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.
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 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."
September 24, 1835
Joseph Smith met with the high council and, through the voice of the Spirit, decided to petition Missouri Governor Daniel Dunklin to restore lands to the Saints who had been driven off.
October 20, 1835
Lake v. Smith: Sheriff Jabez Tracy reported to the court that he was unable to recover any costs from Lake.
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.
April 1, 1836
Leman Copley confessed to Joseph Smith that he had testified falsely against him in the Hurlbut case.
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 17, 1836
Newbould v. Rigdon, Smith, and Cowdery: The three defendants executed a six-month promissory note for $287.32 to pay for merchandise they purchased in Buffalo.
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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