Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Rowbotham, John B. 'John B. Rowbotham 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=herndon055b.html

farm about five hundred yards from Mr. Creals house — It is situated on a little knoll or rising ground & is now a barley field — Some rocks indicating the site of the chimney are still there. At the edge of the field are two old pear trees planted by Thomas Lincoln — between which — was a gateway leading to the house — Mr Creal remembers him well — near the spot is a very romantic spring from which the farm takes its name — & where no doubt Mr L as a child often strayed — You will find Mr. Creele a truthful kind hearted man — It appears Thomas Lincoln removed from here when his son was about four years old — to a place called Nob Creek — Mr. Creal will direct you to the residence of Mr Rapier, who is member for the county he lives on Nob creek which is four miles S. West of New Haven — Mr Rapier will take pleasure in shewing you the site of the house which was pulled down to make the Greensburg road in 1838 — The school house also is demolished —

From Louisville take the boat to Troy Ind which is close to Anderson Creek. This is the place where the family first landed after leaving Kentucky — On this creek which is about half a mile from Troy is a little place called Maxville inquire for Mr Green Taylor — who remembers Mr. Lincoln well & is a reliable man —

From Troy to their first Indiana home is about sixteen miles & a mile & a half from Gentryville — The road is very rough & I found it necessary to hire a conveyance with a couple of mules — or rather three — as the driver was very little better — his name is Frank Everhard & you may find it advisable to get him as he knows the place — (Dont give him whiskey)

The house lies a little off the Gentryville road on rising ground & is the most perfect reminiscence of Mr L's early life — A Mr John Heron occupies it now — & it is still known as the 'Lincoln lot' they lived there 13 years Mrs Lincoln died here & is buried on the summit of a thickly wooded hill about a quarter of a mile & immediately opposite the house — Inquire for Siah Crawford, Jimmey Romaine & also Mrs Richardson who was at the funeral of Mr Lincoln's mother — There is no stone to mark the spot, but it is well known — As you know Johnney Hanks it will be unecessary to go into Illinois — Bye the way Mr L does not appear to have cared for home after the death of his mother, perhaps you may clear that up — It would take a series of letters to give minute descriptions, but these are the main facts I expect to leave here soon & shall be glad to hear from you before going — You will understand that I was engaged by Moore — Wilstack & Baldwin to illustrate their life of Lincoln by Barratt ^[2] — Wishing you every sucess believe me to remain

Yours Truly
John B Rowbothem

P.S

Should I be unable to leave here as I want to I will write you again on the subject.

J.B.R.

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2205 — 6; Huntington Library: LN2408, 1:70 — 73