Legal Events

April 7, 1837

State of Ohio v. Smith: Joseph Smith was ordered to appear and respond to charges of contempt of court for failing to appear pursuant to a subpoena in the case of State v. Auken.

April 9, 1837

State of Ohio v. Smith: Joseph Smith personally appeared in court and filed his answer to the writ issued March 30, 1837, at the Portage Court of Common Pleas. Joseph Smith stated that he had attended court on February 16, 1837, but that Alford, the prosecuting witness, was absent. Since Joseph Smith was summoned to sustain the character of Alford, Joseph Smith was informed on February 16 that he "would not be wanted."

April 11, 1837

Bump v. Smith: Joseph Smith signed a promissory note for $854.28 to pay to M. C. Davis, Joseph Smith's gunsmith, singing teacher, and bodyguard. Davis transferred the note to Jacob Bump, who sued in the Justice Court.

April 13, 1837

Bailey and Reynolds v. Smith: Joseph Smith, along with Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, Edmund Bosley, and John Johnson issued a promissory note to John W. Howden. Howden later endorsed the note to Nathaniel P. Bailey and Henry J. Reynolds for $825; the note was for "goods sold and delivered, money had & received &c."

April 13, 1837

Boynton and Hyde v. Smith: Joseph Smith, along with Sidney Rigdon, Edmund Bosley, John Johnson, and Hyrum Smith, executed a promissory note to pay John W. Howden $825 with interest five months from date. The note was later assigned to Ray Boynton and Harry Hyde.

April 13, 1837

State of Ohio on complaint of Newel v. Smith: Grandison Newell made a complaint before Justice of the Peace Edward Flint claiming that "he has just cause to fear and did fear, that Joseph Smith Jr. would kill him or procure other persons to do it." A warrant was issued for Joseph Smith the same day.

April 24, 1837

Martindale v. Smith: Plaintiff by his attorney Hitchcock filed his declaration with Geauga Court of Common Pleas clerk D. D. Aiken. The declaration stated the indebtedness: $5,000 on October 11, 1836; $6,000 on February 20, 1837; $7,500 on April 25, 1837.

April 29, 1837

Patterson and Patterson v. Cahoon: The plaintiffs filed their declaration at the Geauga Court of Common Pleas. The declaration stated the intent of the defendants was to pay Gardner and Patterson $596.46 one month after date of execution, which was December 14, 1836. By March 1, 1837, the defendants had incurred a further debt of $800 for work and merchandise Gardner and Patterson had sold to them.

May 8, 1837

State v. Auken: Joseph Smith appeared before the Court of Common Pleas. His defense against the charge of not appearing was that he appeared on February 16 instead of February 14, 1837, because he understood he was to appear on the 16th. The court dismissed the contempt charges on the condition that Joseph Smith paid the court costs of $4.70.

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