Description:

Lincoln Abraham

Abraham and Mary Lincoln Association, Ben Helm Indian Fighter

 

2pp autograph document signed, 6.5" x 8" on laid paper. Dated "August 9, 1811". Signed by Benjamin Helm as "Ben Helm". Lovely strong contrasting ink, expected folds and light toning. Near fine.

 

A summons to the sheriff for Stephen Ogden & Jeremiah Pearpoint to appear before the Hardin County Court, "to answer to Benjamin Helm of a plea of debt of fifteen dollars and fifty cents … "  On verso is an ADS of Robert Bleakley, deputy sheriff citing that he had issued the summonses as well as a ADS acknowledging his receipt of the summons order.

 

Helm, Benjamin (1779-1858). Born in Virginia his father, Thomas Helm, moved his family to Harin County, Kentucky in 1780. Young Ben thus became a pioneer and became noted for his success as an Indian fighter. Major Ben Helm was the father of John Larue Helm, governor of Kentucky and grandfather of Confederate General Ben Hardin Helm who married Emilie Todd, sister of Mary Todd Lincoln. Ben Helm married Mary Edwards, the daughter of Benjamin Edwards who was a sister of Governor Ninian Edwards. It was the governor's son and namesake who married Elizabeth Todd, sister of Mary Todd Lincoln. Thus there was a connection with Mary Todd Lincoln on both sides of Ben Helm's family.

 

Ben Helm was a prominent citizen of Elizabethtown who served as a merchant and bank president. He was County Surveyor, a member of the Town Boards, Clerk of Hardin County Court and the Circuit Court, and a major in the War of 1812. As County Surveyor, helm was the first to survey Elizabethtown, the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Helm built the first brick house in Elizabethtown that became an important  social and meeting center of town. He purchased the farm owned by Christopher Bush, father of Sally Bush Johnston Lincoln, the President's step-mother. Helm was also a partner in a general store with Duff Green. On May 28, 1860, Abraham Lincoln referred to Ben Helm in a letter to Samuel Haycraft. Bleakly was born in Ireland. As a participant in the Irish Rebellion, he was forced to escape and sailed to America. He settled in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. It was here that he and another Irishman. William Montgomery, opened a dry goods store. In 1806 they hired Thomas Lincoln, the father of Abraham Lincoln, to take a flatboat down the Mississippi River with their merchandise to be sold in New Orleans. They paid Tom Lincoln £16 gold and a credit of ‎£13 in gold.

 

Their account books showed that Tom Lincoln bought 'two twists of tobacco & one pint of whisky" The books also record that in May 1806 Tom Lincoln went on a buying spree, purchasing silk, linen, scarlet cloth, dozens of buttons etc. He had earlier purchased an "aristocratic beaver hat" and a pair of silk suspenders. He was at this time courting Nancy Hanks, his future wife and the mother of Abraham Lincoln. After their marriage Tom Lincoln purchased knives, forks, spoons, thread, needles, silk, tobacco, other provisions, and household goods at the Bleakley store.

 

A fine Lincoln association piece.

 

Ex-Norman Boas, Seaport Autographs, Ex-Christie's.

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

February 26, 2020 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000