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Introduction to Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery Capias ad Respondendum, 22 March 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery] Special Bail, 25 March 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery] Declaration, circa 24 April 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery] Docket Entry, Judgment, 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery] Docket Entry, Costs, circa 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery] Transcript of Proceedings, circa 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]

Introduction to Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery

Page

Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery
Geauga Co., Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, 6 June 1837
 
Historical Introduction
In mid-June 1836, the
Kirtland Township

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Ohio, firms of
Cahoon, Carter & Co.

A mercantile company likely established in June 1835, composed of partners Reynolds Cahoon, Jared Carter, and Hyrum Smith. The company was an outgrowth of their role as members of the committee to build the House of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio; the funds they...

View Glossary
and
Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery

A mercantile partnership composed of Sidney Rigdon, JS, and Oliver Cowdery, likely formed in June 1836. The partnership purchased wholesale goods on credit, using promissory notes, from merchants in Buffalo, New York, in June 1836. In September 1836, the ...

View Glossary
sent agents to
Buffalo

Located in western New York on eastern shore of Lake Erie at head of Niagara River and mouth of Buffalo Creek. County seat. Settled by 1801. Land for town allocated, 1810. Incorporated as village, 1813, but mostly destroyed later that year during War of 1812...

More Info
, New York, to purchase wholesale goods. From 12 to 18 June, the firms collectively purchased over $14,000 worth of goods on credit.
1

Invoice and Letter, Gardner & Patterson to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 15 June 1836; Invoice, Daniel Ketchum to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 16 June 1836; Invoice, Jonathan Scribner to Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery, 16 June 1836; Invoice, Jonathan Scribner to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 16 June 1836; Invoice, John Ayer to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 16 June 1836; Invoice, Martin Birge to Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery, 17 June 1836; Invoice, John Newbould to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 17 June 1836; Invoice, John Newbould to Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery, 17 June 1836; Invoice, Gurdon Coit to Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery, 18 June 1836; Invoice, Hempsted & Keeler to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 18 June 1836; Invoice, Mead & Betts to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 18 June 1836; and Invoice, Daniel Ketchum to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 18 June 1836.


On 18 June, Cahoon, Carter & Co. purchased goods from merchant Daniel Ketchum amounting to $2,014.74, apparently paid for by Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery, since that same day Cahoon, Carter & Co. gave a promissory note for the exact amount to Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery.
2

Invoice, Daniel Ketchum to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 18 June 1836; Transcript of Proceedings, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]. Both notes were “payable at the Bank of Buffalo 6. mos.”


The firm of Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery then transferred the note received from Cahoon, Carter & Co. to Buffalo merchant
John Ayer

View Full Bio

, who in turn signed it over to
Hezekiah Kelley

18 June 1804–19 July 1882. Merchant, land investor, miner. Born in Connecticut. Moved to New York City, by 1830. Married Phebe, before 1831. Invested in and sold land in Erie Co., New York, early 1830s. Sued Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery to collect on unpaid promissory...

View Full Bio
, another merchant.
3

Capias ad Respondendum, 22 Mar. 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]; Declaration, ca. 24 Apr. 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]; see also Longworth’s American Almanac [1836], 206. Albert Demeritt was also listed as involved in the transaction with Kelley.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Longworth’s American Almanac, New-York Register, and City Directory, of the Sixty-First Year of American Independence. . . . New York: Thomas Longworth, 1836.

In 1837, a financial panic created a national economic downturn, which in turn affected the
Kirtland Township

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
economy.
4

Introduction to Documents, Volume 5: October 1835–January 1838; Historical Introduction to Charges against Joseph Smith Preferred to Bishop’s Council, 29 May 1837.


The Kirtland mercantile firms found themselves unable to pay their sizable debts, resulting in several legal actions against them that year.
5

For a partial list of some of the litigation involving JS, see Historical Introduction to Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 23 May 1837, in JSP, D5:387n120; see also Introduction to Millet for the use of JS v. Woodstock.


Comprehensive Works Cited

JSP, D5 / Rogers, Brent M., Elizabeth A. Kuehn, Christian K. Heimburger, Max H Parkin, Alexander L. Baugh, and Steven C. Harper, eds. Documents, Volume 5: October 1835–January 1838. Vol. 5 of the Documents series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Ronald K. Esplin, Matthew J. Grow, and Matthew C. Godfrey. Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2017.

