Nancy Hanks' lineage

[Houmes]

(03-01-2016 03:12 PM)Gene C Wrote:  This has little to do with the discussion, but I noticed the man in the photo seems to be missing the tip of his index finger on his right hand.
Probably a common injury back then, especially for a farmer or carpenter.

If you Google the image of the supposed Thomas Lincoln and enlarge the picture, there are multiple abnormalities in the fingers of both of his hands. The right index finger is not amputated, but held at a peculiar 90 degree angle. This is more likely a "Trigger Finger" from constant use and irritation, not uncommon today--and probably quite common in a pioneer farmer, occurring from repetitive gripping actions. The tendon in the finger becomes inflamed, becomes thickened over time with nodules forming, and that makes its movement more difficult (back and forth with flexion and extension) through the sheath surrounding the tendon.

Look at his left ring finger. It looks like a good chunk was lost at some time in his life. Look at his left index finger. He has a pronounced nodule or growth on the end of the first bone in that finger, perhaps from some type of arthritis, either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Either one, incidentally, can cause kidney failure.