The auction has ended. Please Do Not Submit This Form.
From 1831 - 1837, Abraham Lincoln resided in New Salem, Illinois. During this time the future President operated a general store in town with a business partner named William Berry. William and his father, Rev. John McCutchen Berry, resided just a few miles south of New Salem on a homestead the reverend had built in 1824-25. Abraham Lincoln was a frequent guest at the Berry home during his years in the region, visiting with his business partner and his family. The Berry home served as a voting place for two elections, during which time Lincoln acted as a clerk. A story also states that Lincoln spent a sleepless night at the Berry home while on his way to see Ann Rutledge while she was on her deathbed from typhoid.
Around 1900, the Berry home was converted into a corn crib. Over the years, the former house fell into disrepair and was overgrown. In 2001, the abandoned structure was razed. However, at that time, some of the original 1824 hand hewn support beams were salvaged. These salvaged beams were turned into a limited number of wood relics.
Up for auction are four (4) relics from the Berry Home near New Salem, where Abraham Lincoln was regularly a guest. The largest piece which has the words "Berry House / Rock Creek / 1825 / Lincoln Berry Connection" measures approximately, 1.5" x 3.5". The next piece is of similar size, without writing, and mounted to a 5" x 7" informational card. The other two pieces are smaller relics, measuring approximately 0.75" x 1.75", and each mounted on a card depicting a painting of Lincoln seated under a tree near the Berry home. All of these relics were acquired from the collection of Dr. Blaine Houmes who passed in 2021. Please see the pictures below for more details.
This lot is a great opportunity to own a piece of wood from a home touched by the 16th President during his early years in New Salem. The four relics would each make a great gift for the Lincoln buff in your life.
The auction has ended. Please Do Not Submit This Form.
