Deed of Jesse Baker and Christiana Baker to James Eastep, 26 July 18331
This Indenture made this twentysixth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirtythree between Jesse Baker and Christiana his wife of the county of Sangamon and State of Illinois of the one part— and James Eastep of the county and State aforesaid— of the other part Witnesseth— That the said Jesse Baker and Christiana his wife for and in consideration of the sum of the sum of Five hundred dollars to them in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have given granted bargained and sold and by these presents do give grant bargain and sell all their right title interest and estate in and to the West half of the South west east quarter of Section two Township Eighteen north of Range Seven West—containing Eighty acres—also the North East fourth of the South East quarter of Section two in Township Eighteen North of Range Seven West containing Forty acres, both in the district of lands offered for sale at Springfield Illinois2 To have and to hold unto the said James Eastep his heirs and assigns for ever the above described tracts of land together with all and singular the previleges and appurtenances thereunto belongingAnd the said Jesse Baker and Christiana his wife do covenant to and with the said James Eastep to Warrant and forever defend the title of said land against any and all claim or claims of any and all person or persons whomsoever—
In testimony whereof the said Jesse Baker and Christiana his wife have here unto set their hands and seals the day and year above written—
Jesse Baker  seal Christinia Baker  seal 

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[ endorsement ]
07/27/1833
State of Ills. } SS
Sangamon Cty.
Personally came Jesse Baker and Christiana his wife before the under signed an acting Justice of the peace for the County and State aforesiad and acknowled the within deed to be their act and deed for the purposes therein Contained and Christinea his wife being by me Examined Seperate and a part from her husband and after being Examined Separate from her husband and after being made acquainted with the subject freeley acknowledged the the signing thereof without the persuasion or Coersion of her husband but of her own free will3 given under my hand and Seal this 27. July 1833
Bowling Green J P[Justice of the Peace]
[ endorsement ]
09/09/1833
State of Illinois } SS
Sangamon County
I Edward Mitchel Recorder of Sangamon County do hereby Certify that the within deed is Recorded in Book F Page 512-13
Edwd Mitchell
R. S. C.[Recorder of Sangamon County]
[ docketing ]
Jesse Bakers Deed To James Eastep
Filed August 31st 1833 at 11 Oclock AM
Paid Fee 87½ cents
1Abraham Lincoln wrote the text of the deed. The Bakers, Green, and Armstrong each signed their own names.
2The land described here lay in Sangamon County in 1833; in 1839, the General Assembly carved out the northern part of the county to create a new county called Menard. The land described here is now situated in the west-central part of Menard County.
3“Dower” is a term that refers to the legally protected lifetime right of a woman to one-third of her husband’s lands and personal property. Dower was intended to provide for the support of a widow and her children. Because of this, a husband could not convey property without the consent of his wife.
Christopher A. Schnell, “Wives, Widows, and Will Makers: Woman and the Law of Property,” In Tender Consideration: Women, Families, and the Law in Abraham Lincoln’s Illinois (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2003), 129, 133; Joan R. Gundersen, “Women and Inheritance in America,” Robert K. Miller Jr. and Stephen J. McNamee, eds., Inheritance and Wealth in America (New York: Springer Science and Business Media, 1998), 94.

Copy of Handwritten Document Signed, 2 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Association Files, Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).