Squire Mordecai Lincoln

[loetar44]

Most people associate Abraham Lincoln with his Kentucky birthplace, Indiana boyhood, Illinois maturity, or Washington, DC, presidency. However, Lincoln has some very intriguing ties to the Tennessee Lincolns (and Andrew Johnson).

Leroy P. Graf and Ralph W. Haskins, wrote in "The Papers of Andrew Johnson, 1822-1851", (Knoxville, 1967), on p. 5.: “Mordecai Lincoln (1788-1851) was a first cousin to Thomas Lincoln. Mordecai, who was born in Virginia and migrated to Carter County, Tennessee, moved to Greeneville in 1819. A tanner, with shoemaking as a subsidiary, Mordecai acquired an interest in a mercantile establishment and dabbled in real estate. Mordecai Lincoln became a close friend of Andrew Johnson; he served in various political offices in Greeneville with Johnson, was a close neighbor to the future President of the United States (a person who rose to that high office as the result of the death of Mordecai Lincoln's second cousin), and his nephew, Daniel Stover, married Johnson's daughter, Mary, in 1852.”

Want to know more about Squire Mordecai Lincoln, i.e.:

1) Was Mordecai Lincoln a first cousin to Thomas Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s father (is that the same as a second cousin to Abraham Lincoln or a first cousin once removed?), or was Mordecai (as other researchers say) a great-uncle of Abraham Lincoln?
2) As justice of the peace, Mordecai Lincoln officiated at the wedding of Andrew Johnson and Eliza McCardle on May 17, 1827 in Greeneville, Tenn. According to reporter John Thompson, Andrew Johnson served as a Greeneville alderman with Mordecai Lincoln and, twenty years later, sat with Mordecai's greatnephew in Congress. Who was that greatnephew?
3) Mordecai Lincoln married Sophia Heiskell. To them were born two daughters, Sarah and Mary. Sarah married Dr. William Barton, a northern man. Mary married William Brown. NPS historian John W. Bond writes in his 1969 report (Historic Structures Report, part 2. Washington, D.C) that Mordecai Lincoln’s daughter (no name given) married Jacob T. Wyrick and they had two sons ((Mordecai Lincoln Wyrick and Stephen Francis Wyrick). I thought Mary Lincoln, who married Wyrick, was a SISTER of Mordecai, making Wyrick NOT Mordecai’s father-in-law, but his brother-in-law. Am I right?
4) The Greeneville Sun published on October 31, 1932 an article, titled "Earliest Buildings of Greeneville," written by Mrs. C. E. Coile. It says that Andrew Johnson's homestead, located on present Depot and College Streets (then named: Main Cross Street and Water Street) in Greeneville, Tenn. was built by Mordecai Lincoln, who gave it to his daughter, who married Wyrick. Andrew Johnson bought this home as his first home in Greeneville, Tenn. (in 1830 or 1831). The house stood on Lot 77. But did Johnson buy Lot 77 from Mordecai Lincoln (James Galbreath sold lot 77 in July 1824 to Mordecai Lincoln) or from the heirs (his two sons) of Jacob T. Wyrick, who died in April 1829 (Mordecai Lincoln sold a part of Lot 77, including a “brick and frame house” to Jacob T. Wyrick, just before Wyrick died, but the deed had been lost and not recorded). That the house was built in 1838 (as some sources say) is not true.

Who knows more? Thanks.

[LincolnMan]

Anazing information. Had no knowledge of that history. Thanks for posting!

[RJNorton]

Thanks, Kees. Prior to your post the only Mordecai Lincoln I was aware of was this one.

In a March 6, 1848, letter to a Soloman Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln wrote, "It may do no harm to say that ``Abraham'' and ``Mordecai'' are common names in our family"

[L Verge]

(04-30-2017 08:53 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Thanks, Kees. Prior to your post the only Mordecai Lincoln I was aware of was this one.

In a March 6, 1848, letter to a Soloman Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln wrote, "It may do no harm to say that ``Abraham'' and ``Mordecai'' are common names in our family"

I'm with Roger on this one. I have been told by the Mudds and have passed on the information for years that Uncle Mordecai and Aunt Sarah Mudd Lincoln were two of Abraham's favorite relatives.

One of the long-time volunteers at Surratt House, Louise Oertly, is also related to the Lincolns; and I believe that her lineage is through a cousin Mordecai. Years ago, I think a photo of one of her male Lincoln relatives was posted on this forum, and the gentleman had all the physical traits of AL.

[RJNorton]

(04-30-2017 09:20 AM)L Verge Wrote:  One of the long-time volunteers at Surratt House, Louise Oertly, is also related to the Lincolns; and I believe that her lineage is through a cousin Mordecai. Years ago, I think a photo of one of her male Lincoln relatives was posted on this forum, and the gentleman had all the physical traits of AL.

Yes, Laurie. Here he is:

[ELCore]

If said Mordecai had been Thomas's first cousin, then Mordecai and Abraham were first cousins once removed.

[Rob Wick]

Kees,

Both Ida Tarbell and William E. Barton studied the various Mordecai's in Lincoln's ancestry and wrote about them.

