Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Ellis, Abner Y. 'Abner Y. Ellis 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=herndon500.html

395. Abner Y. Ellis to William H. Herndon.

Moro, Illinois Decr 6th 1866

Yours of the 5th is recived and I Shall endeavour to answer as best I Can

When I first Knew Mr Lincoln he was Sad at times — but It did Not grow on him. The More I became acquainted with him the More humorous I found him to be. I do not think he was Very Witty befor he Came to Springfield to reside. ^[1] Witt & humor bothe appeard to grow on him up to 1861

Soberness of thought Commenced Growing on Mr Lincoln I think When he was Elected to Congress in 1848 though He came home with a great Many New Storys some Was Very dirty. he used to give a Mr. Haskell ^[2] the credit of telling them. Mr H. was also a member of Congress at the same time — from La. I think

4th qustin That Star gazing thinking Look, as if Looking at vacancy, he also Contracted them in Washington or Soon after he Came home

5th I do not think he liked Solitude; he would Not be long without Company

Mr Lincoln in 1832, 33, 34, Was Not Very Jovial Though at times Some one could remind him of a Story that he once herd & he would tell it

I think he cheerfulness commenced growing on him a few years after he came to reside in Springfield and it Must have remained with him up to the time of his Nomination for President. He said in My presents a few day after that he Should

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