After George hired Wm Chapman to do some mowing on his farm for $3 on July 22, George tendered paper bills to pay him, which Chapman refused. George then tried to pay him in coins, and this developed into a dispute that ended up in the courts.
[private]Friday August 14, 1840: Towards night I walked to some of my neighbors and got council to sue Wm Chapman for settlement and this evening I rode horseback to Squ Strait’s and he took out a summons for said Chapman, and he went to constable Dotys and he was gone from home and I then went to constable Edwin A. Carpenter
Saturday: This morning a little before daylight constable Carpenter came with me and about sun rise served the summons on said Wm Chapman.
Sunday: Today I took my two horse team and carried my wife and two oldest daughters to Hancock Meeting House to meeting. My son Geo P and two oldest daughters returned home with the team and I walked. I called to Edwin A. Carpenter’s to ask council about my suit with said Wm Chapman and then I returned home.
Sunday, August 23: Towards night I walked up to Sq. Sheldon’s to see if he had paid up the cost that he had withdrawn the suit against me but he had not.
Monday Aug 24: I called to Squ Strait’s and had him draw my declaration that I am to hand over to the Joining issue with Wm Chapman.
Wednesday: This afternoon I tended to my court to Hiram W. Brown’s. The court was called and we adjourned to the tenth September and Randal A. Brown was Wm Chapman’s council. We agreed to settle. I paid the cost 97 cts and paid said Chapman fifty cents to pass receipts in full and he takes the paper money the same I offered him first and I take back the cents. [/private]