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A recent patron was researching our Sanpete County Territorial Probate Court records and pointed out an unusual court case. Have you ever heard of a “case of profanity”? In May 1863, Albert Lewis was seen in the Manti Justice Court for just that!
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“Defendant came forward and acknowledged having been guilty of profanity in taking the name of Deity in vain.”
a brief transcript of the proceeding
Mr. Lewis was fined $5.00 plus $1.00 in court costs, which is about $130.00 today. This is the first time Heidi has come across a case of profanity in our records and was intrigued that it appears that Mr. Lewis turned himself into the court. The case was found in Series 26609 – Sanpete County Probate Court Record Books. You can learn more about Probate Records, and how to find them in the Archives, by reading this Research Guide: https://bit.ly/3jTFn9w