Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Mortgage of St. Clair Chrisman to Nicholas Sintz, 5 April 18361

St Clair Chrisman
Mortgage To
Nicholas Sintz

This Indenture, made and Entered into this Fifth day of April AD. 1836, Between St Clair, Crisman of the county of Sangamon and State of Illinois of the first part, and Nicholas Sintz— of the County of Sangamon and State of Illinois of the Second part, Witnesseth; That the said party of the first part, for and in Consideration of the Sum of Twelve hundred Dollars in hand paid by the Said party of the Second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, ha[s] granted, bargained[,] and sold, and by these presen[ts] do grant, bargain[,] and Sell, unto the Said party of the second part, their heirs and assigns, certain tracts of Land, situate, lying and being in the County of Sangamon and State of Illinois— Known and designated as follows towit: The NW[Northwest] ¼ of the N.E[Northeast] ¼ of Section Nô/8/Township Nô/19/North Range Nô/3/west Containing 40. acres, also the S.W[Southwest] ¼ of the S.E[Southeast] ¼ of Section Nô/5/Township Nô/19/North Range Nô/3/west Containing 40 Acres, also the E[East] ½ of the N.E ¼ of Section Nô/7/township Nô/19/North Range Nô/3/west Containing 80 acres, also the S[South] ½ of the South W[Southwest] ¼ of Section Nô/5/Township Nô/19/North Range Nô/3/west containing 80 acres, also the E ½ of the N.E ¼ of Section Nô/7/Township Nô/19/North Range Nô/3/ west containing— 80 acres, Also the N.E.[Northeast] ¼ of the S.W ¼ of Section Nô/5/Township Nô/19/North Range Nô/3/west Containing 40 acres—2

To have and to hold the aforesaid tract or parcel of Land together with all and singular the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in anywise appertaining, to the only proper use and benefit of him the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever— And the said party of the first part doth covenant to and with the said party of the second part, that he will forever warrant and defend the Said tract of Land from the Claim of him the Said party of the first part, his heirs and assigns, and against the Claim or claims of any other person or persons whomsoever—

Subject nevertheless to the following Condition to wit: That whereas the said St Clair Crisman has Executed his Certain promissory note for the Sum of Twelve hundred dollars to the said Nicholas Sintz payable to him or his order on or before the fifth day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty seven with Interest at the rate of Six per Cent per annum from the date, until paid which Note bears even date with these presents— Now if the Said St Clair— Chrisman Shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid to the Said Sintz or his assigns, the Said note with the Interest thereon according to the tenor and effect of the Said Note then and in Such Case the above and Foregoing Conveyance shall be void, otherwise to be and remai[n] In full force and effect—

In testimony whereof the said St Clair Chrisman hath hereunto Set his hand and Seal on the day and year first above written
St Clair Chrisman seal

[ certification ]
Stone, Daniel

In presence of
Dan Stone

[ endorsement ]
04/04/1839
Lincoln, Abraham (President)Stuart, John T.

We do hereby enter full satisfaction on the within Mortgage, this 4^th April 1839
Stuart & Lincoln attorneys for the administrator of Nicholas Sintz deceased3

1Sangamon County Recorder Benjamin Talbott transcribed this mortgage into the Sangamon County deed record book. Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed the certification of satisfaction of the note.

2The land described here is located along Salt Creek in the northwest corner of Broadwell Township, in present-day Logan County.

3After Nicholas Sintz’s death, Nicholas Moore was appointed to administer the estate, and he retained Stuart & Lincoln to settle the affairs of Sintz’s estate. In 1838, they sued St. Clair Chrisman to recover $500 on this mortgage. Chrisman failed to appear in court, and on March 7, 1839, the court ordered Chrisman to pay $652.60 to Moore, and $10.43 in costs. Stuart & Lincoln received $15 for their work on the case.
Moore v. Chrisman, Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, 2d edition (Springfield: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 2009), http://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=139910.