Introduction to Canfield v. Morey
Canfield v. Morey
Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, Mayor’s Court, 26 December 1842
Historical Introduction
In October 1842, entered into an arrangement with . According to Canfield, they agreed that he would have use of Morey’s horses and wagon during the winter and would keep half of what he earned using the team; he also was to have a rent-free room in exchange for providing firewood for the Morey family. In December, however, Canfield brought an action against Morey, claiming that while Morey was “gone away from home,” his wife, Sylvia Butterfield Morey, took the horses and wagon, leaving Canfield destitute. Canfield further stated that George Morey owed him $14.50 and that Sylvia had claimed no contract was signed and had slandered Canfield in .
On 20 December, JS as mayor of issued a summons for to appear before the mayor’s court to answer ’s complaint. The same day, three witnesses were subpoenaed to testify, including Mary Ann Morey, a daughter of the defendant. JS heard the case on 26 December. Although George Morey was in Nauvoo the day of the legal proceedings, he evidently did not appear. Mary Ann Morey was sworn and examined regarding the summons for her father. Her testimony apparently noted that he was not present at the time the summons was served; because constable had been unable to locate George, he had instead left the summons with Sylvia Morey. The law required that the summons be read to the defendant except when the defendant was trying to evade being served, in which case it could be left with someone else at the person’s residence. JS noted that Morey had not “absented himself to evade service of process” and dismissed the case.
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.
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