I have a question pertaining to the terms that circuit courts met to
conduct their business.
In the area and time I am researching, Hempstead Co, AR, early
1840s, they appear to have two terms, April and October of each
year, but I also see another term listed at the top of these pages,
Vacation. Clearly 'Vacation' must have some other meaning, as they
were still in session. Did Vacation mean Winter, or something like
that?
This is not really a crucial question for me; mostly I am curious.
But, it is part of what I really want to ask: Can anyone recommend a
good book that would explain the legal terms and processes in
practice back at that time? I think some of the terms are latin,
although given the handwriting it all appears to be Greek to me at
times! ;-)
If it makes a difference, it is a legal matter, not probate or the
like. The language, as might be expected, is very wordy- "The grand
jurors of the state of Arkansas elected impannelled sworn and
charged to inquire in and for the body of the County of Clark in the
State of Arkansas upon the oath present that Philip P. Johnston late
of the said County of Clark on the twenty first day of October in
the year of Christ Eighteen Hundred and thirty nine with force and
arms within the body of the County of Clark aforesaid in and upon
one Thomas E. Shoemaker in the peace of the State of Arkansas, then
and there being did make an assault, and that the said Philip P.
Johnston a certain pistol of the value of one dollar then and there
loaded and charged with gun powder and one leaden bullet (which
pistol he the said Philip Johnston in his right hand then and there
had and held) to, against and upon the said Thomas E.
Shoemaker then and there willfully and unlawfully and from his
malice aforethought did shoot and discharge and that the said Philip
P. Johnston with the leaden bullet aforesaid out of the pistol
aforesaid then and there by force of the gun powder shot and ____
forth as aforesaid Thomas E. Shoemaker in and upon the right side of
the body of him the aforesaid Thomas E. Shoemaker."
That's one very long sentence and a lot of 'then and theres' just to
say that Philip Johnston shot Thomas Shoemaker!
Note- Mr Johnston asked for and received a change in venue, from
Clark to Hempstead Co, AR.
Thanks for you advice,
Ray
Ray Shoemaker <raywshoe@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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