ABRAHAM LINCOLN / LINCOLN & HERNDON LEGAL DOCUMENT, WITH FIRM NAME IN LINCOLN’S HAND

$3,250.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 766-76

Dated “this 6th of October 1847.” In ink, on light blue paper, 8 x 9”, mounted on light white card, attached by neat, slender, easily removed strip of document tape along left margin. Ink is lightly faded, while remaining easily and entirely legible. Exhibits slight fold marks, else VG.

This document was filed in the Circuit Court of Sangamon County, text as follows:

“State of Illinois/ Sangamon County:

Joseph T. Betts vs Elijah L. Frazer/ In Chancery

Elijah L. Frazer the Defendant in the above entitled suit is hereby notified that I will attend before J. C. Sprigg Esqr a justice of the Peace for Said County at his office in Springfield on Saturday the 16th day of Oct. 1847 to take the deposition of Thomas Owen and others to be read in evidence in the above entitled Suit. Depositions to be continued from day to day until all are taken. Oct. 5, 1847.

J. T. Betts

By his solicitor/ G.K. Welles”

 

In the next sentence below is the firm name, Lincoln & Herndon, in Lincoln’s hand: “We acknowledge service of the above notice on this 6th day of October 1847. Lincoln & Herndon for the Deft. [defendant]”

“Continued by consent until Tuesday next. Oct. 11th 1847

Lincoln Logan & Herndon

C.R. Welles for Complt. [Complainant]”

Reverse docketing endorsement: “J.T.Betts vs E.L. Frazer/ In Chancery/ Notice to take Depositions”

***

The Springfield legal partnership of Lincoln & Herndon, was formed in 1844 and lasted until February 1861. [Upon departing Springfield for Washington, Lincoln told Herndon to leave their office legal shingle in place against his return]. In earlier years Lincoln had served as junior partner with Springfield attorneys John Todd Stuart and Stephen T. Logan. [In the suit above, Logan had undoubtedly had stake in joining Lincoln & Herndon]. In striking out on his own, Lincoln chose the younger Herndon as his junior partner, to perform the firm’s case-work research while he, the senior partner, handled the Illinois 8th Circuit court room work. A controversial figure, Herndon later wrote a biographical memoir recounting his years with Lincoln, titled “Herndon’s Lincoln”--a book that made considerable waves at the time of its publication in 1891, but which is today considered one of the essential works of Lincoln canon.

Lincoln & Herndon legal papers are scarce and highly prized. Especially by Lincoln aficionado counselors-at-law. Fine office display piece.

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