"He was the most... shut-mouthed man" Brief a.n.a.lysis of Lincoln"s Character: A Letter to J. E. Remsburg from W. H. Herndon, September 10, 1887, Brief a.n.a.lysis of Lincoln"s Character: A Letter to J. E. Remsburg from W. H. Herndon, September 10, 1887, (Springfield: H. E. Barker, 1917), 3. (Springfield: H. E. Barker, 1917), 3.
Lincoln"s "diary" consists of hundreds Roy P. Basier and the editors of Roy P. Basier and the editors of The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1953-55) called "fragments." These fragments in (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1953-55) called "fragments." These fragments in The Collected Works, The Collected Works, arranged chronologically, are thus kept separate from one another. arranged chronologically, are thus kept separate from one another.
"The dogmas of the quiet past" AL, "Annual Message to Congress," December 1, 1862, AL, "Annual Message to Congress," December 1, 1862, CW, CW, 5:537. 5:537.
CHAPTER 2. 2. Undistinguished Families: 1809-16 Undistinguished Families: 1809-16 "A. now thinks" AL, "Autobiography," AL, "Autobiography," CW, CW, 4:62. 4:62.
referring to himself as "A" Ibid., 61 62.
Lincoln"s spare account John Locke Scripps, John Locke Scripps, Life of Abraham Lincoln, Life of Abraham Lincoln, ed. Roy P. Basier and Lloyd A. Dunlop (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1961). ed. Roy P. Basier and Lloyd A. Dunlop (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1961).
"to induce [Lincoln]"John L. Scripps to WHHJune 24, 1865, HI, HI, 57-58. 57-58.
"It is a great piece of folly" Scripps, Scripps, Life of Abraham Lincoln, Life of Abraham Lincoln, 13. 13.
portrait of himself See Daniel Walker Howe, See Daniel Walker Howe, Making the American Self: Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln Making the American Self: Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln (Cambridge, Ma.s.s.: Harvard University Press, 1997), 108-14. (Cambridge, Ma.s.s.: Harvard University Press, 1997), 108-14.
"My parents were both born" AL to Jesse W. Fell, "Enclosing Autobiography," December 20, 1859, AL to Jesse W. Fell, "Enclosing Autobiography," December 20, 1859, CW, CW, 3:511. 3:511.
"the Great Migration" For a description of the migration to New England, see Virginia D. Anderson, For a description of the migration to New England, see Virginia D. Anderson, New England"s Generation: The Great Migration and the Formation of Society and Culture in the Seventeenth Century New England"s Generation: The Great Migration and the Formation of Society and Culture in the Seventeenth Century (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991), 22. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991), 22.
these emigrants had given up hope David Hackett Fischer, David Hackett Fischer, Albion"s Seed: Four British Folkways in America Albion"s Seed: Four British Folkways in America (New York: Oxford University Press, 1989) discusses the religious, social, and regional origins of the migration from England to New England, 13-36. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1989) discusses the religious, social, and regional origins of the migration from England to New England, 13-36.
Like many of his fellow immigrants For the story of Samuel Lincoln, see Ida M. Tarbell, For the story of Samuel Lincoln, see Ida M. Tarbell, In the Footsteps of the Lincolns In the Footsteps of the Lincolns (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1924), 1-16, and William E. Barton, (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1924), 1-16, and William E. Barton, The Lineage of Lincoln The Lineage of Lincoln (Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1929), 20-40. (Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1929), 20-40.
Samuel Lincoln landed in Salem See Tarbell, See Tarbell, In the Footsteps of the Lincolns, 2. In the Footsteps of the Lincolns, 2.
church membership provided Barton, Barton, The Lineage of Lincoln, The Lineage of Lincoln, 35-36. 35-36.
next generations of American Lincolns Kenneth J. Winkle places the story of young Abraham Lincoln in the context of his larger family; see Kenneth J. Winkle places the story of young Abraham Lincoln in the context of his larger family; see The Young Eagle: The Rise of Abraham Lincoln The Young Eagle: The Rise of Abraham Lincoln (Dallas: Taylor Trade Publishing, 2001), 1-9. (Dallas: Taylor Trade Publishing, 2001), 1-9.
