John Cotter v. Edward Hempstead, administrator of Meriwether Lewis estate

Item

John Cotter V. Edward Hempstead, Administrator of Meriwether Lewis Estate. 1809, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 2, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60545

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Case Title: John Cotter v. Edward Hempstead, administrator of Meriwether Lewis estate
Series: Lewis and Clark
Plaintiff: Cotter, John
Defendant: Hempstead, Edward (Executor); Lewis, Meriwether (Estate of)
Date Filed: 1809-05-04
Filing Date: 1809-05-04
Plaintiff’s Attorney: Graham, J. A.
Court Name: St. Louis County Court
Court Term: 1809-05
Cause of Action: Recovery of Money
Case Notes: Estate of Meriwether Lewis; money received by Lewis from the War Department; on account of John Colter due him from the U.S., for services rendered as one of a "corps of discovery" and in lieu of clothing and rations not furnished him.
Case Number: 35
Identifier: ccr1810.25419.004
Source: Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
Rights: Public Domain
PDF Download: Download PDF of all images
Transcription: **John Cathee v. Edward Hempstead**

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**Page 1** (25419_001.jpg)
Lewis & Clark Item Removal Form
Date 22 March 2001
Collection Name St. Louis (Mo.) Circuit Court Records (aka St. Louis Court House Papers)
Description Of Item Removed (including date and brief descrpition):
Nov 1810 Court document from John Cathee vs Edward Hempstead (adm.,
XXIV:13 for Meriwether , Lewis ) for \$559.00
3pp
Box, Series And/Or Folder Number: B. 12/f. XXIV: 6-15
The item copied on the back of this removal from (or attached to this form) was removed for inclusion
in the National Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Exhibit.
Archivist Signature: [illegible] K [illegible]
Date Of Return:
Archivst Initial:
Lewis & Clark Removal Form 2-03/01/2001

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**Page 2** (25419_002.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint*

District of St Louis
John Cathee, complains of Edward
Hempstead , administrator of the goods
and [illegible] rights and credits which
were of Meriwether Lewis at the time of
his, death, who and [illegible] of a plea
that, his [illegible] son is to have the sum, of five
hundred and fifty nine dollars lawful
money of the United States , which from him
heunjustly, acting [illegible] [illegible] whereupon the
said, John saith, that whereas the said Merri-,[?]
wether, on the fourth day of may in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hun
dred & nine of, the district aforesaid [illegible]
[illegible] to the said John in the sum of
five hundred & fifty nine dollars lawful money,
of for a like sum of money before
that time had and [illegible] by the said
Meriwither to and for the [illegible] of the said
John; and being so indebted the said
Meriwether , afterwards, to wit the same
day and year [illegible] at the district of upon
himself did [illegible] and then & there faithfully
promised that the [illegible] sum of money where,
he should be thereunto required [illegible] and
[illegible] and truly pay- [illegible]
the said [illegible] his promise and assum
tion in form of made, not requiring
but

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**Page 3** (25419_003.jpg)
contriving, and [illegible] intending
him the said John in this behalf by,
and [illegible] to [illegible] and [illegible]
the aforesaid Five hundred & fifty [illegible] nine,
dollars or any part thereof during his
lifetime, to the said John hath not paid
nor the [illegible] Edward , administrator [illegible] [illegible]
since the death of the said Meriwether ,
[illegible] to do the same the [illegible] Meriwe ther,[?]
in his life time the [illegible] Edward , since
the death of the said Meriwether , hath
been, after reqired, but the same to him to
pay attay other refused, [illegible] same to him
to pay the said Edward , still doth refuse
whereupon the said John saith he is sworn
hath damage to the value of [illegible]
hundred and ninety dollars & thereupon
he brings, suit [illegible]

*[illegible] [illegible] Graham ,
atty pro, [illegible]*
money rec, by Meriwether , Lewis , from the
was apartment, on [illegible] of John Cathee
due, him from the united states, for service
s rendered, as one of a corps of discovery
[illegible] and in [illegible] of clothing and rations
not furnished he according to stipulations,.
$ 380.. 00
Extra pay allowed by [illegible] - 179..00
$ 559..00

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**Page 4** (25419_004.jpg)
No 35
John Cathee ,
vs
Edward , Hempstead ,
adm., of Merriwether,[?]
Lewis ,
For money recd, by
M Lewis , for J., Cathee,
$ 559..00
[illegible] summons,

*I. A. Graham,
atty [illegible] nov. 1810*
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Territory of Louisiana
District of Saint Louis
[illegible] The united States of america to
the sheriff of the district of
Saint Louis Greeting
We command you to summon Edward , Hempstead ,
administrator of the goods and Chattels, rights and credits of
Meriwether , Lewis , deceased, if he may be found within your
Bailwick,[?] that he, be and appear before the judges of our
Court of Common Pleas, to be holden, at the town of saint Louis
in and for the district of Saint Louis on the first monday of
november next then there to answer, unto John Cathee , of a plea
that he under to him the sum, of five hundred and fifty nine
dollars which from him he unjustly, detains [illegible] to the damage
of the said John Cathee , the sum of five hundred and ninety
dollars I have you then there this writ

*Witness the Honbl, [illegible] Bent esquire presiding, Judge
of our said court at the town of Saint Louis this third
day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand and hundred and ten & of our Independence, the thirty
fifth [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]*

Item sets: All Circuit Court Records; Circuit Court Cases; Lewis & Clark / Corps of Discovery Case Files, 1805 - 1837