The case featured here, brought by
Kelley

18 June 1804–19 July 1882. Merchant, land investor, miner. Born in Connecticut. Moved to New York City, by 1830. Married Phebe, before 1831. Invested in and sold land in Erie Co., New York, early 1830s. Sued Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery to collect on unpaid promissory...

View Full Bio
, was one of these proceedings. After the note now in Kelley’s possession became due and payment was not made,
William Perkins

22 Jan. 1799–1 Dec. 1882. Teacher, attorney, insurance agent, politician. Born in Ashford, Windham Co., Connecticut. Son of William Perkins and Mary Lee. Moved to Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, to study law, ca. 1822. Admitted to Connecticut bar, May...

View Full Bio
and
Salmon Osborn

21 Oct. 1804–4 Mar. 1904. Attorney, bank executive. Born in Walton, Delaware Co., New York. Son of Samuel Osborn and Polly Webster. Moved to Jefferson, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, 1813; to Erie, Erie Co., Pennsylvania, 1814; and to Sandusky, Huron Co., Ohio, 1816...

View Full Bio
, acting as Kelley’s attorneys, commenced two separate legal actions to collect on the note.
6

Statement of Account from Perkins & Osborn, ca. 29 Oct. 1838. Ohio law required that before an endorsee of the note could be responsible for the note, he had to use “due diligence to obtain the money of the drawer, maker or obligor.” It was considered due diligence if demand was made for payment at the time the note became due “or within a reasonable time thereafter.” An Act, Making Certain Instruments of Writing Negotiable [25 Feb. 1820], Statutes of Ohio, vol. 2, pp. 1137, 1139, secs. 2, 5.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Statutes of the State of Ohio, of a General Nature, in Force, December 7, 1840; Also, the Statutes of a General Nature, Passed by the General Assembly at Their Thirty-Ninth Session, Commencing December 7, 1840. Columbus, OH: Samuel Medary, 1841.

One action was brought against
Cahoon, Carter & Co.

A mercantile company likely established in June 1835, composed of partners Reynolds Cahoon, Jared Carter, and Hyrum Smith. The company was an outgrowth of their role as members of the committee to build the House of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio; the funds they...

View Glossary
, as the originator of the promissory note, and a separate suit against
Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery

A mercantile partnership composed of Sidney Rigdon, JS, and Oliver Cowdery, likely formed in June 1836. The partnership purchased wholesale goods on credit, using promissory notes, from merchants in Buffalo, New York, in June 1836. In September 1836, the ...

View Glossary
, as endorser of the note.
7

Though the plaintiff’s declaration appears to ask for multiple damages, each for $3,000, it was actually a single debt, expressed in different ways. This followed legal procedures of the times. (Declaration, ca. 24 Apr. 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]; Swan, Practice in Civil Actions and Proceedings at Law, 1:212–217.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Swan, Joseph R. The Practice in Civil Actions and Proceedings at Law, in Ohio, and Precedents in Pleading, with Practical Notes; together with the Forms of Process and Clerks’ Entries. 2 vols. Columbus: Isaac N. Whiting, 1845.

On 25 March 1837, JS and
Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

View Full Bio
were arrested and brought before the
Geauga County

Located in northeastern Ohio, south of Lake Erie. Rivers in area include Grand, Chagrin, and Cuyahoga. Settled mostly by New Englanders, beginning 1798. Formed from Trumbull Co., 1 Mar. 1806. Chardon established as county seat, 1808. Population in 1830 about...

More Info
Court of Common Pleas, but
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
was absent from
Kirtland Township

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
and could not be found to stand trial.
8

Capias ad Respondendum, 22 Mar. 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]. In February 1837, Cowdery “moved to Michigan to serve on the board of directors for the Bank of Monroe.” He returned to Kirtland by April 1837. (Historical Introduction to Indenture from Warren A. Cowdery, 23 November 1836; “Monroe Bank,” Painesville [OH] Telegraph, 24 Feb. 1837, [3]; Kirtland Township Trustees’ Minutes and Poll Book, 29 Apr. and 6 June 1837, pp. 153–154


Comprehensive Works Cited

Painesville Telegraph. Painesville, OH. 1822–1986.

Kirtland Township Trustees’ Minutes and Poll Book, 1817–1838. Lake County Historical Society, Painesville, OH.