new immigrants were Quaker farmers Tarbell, Tarbell, In the Footsteps of the Lincolns, In the Footsteps of the Lincolns, 45-48. Abraham Lincoln believed his ancestors at one time were Quakers, a fact difficult to prove or disprove since Quaker meetings did not keep lists of members for their first two hundred years in the United States. See David S. Keiser, "Quaker Ancestors for Lincoln," 45-48. Abraham Lincoln believed his ancestors at one time were Quakers, a fact difficult to prove or disprove since Quaker meetings did not keep lists of members for their first two hundred years in the United States. See David S. Keiser, "Quaker Ancestors for Lincoln," Lincoln Herald Lincoln Herald 63 (Fall 1961), 134-37. 63 (Fall 1961), 134-37.
the grandfather of Abraham Lincoln For the story of Abraham Lincoln, grandfather of Abraham Lincoln, see Larbell, For the story of Abraham Lincoln, grandfather of Abraham Lincoln, see Larbell, In the Footsteps of the Lincolns, In the Footsteps of the Lincolns, 53-63, and Barton, 53-63, and Barton, The Lineage of Lincoln, The Lineage of Lincoln, 51-62. 51-62.
"Eden of the West" Steven A. Channing, Steven A. Channing, Kentucky: A Bicentennial History Kentucky: A Bicentennial History (New York: Norton, 1977), 4. (New York: Norton, 1977), 4.
Lincoln built his family Barton, Barton, The Lineage of Lincoln, The Lineage of Lincoln, 58-59. 58-59.
the future president"s grandfather Louis A. Warren, Louis A. Warren, Lincoln"s Parentage and Childhood: A History of the Kentucky Lincolns Supported by Doc.u.mentary Evidence Lincoln"s Parentage and Childhood: A History of the Kentucky Lincolns Supported by Doc.u.mentary Evidence (New York: The Century Company, 1926), 4-5; Larbell, (New York: The Century Company, 1926), 4-5; Larbell, In the Footsteps of the Lincolns, In the Footsteps of the Lincolns, 62-65. 62-65.
"legend more strongly" AL to Jesse Lincoln, April 1, 1854, AL to Jesse Lincoln, April 1, 1854, CW, CW, 2:217. 2:217.
the future president"s father For the story of the young Lhomas Lincoln, see Larbell, For the story of the young Lhomas Lincoln, see Larbell, In the Footsteps of the Lincolns, In the Footsteps of the Lincolns, 53-63, and Barton, 53-63, and Barton, The Lineage of Lincoln, The Lineage of Lincoln, 51-62. 51-62.
"Even in childhood" AL, "Autobiography," AL, "Autobiography," CW, CW, 4:61. 4:61.
"grew up literally" Ibid.
"He was a man who took" Dennis F. Hanks (Erastus Wright interview), June 8, 1865, Hi, 27. Dennis F. Hanks (Erastus Wright interview), June 8, 1865, Hi, 27.
"plain unpretending plodding man" Samuel Haycraft to WHH, [June 1865], Samuel Haycraft to WHH, [June 1865], HI, HI, 67. 67.
"good quiet citizen" John Hanks (John Miles interview), May 25, 1865, John Hanks (John Miles interview), May 25, 1865, HI, HI, 5. 5.
"acc.u.mulated considerable property" A. H. Chapman (written statement), [September8, 1865], Hi, 97. A. H. Chapman (written statement), [September8, 1865], Hi, 97.
Nancy Hanks"s ancestry ancestry On Nancy Hanks see Larbell, On Nancy Hanks see Larbell, In the Footsteps of the Lincolns, In the Footsteps of the Lincolns, 78-89; and Paul H. Verduin, "New Evidence Suggests Lincoln"s Mother Born in Richmond County, Virginia, Giving Credibility to Planter-Grandfather Legend," 78-89; and Paul H. Verduin, "New Evidence Suggests Lincoln"s Mother Born in Richmond County, Virginia, Giving Credibility to Planter-Grandfather Legend," Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Magazine Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Magazine 38 (December 1988), 4354-389. 38 (December 1988), 4354-389.
Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks probably met William E. Barton, William E. Barton, The Women Lincoln Loved The Women Lincoln Loved (Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1927), 73-77. (Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1927), 73-77.
Thomas and Nancy Lincoln moved again E. R. Burba to WHH, May 25, E. R. Burba to WHH, May 25, 1866, HI, HI, 257. 257.
