Name/Title
Walter L. Dent CollectionEntry/Object ID
1986.001.0001Scope and Content
373 documents in 23 folders
This is an assortment of 373 documents created by Walter L. Dent and others while dispensing justice in the western part of Saint Mary's County during the 19th century. There are promissory notes that later became the subject of lawsuits, orders to the constable and sheriff to serve summons on various people, debts to be collected to settle an estate, notices of complaints by citizens, orders to preserve the peace until the next county court, and judgments for debt. Debts were the most frequent part of Mr. Dent's practice. Most of the suits were filed by local firms and individuals, but a few suits were filed by establishments in Baltimore. Many suits were for what 21st century litigants would regard as impossibly small amounts: $5 was not unusual. Merchants carried many debts for several years before they resorted to the law. A few documents are about breaches of the peace: a citizen could come to the JP and complain that another person had beaten or otherwise harrassed him, or the occasional her, and Mr. Dent would direct the constable to tell the offender to keep the peace until a hearing could be held. Most hearings were held within a few days of a filing; the constable was typically given 3 or 4 days to locate the parties.Collection
Walter L. Dent CollectionArchive Items Details
Date(s) of Creation
1844 - 1898Location
Container
Walter L. Dent Collection, Box 3Shelf
Rack 02, Shelf 3Rack
Rack 02Wall
South wallRoom
Archives 1Building
Tudor HallContainer
Walter L. Dent Collection, Box 2Shelf
Rack 02, Shelf 3Rack
Rack 02Wall
South wallRoom
Archives 1Building
Tudor HallContainer
Walter L. Dent Collection, Box 1Shelf
Rack 02, Shelf 3Rack
Rack 02Wall
South wallRoom
Archives 1Building
Tudor HallRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Dent, Walter Levi (1823-1883)