Description:

Lincoln Abraham

Abraham Lincoln's Eighth Circuit Court Colleague and Friend Josephus Hewett ADS

 

1p ADS inscribed overall and signed by Abraham Lincoln's Springfield, Illinois colleague Josephus Hewett as "Hewett for plff" at right. Trimmed paper fragment is partly docketed verso. In near fine condition, with expected paper folds, the fragment measuring 7.875" x 5.25". From the Collection of Norman Boas of Seaport Autographs and recently purchased at Christie's December 5, 2017 sale.

 

On January 9, 1838, attorney Josephus Hewett issued instructions to Clerk of the Sangamon Circuit Court William Butler (active 1836-1841) regarding the case Van Morgan vs. Thomas Sudduth. Hewett's friend and fellow lawyer Abraham Lincoln had worked on another case almost certainly involving this same plaintiff during the Eighth Circuit Court October term of 1837 (William Chiles vs. Thomas Sudduth).

 

Abraham Lincoln befriended Josephus Hewett in Springfield, Illinois, when the reform-minded Presbyterian minister "switched callings" and studied law with Lincoln's second law partner, Stephen T. Logan. Hewett practiced law in Sangamon County for roughly ten years before relocating to Natchez, Mississippi.

 

During Hewett's time in central Illinois, the two lawyers collaborated and traveled together on the Eighth Circuit Court. On September 13, 1838, 8 lawyers including Lincoln, Hewett, and Logan petitioned Illinois Governor Joseph Duncan to appoint Antrim Campbell Prosecuting Attorney. The original petition, now stored in the Illinois State Archives, shows Lincoln's signature appearing directly below Hewett's.

 

And in a February 13, 1848 letter advocating maintaining the current presidential electoral system, Lincoln wrote his old friend: "I am jealous because you did not write to me -- perhaps you have forgotten me. Don't you remember a long black fellow who rode on horseback with you from Tremont to Springfield nearly ten years ago, swimming our horses over the Mackinaw on the trip?" Lincoln was very familiar with the 400-500 mile Eighth Circuit Court route that crossed about a dozen counties in central Illinois. For most of his law career, Lincoln traveled about three months of every year on the circuit, making friends like Hewett along the way.

 

Provenance: Ex-Christie's December 5, 2017 sale; Ex-Norman Boas, Seaport Autographs

 

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