Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Account in Elmore v. Bale, [November 1841]1

Johnson Elmore

To Jacob Bale D^r2

1841– To failure to cultivate ten acres of land according to contract– $20–00

March– Cash to West 1–00

" Work done by James Thomas. 1–50

" 18 bushels of oats. @ 20 cents. 3–603

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[ docketing ]
11/10/1841
J. Bale’s a/c[account ] addendum
Filed Nov. 10 1841

1Abraham Lincoln wrote the body of the document.

2From the Latin word “debere,” meaning to debit.

3In October 1841, Johnson Elmore sued Jacob Bale in the Menard County Justice of the Peace Court to collect a $97 debt. Bale did not dispute the amount, but claimed that Elmore owed him for farm labor. The justice of the peace ruled for Elmore and awarded him $8.58. Bale retained Abraham Lincoln and appealed the judgment to the Menard County Circuit Court, where he claimed Elmore owed him $124.70. The circuit court ruled for Bale, awarding him $27.80.
Order (Document ID: 10476), 10 November 1841, Elmore v. Bale, 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=135104.

		To Jacob Bale	D^r2
1841–		To failure to cultivate ten acres of land according to contract–	$20–00
	March–	Cash to West	1–00
	"	Work done by James Thomas.	1–50
	"	18 bushels of oats. @ 20 cents.	3–603