"Slavery Inconsistent with Justice" John B. Boles, John B. Boles, Religion in Antebellum Kentucky Religion in Antebellum Kentucky (Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 1976), 101-3. (Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 1976), 101-3.
experienced slavery everywhere they lived Louis A. Warren, Louis A. Warren, The Slavery Atmosphere of Lincoln"s Youth The Slavery Atmosphere of Lincoln"s Youth (Fort Wayne, Ind.: Lincolniana Publishers, 1933), 4-5. (Fort Wayne, Ind.: Lincolniana Publishers, 1933), 4-5.
Baptists in Kentucky were divided John B. Boles, John B. Boles, The Great Revival, 1787-1805: The Origins of the Southern Evangelical Mind The Great Revival, 1787-1805: The Origins of the Southern Evangelical Mind (Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 1972), 3-4. (Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 1972), 3-4.
"amansapator" Warren, Warren, The Slavery Atmosphere of Lincoln s Youth, The Slavery Atmosphere of Lincoln s Youth, 8. 8.
"My earliest recollection" Warren, Warren, Lincoln"s Parentage and Childhood, Lincoln"s Parentage and Childhood, 143. 143.
"He married Nancy Hanks" A. H. Chapman (written statement), [September 8, 1865], Hi, 97. A. H. Chapman (written statement), [September 8, 1865], Hi, 97.
"quiet and amiable" John Hanks (John Miles interview), May 25, 1865, John Hanks (John Miles interview), May 25, 1865, HI, HI, 5. 5.
"a Kind disposition" Dennis F. Hanks (Erastus Wright interview), June 8, 1865, Hi, 27. Dennis F. Hanks (Erastus Wright interview), June 8, 1865, Hi, 27.
his "angel mother" Joshua F. Speed, Joshua F. Speed, Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln and Notes of a Visit to California: Two Lectures Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln and Notes of a Visit to California: Two Lectures (Louisville, Ky.: John P. Morton and Company, 1884), 19. (Louisville, Ky.: John P. Morton and Company, 1884), 19.
No Man may put off Man may put off Thomas A. Dilworth, Thomas A. Dilworth, A New Guide to the English Tongue A New Guide to the English Tongue (London: W. Osborne and T. Griffin, 1786), 5, 7. (London: W. Osborne and T. Griffin, 1786), 5, 7.
"could perhaps teach spelling" Samuel Haycraft to WHH, [June 1865], Samuel Haycraft to WHH, [June 1865], HI, HI, 67. 67.
instructions for teachers Gerald R. McMurtry, Gerald R. McMurtry, A Series of Monographs Concerning the Lincolns and Hardin County, Kentucky A Series of Monographs Concerning the Lincolns and Hardin County, Kentucky (Elizabethtown, Ky.: Enterprise Press, 1938), 25. (Elizabethtown, Ky.: Enterprise Press, 1938), 25.
"partly on account of slavery" AL, "Autobiography," AL, "Autobiography," CW, CW, 4:61-62. 4:61-62.
"There shall be neither slavery" Robert M. Taylor, Jr., ed., Robert M. Taylor, Jr., ed., The Northwest Ordinance 1787: A Bicentennial Handbook The Northwest Ordinance 1787: A Bicentennial Handbook (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1987), 72. (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1987), 72.
the American Lincolns migrated Winkle, Winkle, Young Eagle, Young Eagle, 2-8, tells the story of the Lincoln family migration with maps and graphs. 2-8, tells the story of the Lincoln family migration with maps and graphs.
CHAPTER 3. 3. Persistent in Learning: 1816-30 Persistent in Learning: 1816-30 In the fall of 1816 Beveridge, Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln 1:37. Beveridge is the most reliable guide to Lincoln"s early years. 1:37. Beveridge is the most reliable guide to Lincoln"s early years.
Coming ash.o.r.e in Indiana Ibid., 41-42. Ibid., 41-42.
"avastforest" Elias Pym Fordham, Elias Pym Fordham, Personal Narrative of Travels in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and of a Residence in the Illinois Territory, 1817-1818, Personal Narrative of Travels in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and of a Residence in the Illinois Territory, 1817-1818, ed. Frederic Austin Ogg (Cleveland, Ohio: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1906), 96. ed. Frederic Austin Ogg (Cleveland, Ohio: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1906), 96.
Stepping onto Indiana soil Beveridge, Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, 1:38-42. 1:38-42.
"Although very young" AL, "Autobiography," AL, "Autobiography," CW, CW, 4:62. Lincoln"s Indiana years are not easy to track, because much of our information comes from persons remembering back thirty-five to fifty years to the young Abraham. 4:62. Lincoln"s Indiana years are not easy to track, because much of our information comes from persons remembering back thirty-five to fifty years to the young Abraham.