This same day, special bail for $6,000 was entered in behalf of the men.
9

Special Bail, 25 Mar. 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]; see also An Act to Regulate the Practice of the Judicial Courts, Statutes of Ohio, vol. 3, p. 1677, sec. 33.


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Statutes of Ohio and of the Northwestern Territory, Adopted or Enacted from 1788 to 1833 Inclusive: Together with the Ordinance of 1787; the Constitutions of Ohio and of the United States, and Various Public Instruments and Acts of Congress: Illustrated by a Preliminary Sketch of the History of Ohio; Numerous References and Notes, and Copious Indexes. 3 vols. Edited by Salmon P. Chase. Cincinnati: Corey and Fairbank, 1833–1835.

The case was tried on 6 June 1837, with the court ruling that
Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery

A mercantile partnership composed of Sidney Rigdon, JS, and Oliver Cowdery, likely formed in June 1836. The partnership purchased wholesale goods on credit, using promissory notes, from merchants in Buffalo, New York, in June 1836. In September 1836, the ...

View Glossary
, having endorsed the note, was liable for the debt.
10

Transcript of Proceedings, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]. For a discussion of bringing action against the endorser of a note, see Harris v. Clark and Another, 10 Wilcox 6 (Ohio Sup. Ct. 1840).


Comprehensive Works Cited

Wilcox / Wilcox, P. B. Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Ohio in Bank. Vol. 10. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co, 1873.

Kelley

18 June 1804–19 July 1882. Merchant, land investor, miner. Born in Connecticut. Moved to New York City, by 1830. Married Phebe, before 1831. Invested in and sold land in Erie Co., New York, early 1830s. Sued Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery to collect on unpaid promissory...

View Full Bio
prevailed in this action as well as his suit against
Cahoon, Carter & Co.

A mercantile company likely established in June 1835, composed of partners Reynolds Cahoon, Jared Carter, and Hyrum Smith. The company was an outgrowth of their role as members of the committee to build the House of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio; the funds they...

View Glossary
; each firm was assessed $2,083.47 in damages, plus court costs.
11

Docket Entry, Judgment, 6 June 1837, [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]; Geauga Co., OH, Court of Common Pleas, Journal, vol. N, p. 193, 6 June 1837, microfilm 20,271, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL. Though Kelley had two separate judgments for the same amount, he did not intend to collect on both. His attorneys, Perkins & Osborn, noted, “These are for the same dem[an]d Judt are against the makers in our suit, & against the endor[s]ers in the other, If the Da[mage]s & Costs in one are paid & the Costs in the other, that is all which we Can demd We have levied on several little bits of lands in Kirtland— hope they will bring something.” (Statement of Account from Perkins & Osborn, ca. 29 Oct. 1838.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Efforts to collect the debt continued until after the death of JS.
12

See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


 
Calendar of Documents
This calendar lists all known documents created by or for the court, whether extant or not. It does not include versions of documents created for other purposes, though those versions may be listed in footnotes. In certain cases, especially in cases concerning unpaid debts, the originating document (promissory note, invoice, etc.) is listed here. Note that documents in the calendar are grouped with their originating court. Where a version of a document was subsequently filed with another court, that version is listed under both courts.
 

1836 (1)

June (1)

18 June 1836

Cahoon, Carter & Co., Promissory Note, Kirtland, Geauga Co., OH, to Rigdon, Smith, & Cowdery

  • 18 June 1836. Not extant.
    1

    See Transcript of Proceedings, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


 
Geauga Co., Ohio, Court of Common Pleas

1837 (7)

March (2)

22 March 1837

David D. Aiken, Capias ad Respondendum, to Geauga Co. Sheriff, for Sidney Rigdon and Others, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 22 Mar. 1837. Not extant.
  • Ca. 6 June 1837; in Transcript of Proceedings, Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, Common Pleas Record, vol. U, pp. 97–98, Geauga County Archives and Records Center, Chardon, OH; handwriting of David D. Aiken.
25 March 1837

Vinson Knight and Ira Bond, Special Bail, before David D. Aiken, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 25 Mar. 1837. Not extant.
  • Ca. 6 June 1837; in Transcript of Proceedings, Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, Common Pleas Record, vol. U, p. 98, Geauga County Archives and Records Center, Chardon, OH; handwriting of David D. Aiken.

