No image available

Introduction to City of Nauvoo v. Clements et al.

Hide editing marks

City of Nauvoo v. Clements, A. Tanner, and H. Tanner

Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, Mayor’s Court, 22 December 1842

Historical Introduction

On 19 December 1842, JS found Albert Clements and Nathan Tanner guilty of violating the , Illinois, city ordinance regarding disorderly persons (see City of Nauvoo v. Clements and N. Tanner). Following the trial, Clements, along with Albert and Henry Tanner, spoke out against testimony that had been given by Susan McArthur and two of her children. Though Duncan McArthur, Susan’s husband, had not personally heard the men’s remarks, he had “been credibly informed” that they had claimed his family’s testimonies were perjured and that their language had been abusive and slanderous. He filed a complaint against the three men on 19 December 1842.

JS issued a warrant for their arrest. Initially, the officer was able to locate only Henry Tanner, noting that Albert Clements and Albert Tanner had left . Henry was brought before the court on 20 December, and three witnesses were subpoenaed: Levi Knight; Alvin Clements, who was Albert Clements’s oldest son; and , who had served the warrant and subpoena in the first trial against Clements. Henry pleaded not guilty, but after the testimony, JS found him guilty of violating the city’s disorderly person ordinance and fined him one dollar.

Two days later, on 22 December, Albert Clements was brought before the court. Alvin Clements was again subpoenaed, as was Henry Tanner. also testified. Albert pleaded not guilty. Following the testimony, JS found Clements guilty and fined him five dollars. There is no indication that further efforts were made to bring the third defendant, seventeen-year-old Albert Tanner, before the court.

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.

19 December 1842	Duncan McArthur, Complaint, before JS, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL
	19 Dec. 1842; JS Collection, CHL; handwriting of James Sloan; signatures of Duncan McArthur and JS; docket and notation in handwriting of James Sloan.

19 December 1842	Warrant, to Nauvoo City Marshal, for Albert Clements and Others, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL
	19 Dec. 1842. Not extant. 8 See Docket Entry, between 20 and ca. 22 Dec. 1842 [City of Nauvoo v. Clements et al.].

20 December 1842	JS as Mayor, Subpoena, to Nauvoo City Marshal, for Levi Knight and Others, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL
	20 Dec. 1842; Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; handwriting of James Sloan; signature of JS; docket in handwriting of James Sloan; notation in handwriting of Duncan McArthur.

20 December 1842	Warrant, to Nauvoo City Marshal, for Albert Clements and Albert Tanner, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL
	20 Dec. 1842. Not extant. 9 See Docket Entry, between 20 and ca. 22 Dec. 1842 [City of Nauvoo v. Clements et al.].

20 December 1842	JS as Mayor and Justice of the Peace, Execution, to Nauvoo City Marshal, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL
	20 Dec. 1842; Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; handwriting of James Sloan; signature of JS; docket and notation in handwriting of James Sloan; notations in handwriting of John D. Parker.

22 December 1842	JS as Mayor, Subpoena, to Nauvoo City Marshal, for Levi Knight and Others, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL
	22 Dec. 1842; Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; handwriting of James Sloan; signature of JS; docket in handwriting of James Sloan; notation in handwriting of John D. Parker.

22 December 1842	JS as Mayor and Justice of the Peace, Execution, to Nauvoo City Marshal, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL
	22 Dec. 1842; JS Collection, CHL; handwriting of James Sloan; signature of JS; docket and notation in handwriting of James Sloan; notations in handwriting of John D. Parker.

Between 20 and ca. 22 December 1842	Docket Entry, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL
	Between 20 and ca. 22 Dec. 1842; Nauvoo Mayor’s Court Docket Book, 44, 35; handwriting of James Sloan; notations in handwriting of James Sloan.

30 January 1843	William Clayton, Receipt, to John D. Parker, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL
	30 Jan. 1843; Nauvoo Mayor’s Court, Papers, CHL; handwriting of William Clayton; docket in handwriting of William Clayton.

4 April 1843	JS as Mayor, Execution, to Nauvoo City Marshal, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL
	4 Apr. 1843; Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; handwriting of James Sloan; signature of JS; docket and notation in handwriting of James Sloan; notations in handwriting of John D. Parker.