"Many members of the Carman family who migrated to Sangamon Town in Illinois became associated with the man named Abe Lincoln, who later became the most beloved president of the United States. The Carmans were typical of the common people that Lincoln said "God loved - because "He made so many of  them". 

Caleb Carman, oldest son of Samuel and Sarah (Moore) Carman became the most closely acquainted with Lincoln. As young men this happened in 1831 at Sangamon Town. Caleb was born in 1805 - died 1888.

Caleb's Chair

"While boarding with Caleb [Mr. Lincoln rented a room from Caleb Carman], Abe re-caned a chair in part payment of his board. This chair is now displayed in a glass case at the New Salem State Park Museum where hundreds view it every year. Dedicated June 2, 1979.

Lincoln's law firm handled a divorce from Rachel (Carman) Roll. Divorces were rare in those days... Lincoln's law firm was involved in numerous law suits of Carman members who were in business.

Jacob Carman kept a tavern at Sangamon Town at Roll's Ford, a focal point of roads leading to Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln took some of his meals at Jacob's Tavern during the time he and some relatives constructed a boat for hauling goods to New Orleans."

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"Abe Lincoln saved the Life of Waters Carman and two other men. This happened in the Sangamon River in early 1831. Some young men including the three rescued by Lincoln were going into the raging waters of the river in homemade canoes dug out of logs. They were thrown from the boat but swan to the tree. There were three in this canoe. The ones on the bank tied a rope to the end of the log and a young man attempted to ride to the tree to rescue the men. This attempt failed. Then Lincoln went to the rescue typing a rope to the end of the log and holding on to the loose end of it. The current carried him by the tree where the men were. He threw the rope over the stub of the tree. The men climbed on the log. The rescue was soon over. Lincoln was a hero."

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"Caleb Carman⁸ however was most closely associated with Lincoln. Quoting Caleb, he described Lincoln as a "green horn" but after talking to him he did not find this was so. When Lincoln tied up his boat at New Salem he said "I never saw as awkward a man as he was". Caleb's letters and writings have been the basis of many writings of historians. Many times Caleb did not receive due credit. He continued his writings until his death. "Uncle Caleb" as he was called was proud of his association with Abe Lincoln who became President."

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"Abe boarded with me in 1834, and I lived in a house in which Berry and Lincoln kept a grocery. I then lived in New Salem. It was laid off east and west running on the back of the hills; about 25 or 30 houses. While he boarded with me he made himself useful in every way he could. If the water bucket was empty, he would fill it ; if wood was to be chopped, he would chop it, and was always in good humor". - Who is speaking? Why it's Caleb Carman - shoemaker of New Salem. When is he speaking? It is the year of 1866, one year after the assassination and Caleb's memory is fresh. No time for legends to accumulate. To whom is Caleb telling all of this? To Billy Herndon, Lincoln's last law partner. Herndon is collecting notes for his lectures on Lincoln from those who really knew him. In his lectures Herndon pictured his formed partner as a human being, an idea that lead to the controversies. In time Herndon would write "The Life of Lincoln". Today this is a standard reference for scholars."

*Extracted from "My Family" The Pioneer Lives of Adam and Louise (Schnell) Carman, L. May Carman, 1981. Ms. Carman also references Mr. Carrol Carman Hall's work "Grandfathers II.

Photograph of Caleb Carman from the book "Me and Abe" by Mary Douglas Wright and discovered and provided by Sharon Andrews - thank you Sharon.