Chapter 2: Lincoln Moves to New Salem, Illinois

1831-1835

New Salem is 20 miles west of Springfield, IL, and Abe arrives there according to his own words as “friendless, penniless, and lonely.”

To survive he takes a series of jobs, first as a boatman on a barge heading down the Mississippi to New Orleans and then, in 1832, serves a brief stint with the Illinois Militia during the Blackhawk War. After that he becomes a carpenter, store clerk, postmaster and surveyor.

He is quickly a popular figure in New Salem. Neighbors label him the “smartest and funniest man in town and also the tallest and strongest.” At 6 foot 4 inches and 214 lbs. he towers over others in town.

He also has two love affairs while there, the first with Ann Rutledge who dies suddenly; the second with a Mary Owen which he calls off.

In 1833 he decides that becoming a lawyer would be the best path to earning a decent living. As usual he proceeds on his own, immersing himself in Blackstone’s Commentaries to learn the basics.