Abraham Lincoln document signed, a rare, early promissory note signed by Lincoln as a young lawyer in 1840. This was the year that Lincoln became engaged to Mary Todd, and four years after he passed the bar in Illinois. Partly printed document is signed ''A. Lincoln'', dated 20 April 1840 from Springfield, Illinois, promising the repayment of $100 to Erastus Wright School Commissioner on behalf of borrower William Butler, with Lincoln and another gentlemen Nathaniel Hay co-signing the loan. Erastus Wright, The Sangamon County School Commissioner, was a pallbearer at Lincoln's funeral, and also a fervent abolitionist, with his home reportedly a stop on the Underground Railroad. Lincoln was also quite close to William Butler (who also signs this document); as a mentor to Lincoln, Butler paid the young solicitor's debts and it was in Butler's home that Lincoln dressed for his wedding.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 allocated a certain amount of land be set aside for education and in Illinois, the School Commissioner of each county was allowed to make loans in order to support public education, this being one such loan. Document measures 7.625'' x 6.375''. Uniform toning, small sections of paper loss restored, and folds affecting signature. Overall in very good condition. With University Archives COA. A very rare example of Lincoln's signature from the earliest days of his law career, with excellent personal association.