April (1)

Ca. 24 April 1837

Perkins & Osborn on behalf of Hezekiah Kelley, Declaration, Geauga Co., OH

  • Ca. 24 Apr. 1837. Not extant.
  • Ca. 6 June 1837; in Transcript of Proceedings, Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, Common Pleas Record, vol. U, pp. 98–99, Geauga County Archives and Records Center, Chardon, OH; handwriting of David D. Aiken.

June (4)

6 June 1837

Docket Entry, Judgment, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 6 June 1837; Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, Journal, vol. N, p. 193, Geauga County Archives and Records Center, Chardon, OH; handwriting of Charles H. Foot and David D. Aiken.
Ca. 6 June 1837

Docket Entry, Costs, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • Ca. 6 June 1837; Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, Execution Docket, vol. G, p. 58, Geauga County Archives and Records Center, Chardon, OH; handwriting of David D. Aiken; notations in handwriting of David D. Aiken, Charles H. Foot, unidentified scribe, John French, and Lorenzo J. Rider.
Ca. 6 June 1837

Transcript of Proceedings, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • Ca. 6 June 1837; Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, Common Pleas Record, vol. U, pp. 97–99, Geauga County Archives and Records Center, Chardon, OH; handwriting of David D. Aiken; signature presumably of Van R. Humphrey.
19 June 1837

Fieri Facias, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 19 June 1837. Not extant.
    1

    See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


1838 (3)

April (1)

23 April 1838

Alias Fieri Facias, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 23 Apr. 1838. Not extant.
    1

    See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


September (2)

18 September 1838

Venditioni Exponas, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 18 Sept. 1838. Not extant.
    1

    See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


18 September 1838

Pluries Fieri Facias, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 18 Sept. 1838. Not extant.
    1

    See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


1839 (2)

May (1)

10 May 1839

Alias Venditioni Exponas, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 10 May 1839. Not extant.
    1

    See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


June (1)

4 June 1839

Pluries Fieri Facias, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 4 June 1839. Not extant.
    1

    See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


1841 (1)

November (1)

25 November 1841

Alias Fieri Facias, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 25 Nov. 1841. Not extant.
    1

    See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


1842 (2)

August (2)

12 August 1842

Venditioni Exponas, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 12 Aug. 1842. Not extant.
    1

    See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


12 August 1842

Alias Fieri Facias, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 12 Aug. 1842. Not extant.
    1

    See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


1844 (2)

February (2)

23 February 1844

Venditioni Exponas, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 23 Feb. 1844. Not extant.
    1

    See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


23 February 1844

Pluries Fieri Facias, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 23 Feb. 1844. Not extant.
    1

    See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


1847 (1)

January (1)

15 January 1847

Alias Venditioni Exponas, Chardon, Geauga Co., OH

  • 15 Jan. 1847. Not extant.
    1

    See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].


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Editorial Title
Introduction to Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery
ID #
14511
Total Pages
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    Footnotes

    1. [1]

      Invoice and Letter, Gardner & Patterson to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 15 June 1836; Invoice, Daniel Ketchum to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 16 June 1836; Invoice, Jonathan Scribner to Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery, 16 June 1836; Invoice, Jonathan Scribner to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 16 June 1836; Invoice, John Ayer to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 16 June 1836; Invoice, Martin Birge to Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery, 17 June 1836; Invoice, John Newbould to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 17 June 1836; Invoice, John Newbould to Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery, 17 June 1836; Invoice, Gurdon Coit to Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery, 18 June 1836; Invoice, Hempsted & Keeler to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 18 June 1836; Invoice, Mead & Betts to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 18 June 1836; and Invoice, Daniel Ketchum to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 18 June 1836.

    2. [2]

      Invoice, Daniel Ketchum to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 18 June 1836; Transcript of Proceedings, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]. Both notes were “payable at the Bank of Buffalo 6. mos.”

    3. [3]

      Capias ad Respondendum, 22 Mar. 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]; Declaration, ca. 24 Apr. 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]; see also Longworth’s American Almanac [1836], 206. Albert Demeritt was also listed as involved in the transaction with Kelley.

      Longworth’s American Almanac, New-York Register, and City Directory, of the Sixty-First Year of American Independence. . . . New York: Thomas Longworth, 1836.

    4. [4]

      Introduction to Documents, Volume 5: October 1835–January 1838; Historical Introduction to Charges against Joseph Smith Preferred to Bishop’s Council, 29 May 1837.

