Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Barret, Sarah Rickard. 'Sarah Rickard Barret to William H. Herndon' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln' . Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998. [format: book], [genre: letter]. Permission: University of Illinois Press
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=herndon663.html

Connors Kan. Augt 3d 1888.

Dear Sir

Yours of the 20th ultimo is before me and as an old friend I will answer the question Propounded to me.

Mr. Lincoln did Propose marriage to me in the winter of 1840 and 41, as was his costom he brings quotations from the Bible how [know?] but Sarah will become Abrahams wife. My reasons for refusing his Proposal was that I was young only 16 years old and had not thought much about matrimony. I had the highest Regard for Mr Lincoln and he seemed allmost like an older Brother being as It were one of my Sisters family

Yours in friendship
Sarah A Barret

P.S.
In April last I wrote you about this matter through my Brother John Rickard and supposed you had Recieved It.

You can make any use of this letter you wish.

Will be willing to furnish You any Information in my Possession in regard to Mr Lincoln life.

S. A B.

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 3465 — 66