Story of Lincoln at Sangamo Town by J. Lin Roll
From "Old Sangamo Town"

"One hundred years ago in the month of February was the anniversary of the landing of Lincoln in the village of Sangamo Town, which at that time bore the distinction of being the largest town in Sangamon County, and which for nearly three-quarters of a century has been entirely extinct."

"The town was situated on the Sangamon River, seven and one-half miles northwest of Springfield. Years after, when Lincoln was a member of the legislature, he advocated making the Sangamon River a navigable stream, which, if accomplished, would have made Sangamo the principal town is this section of the country."

"My father first met Lincoln in Sangamo in the spring of 1831 when he assisted in building the most famous flat boat for Offett and Green. He describes Lincoln's appearance the first time he met him as being '22 years old; he was tall, gaunt and bony and as homely as he has ever been pictured to be. He was the rawest, most primitive looking specimen of humanity I ever say, his clothing all too scant for him. His trousers lacked four or five inches of reaching his feet, usually with legs stuffed in beg cowhide boots. At this time he wore an old round about far too short for him, so that when he stooped over he showed for or five inches of his suspenders. His hat, drab in color, small crowned and broad brim, was well worn.'"

"'Upon his arrival at the village, Lincoln made it known that he came from New Salem to build a flat boat. An old sawmill stood there and was used in sawing the lumber for the boat. It was a low, flat strip of land along the river on which the work was done. He had to have help in building the boat, and as I was in my seventeenth year and could do practically a man's work, he set me to work making pins for the boat.'"

"'While the flat boat was being built it was a common thing for the men of the village to get together at noon and night and take their seat back on a sleek, barkless log, which had been fixed for that purpose. Lincoln invariably had a seat with the boys on the log and it was here that he acquired the reputation as a joker and story teller. For years after the log was known as Abe's Log.'"