Abraham Lincoln in New Bedford, Massachusetts

[RJNorton]

(12-18-2013 06:32 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Nice background on Lincoln's heritage. I wonder if Lincoln knew about his lineage as described? Probably not?

Bill, I am not sure he knew about Samuel Lincoln, but he did have some knowledge. While in Congress he wrote to a distant relative who was living in Hingham:

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Mr. Solomon Lincoln Washington,
Dear Sir: March 24- 1848

Yours of the 21st. is received. I shall not be able to answer your interrogatories very fully; I will, however, do the best I can. I have mentioned that my grandfather's name was Abraham. He had, as I think I have heard, four brothers, Isaac, Jacob, Thomas, and John. He had three sons, Mordecai → , Josiah, and Thomas, the last, my father. My uncle ← Mordecai → , had three sons, Abraham, James, and ← Mordecai → . Uncle Josiah had several daughters, and an only son, Thomas. My father has an only child, myself, of course.

This is all I know certainly on the subject of names; it is, however, my father's understanding that, Abraham [,] ← Mordecai, and Thomas are old family names of ours. The reason I did not mention Thomas as a family name in my other letter was because it is so very common a name, as to prove but little, if any thing, in the way of identification.

Since I wrote you, it occurred to me to enquire of Gov. McDowell, who represents the district in Virginia, including Rockingham, whether he knew persons of our name there. He informs he does; though none very intimately except one, an old man by the christian name of David. That he is of our family I have no doubt. I now address him a letter, making such enquiries as suggest themselves; and, when I shall receive an answer, I will communicate to you, any thing that may seem pertinent to your object. Very truly yours

A. LINCOLN