of ruffians known as "the Clary's Grove Boys". In March 1830, fearing another milk sickness outbreak, several members of the extended Lincoln family, including Abraham, moved west to Illinois, a free state, and settled in Macon County. Abraham then became increasingly distant from Thomas, in part due to his father's lack of education. In 1831, as Thomas and other family prepared to move to a new homestead in Coles County, Illinois, Abraham struck out on his own. He made his home in New Salem, Illinois, for six years. Lincoln and some friends took goods by flatboat to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was first exposed to slavery. Marriage and children Speculation persists that Lincoln's first romantic interest was Ann Rutledge, whom he met when he moved to New Salem. Witness testimony, given decades afterward, showed a lack of any specific recollection of a romance between the two. Rutledge died on August 25, 1835, most likely of typhoid fever; saying that he couldn't bear the idea of rain falling on Ann's grave, Lincoln sunk into a serious episode of depression, and this gave rise to speculation that he had been in love with her. In the early 1830s, he met Mary Owens from Kentucky. Late in 1836, Lincoln agreed to a match with Owens if she returned to New Salem. Owens arrived that November and he courted her for a time; however, they both had second thoughts. On August 16, 1837, he wrote Owens a letter saying he would not blame her if she ended the relationship, and she never replied. In 1839, Lincoln met Mary Todd in Springfield, Illinois, and the following year they became engaged. She was the daughter of Robert Smith Todd, a wealthy lawyer and businessman in Lexington, Kentucky. A wedding set for January 1, 1841, was canceled at Lincoln's request, but they reconciled and married on November 4, 1842, in the Springfield mansion of Mary's sister. While anxiously preparing for the nuptials, he was asked where he was going and replied, "To hell, I suppose." In 1844, the couple bought a house in Springfield near his law office. Mary kept house with the help of a hired servant and a relative. Lincoln was an affectionate husband and father of four sons, though his work regularly kept him away from home. The oldest, Robert Todd Lincoln, was born in 1843 and was the only child to live
{
        'QUESTION: Who were the Clary\'s Grove Boys?': 'The Clary\'s Grove Boys were a group of ruffians.',
        'QUESTION: Why did Abraham Lincoln move to Illinois?': 'Abraham Lincoln moved to Illinois because he feared another milk sickness outbreak and wanted to settle in a free state.',
        'QUESTION: What happened to Ann Rutledge?': 'Ann Rutledge passed away, most likely of typhoid fever.',
        'QUESTION: Did Abraham Lincoln marry Mary Todd?': 'Yes, Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd on November 4, 1842.',
        'QUESTION: How many children did Abraham Lincoln have?': 'Abraham Lincoln had four sons.',
        'QUESTION: Which son lived to adulthood?': 'Robert Todd Lincoln was the only child who lived to adulthood.',
        'QUESTION: Where did Abraham Lincoln meet Mary Todd?': 'He met Mary Todd in Springfield, Illinois.',
        'QUESTION: When did Abraham Lincoln become more distant from his father Thomas?': 'Abraham Lincoln became more distant from his father Thomas after moving to Illinois.',
        'QUESTION: What was one reason behind Abraham Lincoln striking out on his own?': 'One reason behind Abraham Lincoln striking out on his own was his father\'s lack of education.',
        'QUESTION: What was the name of the town where Abraham Lincoln made his home for six years?': 'New Salem, Illinois.'
    }
}

<</SYS>
```