Lincoln Neighbor And Law Client Edmund George John Agrees To Serve As Guardian For Children Of Business Partner

EDMUND GEORGE JOHNS was a neighbor of the Lincolns in Springfield, IL. Johns was a house and sign painter.  In 1859, he was co-owner of Ruckel & Johns, dealers in wallpaper, glass and paint. In 1842, Abraham Lincoln represented him in a bankruptcy petition.  On October 1, 1847, Lincoln wrote to Converse & Priest, merchants, asking them to give Johns up to $10 worth of oil, which Lincoln would repay “three months to date.” On occasion, Mary Todd Lincoln would send Johns to the store for various purposes.  On January 24, 1853, Johns, Lincoln and 37 others signed a letter addressed to the Rev. James Smith commending him on his sermon on the subject of temperance, encouraging him to have it published.

Offering a one-page, 8 x 12, partly printed Manuscript Document Signed, Sangamon County, IL, 1857, Nov. 2, signed by Johns and HUGH M. ARMSTRONG bonding themselves as guardians of the minor heirs of David E. Ruckel, John’s business partner. Armstrong had been a resident and neighbor of Lincoln in New Salem and served as a private in Captain Abraham Lincoln’s Company in the Black Hawk War.  On June 3, 1832, shortly after returning home from the war, Armstrong and Bowling Green signed a document, ‘A Penal Bond’ in the amount of $500 as a requirement for Armstrong to receive an appointment as constable.

Moderate general age toning and wear. Folds repaired on verso. Three chips in top and bottom border, not impacting text.

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