by september 1831, greene's parents lived 2 miles (3 km) southwest of new salem; greene, then age 19, was hired by recent arrival abraham lincoln to assist at lincoln's mill and store. in early january 1833, greene bought the inventory of reuben radford's store in new salem for $400; lincoln drew up and witnessed the mortgage. the same day, greene sold the same inventory to lincoln and berry, now lincoln's store partner, for over $600. when lincoln had a debt judgement entered against him in 1834, requiring lincoln to surrender his horse, greene turned in his own horse instead; this horse was probably the one lincoln had paid him with in 1833. lincoln eventually paid greene back after becoming an attorney.