Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel Hay, 11 June 18501
Springfield, June 11th 1850Mr N. Hay:I wish to build a front fence, on a brick foundation, at my house– I therefore shall
be obliged, if you will, as soon as possible, deliver me bricks of suitable quality,
and sufficient number to build such foundation, fifty feet long, of proper width,
and depth, under ground, and about two feet above ground–2
Yours &c.[etc.]A. Lincoln<Page 2>
Nathaniel HayPresent1Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed this letter. He did not, however, write the text
in the second image.
2Lincoln had the brick foundation, which effectively became a retaining wall, as well
as a front fence constructed soon after this letter to Nathaniel Hay. Five years later,
Lincoln again purchased bricks from Hay to extend the brick foundation and front fence
from the front of the Lincoln home to one-quarter of the way down the side of the
lot facing Jackson Street.
Irvin Haas, Historic Homes of the American Presidents (New York: Dover Publications, 1991), 81; Claim against Estate of Nathaniel Hay; Claim against Estate of Nathaniel Hay.
Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s), Box 3, Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL). .