Legal Events

June 16, 1835

Lake v. Smith: The parties appeared in court. Joseph Smith entered a plea of non assumpsit. Jurors were sworn. Before the jury deliberated the facts of the case, the court ruled that Lake had failed to provide evidence in support of his claim—requiring the court to order a nonsuit of the case. The court ordered Lake to pay Joseph Smith $25.64 for his costs of the suit and also to pay $10.86 to the court for its costs.

June 16, 1835

State of Ohio v. Joseph Smith. Assault and battery charges were brought against Joseph Smith in the Court of Common Pleas by Calvin W. Stoddard, Joseph's brother-in-law (married to Sophronia). Joseph was acquitted.

June 29, 1835

Lake v. Smith: A writ of collection (fieri facias) was issued and forwarded to Sheriff Jabez Tracy by Peter Thompson. It was returned on October 20, 1835, "wholly unsatisfied."

March 21, 1836

Joseph Smith prepared elders' licenses to send to Medina County for the Saints to obtain licenses to perform marriages, since the court in Geauga County had refused permission.

June 16, 1836

Scribner v. Smith: Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, and Oliver Cowdery purchased 200 lbs. of lead pipe from merchant Jonathan F. Scribner for $790.91, due on October 16, 1836.

June 18, 1836

Kelley v. Rigdon, Smith, and Cowdery: Reynolds Cahoon, Jared Carter, and Hyrum Smith (operating as the firm of Cahoon, Carter & Co.) had executed a promissory note for $2,014.74 to pay John Ayers (who assigned it to A. C. Demerrit who assigned it to Hezekiah Kelley), payable in six months. Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdery (most likely operating as Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery) assumed the obligation.

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