Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-06-24
LINCOLN'S PARENTAGE.

WCIt ever HldTIleu, anu III lllS OF Lsln-
coin published by Ward II. Lamon III
1872, it was intended to show that, owing
to their extreme poverty, the parents OF
Lincoln never were legally married, as,
according to the laws of the State OF
Kentucky, it would have been necessary
to file a bond to guard the State against
an over-supply of paupers. Much other
matter bearing on the same point, was
also intended TO be included in the book,
and the Lincoln family desired to have it
suppressed. The family and its most in
innate friends were positive that there
was not the least ground for charge of
illcgitimacy against Lincoln. According
ly Judge David Davis and Leonard SWEET
prominent lawyer living in Illinois, who
had been firm friend of Lincoln, exerted
themselves successfully to have much of
the matter suppressed. Lamon, however
stated in his book that no records of the
marriage could be found, and represented
Lincoln as very reluctant to talk about
his parents and their early life. The New
York Tribune says, however, that while
in Kentucky last fall, ex-Secretary Bris-
tow met lawyer of high reputation, K.
J. Browne Mr.. Browne lives in Spring
field, Washington county, is man of
wealth, Republican, and one who takes
great pride in guarding the memory of
the dead President. He heard of the
reports referred to above, and caused a
diligcnt search to be made for the record
of the marriage Of Lincoln's parents.
The search was successful, and Mr.. Browne
mentioned the fact to Mr. Bristow, who
urged him to make the result public, in
order to remove the doubt in the minds Of
many on the subject. Mr., Browne prom
ised to send copies of the bond and GER
tifcate to General Bristow, and recently
he did SO. Mr.. Brownies letter and the
accompanying copies of documents were
as follows:
SPRINGFIELD, KY, Dec. lG, 1878.
Dear Sir: When last saw you in Louis
vile promised 10 send you n copy OF the
record OF President Llncom'S fathers mar
riage. now send ii 10 you. The record
ought forever 10 silence the charge Of the
Presidents illegitimacy. have talked
with men OF the highest yeracity who have
told me that they attended the wedding.
with sincere wish, etc, am truly yours.
K. j. BROWNE.
General b. II. BriStow, New York City.
The following is copy of the bond:
Know all men by these presents. That
We, Thomas Lincoln and Richard Berry,
are held and firmly bound unto his Excel
lency. the Governor OF Kentucky, in the
lust and full sum OF ESQ current money, 10
the payment Of which well and truly 10 be
made 10 the said Governor and his success
ors, we bind ourselves, our heirs, etc.
Jointly and severally firmly by these pres
entS. sealed with our seals and dated this
10th day Of June, 1906. The condition of
the above obligation is such that whereas,
there is marriage shortly intended be-
tween the above bound Thomas Lincoln
and Nancy Hanks, for which license has
issued, now If there be- no lawful cause 10
obstruct the said marriage then this obli-
CATION TO be void, else 10 remain in full
force and virtue in Law.
THOMAS LINCOLN Seal.
RICHARD BERRY, Seal.
Guardian.
Witness-JOHN Ii. PARRoTT.
The certificate is as follows:
WAsHINGToN COUNTY, s.:
do certify that on the 2Sd day of Sep
tembcr. lsO6, solemniZed the rites Of
matrimony between Thomas Lincoln and
Nancy Hanks, according to the rites Of the
Methodist Episcopal church
JESSE HEAD, ID. VI. +. c.
The above are sworn to be true copies,
as follows:
STATE or KENTUCKY,
WASHINGTON COUNTY, !
|. W. +. Booker, Clerk of the Washing
ton County Court, do certify that the with
in is true copy of the marriage bond, rs
well as marriage certificate, Of the minis
ter of the marriage of Thomas Lincoln and
Nancy Hanks, is shown from the records
on file in my Office.
Given under my hand and seal of office,
ut Springfield, Ky, this 18th December,
1878. W. +. BOOKER, Clerk.
BY this certificate, which is now pub
lished for the first time, it appears that
the marriage of Lincoln's parents occurr-
ed on September 90, 1906.
RECREATIONS IN THEBAN LIT
ERATURE.
Married people" said Epaminondas,
"cannot talk as freely and rapidly as
young people"
Il hadn't noticed it" said Pelopidas,
land don't think it is true"
but it is true" replied the industri-
Gus Theban, "because-'
Because they are paired:" sagely
asked his friend.
Epaminondas shook his head.
"Because the two married people are
only one, while each of the young people
is one, two
Epaminondas looked sad and stihed a
rising sigh.
Pelopidas thought moment and said
Because their two heads have but
single thought" :,
''Oh, no, the statesman said, sit isn't
necessary to have even one thought to do
an infinite amount of talking. Look at
the Congressional Record. No." he con-
tinued, with an air of interest; "but you
know the marriage service is conducted
orally: Verbally, b. word of mouth
or tongue, as you may say, the knot mat
rimonial is tied: ~
"Yes," said Pelopidas, 81 see, so far.
"Well, then" said Epaminondas, with
faint gleam of triumph on his face,
1.-THE married folk do the less talking be.
cause they are tongue tied"