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First Berry-Lincoln Store. James and Rowan Herndon, brothers, and cousins of William Herndon, who was later the law partner of Lincoln and one of his biographers, built this store building probably in the fall of 1831, and engaged in the mercantile business. James Hernton, at that time a bachelor, and boarding at the Rutledge Tavern, sold his interest to William Berry early in the summer of 1832, and later in the same year Rowan sold his interest to Abraham Lincoln, taking Lincoln's note in payment. About January, 1833, Berry and Lincoln's purchased the store of Reuben Radford and moved across the street to the second Berry-Lincoln store. It is presumed that this store was then used as a residence for awhile. Since three stores have been restore and equipped, it was through best to use this building as a Post Office and to house the exhibit showing in graphic form a record of the restoration of New Salem. Lincoln's New Salem Enterprises, Inc Petersburg, Illinois. |
