Lincoln Abraham
Abraham Lincoln Superb Early Court Petition Written & Signed Legal Brief

Provenance: Complete transcription on letterhead of The Lincoln Library, Shippensburg PA.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN The future 16th President of the United States handwrote and signed this four-page legal document around 1844 on behalf of several petitioners - including his law partner Stephen T. Logan and his brother-in-law Ninian W. Edwards - to partition 17 pieces of property. This is an excellent document from Lincoln's legal career and from early in his political career. Handwritten items by Lincoln are extremely rare. Rare autograph document signed: "Logan & Lincoln, for/Petitioners", 4p, 7¾x12½, front and verso. Lightly creased with folds, which have been repaired with tape on front and verso of first page and on verso of signature page. Chipped at horizontal folds at blank margins. Heavily penned, some words lightly smudged, light show through (all legible). Lightly soiled, lightly shaded at blank left margin of first page. Pencil notes (unknown hand) on docket panel. Overall, fine condition. This is an excellent, lengthy example from Lincoln's celebrated law career.

Christian County, Illinois, circa 1844.

Begins: "To the Honorable, the circuit court of Christian county - Respectfully represent unto your Honorable court, your Petitioners Stacy B. Opaycke, Isaac Wickersham, Ninian W. Edwards, and Stephen T. Logan, that they may together with Benjamin Godfrey & Winthrop G. Gilman, Jesse B. Thomas, Thomas Mather Executor of the last Will & Testament of George Borquan L.D.; Benjuamin F. Edwards, Samuel G. Bailey, & Ebenezer Marsh, Miles Peck, Odell Gregory, & John T. Parker, whom your Petitioners pray may be made defendants to this Petition are proprietors of the following described lands, in the said county of Christian with the exceptions as hereinafter mentioned...."

Lincoln then lists 17 pieces of property and continues: "Your Petitioners further charge that John Taylor, Stacy B. Opaycke, David Prickett, Jesse B. Thomas Caleb Walt, Benjamin F. Edwards, Ninian W. Edwards and Stephen T. Logan, being equal and joint owners of said lands, that is, each one of them being the owner of one undivided eighth part thereof on the [blank] day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirtysix, laid out the town of Edinburgh on the East half of said Section Twenty and the West part of the said Section Twentyone...."

Lincoln then details various parcels that have been sold and lists the "manner and proportions" in which the Petitioners wish the land to be divided in proportion to their respective interests.

Ends: "Your Petitioners pray that your Honorable court will order and direct a division of said lands and unsold town lots, to be made between your Petitioners and the said defendants, in the proportions above stated, according to the statute in such case made and provided -and, as in duty bound &c." Docket (unknown hand) on verso of second page notes that this document was filed on March 13, 1844.

Future 16th U.S. President (1861- 1865) LINCOLN (1809-1865), on the advice of Whig legislator (and future law partner) John Todd Stuart, became a lawyer in 1836. In 1837, Lincoln moved to Springfield, where he became a partner in Stuart's law firm. From 1834 until he left for Washington, D.C. as President-elect, Lincoln's law offices were located above Seth Tinsley's store in Springfield. Lincoln, who became one of the most respected and successful lawyers in Illinois, handled some 5,100 cases and appeared before the Illinois State Supreme Court over 400 times over his 23-year legal career, which also included a long association (1844-1865) with another partner, William Henry Herndon. Before being elected President, Lincoln also served in the Illinois State Legislature (1834-1841) and one term (1847-1849) as a U.S. Congressman. LOGAN, Lincoln's law partner from 1843- 1844, was also involved with Lincoln in Whig politics. EDWARDS was married to Mary Todd Lincoln's older sister. Lincoln and Todd had been married in Edwards' home on November 4, 1842. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Autograph material written by Lincoln is extremely rare.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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