Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln to Nathan Dresser, 30 May 18391
Springfield, May 30. 1839.M^r Dresser:
Enclosed are the papers to commence a suit for old man Summers against H. Sears. You will find one of Butlers blank summons filled up by me which you can copy and it will be right in this case— It would do itself but for its having the Sangamon seal to it—2

Also on the other side of this sheet you find a petition for an order to have the land involved in this matter conveyed to Sears—3 It, together with the bond, (also enclosed) you will file & docket among your Chancery cases— No process to issue on it—4

[ certification ]
08/20/1887
Herndon, William H.

The above writing is true and genuine and was written by Mr. Lincoln himself.
W^m H. HerndonAug 20^th '87

<Page 2>

[ docketing ]
Lincoln, Abraham (President)

Petition in Chancery.

[ endorsement ]
1.0 24

SPRINGFIELD Il.
MAY 31 The M^r Nathan Dresser Petersburg— Illinois—

1Abraham Lincoln wrote the body of the letter and the address and docketing “Petition in Chancery” on the reverse side. William H. Herndon penned the certification on the reverse side.

2The enclosed papers Lincoln references are not with the letter.

3The petition does not appear on the reverse side of this page.

4Sears gave a promissory note for $130 to Alfred Summers but failed to pay the note before Summers died. Levi Summers, the administrator of Alfred Summers's estate, retained Stuart and Lincoln and sued Sears to collect the note. The parties apparently reached a settlement, and Levi Summers dismissed the case.
Summers v. Sears, 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=135126.