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179. Abner Y. Ellis to William H. Herndon.

Spgfd Ills Mch. 24th 1866

Friend Abner

In one of your letters you say you Know much about "Abes" Lincoln's courtship — marriage &c. and will tell me. I want to know all about it from beginning to end — from top to bottom — in side and outside. Come tell me

Your Friend
W H Herndon

I had it from good authority that after Mr L. was engaged to be Married to his wife Mary. That She a Short time before they were Married backed out from her engagement with him; He was at the time a Member of the Legeslator then in Session in your City and hur refusal to Comply actually Made Mr L. Sick and Consequently went to bed and no one was allowed to see him but his freind Josh Speed & his frend the Doctor I think Henry. And that strong Brandy was administered to him freely for about one Week and I was also informed that his freind Speed brought about a reconcliation between them I was at that time in business with Bell & Speed under the name of A Y Ellis &c &c I could only See Mr Speed occationally. Wm Keep as much of this to your self as possible

Yours Truly
A Y L 'S

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2531; Huntington Library: LN2408, 1:425 — 26

nts

Notes.

1. Written at the bottom of WHH's March 24, 1866, letter to Ellis, the text of which is also given here.

2. Dr. Anson G. Henry.