“His Pay was Eight Dollars a Month and Board”

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In March, 1828, James Gentry, for whom he had been at work, had fitted out a boat with a stock of grain and meat for a trading expedition to New Orleans, and placed his son Allen in charge of the cargo for the voyage. Abe’s desire to make a river trip was at last satisfied, and he accompanied the proprietor’s son, serving as “bow hand.” His pay was eight dollars a month and board. In due course of time the navigators returned from their expedition with the evidence of profitable results to gladden the heart of the owner. The only occurrence of interest they could relate of the voyage was the encounter with a party of marauding negroes at the plantation of Madame Duchesne, a few miles below Baton Rouge. Abe and Gentry, having tied up for the night, were fast asleep on their boat when aroused by the arrival of a crowd of negroes bent on plunder. They set to work with clubs, and not only drove off the intruders, but pursued them inland, then hastily returning to their quarters they cut loose their craft and floated down-stream till daylight.

By William H. Herndon,Jesse W. Weik “Herndon’s Lincoln: A True Story of a Great Life”  Herndon-045-025-21 

One thought on ““His Pay was Eight Dollars a Month and Board”

    Experiences « Abraham Lincoln said:
    May 4, 2018 at 21:14

    […] His Pay Was Eight Dollars A Month And Board […]

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