RTL's birth

[RJNorton]

Anything is possible, although I would like to believe Laurie is right. It is at least possible that Abraham and Mary suddenly became "worried" prior to the marriage and arranged a hasty ceremony for this reason. Springfield was a small town at that time, and Abraham Lincoln was a well-known "rising star" as both a lawyer and politician. He had an excellent reputation for character. It is at least conceivable that the two were worried that Mary could be with child, and therefore the "rushed" wedding took place because Abraham's reputation and future political career might have been viewed as "at stake." Also, Mary was living at the home of her older sister, Elizabeth, who was the wife of the son of the former Illinois governor. No one wanted any possible embarrassments as the Edwards family was a very prominent one.