Abraham visited the neighbors and bade them goodbye; but on the morning selected for their departure, when it came time to start, he was missing.

He was found weeping at his mother's grave, whither he had gone as soon as it was light.

The thought of leaving her behind filled him with unspeakable anguish.

The household goods were loaded, the oxen yoked, the family got into the covered wagon, and Lincoln took his place by the oxen to drive.

One of the neighbors has said of this incident: "Well do I remember the day the Lincolns left for Illinois.