Lincoln's Life as Depicted in the Museum Exhibits (continued)

The Springfield home of Abraham Lincoln. Inside the fence is Lincoln with two of his sons, Willie and Tad.
(Reproduced from photograph made in 1860 by A. >J. hipple, Boston, Mass. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.)

LIFE IN SPRINGFIELD. Lincoln soon began the study of law, and was granted a license in 1836. Removing to Springfield in 1837, he began active practice. Items in the Museum illustrating this period of Lincoln's life include a legal document written by Lincoln in 1841 when a member of the firm of Lincoln and Logan, and a paper, dated October 25, 1841, drawn up by Lincoln for the purchase of land from his father. Also in the collection is a chair used by Lincoln in his law office at Springfield presented to Oldroyd by William H. Herndon, Lincoln's law partner from 1844 to 1861. Several law books and other volumes once owned by Lincoln may be seen in an adjoining table case.

On November 4, 01842, Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd were married and began housekeeping in Springfield. In 844, >he bought the house at Eighth and Jackson Streets in Springfield where he lived until he became President. Early in 1861, before leaving for Washington, the President-elect and Mrs. Lincoln sold some of their furniture to neighbors. Several of these articles were acquired by Oldroyd when his collection was in the Lincoln home in Springfield and are now exhibited in the Lincoln Museum.

Among these furnishings are the cradle used by the four Lincoln children, a dining room chair, and a rush bottom chair. A desk used by Lincoln at his home in Springfield is also exhibited. In has a sloping, hinged top and eight pigeon holes at the back. A black walnut whatnot with three shelves was made from an old bedstead by a carpenter in Springfield. Richly carved, the lower part could be used as a desk or table. It stood in the Lincoln parlor for many years. There is also an oak stand from the Lincoln home.

Settee from the Lincoln home.

Chair from Lincoln's law office.

Desk from the Springfield home.

Cradle used by Lincoln's children.

A long wooden bench, or settee, made on order of Lincoln to accommodate his great height, is another object from the Lincoln home. Returning from his law office, the tired attorney would stretch his tall form on this bench placed on the south porch of his home. Also on exhibit is the large rear wheel of the Lincoln surrey which was in use until the departure of the family from Springfield.