EUREKA – For 11 years, Judge David Davis rode with a band of lawyers, including Abraham Lincoln, who spent three months each spring and fall, away from their families, hearing cases throughout the Eighth Judicial Circuit in Illinois, which included Woodford County. 

At 10:00 am on Saturday, March 29 at the Eureka Public Library, 202 S. Main, Pat Schley, Davis family researcher and David Davis Mansion State Historic Site volunteer, will present a unique perspective of the circuit based on her extensive research into the Davis Family Papers. In Davis’ letters to his wife Sarah we will hear stories from the circuit and from life at home, stories of the lawyers and of friends and family, of their love for each other and of the pain of separation. The letters allow us to eavesdrop on what was, essentially, a “written conversation” that spans the 11 years that Davis rode the circuit. This is a free program. Space is limited; call the library at 309-467-2922 to register by March 26th.