(Lincoln-Related), Pioneer and Indian Fighter W. Connection to Lincoln. Ex Christies

Single page autograph document signed, 7.5" x 6.5". Dated "May 25, 1811", and signed by Ben Helm "Ben Helm". Expected folds with clear tape running along a fold line on verso. Ex. Christies, Ex. The Norman Boas Estate

Young Ben was a pioneer 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 May Edwards, , the daughter of Benjamin Edwards and was a sister of Governor Ninian Edwards. It was the governor's son and namesake who married Elizabeth Todd, sister of May Todd Lincoln. Thus there was a connection with Mary Todd Lincoln on both sides of Ben Helm's family. Helm was County Surveyor and 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. On May 28th 1860, Abraham Lincoln referred to Ben Helm in a letter to Samuel Haycraft. 

There is also an ADS on the verso signed by Deputy Sheriff Robert Bleakley for Sheriff William Withers. 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 and 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.

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!