On December 21, both coffins were re-interred in a temporary
vault halfway up the hill. A week earlier, the remains
of Edward Lincoln had been transferred from Springfield's Hutchinson Cemetery
to the temporary vault. By 1871, all three Lincolns were buried in
the partially completed permanent tomb.
Old Receiving Vault
North of the present tomb at the base of the hill, you can see
the old receiving vault where the remains of Lincoln and
his son William rested from May 4 to December 21, 1865. This public vault
typically held remains while burial plans were made and during
winter when frozen ground prevented burials.
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