On the 2014 Springfield Tour we once again had occasion to visit some of the Menard County cemeteries where some people important in the life of Lincoln are interred. During the short time that Lincoln spent among the people of the short-lived New Salem, the people who befriended him saw in this ungainly, somewhat homely, ill-dressed person a singularity of character that attracted them to the newcomer. Those people supported, encouraged, housed, and assisted Lincoln in many ways and, I believe, helped shape him into the person he became in later life.

Here are the resting places of just a few of those people:

Mentor Graham - Farmers Point Cemetery (rural Menard County). He "taught" Lincoln the rudiments of grammar and geometry, loaned him books.

This Thomas I've "printed" in my mind ....

   

Just saw at

http://mredlincolnalbum.blogspot.nl/

this photo of AL's father, I've never seen before...

   

don't know if this is an authentic picture, so have some doubts. Does someone see this picture before? Who has more info?

Anyway if authentic, young Abe looks like his father, as is seen in this rarely seen photo of Lincoln (possibly by Preston Butler) made in May 1860, just after Lincoln clinched the Republican nomination.

   

In 1837, 26 African Americans lived in Springfield, six of whom were slaves.

What about New Salem? I once read Lincoln first met William de Fleurville in New Salem, but did the latter actually live there? Did any other black people/slaves live in New Salem?

Lincoln had been to Kalamazoo, Michigan for the famous "under the oaks" event that is considered the birth of the Republican Party. He also was on a ship with Mary Lincoln- that traveled the Detroit River. The occupants of the vessel could have viewed downtown Detroit standing on it's deck. However, Lincoln did not step foot in Detroit, itself. Still, the river was considered to be on the Michigan side of territory. There is a third documented "visit" of Lincoln to Michigan- which occurred before these two- as a young soldier in the Black Hawk War. During Lincoln's third enlistment of military service. His unit- the "Spy Corp."- ventured into Michigan Territory. The only catch was- that area later became part of Wisconsin. Even so, it was Michigan Territory then! I'm somewhat surprised Lincoln never made it to Detroit. But then again, Lincoln did not get the majority vote there in 1864.

Monday, July 28, archaeologists excavating near the McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington unearthed part of the footprint of the 1836 courthouse where experts said Abraham Lincoln worked as an attorney.
http://news360.com/article/250267934

I have finally decided to clear the historic cobwebs from the old cranium and read a historical/modern spy thriller, The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry. I am thoroughly enjoying it, but realize that I know very little about the Mormon faith other than the polygamy subject and the travails that the sect encountered trying to find the proper home.

One of the states that gave them a hard time was Illinois, and I am now wondering if Lincoln ever had any contact with Joseph Smith and his followers over their years there. I think it would have been during the time that Lincoln was shaping his political future. I also vaguely remember Lincoln courting their support in Utah during the Civil War.

I'm not that far into this book yet, so my questions may be answered later on - and I'm sure that I can google and get plenty of information, but I like to see us share our knowledge on this forum to benefit others. Will somebody address the issue of Lincoln and the Mormons to teach this old teacher?

1. What ever happened to Lincolns effects, letters & papers from the law office?

2. Did the Lincoln family take possesion or did Herndon get to keep them as part of the law firm? Were they split up?

3. Do we know what the real cause or beginning of the hard feelings between the Lincoln familly and Herndon?

4. How long after Lincoln died did the law office stay open?

I recently purchased a new novel entitled The Lincoln Myth. It seems to be like National Treasure: Book of Secrets in a way. The mystery begins during the Lincoln administration, but most of the action is in modern times.

However, there is a quote in the front of the book from Mr. Lincoln dated January 12, 1848. I would like to know what the occasion was that prompted this statement. It is definitely a 360-degree turn from the Lincoln policies of 1860.

"Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. That is a most valuable, a most sacred right -- a right, which we hope and believe, is to liberate the world. Nor is this right confined to cases in which the whole people of an existing government may choose to exercise it. Any portion of such people, that can, may revolutionize and make their own of so much of the territory as they inhabit."

It seems very Jeffersonian, but certainly smacks of the right of secession. It also seems to support Stephen Douglas's later platform of let the people of a territory decide the issue of slavery. What gives? Is this just another example of Mr. Lincoln swaying in the breeze of political expediency?

For many years Lincoln rode the Eighth Judicial Circuit in Illinois. According to historian Mark Neely this took roughly 11 weeks in the spring and another 11 weeks in the fall. This means Lincoln was away from home about 22 weeks of the year. He traveled with a judge and other lawyers, and cases were tried in 14 different counties. The group would travel by horse or buggy.

David Davis, who traveled with the group was interviewed by William Herndon. Davis said:

"In my opinion I think Mr Lincoln was happy — as happy as he could be, when on this Circuit — and happy no other place. This was his place of Enjoyment. As a general rule when all the lawyers of a Saturday Evening would go home and see their families & friends at home Lincoln would refuse to go home — . It seemed to me that L was not domestically happy."

Herndon, himself, wrote, "On Saturdays the court and attorneys, if within reasonable distance, would usually start for their homes. Some went for a fresh supply of clothing, but the greater number went simply to spend a day of rest with their families. The only exception was Lincoln, who usually spent his Sundays with the loungers at the country tavern, and only went home at the end of the circuit or term of court."

Historian William Gienapp, writing in Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America: A Biography, says "Being left alone on the weekends in distant towns gave him the solitude he craved."

Personally I am puzzled why Lincoln was apparently the only one in the group not to visit his family during breaks on the circuit. I have always felt he loved his wife and boys dearly, and I think 11 weeks is a long time to be away. To me it makes sense to visit his family when possible.

Does this surprise anyone else? Does anyone have an explanation for Lincoln not coming home to see his wife and children? Many thanks for any input on helping me understand something I do not understand.

Hello everyone,

First I apologize if the following question has previously been addressed and I missed the thread.

Second, I follow the Facebook page 'Saving Lincoln" because of its very informative and thought-provoking "On this Date" feature. Today's feature, about Lincoln's concurrence with Stanton about the Enrollment Act's "three hundred dollar clause" intrigues me. (As you know, this "clause" contributed to the deadly draft riots of 1863.) Thus, is there further insight with regard to AL's opinion? To whom in Congress did he express his opposition to the monetary requirement?

FYI: Here's the post:


On this date in 1864, President Lincoln forwarded to Congress a dispatch from Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton regarding the Enrollment Act, which instituted a military draft. Stanton suggested that Congress repeal the Act's "three hundred dollar clause," which allowed draftees to get out of military service by paying $300. Stanton explained, "ample experience has now shown that the pecuniary exemption from service frustrates the object of the enrolment law, by furnishing money instead of men."
Lincoln informed Congress that he concurred with Stanton's recommendation.


Thanks!