[Start of Career]

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 133 SIM/6
  • Dates of Creation
      1834-1837
  • Physical Description
      415 pieces. Condition: many pieces are abraded on edges.

Scope and Content

The papers contained in the sixth volume are divided into five sections: (1) Berlin, 6 to 24 Aug 1834; (2) First big journey, 24 Aug to 1 Oct 1834; (3) Magdeburg, 31 Dec 1834 to 22 May 1836; (4) Greifswald, 20 Jun 1836 to 19 Mar 1837; (5) Frankfurt (Oder), 28 Mar 1837 to Jul 1837. The full titles of each section, as given in the volume, are recorded in the descriptions below. The papers record Heinrich Simon's earliest appointments as an Assessor in Magdeburg, Greifswald and Frankfurt (Oder), and include material such as notes, calendars, drafts (e.g. of the oral presentation at the third law examination), visiting cards, printed leaflets and booklets, and letters, papers and notes connected with his work. The major part of the volume consists of correspondence with an increasing number of people. This volume, in which Henry Simon is mentioned the first time (see, for example, piece 124), begins with a letter which Heinrich Simon wrote to his uncle, dated 21 Jul 1834, referring to his examination preparation, thoughts about his professional future and the forthcoming visit of his uncle in Breslau (1).

Berlin during the stay for the third examination, 6 to 24 Aug 1834 (2-33)

Papers referring to this period are: a draft of the oral presentation at the third law examination (5-9); visiting cards (12-18), piece 12 being the visiting card of Heinrich Simon, piece 13 the visiting card of his uncle Heinrich Simon; and correspondence. Letters referring to his career as a lawyer include one from the Minister of Justice to Heinrich Simon, granting permission for a three-month holiday journey, dated Berlin 21 Aug 1834 (32); and a draft of the related application, dated 19 Aug 1834 (31); a letter from the town councillors of Brieg to Heinrich Simon rejecting his application for the post of a major in Brieg, dated 26 Aug 1834 (33); and a draft of the related application, dated 19 Aug 1834 (31a). Apart from Heinrich Simon, correspondents include his parents, Gustav and Julie Simon, Auguste Gräff, Antonie "Toni" Theodora Stöckel (wife of Gustav Simon), uncle Heinrich Simon, friends and colleagues. There are letters from Heinrich Simon to his family (2, 20, 25, 26, 28), and to his uncle Heinrich Simon (3, 22). Piece 2 includes a letter written by Max Simon. There are letters to Heinrich Simon from Gustav and Antonie Simon (4), Herrmann and Minna Simon (10), Max Simon (11), Auguste Gräff (23), uncle Heinrich Simon and Julie Simon (24), Julie Simon (30), and friends and colleagues (21, 29). Piece 10 reveals that the date of Heinrich Simon's third law examination was 12 Aug 1834.

First big journey from 24 Aug to 1 Oct 1834 (34-64)

This part includes very few items recording the journey itself, but many letters written after Heinrich Simon's return, when he was staying in Berlin and was in office for the first time as a fully-qualified lawyer (e.g. see piece 54). In addition, there are drafts of letters (36), notes (46, 47) and a list (48a). Records referring to his work are: a letter from the Minister of Justice to Heinrich Simon announcing his appointment as Assessor at the Königliches Kammergericht (Royal Supreme Court) and asking for payment of the related fees (37); the appointment charter as Kammergerichts-Assessor for Heinrich Simon, dated Berlin 1 Sep 1834 and signed by the Minister of Justice, with the remark "eingelöst (cashed in) 20 Dec 1834" (57); and an instruction concerning his employment at the Oberlandesgericht (Supreme District Court) Magdeburg, dated 12 Dec 1834 and stating his salary (58).

The remaining material comprises correspondence, including letters from Heinrich Simon (to his close family 49, 50, 54, 59, 60, 62; to his uncle Heinrich Simon 41, 42); and letters to Simon from his parents (34, 45), Auguste Gräff (63), Heinrich Gräff (64), uncle Heinrich Simon (40), Max Simon (43), Marie Simon (44), Rudolph Simon (53) and other relatives, friends and colleagues (35, 38, 48, 51, 52, 55, 56, 61). As in the previous years, letters from friends or colleagues were often invitations to visit or for a meal. Piece 52 contains a joke verdict from the "Junggesellen Gericht für harmlose Freuden" (Bachelors' Court for Harmless Joys). Piece 56 includes notes made by another hand. Piece 39 is a letter from Antonie Simon to Auguste Gräff telling her about an eye disease that had befallen Gustav Simon, dated Brieg 1 Nov 1834.