Here is the link to Mordecai in Tarbell's papers. Barton wrote an article on Mordecai for Open Court magazine, which is available here. Volume 38 of the Lincoln Kinsman was dedicated to Mordecai. Here is the link to that. Hope this helps.

Best
Rob

[loetar44]

Thanks to all !

I'm not at home right at this moment, but tomorrow I will study all the information you sent. Also I will try to compose a genealogical line for Mordecai of Greeneville. He seems to me a very fascinating figure. Stay tuned!

[Gene C]

Mordecai is an uncommon name for us today, But he is an important person in Jewish biblical history.
You can read about him in the Bible, the book of Esther, which is ten short, one page chapters.
Mordecai is first mentioned in chapter 2.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?se...ersion=NIV

The book is about Esther, and it is a great example of faith and courage in the face of personal danger.
Mordecai is her cousin, and he gives her some timeless advice.

It's a political thriller, full of intrigue, deception, personal ambition, revenge, danger, and faith in God.

[loetar44]

Today I researched Mordecai Lincoln from Greeneville, Tennessee. He is indeed an intriguing person! I'm pleased to share the following with you:

Mordecai Lincoln (November 7, 1788 - April 29, 1851) was a first cousin of Thomas Lincoln (thus a first cousin once removed from President Lincoln). Thanks El Core.

   

Mordecai Lincoln was born in Linville, Rockingham County, Virginia, and migrated as a young man to Hardy County, now West Virginia. Mordecai's first wife was Clara Paul (1794 - 1815), daughter of William Paul from Hardy County) and Catherine See. In 1812, daughter Paulina Emily Lincoln was born (she would marry William Dinges in 1828 in Hagerstown, Maryland and got 3 daughters and a son; in 1838 she married Milton B. Gross from Sullivan County, Tennessee, and got in this marriage 4 daughters, two of them died as an infant, and 2 sons). Mordecai's wife died in 1815, shortly after the birth of the second child, son John Craigin Lincoln. John was raised (till his 15th birthday) by his grandparents John and Mary (Yarnall) Lincoln, while Mordecai with his then 3-year-old daughter Pauline, journeyed to Carter County, Tennessee, to his uncle Isaac and aunt Mary Ward. He decided to settle here in the Watauga Valley and bought (about 1815) the "Fish Spring Farm" at Stony Creek. In 1819 he settled in Greeneville, Greene County, Tennessee. He was a tanner, a shoemaker as a subsidiary, and also was active in real estate. He acquired on January 26, 1822 one acre land in Greeneville. When Mordecai's son John Craigin Lincoln was 15 years old he returned to his father. He married in 1837 in Sparta, Tennessee with Jane Usrey and got 2 sons.

The second wife of Mordecai Lincoln (whom he married in Knoxville, Tennessee) was Sophia Williams Heiskell (1800 - June 1873), daughter of Frederick and Katherine Heiskell. They got four daughters: Catherine M. Lincoln (1819-1825), Sarah Amelia Lincoln (1825-1850, married in 1841 with Dr. William Barton, 1 daughter), Louisia Ann Lincoln (1829-1839) and Mary Sophia Lincoln (1833-1867, married William Ramsey Brown, 3 daughters and 1 son). Mary Sophia died on June 6, 1867, after which her widowed husband married with Mary Johnson, widow of Daniel Stover and youngest daughter of President Andrew Johnson. This marriage ended in 1876 in a divorce and remained childless.

BTW: Daniel Stover was the son of Daniel Stover and Phebe Ward, sister of Mary Ward, who married as said above Mordecai’s uncle Isaac Lincoln. Mary and Isaac only had one son, who died at the age of 3. They raised William Stover as their own child. William married in 1819 Sarah Murray Drake and it was their son (Col) Daniel Stover who was the first husband (1852) of said Mary Johnson. (Col.) Daniel Stover was seen as Mordecai’s nephew. Andrew Johnson visited his daughter Mary on her farm (once owned by Isaac Lincoln) and, following a stroke, died there on July 31, 1875.

In Greeneville, Mordecai Lincoln gained a lot of respect and was a man of high social standing, serving in various political positions. As the local Justice of the Peace he married on May 17, 1827 future President Andrew Johnson and Eliza McCardle and became affectionate with Johnson. Here is the statement in the hand of Mordecai Lincoln: "I certify that on the Evening of the 17th of May 1827 I Sollomnized [sic] the bonds of Matrimony between the within named persons given under my hand and Seal this 19th May 1827. [signed] M. Lincoln / Justice of the Peace."

   

Together with Johnson, he was one of the Aldermen in Greenville in the early 1830s. It is not entirely clear whether or not Andrew Johnson bought in 1830/1831 his first house (known as "The Early Home" and located on Water Street = College Street and Main Cross Street = Depot Street) in Greeneville from Mordecai Lincoln.

