<span>The chapter opens with
the introduction of the narrator, Scout (Jean Louise) Finch, her older
brother Jem (Jeremy), and their friend and neighbor, Dill (Charles Baker
Harris). Next, Lee provides an overview of Finch family history. Their
ancestor, a Methodist named Simon Finch, fled British persecution and
eventually settled in Alabama, where he trapped animals for fur and
practiced medicine. Having bought several slaves, he established a
largely self-sufficient homestead and farm, Finch's Landing, near Saint
Stephens. The family lost its wealth in the Civil War.
Scout's father, Atticus Finch, studied law in Montgomery while
supporting his brother, John "Jack" Hale Finch, who was in medical
school in Boston. Their sister Alexandra remained at Finch's Landing.
Atticus began his law practice in Maycomb, the county seat of Maycomb
County, where his "office in the courthouse contained little more than a
hat rack, a spittoon, a checkerboard, and an unsullied Code of
Alabama." His first case entailed defending two men who refused to plead
guilty for second-degree murder. They instead pled not guilty for
first-degree murder, and were hanged, marking "probably the beginning of
my father's profound distaste for criminal law."</span>