Magdeburg, 31 Dec 1834 to 22 May 1836 (65-245)

The largest of the five parts of this volume covers the time of Heinrich Simon's first real employment as Assessor at the Oberlandesgericht Magdeburg. One of the events concerning his family in this period was the christening of Heinrich Simon's godson Henry Simon. Included are documents such as papers and letters relating to his work as a lawyer, personal accounts such as documents referring to his membership of a Magdeburg society and to a journey to Bamberg and Nuremberg in 1835, visiting cards and letters.

Records regarding Simon's work at the Oberlandesgericht Magdeburg comprise: a list of legal cases which Heinrich Simon had to work on (70); government certification concerning the height of a room in an inn with remarks by Heinrich Simon (91); papers (100, 142); a copy letter from the Supreme District Court Magdeburg to the Minister of Justice, dated 18 Jun 1835 (116); a letter from Heinrich Simon to the chief committee (140, 160); a copy letter from the Ministry of Justice to the Oberlandesgericht Magdeburg concerning the employment of the Assessoren for another six months (161); a copy letter from the Minister of Justice to Königliches Kammergericht containing an instruction to dismiss three of the Assessoren, including Heinrich Simon, because of their transfer to the court in Magdeburg, dated Berlin 12 Dec 1834 (191); receipt of Heinrich Simon's appointment fees (192); a letter from the Minister of Justice to Heinrich Simon concerning his new employment, including a draft of Heinrich Simon's reply, dated 11 Apr 1836 (220); and a letter from the Minister of Justice announcing Simon's new employment from 1 Jun 1836 at the Oberappellationsgericht (Supreme Court of Appeals) in Greifswald, dated 22 Apr 1836 (228).

In May 1835 Heinrich Simon joined a society in Magdeburg which is documented in the statutes of the society (108), a letter from the executive committee of the society to Heinrich Simon confirming his admission, dated 16 May 1835 (110), and subscription receipts (109, 110a). There are also statutes of the Magdeburg art association (225), and a receipt for Heinrich Simon's subscription to this association (222, 223). Related to Simon's journey from Magdeburg via Jena to Bamberg and Nürnberg in 1835 are a booklet about the history of the Rudolph Castle (131) and his passport (132).

The volume also contains calendars with entries for 1835 (65-68) and 1836 (242-245); Heinrich Simon's post-coach ticket from Berlin to Magdeburg (69); notes (88-90, 90a-d, 143, 159, 159a, 180, 200); drafts (111, 205); book lists (190, 213); visiting cards (108a, 162-178); poems (120, 203); lyrics of songs (185- 187); a record of a bet between the Assessoren Heinrich Simon and Herrfurth regarding Herrfurth's being married before Christmas 1836, dated 16 Sep 1835 (134); several songs (185-187); and a concert ticket for Heinrich Simon, dated 17 Feb 1836 (216).

The remaining pieces comprise letters exchanged between Simon and an increasing number of people. There are letters from Heinrich Simon to his close family (72, 74/74b-e, 79, 87, 98, 118, 133, 138, 158, 193, 195, 201, 212, 214, 219, 227/229, 231, 238); to Gustav Simon (105); and to Antonie and Gustav Simon (115; 136, 141). There are letters to Heinrich Simon from Herrmann and Minna Simon, often with other members of the close family (77, 80, 81, 92, 97, 101, 121, 126, 129, 135, 153-155, 179, 183, 207, 211/224, 233, 234); Gustav Simon (73, 152); Antonie Simon (199); Gustav and Antonie Simon (103, 123, 124); Gustav and Julie Simon (114); Auguste Gräff (83, 104, 144, 145, 151, 198); Heinrich Gräff (139, 150, 197, 211, 232); Auguste and Heinrich Gräff (93/94, 209); Hermine Simon (82, 128, 149/149a); Julie Simon (130, 226); uncle Heinrich Simon (95, 117, 127, 147, 230, 240); Max Simon (75, 146); Marie and Rudolph Simon (106); and Auguste Siegfried (102). Piece 79 includes a plan of Heinrich Simon's flat and its situation. Piece 124 includes a card inviting Heinrich Simon to the christening of Henry Simon on 5 Aug 1835 and recording the request of Gustav Simon that Heinrich should be a godfather, dated 25 Jun 1835. Some of the letters written by Auguste and Heinrich Gräff include writings by their child. Many letters were written to Heinrich Simon by friends, colleagues and other people (78, 84-86, 96, 99, 107, 112, 113, 119, 122, 148, 157, 181, 182, 184, 188, 189, 194, 196, 197c, 202, 204, 206, 210, 215/217, 235-237, 239, 241). Again, letters written by friends often contain invitations for meals or visits. Other letters: (76, 125, 208).

