The Handwriting Style of Abraham Lincoln

[RJNorton]

(02-26-2016 08:30 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Some more on Lincoln and spelling

Lincoln also enjoyed helping others with spelling if the opportunity arose. In an 1865 interview with William Herndon, Mrs. Allen Gentry said:

"I knew Mr L well — he and I went to school together — I was 15 ys old — Lincoln about the same age — we went to school to Crawford in 1822 or 3 I think — I used Websters Spelling book — Lincoln the same — One day Crawford put a word to us to Spell: the word to Spell was defied. Crawford said if we did not spell it he would keep us in school all day & night — we all missed the word — Couldn't Spell it. We spelled the word Every way but the right way — . I saw Lincoln at the window: he had his finger On his Eye and a smile on his face. I instantly took the hint that I must change the letter y into an I. Hence I Spelled the word — the class let out. I felt grateful to Lincoln for this Simple thing. Abe was a good — an Excellent boy."