An ax in Lincoln"s day For a discussion of the ax in pioneer America, see R. Carlyle Buley, For a discussion of the ax in pioneer America, see R. Carlyle Buley, The Old Northwest: Pioneer Period 1815-1840 The Old Northwest: Pioneer Period 1815-1840 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1950), 159-62. (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1950), 159-62.
When first my father AL, "The Bear Hunt" [September 6, 1846?], AL, "The Bear Hunt" [September 6, 1846?], CW, CW, 1:386. 1:386.
"a few days before" AL, "Autobiography," AL, "Autobiography," CW, CW, 4:62. 4:62.
"[I have] never" Ibid. Ibid.
She died seven days later Dennis F. Hanks to WHH (interview), June 13, 1865, Hi, 40. Dennis F. Hanks to WHH (interview), June 13, 1865, Hi, 40.
"Her good humored laugh" Nathaniel Grigsby (WHH interview), September 12, 1865, Hi, 113. Nathaniel Grigsby (WHH interview), September 12, 1865, Hi, 113.
Each had lost a spouse Beveridge, Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, 57-58. 57-58.
"She Soaped-rubbed" Dennis F. Hanks to WHH (interview), June 13, 1865, Dennis F. Hanks to WHH (interview), June 13, 1865, HI, HI, 41. 41.
"She proved a good and kind mother" AL, "Autobiography," AL, "Autobiography," CW, CW, 4:62. 4:62.
"In [my] tenth year" Ibid. Ibid.
"the OldMan Loved" Dennis F. Hanks to WHH, January 26, 1866, Dennis F. Hanks to WHH, January 26, 1866, HI, HI, 176. 176.
"Thos. Lincoln never showed" A. H. Chapman to WHH, September 28, 1865, A. H. Chapman to WHH, September 28, 1865, HI, HI, 134. 134.
"Owing to my father" AL to Solomon Lincoln, March 6, 1848, AL to Solomon Lincoln, March 6, 1848, CW, CW, 1:455-56. 1:455-56.
Abraham showed little empathy See the perceptive book by John Y. Simon, See the perceptive book by John Y. Simon, House Divided: Lincoln and His Father House Divided: Lincoln and His Father (Fort Wayne, Ind.: Lincoln Library and Museum, 1987). (Fort Wayne, Ind.: Lincoln Library and Museum, 1987).
"I can say what scarcely" Sarah Bush Johnson, interview by WHH, September 8, 1865, Hi, 107. Sarah Bush Johnson, interview by WHH, September 8, 1865, Hi, 107.
"G.o.d bless my mother" HL, HL, 3-4. Lhere is some dispute about the year Lincoln made this statement. Simon, 3-4. Lhere is some dispute about the year Lincoln made this statement. Simon, House Divided, House Divided, 23-24 n. 5. 23-24 n. 5.
"didn"t like physical labor" Sarah Bush Lincoln (WHH interview), Septembers, 1865, Hi, 107. Sarah Bush Lincoln (WHH interview), Septembers, 1865, Hi, 107.
"Abe was not Energetic" Matilda Johnston Moore (WHH interview), September 8, 1865, Hi, 109. Matilda Johnston Moore (WHH interview), September 8, 1865, Hi, 109.
Abraham"s first teacher Beveridge, Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, 1:55-56. 1:55-56.
"There were some schools" AL to Jesse W. Fell, "Enclosing Autobiography," December 19, 1859, AL to Jesse W. Fell, "Enclosing Autobiography," December 19, 1859, CW, CW, 3:511. 3:511.
"Whilst other boys were idling" Nathaniel Grigsby (WHH interview), September 12, 1865, Nathaniel Grigsby (WHH interview), September 12, 1865, HI, HI, 113. 113.
"What Lincoln read" David Lurnham (HH interview), September 15, 1865, David Lurnham (HH interview), September 15, 1865, HI, HI, 121. 121.
"What he has in the way" AL, "Autobiography," AL, "Autobiography," CW4:62. CW4:62.
"Abe was getting hungry" Dennis F. Hanks to WHH (interview), June 13, 1865, Hi, 41. Dennis F. Hanks to WHH (interview), June 13, 1865, Hi, 41.
Lincoln read the King James Version Beveridge, Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, 10-12. 10-12.
