Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Haycraft, Samuel. 'Samuel Haycraft to John B. Helm' 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=herndon084.html

Absolute press of business and illness has made this delay. but it has enabled me to speak more accurately — By searching the old Marriage Register — I find that Sally Bush was married to Daniel Johnson 13 March 1806 by Ben Ogden ME. preacher — I know from personal knowledge that Johnson died early in April 1814 The Marriage Register was badly kept indeed was not kept at all, previous to my being clerk. I made out the Register from Ministers returns on licenses in the office up to 1813 — and in doing so I overlooked or did not find the record of the Mariage of Thomas Lincoln & Nancy Hanks —

Thomas Lincoln died near 10 years before the date of A. Lincolns letter to me May 1860 ^[4] so the old gentleman died about 1850. on a farm bought by Abraham Lincoln & presented to his father & Step Mother — She the Step Mother is still living & near about 80 years old — lives with her son in law John Hall in Effingham Co Illinois 8 Miles from Charleston & 18 miles from Mattoon — these last facts I have from our Townsman Isaac Radly who saw the widow about 16 days ago — She had no child by Tho Lincoln.

Yours truly
Saml Haycraft