Abraham Lincoln to Horatio M. Vandeveer, 28 April 18441
Springfield, April 28th 1844Friend Vandaveer:On the other half of this sheet is a little Bill for a Divorce– I wish you would fill
the blank in the proper place, with Taylor's christian name, file the Bill, and issue the subpoena in chancery for the woman immediately–2
Yours as everA. Lincoln<Page 2>
SPRINGFIELD Ill.[Illinois]MAY [3?]Clerk of the Circuit court of Christian co.TaylorvilleIllinois–
[ docketing
]
6
1Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed the letter. He also wrote the address on the back
page, which was folded to create an envelope for mailing. The letter also enclosed
a Bill for Divorce. The original documents have not been located.
Wilson v. Wilson, Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, 2d edition (Springfield: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 2009), http://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=136928.
2Andrew J. Wilson had retained Logan & Lincoln to sue his wife, Susan Wilson, for divorce, on the grounds that she had committed adultery with Edward Taylor.
The bill for divorce, authored by Lincoln and enclosed within this letter, was filed
in the Christian County Circuit Court on May 3, 1844. The court dismissed the case
after Wilson failed to provide security for the court costs.
Wilson v. Wilson, Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, 2d edition (Springfield: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 2009), http://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=136928.
Copy of Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Association Files, Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).