The house was located on lot 77. Here are the respective property transfers of this lot:
July 23, 1824 --> grantor: James Galbreath; grantee Mordecai Lincoln
??? --> grantor Mordecai Lincoln; grantee Jacob T. Wyrick. Deed has been lost and was not recorded. Wyrick was married (1822) with Mary Lincoln (1798 – 1822), sister of Mordecai Lincoln. Jacob T. Wyrick was widowed ca. 1822 and died in January 1829.
April 1829 --> grantor Mordecai Lincoln; grantee Mordecai L. Wyrick and Stephen F. Wyrick, minor sons of Jacob T. Wyrick and Mary Lincoln
Feb. 24, 1830 --> public auction Lot 77 and lot 68; grantor Richard Woods (Sheriff); grantee Andrew Johnson (highest bidder, $241 for lot 77 and $51 for lot 68; lot 68 contained his tailor shop)

So, it is unclear if Johnson bought from Mordecai Lincoln or from the heirs of Mordecai’s brother-in-law Jacob T. Wyrick. Johnson apparently did not get legal possession of the property until 1831, because it was in that year that Sheriff Woods signed the indenture transferring the property to him.

Mordecai Lincoln died on April 29, 1851, and was buried at the Old Harmony Graveyard in Greeneville. In June 1873 his wife Sophia was buried next to him. Find A Grave gives this photo on Mordecai's memorial page:

   

So there are indeed a lot of intriguing connections between Mordecai Lincoln from Greeneville and Andrew Johnson, Lincoln’s successor as President. I summarize:

1. Mordecai Lincoln is a first cousin once removed from President Lincoln.
2. Mordecai Lincoln and Andrew Johnson lived in Greeneville, Tenn. Mordecai arrived in 1819; Johnson in 1826 / 1827.
3. Mordecai Lincoln’s nephew Daniel Stover married Mary Johnson, the youngest daughter of Andrew Johnson.
4. Mordecai Lincoln’s son-in-law (widower) William Ramsey Brown married (widow) Mary Johnson, the youngest daughter of Andrew Johnson.
5. Mordecai Lincoln officiated at the wedding of Andrew Johnson and Eliza McCardle on May 17, 1827 in Greeneville.
6. Mordecai Lincoln was a close friend of Andrew Johnson.
7. Mordecai Lincoln served as a Greeneville Alderman with Andrew Johnson in the early 1830s.
8. Mordecai Lincoln (or the heirs of his brother-in-law Jacob T. Wyrick) sold a house on lot 77 to Andrew Johnson; it was Johnson’s first house he bought. He lived there for 20 years.
9. Mordecai Lincoln’s great nephew served with Andrew Johnson in Congress. Don't know his name. Who can help?

[Gene C]

Not to be confused with Abraham Lincoln's uncle, Mordecai Lincoln

Wikipedia - "In regards to Mordecai's wit and talents, on several occasions, President Lincoln referred to his uncle as his most important familial influence, and once remarked that "Uncle Mord had run off with all the talents of the family."[2]

Like Abraham Lincoln, his uncle's family was also subject to depression, called "the Lincoln horrors."[21] Aside from sharing the tendency to melancholy, Mordecai and his sons also appeared to share a sense of humor as well as a physical resemblance with Abraham Lincoln.[24]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mordecai_Lincoln

[RJNorton]

(05-01-2017 01:48 PM)loetar44 Wrote:  John was raised (till his 15th birthday) by his grandparents John and Mary (Yarnall) Lincoln, while Mordecai with his then 3-year-old daughter Pauline, journeyed to Carter County, Tennessee, to his uncle Isaac and aunt Mary Ward. He decided to settle here in the Watauga Valley and bought (about 1815) the "Fish Spring Farm" at Stony Creek.

Writing about his father, Thomas, Abraham Lincoln wrote:

"Before he was grown he passed one year as a hired hand with his uncle Isaac on Watauga, a branch of the Holston River."

William E. Barton writes that this was in 1798. Thomas would have been 20 years old at the time he was in Tennessee. Thomas Lincoln lived in a cabin at the foot of Lynn Mountain, and he apparently did not get along with Isaac. Otherwise he might have settled on the Watauga and not returned to Kentucky.

I have read (Barton) that Thomas Lincoln first met Nancy Hanks c.1805 in Kentucky.

But here it says:

"It was also at the Stover farm, when it was the property of Isaac and Mary Lincoln, that Thomas Lincoln, the father of Abraham Lincoln, worked for a while as a farmhand for his Uncle Isaac. (See Holland's Life of Lincoln, and Nicolay and Hay's Life of Lincoln.)

"Tradition says that it was here, in the beautiful Watauga Valley, so rich in history, that the young Thomas Lincoln first met and wooed the gentle Nancy Hanks, whose name was destined to become immortal through the achievements of her illustrious son. Tradition further says that for a while before Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks left for Kentucky they lived for a time together as common law husband and wife in a little cabin on Lynn Mountain, which overlooks the Watauga Valley. I have been informed that old people in that vicinity still recall the site of what was known as the Tom Lincoln cabin, and traces of the spot where the cabin stood still remain in the way of stone foundations.

"It is also the tradition in that vicinity that when Thomas Lincoln, Nancy Hanks and other members of the Hanks family left for Kentucky they went by what was then and now known as the Stony Creek trail. Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks were legally married in Kentucky."

Does anyone know for certain where Thomas Lincoln met Nancy Hanks? Was it in Kentucky, or was it in Tennessee?