Jocelyn v. Barrett

Barrett sued Jocelyn before a justice of the peace .in Sand Greek township, Decatur county, Indiana, to recover possession of an article of personal property, viz: one bay horse, alleged to be unlawfully detained, &c. Judgment for the plaintiff upon a default. The defendant appealed 'to the Circuit Court; and, on leave granted, there answered, upon oath, in abatement, setting up want of jurisdiction in the justice. The matter set up was this, viz: that he was a citizen and resident of Washington township in said county; that there were competent justices in that township, and that, at the…