Nance: Trials of the First Slave Freed by Abraham Lincoln: A True Story of Nance Legins-Costley

Based on sworn and witnessed court records, it's the true story of the three Supreme Court trials of the first slave freed by a young lawyer, Abraham Lincoln in Illinois in 1841. Revised edition from 2014 version. There are over 10,000 works on Abraham Lincoln, but this is the only book about the slave who started Lincoln on the path that changed American History and the Constitution. This is the only known historical biography to be recognised by both a predominately white historical society and a predominately black historical society. The pre-published genealogy was awarded "Humanitarian Award" from the African American Museum in Peoria, Illinois, for Nance's family in 2003 and "Award of Merit" by the Illinois State Historical Society in April 2015. In 2009 the Editor of the Illinois History Journal claimed that it is the only story of Lincoln that is really new. The story was suppressed during the early decades of the 20th century by white supremacist attitudes. Nance actively tried to free herself, but needed Lincoln to make it legal. Her struggles began as a teenager and it took 15 years to win her freedom. The book includes a piece of history to own. A copy of Nance's original signature from her historic testimony in 1827. The story is endorsed by a past president of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Includes 30 color pictures, a time line, Bibliography, Index, Footnotes and a note to parents and teachers. Because it is a true story, the names of Nance Legins-Costley, A.Lincoln and now the author will live on the internet for a very long time. Search and you shall find.


About the Author
Carl M. Adams grew up in Alton, Illinois where historically the first five shots of the Civil War killed Abolitionist newspaper publisher Reverend E.P. Lovejoy in 1837. Adams did not think of it at the time, but he lived on the invisible "color-line." He lived in the white "hood" just one block from the black neighborhood. During the 'summer of rioting' following the murder of Martin Luther King in 1968, childhood friends suddenly became enemies. Carl Adams found himself in the social crossfire, which left a life long impression for social justice. In 2003 Carl Adams was presented The R.B. Garrett Humanitarian Award from the African-American Garrett Museum, Inc. in Peoria, Illinois for Historical Research into Nance, the first slave freed by A. Lincoln in 1841.