Irish Revolutionary, Spared Execution, Worked With Lincoln's Father In Business for Sale

Irish Revolutionary, Spared Execution, Worked With Lincoln's Father In Business For Sale

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Irish Revolutionary, Spared Execution, Worked With Lincoln's Father In Business:
$225.00

MONTGOMERY WILLIAM (1776-ca.-1830) was an Orangeman who was involved in the rebellion in Ireland in 1798. Arrested and slated for execution, he was released from prison through the efforts of his aunt, the wife of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The condition of his release was that he would emigrate from Ireland to America. Joining him was another revolutionary compatriot, Robert Bleakley. In about 1801, the two opened a dry goods store in Elizabethtown, KY, said to be the first store in the pioneer town. They married sisters, the daughters of William Withers of West Point, KY.

In 1806, they hired Thomas Lincoln, the father of Abraham Lincoln, to sail a flat boat down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans carrying their merchandise to be sold there. Thomas Lincoln was paid in gold and given a credit in gold. Their account book shows that Lincoln purchased “two twists of tobacco & one pint of whisky.” Later account book entries show he bought “an aristocratic beaver hat & pair of silk suspenders for $1.50.” A bit later he brought “silk, linen, scarlet cloth, dozens of buttons, etc.” He was courting Nancy Hanks at this time. After their marriage, he returned to the Montgomery and Bleakley store to buy knives, forks, spoons, thread, needles, silk and tobacco. In about 1820, Montgomery and Bleakley purchased a farm near West Point, KY, near the mouth of the Salt River. Montgomery moved to the farm, but Bleakley remained in Elizabethtown, serving as sheriff for several years before settling on the farm.

Offering a Manuscript Document Signed, one-page, 7 ½ x 12 ½, 1810 Jan. 8, being a bond signed by Montgomery and Joseph Chalfan, addressed to the governor of Kentucky, securing Chalfan’s position as a Constable of Hardin County.

Expected toning. Overall in excellent condition.

Provenance: Christies.

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