Lincoln and Ann Rutledge

[observer]

Lincoln own words on Ann Rutledge:
After Lincoln's first election as president, Isaac Cogdal, a friend of Lincoln's, ventured to ask whether it was true that Lincoln had fallen in love with Ann. Lincoln is said to have replied:

It is true—true indeed I did. I loved the woman dearly and soundly: she was a handsome girl—would have made a good, loving wife.... I did honestly and truly love the girl and think often—often of her now
From
Donald, David Herbert (1995). Lincoln. New York: Touchstone. ISBN 0-684-80846-3.
pp.57-58 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Rutledge {reference only}

[David Lockmiller]

Weren't there a number of first-hand accounts of how despondent the young Abraham Lincoln became after the death of Ann Rutledge?

And, I might add another observation: I believe that never would have been a "President Abraham Lincoln" had it not been for the death of Ann Rutledge.

[Gene C]

Not that I disagree with you David, but is this your own observation, and what is the reasoning behind your statement?

[RJNorton]

Regarding Ann, there is a book I have called "The Shadows Rise" by John Evangelist Walsh. Walsh cites Douglas Wilson's research among 24 New Salem residents who were contacted by William Herndon. Although memories were obviously wavering after the passage of time, 22 of the 24 according to Wilson were favorable to the question, "Did Lincoln love or court Ann Rutledge?"

[David Lockmiller]

(08-27-2025 10:28 AM)Gene C Wrote:  Not that I disagree with you David, but is this your own observation, and what is the reasoning behind your statement?

Either a loving family life with Ann Rutledge or the absolute commitment to politics addressing profound issues of the day and his work as an attorney afforded by time spent away from Mary were the two possible futures for Abraham Lincoln. The choice was made by providence.

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(08-27-2025 01:45 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  Regarding Ann, there is a book I have called "The Shadows Rise" by John Evangelist Walsh. Walsh cites Douglas Wilson's research among 24 New Salem residents who were contacted by William Herndon. Although memories were obviously wavering after the passage of time, 22 of the 24 according to Wilson were favorable to the question, "Did Lincoln love or court Ann Rutledge?"

Thanks, Roger. I just ordered a hardbound copy of the book through AbeBooks. I have long been interested in that particular subject.

[Steve]

Here are two relatively recent articles by Lewis Gannett taking the opposite position:

2005 -

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jala/262986...w=fulltext

2010 -

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jala/262986...w=fulltext

I think Gannett overstates his case in a few places but he does a good job of showing the weakness of the oral history evidence for the Lincoln - Rutledge story.

[David Lockmiller]

(08-30-2025 04:23 AM)Steve Wrote:  Here are two relatively recent articles by Lewis Gannett taking the opposite position:

2005 -

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jala/262986...w=fulltext

I read the first paragraph containing the following sentence: "When she died tragically young, Lincoln, himself only in his mid-twenties, reportedly never fully recovered; hence, his famous melancholy."

I think his famous melancholy was the result of six hundred twenty-five thousand Americans who died in the American Civil War on the issue of slavery (not to mention all the permanently wounded and the effect of deaths and injuries on their families). As I recall, his life on the circuit with Judge Davis was not famous melancholy.

[observer]

Lincoln reply is certainly within 19th century thought of what was expected of a Frontier woman role in family life...had they married Lincoln would probably have studied LAw and prehaps risen to a Justice of the Peace....of his community.
The very fact that those who remembered Lincoln and Rutledge shows she was his first love... Mary Todd would have married Stephen Douglas who would have probably been elected President of the United states

[David Lockmiller]

In short and all-encompassing, the institution of Democracy was won for the benefit of all peoples of the world for the time being and through two World Wars.

A great trial now lies ahead for the institution of Democracy!