1839 Vermont Legal Document Chittenden Co Court Burlington Freshet Flood History For Sale

4 pags approximately 8.25\" by 12\"

• • Item Overview

    • Type: Original Handwritten Legal Manuscript / Defendant\'s Plea

    • Date: March Term, 1839

    • Location: Chittenden County Court, Burlington, Vermont

    • Case: Laura Wadsworth v. Joel Bishop (listed as \"Joel Bishop ats. Laura Wadsworth\")

    • Attorneys for Defendant: Maeck & Smalley (Jacob Maeck & David A. Smalley)

    • Material: Handwritten in blue ink on a large, single sheet of blue-lined rag paper (folded into multiple pages/panels).

    Historical & Content Context

    This fascinating pre-Civil War legal document details a breach of covenant lawsuit regarding a property lease dating back to November 11, 1836. The plaintiff, Laura Wadsworth, sued the tenant, Joel Bishop, over unpaid rent ($125) and property damage.

    Of significant historical note: The defendant argues that he kept the property\'s barn and fences in good, sound condition until February 20, 1839, when a portion of the fences was \"by a violent freshet carried away without any fault of the said Joel.\" This provides excellent localized meteorological/historical documentation of a severe winter/early spring flood (freshet) in the Burlington/Chittenden County area in 1839.

    The document is signed at the end of every plea section by the prominent Burlington law firm of Maeck & Smalley (Jacob Maeck and David Allen Smalley, the latter of whom went on to become a prominent U.S. District Judge for the District of Vermont).

    Condition Report

    • Overall Condition: Very Good given its age of nearly 190 years.

    • Paper: Still strong and pliable with expected fold lines from historical filing. Light toning and minimal edge wear.

    • Ink: The blue ink remains highly legible, vibrant, and clear throughout.

    • Please review all photos carefully to assess condition details for yourself before