Greifswald, 20 Jun 1836 to 19 Mar 1837 (246-380)

Papers recording the period of Heinrich Simon's appointment at the OberappellationsgerichtGreifswald consist of extensive correspondence; papers, notes and letters related to Simon's work; his post-coach ticket for the journey from Berlin to Stralsund (247); verse couplets (316-357); visiting and invitation cards (300, 362a-i), piece 300 being the visiting card of Hermine Simon; a draft (368); and notes (263a, 270, 310, 358, 370, 371). In addition, there are printed Theses Theologicae (263), statutes of the Ressource (a society) in Greifswald from 1798/1816 (265), and an invitation booklet from the grammar school in Greifswald for the public examination on 20/21 Sep 1836 (268).

Referring to Simon's employment as Assessor at the court in Greifswald are: legal notes concerning Neu-Vorpommern, begun 19 Jun 1836 (252, 253, 253a-w, 254, 254a-h), including jottings (253m, 254); notes (283, 315); papers and letters concerning cases (289, 305); and several letters from the Minister of Justice Mühler to Heinrich Simon, concerning his salary, dated 12 Sep 1836 (254j), 31 Oct 1836 (277), 24 Jan 1837 (312), regarding his post, dated 3 Nov 1836 (279), concerning his immediate transfer to the Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt (Oder) and his salary, dated 28 Feb 1837 (372), and again concerning his salary (374).

The volume also contains letters written by Heinrich Simon to his close family (256-261, 274-276, 282, 297, 298, 311, 313, 362, 367, 369); to Auguste Gräff (271); and to uncle Heinrich Simon (304). Piece 258 includes a sketch, piece 274 a plan of his flat. Heinrich Simon received letters from his close family (249, 250, 267, 269, 285, 291, 301, 308, 309, 377); Auguste and Heinrich Gräff (272, 286, 292, 299); Gustav and Antonie Simon (273, 287, 302, 306/307, 380); Hermine Simon (284); Julie Simon (288); uncle Heinrich Simon (290, 361, 363); Marie Simon (262); Ferdinand Fischer (266); and Julius Hoffmann (293). Piece 292 from Auguste Simon includes the names and dates of birth and death of Herrmann and Minna Simon, their children and grandchildren. In addition, several friends and colleagues wrote letters to Heinrich Simon (246, 248, 251, 255, 264, 294-296, 313a, 314, 359, 360, 364- 366, 373, 378, 379).

Frankfurt (Oder), 28 Mar to Jul 1837 (381-415)

The material in this section covers the time Heinrich Simon spent working at the Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt (Oder), and consists mainly of correspondence. In addition, there are "Prospectus" (a leaflet) regarding additions to and explanations of the Prussian statute-books, containing a letter written on it by Heinrich Gräff to Heinrich Simon (390); a list of legal cases which Heinrich Simon had to work on in Frankfurt (Oder) from 1 Apr 1837 (414); and a letter from the Minister of Justice Mühler regarding Simon's transfer to Breslau as a result of the application of Heinrich Gräff (who was going to stay in Vienna) to install Heinrich Simon as his deputy from 1 Jul to 15 Sep 1837, dated 25 Jun 1837 (415). During his first days at the Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt (Oder) Heinrich Simon made some notes (382), including a list of names (382a) and a page called "first impression 30 March in the morning", containing the names of people working at the court and remarks by Heinrich Simon on each person (382b).

The correspondence includes letters written to Heinrich Simon by his close family (384, 386, 388, 401, 403, 404, 406, 409); Heinrich Gräff (387, 389, 402, 412, 413); Max Simon, mainly about the illness of his father (391-395, 398, 399); uncle Heinrich Simon (408, 410); and friends and colleagues (381, 385, 397, 400, 407, 411). In addition, there are letters from Antonie Simon (405) and uncle Heinrich Simon (383) which were probably not addressed to Heinrich Simon.