Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

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Sec[Section] 1 Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly: That the act, athorising Ministers of the Gospel, Any justice of the Supreme Court, Judges of the Circuit Courts, and Justices of the Peace, to perform marriage Ceremony2, is hereby extended, to Notary Publics, who shall have full power to perform the same, and also an act, authorising depositions to be taken before any number of persons, not exceeding three, or any judge or justice of the Peace in the County or City where the Witnesses may reside, shall also extend to Notary Publics, who shall perform the services, and proceed in the same manner as is required, in the act regulating the mode of taking depositions3

This act to take effect from and after its passage

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N^o 27 House

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An act extending the duties of Notary Publics

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[12]/[24]/[1840]
2

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[01]/[15]/[1841]
Indefinitely Posstponed
Jany[January] 15, 1841

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[01]/[01]/[1841]
Engrossed

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[01]/[04]/[1841]
passed

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1Abram R. Dodge introduced HB 56 in the House of Representatives on December 24, 1840. The House passed the bill on January 4, 1841. On January 15, the Senate indefinitely postponed further consideration.
Illinois House Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 157, 163, 171, 183, 236; Illinois Senate Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 136, 165, 169.

2An act passed February 14, 1827, governed marriage. This act repealed and replaced an act passed on February 20, 1819. Section three of the 1827 act specified who could perform marriage ceremonies. This section left doubt as to whether ministers could perform ceremonies unless first receiving authority so to do by their denominations or societies, and the General Assembly sought to resolve that doubt with an act passed on March 2, 1839.
“An Act regulating Marriages,” 20 February 1819, Laws of the State of Illinois (1819), 26-28; “An Act concerning Marriages,” 14 February 1827, The Revised Code of Laws, of Illinois (1827), 288-90.

3“An Act regulating the mode of taking Depositions, and to provide for the perpetuating of testimony,” 9 February 1827, The Revised Code of Laws, of Illinois (1827), 174-78.