Original 1845 U.S. 8th Circuit Court Witness Certificate – Kentucky District – Signed by Clerk John H. Hanna & Witness William McNeely
Original 1845 printed and manuscript U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Kentucky District witness payment certificate. Issued by Clerk John H. Hanna, certifying that William McNeely attended two days and traveled 222 miles as a witness in the case of John Doe on demise of Andrew Mitchell vs. Wm. H. Johnson. The document details compensation of $13.60 — $2.50 for attendance and $11.10 for mileage.
The reverse bears McNeely’s handwritten and signed receipt acknowledging payment on May 8, 1845, from Cates Henry, making this a rare dual-signed court-issued voucher and receipt.
Details:
Date: May Term, 1845
Court: U.S. 8th Circuit Court, Kentucky District
Clerk: John H. Hanna
Witness: William McNeely (signature on reverse)
Case: John Doe on demise of Andrew Mitchell vs. Wm. H. Johnson
Content: Two-day attendance, 222 miles traveled
Payment: $13.60 total ($2.50 attendance + $11.10 mileage)
Paper: Partially printed with manuscript entries in iron gall ink
Size: Approx. 8" × 4½"
Condition:
Light toning and fold lines visible. Ink remains dark and legible on both sides, with strong, well-preserved signatures of both Hanna and McNeely. No tears or losses noted.
Historical Note:
The 8th Circuit Court was part of the early U.S. federal judicial system, predating the modern structure of district and appellate courts. Clerk John H. Hanna is recorded in period legal registers, and such signed court documents rarely survive — most were destroyed after financial reconciliation.
A fine and scarce example of early American legal ephemera, combining federal court history, autograph interest, and 1840s Kentucky provenance.
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