Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Hanks, John. 'John Hanks (William H. Herndon Interview)' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln' . Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998. [format: book], [genre: interview]. Permission: University of Illinois Press
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=herndon453.html

Mrs Lincoln died say in 1818. I think and lies buried South East of the Lincoln farm about ½ m on a rise-Knowl or Knob. She was buried by the Side of Mr Hall & his wife, ^[3] as I understand it. I Came out to Indiana in 1822 after Thos Lincoln had married his 2d wife & Staid in Indiana near to & with Thomas Lincoln for 4 ys I remember Abrm well in Indiana He was then 10 ys of age then & 14 ys when I left Indiana & went back to Ky. I was in 1822 20 ys.

Abrm was farming when I got there & when I left & went to Ky. He went to School but little: he went to School to Dorsey or Swaney, I can't now Say which. Old man Lincolns house the was a rough-rough log one — not a hewed one — his 2d one was Sorter hewed but is gone — never standing in 1860. The 3d one was hewed, logs: that one never was occupied by Lincoln: it was up but not inhabited.: the House Stood East & west and faced the South — chimney in East End. it was — is about 4 M to Gentryville from the Lincoln farm — N. of East a little — The House stood on a round Hill — Knowl or Know — Lincoln's farm was on the forks of big pigeon & little Pigeon. The big pigeon is north and the little one South —

When Lincoln, Ab & I returned to the house from work, he would go to the Cupboard — Snatch a piece of Corn bread — take down a book — Sit down on a chair — Cock his legs up as high as his head and read — He and I worked bare footed — grubbed it — plowed — mowed & cradled together — plowed Corn — gathered it & shucked Corn — Abrm read Constantly when he had an opportunity — no news papers — then — had monthly meetings at church — Sometimes at private houses — Abe went to Church generally — not always — I Know he read weems washington ^[4] when I was there — got it wet — it was on a Kind of book shelf Close to the window — the book shelf was made by 2 pins in the wall & a clap board on them — books on that — Lincoln got it of Crawford ^[5] — told Crawford & paid it in pulling fodder by 2 or 3 days work. He frequently read the Bible. He read Robinson Crusoe — Bunyans Pilgrims progress — . Lincoln devoured all the books he could get or lay hands on: he was a Constant and voracious reader — I never Could get him in Company with women: he was not a timid man in this particular, but did not seek such Company. He was always full of his Stories — as much so in Indiana as Ills — He would go out in the woods & gather hickory bark — bring it home & Keep a light by it and read by it — when no lamp was to be had — grease lamp — handle to it which Stuck in the crack of the wall. Tallow was Scarce — Abrm was a good hearty Eater — loved good Eating. His own Mother & Step Mother were good Cook for them day & time. In the summer he wore tow linen pants & flax Shirt and in the winter he wore linsey wolsey — that is during the time I was there. I have Seen Lincoln — Abe — make Speeches to his Step brothers — Step Sisters — and youngsters that would Come to See the family.