Tad Saves Jack the Turkey

[jransom]

In my research on the tradition of a presidential pardon for a Thanksgiving turkey, I've noticed that some people think that the story of Tad Lincoln saving Jack, the turkey given to the Lincolns for their holiday dinner, is a myth. Other sources say that it did happen, but the stories vary...as do the quotes. Also, if the story is true, how did the tradition of a presidential pardon for a Thanksgiving turkey come from Lincoln's pardon for a Christmas turkey? And, is there a record of what Lincoln wrote on the note that Tad gave the "executioner" (I've heard it was the chef) to spare Jack's life? Any suggestions of where to look for more information would be very much appreciated!

[RJNorton]

Hi Jeanie and welcome to the forum. I have also wondered if the story were apocryphal, although I do have a web page on the topic. I do not know the answers to all your questions.

The sources I used:

The story of Jack is told in a footnote on page 225 of Louis A. Warren's Lincoln's Youth Indiana Years Seven to Twenty One 1816-1830. Additional sources on the turkey pardon include p. 170 of Lincoln's Sons by Ruth Painter Randall and pp. 111-112 of Tad Lincoln: Mischief-Maker in the White House by John D. Weaver

[Eva Elisabeth]

Noah Brooks recorded the two stories about Jack as follows: "...a live turkey had been brought home for the Christmas dinner, but 'Tad' interceded in behalf of its life, and carried the case up to the Executive Chamber, securing a stay of proceedings until his father could be heard from. The argument was that the turkey had as good a right to live as any body else, and his plea was admitted and turkey's life spared." The soldiers on duty about the house made a pet of the bird, and on the last election day the boy came tearing up into his father's room to call his attention to the fact that the soldiers were voting. Noticing the turkey among them, the President asked 'Tad' if the turkey was voting, too; to which the boy promptly responded — 'O, no; he isn't of age yet!' The indulgent father thought that was reply was a great deal better than many of the so-called Lincoln stories."

(Michael Burlingame [ed]: "Lincoln Observed: Civil War Dispatches of Noah Brooks", pp. 198-1999/Dispatches and Letters 1865.)

[jransom]

Hi, Roger,

Thank you for welcoming me to the forum. I've visited your excellent website several times in the past, and, in fact, your web page about Tad Lincoln saving the holiday turkey led me to join this discussion symposium. I've already contacted my local library to request the three resources you mentioned, and I look forward to learning more!

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Eva,

Thank you for the wonderful information. I can see why you're listed as a "legendary member" of this group! I appreciate the quick response. It's great to be able to get the original quotes and compare them to the different versions I've seen. Thanks again!

[Donna McCreary]

I believe the story of the Christmas Turkey pardon to be true. I do wonder about the name of the turkey. Some stories use the name "Tom" instead of "Jack." To my knowledge, Noah Brooks did not mention the turkey's name.
It is odd that the turkey and the doll (both given Presidential pardons) were both named "Jack." Then years later, Robert called his son "Jack."
It seem odd that Robert would name his son after a turkey.

[Eva Elisabeth]

(05-22-2014 10:17 AM)Donna McCreary Wrote:  To my knowledge, Noah Brooks did not mention the turkey's name.
It is odd that the turkey and the doll (both given Presidential pardons) were both named "Jack." Then years later, Robert called his son "Jack."
It seem odd that Robert would name his son after a turkey.

"Jack" was only a nickname, his given name was Abraham. As for nicknames, nothing would surprise me, so I wouldn't draw this conclusion.

Noah Brooks did indeed not mention the turkey's name, so you are right, he might as well have had a different name. I think all is possible. So - why was Robert's son nicknamed "Jack"?

[RJNorton]

I agree with Eva. I don't think it had anything to do with Jack the turkey. Jason Emerson writes that the boy was "promptly nicknamed 'Jack' by his father, apparently because Robert felt 'Abraham' too long and formal a name for a young boy, and he disliked the moniker 'Abe,' just as his father had." In a footnote Jason writes that this explanation was given by both of Robert's law partners and also by Jack's teacher, C.N. Fessenden. Jason also adds that the story of not calling him Abraham Lincoln "was too reverential a name to be bestowed until the boy had a right to wear it, which his father would decide at age 21" is apocryphal.

[Donna McCreary]

Still, the question remains, Why did Robert call his son "Jack." Why not, "Junior," or "Linc," or "AL" - all of which would have been fine nicknames for Abraham.
Plus, if the doll's name was "Jack" was the turkey really called "Tom."

[RJNorton]

Hi Donna. Do you recall where you saw "Tom" as the name for the turkey? All references I have seen call the turkey "Jack." Thanks.