Bond of William Butler as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Sangamon County, 19 October 18371
Know all men by these presents that weWilliam Butler, Philip, C, Latham[,] Garrett Elkin[,] A. Lincoln & John T Stuart. are held and firmly bound unto Joseph Duncan Governor of the State of Illinois and his successors in office, for the use of the People of the State of Illinois in the penal sum of Two Thousand Dollars, lawfull money of the United States, the payment of which, well and truly to be made, and performed, we and each of us, bind ourselves, our heirs, Executors, and administrators, Jointly & severally firmly by these presents, witness our hands and seals this 19th day of October 18372
The condition of this obligation is such that if the above bounded William Butler shall faithfully discharge the duties of his office as Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the County of Sangamon, and State of Illinois according to law, and shall deliver up, when lawfully required so to do, the Papers, Books, Records, and Proceedings appertaining thereto whole, safe, and undefaced, then the above obligation to be void, otherwise, to remain in full force and virtue
William Butler
 seal 
P, C, Latham
 seal 
Garrett Elkin
 seal 
A. Lincoln
 seal 
John T. Stuart
 seal 
[ certification ]
10/19/1837
approvedOctr 19. 1837
Jesse B Thomas
Judge of the first Judicial Circuit in the State of Illinois

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Wm Butler
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Sangamon
1837
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179
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Bond
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Sangamon County
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12/23/1837
William Butler.
Filed Decr[December] 23d 1837
1Abraham Lincoln supplied his name among the list of bond guarantors and signed his name.
2Section twenty-four of the law regulating circuit courts required clerks at the first term of their respective courts, after appointment, to enter into bond to the governor of the state, with one or more securities, in the sum of $2,000 to ensure faithful performance of their duties.
“An Act regulating the Supreme and Circuit Courts,” 19 January 1829, Revised Laws of Illinois (1829), 44-45.

Handwritten Document Signed, 2 page(s), Illinois State Archives (Springfield, IL).