Extra Credit Questions

[David Lockmiller]

Obviously, if there had not been the marriage of Sarah Bush Johnston to Thomas Lincoln, there would never have been a President Abraham Lincoln.

David,

While there is certainly no question that Sarah brought stability to the household, your comment is hyperbolic and unprovable, even as a matter of opinion. After Lincoln decamped to New Salem, Sarah's day-to-day influence on him was nonexistent. She played no discernable role in Lincoln's decision to study law, nor is there any evidence that she sparked his interest in politics or public speaking, all of which would eventually lead to the White House.

Given the amount of chance that enters every life, to point to a specific cause as conclusively leading to a particular outcome is simply incorrect.

Best
Rob

Rob, please explain how Abraham and his sister would have moved forward from their then-current situation and into the rewarding future that Lincoln's new step-mother provided. Please try to keep your explanation short.

If you don't water the garden, you will have neither flowers or vegetables.

Rob, if you have a copy of Professor Burlingame's book, Abraham Lincoln: A Life, Volume One, I would suggest that you read the last paragraph on page 26 and the entire page 27 for a definitive answer to the question of the importance that his step-mother had in Abraham Lincoln's life.