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510. Michael Marion Cassidy (Statement for Jesse W. Weik).

Mt Sterling Ky March 28 87

Michael Marion Cassidy son of Francis Cassidy. Jane Inlow who was dau. of James Inlow. latter was bro. of Abraham Inlow who was born in Frederick Co. Md. — removed to Bourbon Co Ky early in history. Abraham's brothers were named Elliott, James, Isham, Three children of James Inloe reside in Rush Co. Indiana, Isham, Isaac and Jemima McCorkle. Abraham Inlow resided at time of trouble with Nancy Hornbeck afterward Hanks at Strode's Creek in Bourbon Co Ky. — five miles fr. N. Middletown. He & his brother Elliot were building mill for Abraham Hornback. The latter's niece Nancy Hornback carried dinners to the men at work and Abraham Inlow got her in family way. There being threats to prosecute him for seduction & bastardy he hired old Thomas Linkhorn for 160 dollars in silver to marry the girl. This man Linkhorn was a shiftless worthless man who worked here and there — a sort of vagabond — worked for the Hutchcroft, Thatcher, Hornback and Cunningham & Talbut families in Bourbon Co Ky. — without character and feeble of mind. Inlow took the newly wedded pair to the edge of

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Madison Co and placed them on a piece of land but within a month they returned to Strodes Creek where the mill was building and the very night of their return Nancy the wife was delivered of a child in the little cabin which stood on the banks of the creek and which Inlow being a bachlelor had been occupying while working at the mill. Old Mrs Hornback, Mrs Talburt and other women of the neighborhood attended her. Elliott bro. of Abraham Inlow afterwards moved to Putnam Co. Ind. raised family. This Nancy lived in family of uncle Abraham as domestic. After child was 4 weeks old, Inlow took the pair into Lincoln Co. Ky — with wagon of meat and provisions & bought piece of land for them. Land was deeded to Mother during Marriage & widowhood with remainder to son Abraham. It is said that Mr. Lincoln afterwards brought suit to obtain possession of land and sold same but the records of Lincoln County have been destroyed and there is no further evidence of it — said so by Judge Breck in 1850 — Thomas Linkhorn returned alone to Bourbon Co — leaving the woman and child back — and was shortly afterwards killed by a falling tree. Nancy his wife became a notoriously bad woman now and her house was burned down more than once. A man named Hanks living there took up with her and she bore his name after that. They ran off into Hardin, Larue & sometimes into Washington County. Occasionally she would return to Lincoln Co. but the people would force her back to Hardin Co. until finally when the boy Abraham was 10 or 12 years old she moved to Indiana & was lost sight of. Meanwhile Abraham left his Mother on account of her dissolute habits and took a trip or two on keel boats to New Orleans walking most of the way both times. Went in company of man named Lee who was a boatman and lived in Fleming County. He then came to farm of James Inloe — his real uncle — . This man being religious man refused to permit boy who was rude and profane to stay longer. Boy went off again down towards Salt River — returning again to Fleming Co. and worked with Edward & John Inlow sons of James one summer, After this he turns up at Springfield Ills where he tends bar for this same John Inlow who was keeping hotel in Springfield. This latter John Inlow afterwards moved to American Bottoms near East St Louis where he died 10 years ago. No further knowledge of Lincoln in Kentucky. Shortly after the birth of the child of Abraham Inlow and Nancy Hornbeck, Inlow being a respectable and discreet man, was goaded by mortification of the affair until he moved to Springfield Ohio selling his land in Bourbon Co Ky. where he grew wealthy, raised a family and died. One of Abraham Inlow's sons — a Judge — received an appointment by Lincoln within a month of his inauguration. he lived in North Eastern Ohio. The whole Inlow family was of more than ordinary respectability and of strong mental qualities, tall angular, bony men. The writer M. M. Cassidy never saw Lincoln more than once. It was while attending U.S. Court at Indianapolis about 1854 or 55. In conversation with the writer (M.M.C) he asked if he knew they were kinsmen. My answer was that I had so learned from the traditions of

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the family. "Its probable Mr. Cassidy" he responded. "You may have some relatives that are handsomer than I am" and no more was said about the relationship. The Inlow family were slow spoken rather drawling in their manner of conversation. Lincoln had the voice of the Inlows.

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 4611 — 12

nts

Notes.

1. Marginal note: Thomas Hanks was said to have been killed in personal encounter in Garrard or Lincoln County after which Nancy bore the name of Hanks.