Cumberland County Circuit Court

City: Toledo

County: Cumberland

State: Illinois

In 1845, after the creation of Cumberland County, Cumberland County Circuit Court became part of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, where it remained for the duration of Abraham Lincoln's lifetime. In the Cumberland County Circuit Court, Lincoln defended a man accused of assault with intent to murder and secured a gubernatorial pardon for his client.

"An Act to Change the Time of Holding Courts in the County of Shelby, and for Other Purposes," 21 February 1845, Laws of Illinois (1845), 47-49; People v. Lester, 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=135719.