bloomington, IL.

In the McLean County Circuit Court, Lincoln represents plaintiff David L. Thompson, who seeks $3,000 in damages from William W. Patton in the slander suit, Thompson v. Patton. Thompson charges that Patton publicly declared that Thompson had committed bestiality. The previous day, after the jury was unable to agree on a verdict in a related but separate case, Thompson v. Henline, the parties in that case reached an agreement, and the court dismissed the case. Thompson and Patton agree to dismiss their case as well. Lincoln defends David M. Pantier in the case of Flagg & Ewing v. Pantier. Pantier knew Lincoln when he lived in New Salem, Illinois, and Pantier served in Lincoln's company during the Black Hawk War. Flagg & Ewing are suing Pantier for his failure to pay for a reaper he had purchased from them. Lincoln files a plea for Pantier and asks Judge David Davis to give the litigants until the next term to work out an amicable agreement. Judge Davis continues the case until the following term. Plea, Replication, October 1851, Thompson v. Patton, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Judgment, 21 April 1852, Thompson v. Henline, Common Law Record 4, 265; Judgment, 22 April 1852, Thompson v. Patton, Common Law Record 4, 276, both in McLean County Circuit Court, McLean County Courthouse, Bloomington, IL; Benjamin P. Thomas, Lincoln's New Salem (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1934; reprint, Chicago: Lakeside Press, 1947), 54; Plea, 22 April 1852, Flagg & Ewing v. Pantier, Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Order, 22 April 1852, Flagg & Ewing v. Pantier, Common Law Record 4, 276, McLean County Circuit Court, McLean County Courthouse, Bloomington, IL.

In the McLean County Circuit Court, Lincoln and his co-counsel William H. Holmes reintroduce their case, Hawks, Osborn & Company v. Major, a suit which the Illinois Supreme Court had remanded to McLean County. Lincoln and Holmes represent plaintiffs Matthew H. Hawks, James T. Walton, and Harmon Osborn. The litigants agree to continue the case until the next term, and Judge David Davis orders the continuance. Lincoln represents defendant Augustus R. Burbank in the case of Gridley v. Burbank. Plaintiff Asahel Gridley is suing Burbank for trespass on the case upon promises, and he seeks $200 in damages. Lincoln appears in court for Burbank, but Burbank fails to enter a plea. The court rules in favor of Gridley and orders Burbank to pay him $136.35 in damages "by reason of the breach of promises." The court also orders Burbank to pay the court costs. Order, 23 April 1852, Hawks, Osborn & Company v. Major, Common Law Record 4, 282; Order, 23 April 1852, Gridley v. Burbank, Common Law Record 4, 282, both in McLean County Circuit Court, McLean County Courthouse, Bloomington, IL.

In the McLean County Circuit Court, Lincoln and fellow attorney Kersey H. Fell ask the court for time to amend a declaration they previously filed in the case of Stern & Friedman v. Sawyer. Lincoln and Fell represent plaintiffs Samuel Stern and Isaac S. Friedman in the attachment suit. The court grants the plaintiffs' request and continues the case until the next term. Lincoln represents the plaintiffs in the chancery case of Gibbs and Rogers v. Eckles. The court orders Gibbs and Rogers, the executors of William Gibbs's estate, to convey a land deed to defendant Jacob P. Eckles. The court also orders the plaintiffs to pay the court costs. Order, 24 April 1852, Stern & Friedman v. Sawyer, Common Law Record 4, 289; Decree, 24 April 1852, Gibbs and Rogers v. Eckles, Chancery Record 5, 124-25; Judgment and Execution Docket, 2 October 1852, Gibbs and Rogers v. Eckles, Judgment & Execution Docket 3, 120-21, all in McLean County Circuit Court, McLean County Courthouse, Bloomington, IL.

[In Springfield, delegates attending the Sangamon County Whig convention nominate James C. Conkling to run for a seat in the state legislature made available by the resignation of Ninian W. Edwards. Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 27 April 1852, 2:1.

Someone, perhaps Mary Lincoln, buys wallpaper and "6 pieces [of] border" for a total of $18.30 from John Williams and Company in Springfield and charges the purchases to Lincoln's account. Harry E. Pratt, The Personal Finances of Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1943), 145.