    5. [5]

      For a partial list of some of the litigation involving JS, see Historical Introduction to Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 23 May 1837, in JSP, D5:387n120; see also Introduction to Millet for the use of JS v. Woodstock.

      JSP, D5 / Rogers, Brent M., Elizabeth A. Kuehn, Christian K. Heimburger, Max H Parkin, Alexander L. Baugh, and Steven C. Harper, eds. Documents, Volume 5: October 1835–January 1838. Vol. 5 of the Documents series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Ronald K. Esplin, Matthew J. Grow, and Matthew C. Godfrey. Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2017.

    6. [6]

      Statement of Account from Perkins & Osborn, ca. 29 Oct. 1838. Ohio law required that before an endorsee of the note could be responsible for the note, he had to use “due diligence to obtain the money of the drawer, maker or obligor.” It was considered due diligence if demand was made for payment at the time the note became due “or within a reasonable time thereafter.” An Act, Making Certain Instruments of Writing Negotiable [25 Feb. 1820], Statutes of Ohio, vol. 2, pp. 1137, 1139, secs. 2, 5.

      Statutes of the State of Ohio, of a General Nature, in Force, December 7, 1840; Also, the Statutes of a General Nature, Passed by the General Assembly at Their Thirty-Ninth Session, Commencing December 7, 1840. Columbus, OH: Samuel Medary, 1841.

    7. [7]

      Though the plaintiff’s declaration appears to ask for multiple damages, each for $3,000, it was actually a single debt, expressed in different ways. This followed legal procedures of the times. (Declaration, ca. 24 Apr. 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]; Swan, Practice in Civil Actions and Proceedings at Law, 1:212–217.)

      Swan, Joseph R. The Practice in Civil Actions and Proceedings at Law, in Ohio, and Precedents in Pleading, with Practical Notes; together with the Forms of Process and Clerks’ Entries. 2 vols. Columbus: Isaac N. Whiting, 1845.

    8. [8]

      Capias ad Respondendum, 22 Mar. 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]. In February 1837, Cowdery “moved to Michigan to serve on the board of directors for the Bank of Monroe.” He returned to Kirtland by April 1837. (Historical Introduction to Indenture from Warren A. Cowdery, 23 November 1836; “Monroe Bank,” Painesville [OH] Telegraph, 24 Feb. 1837, [3]; Kirtland Township Trustees’ Minutes and Poll Book, 29 Apr. and 6 June 1837, pp. 153–154

      Painesville Telegraph. Painesville, OH. 1822–1986.

      Kirtland Township Trustees’ Minutes and Poll Book, 1817–1838. Lake County Historical Society, Painesville, OH.

    9. [9]

      Special Bail, 25 Mar. 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]; see also An Act to Regulate the Practice of the Judicial Courts, Statutes of Ohio, vol. 3, p. 1677, sec. 33.

      The Statutes of Ohio and of the Northwestern Territory, Adopted or Enacted from 1788 to 1833 Inclusive: Together with the Ordinance of 1787; the Constitutions of Ohio and of the United States, and Various Public Instruments and Acts of Congress: Illustrated by a Preliminary Sketch of the History of Ohio; Numerous References and Notes, and Copious Indexes. 3 vols. Edited by Salmon P. Chase. Cincinnati: Corey and Fairbank, 1833–1835.

    10. [10]

      Transcript of Proceedings, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]. For a discussion of bringing action against the endorser of a note, see Harris v. Clark and Another, 10 Wilcox 6 (Ohio Sup. Ct. 1840).

      Wilcox / Wilcox, P. B. Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Ohio in Bank. Vol. 10. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co, 1873.

    11. [11]

      Docket Entry, Judgment, 6 June 1837, [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery]; Geauga Co., OH, Court of Common Pleas, Journal, vol. N, p. 193, 6 June 1837, microfilm 20,271, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL. Though Kelley had two separate judgments for the same amount, he did not intend to collect on both. His attorneys, Perkins & Osborn, noted, “These are for the same dem[an]d Judt are against the makers in our suit, & against the endor[s]ers in the other, If the Da[mage]s & Costs in one are paid & the Costs in the other, that is all which we Can demd We have levied on several little bits of lands in Kirtland— hope they will bring something.” (Statement of Account from Perkins & Osborn, ca. 29 Oct. 1838.)

      U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    12. [12]

      See Docket Entry, Costs, ca. 6 June 1837 [Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery].

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