In response to letter from Jesse Lincoln, Tennessee relative, Lincoln writes long letter relating family history. "As you have supposed, I am the grandson of your uncle Abraham; and the story of his death by the Indians, and of Uncle Mordecai, then fourteen years old, killing one of the Indians, is the legend more strongly than all others imprinted upon my mind and memory." Abraham Lincoln to Jesse Lincoln, 1 April 1854, CW, 2:217-18.

[Logan Circuit Court is in session at Lincoln.]

[While no record of Lincoln's presence in Springfield on this day exists, he is doubtless home voting in city election in which his partner, William H. Herndon, is elected mayor.]

Parks, Logan, Lincoln & Herndon, representing defendant, file their answer in Turley et al. v. Logan County, Illinois. (This case, originally filed December 5, 1853, was brought by principal property owners of town of Mt. Pulaski, who claimed that county seat had been illegally moved to Lincoln.) In their answer, defendant's attorneys claim location act was regularly passed. Copy of Record, Sup. Ct. Files.

In Turley et al. v. Logan County, Illinois, defendant files affidavit of Isaac R. Diller, clerk of House of Representatives. Copy of Record, Sup. Ct. Files.

Turley et al. v. Logan County, Illinois is again before court. Defendant's attorneys move that injunction, granted when case was first filed, be dissolved, and court so orders. Complainants file their replication to answer of defendants, and case is continued. Copy of Record, Sup. Ct. Files.

Lincoln writes and signs receipt to Mrs. Lucy Scroggin for $50, paying all fees due to date. John T. Stuart also signs. Photocopy.

Lincoln attends spring term of McLean Circuit Court. At this time, and at fall term, he attends to "a great variety of little business" for Illinois Central Railroad Co. Abraham Lincoln to Mason Brayman, 23 September 1854, CW, 2:233-34.

Lincoln represents plaintiff in Woodworth v. Cox, action in debt. Gridley, for defendant, moves to dismiss suit for want of bond for costs. When papers are examined, bond for costs is found among them, and Gridley withdraws motion. In two cases against Illinois Central, Lincoln moves court to overrule plaintiff's depositions, which is done. Record.

Gridley agrees that judgment be entered against his client for $70.67 debt and $39.82 damages in Woodworth case. In Jackson v. Miller jury returns verdict for plaintiff and assesses his damages at $250. Lincoln and Orme are plaintiff's attorneys. Record.

In Buck v. Allin, action in debt, Lincoln writes defendant's plea. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In Buck v. Allin, plaintiff dismisses suit. Record.

Sneed v. Illinois Central RR comes to trial, with Lincoln appearing for company. Jury finds in favor of defendant. Record.

Jury is called in another Illinois Central case, but plaintiff drops suit and case is dismissed. Record.

One of Lincoln's "great variety of little business" is Bishop v. Illinois Central RR, trespass. Jury returns verdict for plaintiff and assesses his damages at $583. Holmes, Lincoln, and Stuart are for plaintiff. Record.

Lincoln is solicitor of another railroad, Chicago & Mississippi, in suit called against McLean County Bank and A. Gridley, administrator. Gridley files separate answer to complaint, and Lincoln agrees that administrator's answer stand as bank's answer. Lincoln files "replication to the said answer," and case is continued. Record.

Lincoln and Scott represent four defendants in case involving forfeited recognizance. On behalf of one of defendants they move to quash writ of scire facias, whereupon attorney for People dismisses writ. For another defendant they plead that no such record as writ specifies exists. Court examines record, finds for People, and orders execution for $500 against Lincoln's client. Record.

[Woodford Circuit Court convenes at Metamora, and remains in session all week.]

Lincoln, representing defendant, continues Jackson v. Whorrall on affidavit of his client and at his costs. Record.

Lincoln, associated with John Clark for defense in Willard v. Summers, writes defendant's plea. Photocopy.

Lincoln has three cases in court. In Coventry v. Warwick Banking Co., he argues demurrer. In Gingrich v. Evans et al., he and Clark obtain judgment of $665.47. Moore v. Swarens, in which he is one of plaintiff's four attorneys, goes to jury which finds for plaintiff and assesses his damages at one cent. In Coventry & Warwickshire Banking v. Whorrall, trespass, Purple and Sanger for plaintiff, Lincoln for defense, Lincoln files demurrer, which court partly sustains, and case is continued. Record.