Deed from Thomas Lincoln and Sarah Lincoln to Abraham Lincoln, 25 October 18411
This Indenture made this twentyfifth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fortyone by and between Thomas Lincoln and Sarah his wife, of the county of Coles and State of Illinois, party of the first part; and Abraham Lincoln of the county of Sangamon and State aforesaid, party of the second part, Witnesseth:
That the said party of the first part, for, and in consideration of the sum of two hundred dollars to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, and sold; and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, all their right, title, interest, and estate in and to the North East fourth of the South East quarter of Section Twentyone, in Township Eleven North, Range Nine East containing forty acres, more or less; reserving, however the ocupation, use, and entire control of said tract of land, and the appurtenances thereunto belonging, to the said party of the first part, and to the survivor of them, during both and each of their natural lives—2
To have and to hold to the said party of the [se]cond part, his heirs and assigns forever, the subject to the reservation aforesaid, the above described tract or parcel of land, ^aforesaid^ together with all and singular the previleges and appurtenances thereunto belonging—
In testimony whereof the said party of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and year above written—
Thomas lincoln
 seal 
her
Sarah X Lincoln
mark

 seal 

<Page 2>
[ certification ]
10/25/1841
State of Illinois }
ss.[scilicet]
Coles County
Personally appeared before the undersigned, an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, Thomas Lincoln, and Sarah Lincoln his wife, who are personally known to me to be the identical persons by whom, and in whose names the within deed is executed, and acknowledged the same to be their voluntary act and deed for the purposes therein expressed—
Given under my hand and seal this 25th day of October A.D. 1841—
David DrydenJ. P.[Justice of the Peace]
 seal 

<Page 3>

<Page 4>
[ docketing ]
10/25/1841
Thomas Lincoln & wife
To Deed
Abraham Lincoln
Filed October 25th 1841
N Ellington Recorder
[ docketing ]
10/09/1841
Recorded & Examined in Book G. Page 5 October 9th 1841.
Fee $1. Paid
N. Ellington
Recorder
1Abraham Lincoln wrote the body of the document on page one, including Sarah Lincoln’s name and “her mark” above and below where she made her mark. He also wrote the entire certification on page two, aside from Dryden’s signature, which is very faint.
2The land described here is the site of Thomas and Sarah Lincoln’s homestead near the southern border of Coles County. In late 1840, Thomas Lincoln had purchased this parcel for $50, as well as another contiguous 80 acres for $400. By purchasing this parcel for $200 and giving them a life interest to it, Abraham Lincoln effectively made a cash gift to his father and stepmother. After his father’s death, Abraham Lincoln retained title to this 40-acre parcel in order to protect Sarah Lincoln’s right to the income from the land.
Harry E. Pratt, Personal Finances of Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1943), 60-63.

Handwritten Document Signed, 4 page(s), Chicago Public Library (Chicago, IL).