Lincoln's Verses About His Old Home

[LincolnToddFan]

Hi everyone-

I have to admit that this is the first time I have ever heard or read about the Matthew Gentry incident in the early life of AL. How sad, no to mention sobering.

Roger, like you I have always read that the traumatic loss of Ann Rutledge is what caused AL's lifelong depression. I just don't accept it. Many psychologists believe that the loss of a parent in early childhood-particularly the mother-can cause later manifestations of depression. Couple that with AL's difficult relationship with his unsympathetic surviving parent, then the tragic death of Sarah..my suspicion is that the seed of depression that had been planted very early in his life was triggered into full bloom by the loss of Ann in adulthood.

Thanks to everyone for the info on Matthew Gentry, and for all the poems!