"a difficulty" Aesop"s Fables: With Upwards of One Hundred and Fifty Fmblemati-cal Devices Aesop"s Fables: With Upwards of One Hundred and Fifty Fmblemati-cal Devices (Philadelphia: John Locken, 1821?), 5-6. (Philadelphia: John Locken, 1821?), 5-6.
According to Grigsby and Turnham Nathaniel Grigsby (WHH interview), September 12, 1865, Nathaniel Grigsby (WHH interview), September 12, 1865, HI, HI, 112; David Lurnham (WHH interview), September 15, 1865, 112; David Lurnham (WHH interview), September 15, 1865, HI, HI, 121; and David Lurnham to WHH, December 30, 1865, 121; and David Lurnham to WHH, December 30, 1865, HI, HI, 148. 148.
young Abraham did not have a voice HL, HL, 49. 49.
John Bunyan"s Pilgrims Progress Pilgrims Progress Beveridge, Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, 70, 72; and Warren, 70, 72; and Warren, Lincoln"s Youth, Lincoln"s Youth, 49. 49.
Lincoln read William Grimshaw"s Matilda Johnston Moore (WHH interview), September 8, 1865, Matilda Johnston Moore (WHH interview), September 8, 1865, HI, HI, 109. 109.
"What a climax of human cupidity" William Grimshaw, William Grimshaw, History of the United States History of the United States (Philadelphia: Grigg and Elliott, 1820), cited in Beveridge, (Philadelphia: Grigg and Elliott, 1820), cited in Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, 73-74. 73-74.
"he would write it down" Sara Bush Lincoln (WHH interview), September 8, 1865, Sara Bush Lincoln (WHH interview), September 8, 1865, HI, HI, 107. 107.
Abraham Lincoln is my nam AL, "Copy-Book Verses," [1824-26], AL, "Copy-Book Verses," [1824-26], CW, CW, 1:1. 1:1.
Abraham realized that he was different Douglas L. Wilson, "Young Man Lincoin," in Douglas L. Wilson, "Young Man Lincoin," in The Lincoln Enigma: The Changing Focus of an American Icon, The Lincoln Enigma: The Changing Focus of an American Icon, ed. Gabor Boritt (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001), 35. ed. Gabor Boritt (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001), 35.
"His mind soared" Nathaniel Grigsby (WHH interview), September 12, 1865, Hi, 114. Nathaniel Grigsby (WHH interview), September 12, 1865, Hi, 114.
"We saw something laying" David Turnham (WHH interview), September 15, 1865, Hi, 122. David Turnham (WHH interview), September 15, 1865, Hi, 122.
"A devout Christian" Nathaniel Grigsby to WHH, September 4, 1865, Nathaniel Grigsby to WHH, September 4, 1865, HI, HI, 94. 94.
asked Thomas Lincoln to oversee Beveridge, Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, 71. 71.
"by Experience" Minute Book, Little Pigeon Baptist Church, June 7, 1823, and April 8, 1826, ALPLM. Minute Book, Little Pigeon Baptist Church, June 7, 1823, and April 8, 1826, ALPLM.
"He sometimes attended Church" Sara Bush Lincoln (WHH interview), September 8, 1865, Hi, 108. Sara Bush Lincoln (WHH interview), September 8, 1865, Hi, 108.
"call the children" Matilda Johnston Moore (WHH interview), September 8, 1865, Hi, 110. Matilda Johnston Moore (WHH interview), September 8, 1865, Hi, 110.
the need for fences grew Warren, Warren, Lincoln"s Youth, Lincoln"s Youth, 142-44. 142-44.
"Gentleman, you may think" Francis Bicknell Carpenter, Francis Bicknell Carpenter, The Inner Life of Abraham Lincoln: Six Months at the White House The Inner Life of Abraham Lincoln: Six Months at the White House (New York: Hurd and Houghton, 1866), 97-98. (New York: Hurd and Houghton, 1866), 97-98.
he had not violated any law Beveridge, Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, 85. 85.
"One night they were attacked" AL, "Autobiography," AL, "Autobiography," CW, CW, 4:62. 4:62.
Men, women, and children Years later, John Hanks reported that Lincoln, deeply troubled by what he saw at the slave auction, exclaimed, "If I ever get a chance to hit that thing, I"ll hit it hard." Hanks"s recollections, however, were often not reliable. Years later, John Hanks reported that Lincoln, deeply troubled by what he saw at the slave auction, exclaimed, "If I ever get a chance to hit that thing, I"ll hit it hard." Hanks"s recollections, however, were often not reliable.