Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Hanks, Dennis F. 'Dennis F. Hanks 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=herndon220.html

160. Dennis F. Hanks to William H. Herndon.

Febuary—22d—66

well William

I have jest Received your Last Letter askin More questions those is Very Easy to answer But Billy thare is Sum words hard to Make out plese take pains to write plain if I Make a Mistake it will because I Dont understand your words

1st question How Cumes it that Lincoln him Self Calls his Mother Nancy Hanks ^[1] I Say this I Dont Believe he Ever Said So for his Mother was Nancy Lincoln hir Madin Name Nancy Sparrow So what is the use of all this

2d When Did first here it Said in the family or any where that—Abram—Enloe was Lincoln farther I No Enloe Very well Thare Never was any Such talk in the family a Bout Such a thing it false I No it is That Man is Ben Ded 55 years