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Chapter One:
The Lincolns: A Pageant
By Howard Taylor
To help celebrate the birth of the 16th President, Feb. 12, 2007,
Charleston 3rd Graders are going to present their knowledge of the 16th
President's life while living at Springfield, Il. The classes did
a study, while in 2nd grade of the President's childhood and life up
through the move into Illinois in 1830. Our city has a close
connection with the Lincolns, as Thomas and Sarah Bush lived in close
proximity to our city at what is now called Lincoln Log Cabin
Historical Site. We are also the site of a Lincoln-Douglas
Debate. Abraham's wife and children never visited Charleston, as
far as we know. Abraham was a regular visitor as lawyer and uncle
to several nieces and nephews, and cousin Dennis Hanks.
Our pageant will be introduced by Lincoln lawyer partner and friend
William (Billy) Herndon. He has left us with volumes of memories
about Abraham Lincoln at Springfield, before Springfield, and while
President.
The pageant is organized into several short presentations (readings) by
the students.
This pageant is presented as if all were living at once, which did not happen in real life, as can be revealed in birth/death dates.
Here are exact dates of family births and deaths:
Robert was born August 1, 1843. He died July 26, 1926
Eddie was born March 10, 1846. He died February 1st, 1850
Willie was born December 21st, 1850. He died February 20, 1862
Tad was born April 4, 1857. He died July 15, 1871
Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809 and was assassinated April 14, 1865
Mary Todd Lincoln was born December 13, 1818, and died at Springfield in Elizabeth's home, July 16, 1882
Fido, the family dog was left at Springfield, and not taken to Washington D.C. Many pets were acquired for the White House. Old Bob may have been taken to Washington, but we don't know for sure. Abraham would often ride a horse called Jeff (actually was a captured horse of Jefferson Davis)