Manuscript document dated 1806, from the Hardin County are, probably Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Robert Huston agrees to pay Bleakley & Montgomery 79 pound 13 shillings. Huston was a carpenter in E-town, Bleakley & Montgomery operated a store in that town. Bleakley & Montgomery were interesting men and written about by Carl Sandburg. They were young Irishmen, came to Elizabethtown and opened a dry goods store with a stock of goods, and soon became very popular. The store was opened in a log house at the corner of the Public Square. Montgomery was engaged in the rebellion in Ireland in 1798. He evaded Government officers by concealing himself in a vessel and thus made his escape to the United States. Bleakley remained some years after Montgomery left town, and acted as sheriff for several years, and then settled on a farm and died about 1850, leaving a large family. There is something romantic and interesting in the history of these two men. Born on the same island, engaged in the same rebellion, both compelled to leave to save their lives; emigrating to the same country, finding employment in the same establishment in Baltimore, partners in merchandising in Elizabethtown, marrying sisters, and then living and dying on adjacent farms. It was in their general store that Tom Lincoln [Abe Lincoln_s father] purchased many items when he was courting Nancy Hanks [mother of the future president]. Approx. 8 x 4-1/4 in. VG.

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