Anthony Thornton to Abraham Lincoln, 31 May 18581
Shelbyville Ill.May 31st 1858.A. Lincoln Esqr.[Esquire]Dear Sir,
I had forgotten to send you a check for the money, coming to you from Crocketts' estate.
The amount allowed was
| $59.87 | |
| Accrued Int[Interest] | 5.25 |
| $64.12 |
I send you a check for above amt.[amount], less Exchange.
Truly yours,Anthony Thornton.<Page 2>
[Envelope]
SHELBYVILLE Ill.[Illinois]
MAY 31 1858A. Lincoln Esqr.Springfield,Illinois.
MAY 31 1858A. Lincoln Esqr.Springfield,Illinois.
1Anthony Thornton wrote and signed this letter. He also wrote Abraham Lincoln’s name
and address on the envelope shown in the second image.
2Lincoln’s reply has not been located. However, he endorsed the envelope, indicating
that he answered it. See the docketing on the left side of the envelope shown in the
second image.
Thornton's math in this letter is incorrect; the total amount should be $65.12, not
$64.12. Lincoln apparently provided the receipt Thornton requests in this letter,
although the original receipt to Thornton in Lincoln’s hand has not been located.
See Receipt, Document ID: 127914, Lincoln v. Alexander, 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), https://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=136711.
In this letter, Thornton is discussing funds owed to Lincoln from John E. “Elliott”
Crockett’s estate due to Lincoln having defended the latter’s son, John A. L. Crockett,
on a murder charge in 1852. Thornton served as Lincoln’s co-counsel in the case. For
additional details regarding that case, see People v. Crockett, Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, https://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=135617. In late 1852, Thornton and Lincoln both joined Elliott Crockett’s campaign to get
Illinois Governor Augustus C. French to pardon his son, and Thornton and Lincoln signed a petition to the Governor for clemency along with various citizens of Shelby and Moultrie counties. Governor French’s final decision on the matter is unknown.
Elliott Crockett apparently gave Lincoln a promissory note for his services in People v. Crockett, but died in 1855 without having paid Lincoln. In December 1856, Lincoln sued Ebenezer Alexander (as administrator of Elliott Crockett's estate) for payment of the note. Thornton
acted as Lincoln’s attorney in the case. The Shelby County Court ruled for Lincoln,
awarding $64.12.
Anthony Thornton to Augustus C. French; Lincoln v. Alexander, Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, https://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=136711.
Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).