]

In the Logan County Circuit Court, Lincoln commences a suit against Jesse D. Blackledge for plaintiff James Kelly in the debt case of Kelly v. Blackledge. Kelly had won a judgment in Ohio against Blackledge, but Blackledge moved to Logan County before paying. Lincoln files a complaint and a certified copy of the Ohio judgment and makes arrangements in the circuit clerk's office for the county sheriff to serve a summons on Blackledge ordering him to appear at the fall term of court. In another debt case, Hays v. Turley, Lincoln sues George W. Turley on behalf of Lewis M. Hays, the administrator of the estate of Thomas P. Taylor. Hays, an Indiana resident, sent Lincoln a claim for $100 that Turley had owed Taylor since 1836. Lincoln commenced a suit in the Logan County Circuit Court against Turley in April 1851. One or both sides requested a continuance during the October 1851 term and again during this April 1852 term.Anson L. Brewer to Abraham Lincoln, 17 November 1852, Kelly v. Blackledge, Abraham Lincoln Collection, John Hay Library, Brown University, Providence, RI; Abraham Lincoln to Anson L. Brewer, 16 March 1855, Kelly v. Blackledge, Private Collection; Receipt, 7 September 1850, Hays v. Turley, Private Collection; Abraham Lincoln to Lewis M. Hays (copy), 27 October 1852, Hays v. Turley, copy files, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL .

[In Lincoln's absence, someone, probably his co-counsel David A. Smith, files a public notice in the Sangamon County Circuit Court case of Gilman et al. v. Hamilton et al., in which Lincoln and Smith represent plaintiffs Winthrop S. Gilman and Grundy H. Blackburn. In the public notice, Lincoln and Smith explain to the case's non-resident defendants that "an amended bill in Chancery has been this day exhibited and filed against them." Lincoln and Smith state further that the defendants "are hereby notified to plead answer or demur in the premises, or said amended bill will be taken pro confesso against them." Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 1 May 1852, 3:2; Decree, 3 September 1852, Gilman et al. v. Hamilton et al., Record L, 535-36, Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL .

]

Lincoln and Smith publish notice of pendency of Gillman et al. v. Hamilton et al.Illinois Journal.

[Judge David Davis opens the two-day De Witt County Circuit Court with forty-eight cases on the docket. Orders and Decrees, 29-30 April 1852, Chancery Record 1A, 433-54, De Witt County Circuit Court, De Witt County Courthouse, Clinton, IL.]

In the De Witt County Circuit Court, Lincoln and Clifton H. Moore represent defendant John Warner in the case of Campbell v. Warner. Barzilla Campbell is suing to remove Warner from land which Campbell claims to own. Lincoln and Moore file a plea in which Warner states that "he is not guilty of unlawfully withholding the premises claimed by the plaintiff." Judge David Davis continues the case until the next court term. Plea, filed 30 April 1852, Campbell v. Warner, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL; Order, 30 April 1852, Campbell v. Warner, Chancery Record 1A, 445, De Witt County Circuit Court, De Witt County Courthouse, Clinton, IL.

Lincoln writes a mortgage deed in which De Witt County residents James Mattlen and his wife Susana Mattlen agree to sell their steam saw and flouring mill to John Billington of Springfield, Illinois for $1,500. Lincoln also writes three promissory notes for James Mattlen to sign. Mortgage Deed, 30 April 1852, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, IHi, Springfield, IL; Declaration, filed 23 April 1853, Billington v. Mattlen, case file, De Witt County Circuit Court, De Witt County Courthouse, Clinton, IL.

[In Lincoln's absence, his co-counsel files separate praecipes in two cases before the U.S. Circuit Court in Springfield: Moore for use of State Bank of Indiana v. Tanquary and Moore for use of State Bank of Indiana v. Buchanan and Vandermark. Complete Record, 21 July 1853, Moore for use of State Bank of Indiana v. Tanquary, Record Group 21, Complete Law Record, Volume 1b, 59-63; Complete Record, 10 February 1853, Moore for use of State Bank of Indiana v. Buchanan & Vandermark, Record Group 21, Complete Law Record, Volume 1b, 80-6, both in United States Circuit Court for the Southern District of Illinois, National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL.]