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.

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