Lincoln In Worcester Massachusetts

[Craig Hipkins]

Ladies and Gents,

I have been doing a little research into Abraham Lincoln's visit to Massachusetts in September 1848. Lincoln had gone there to stump for the Whig candidate Zachary Taylor. Although Massachusetts was a Whig stronghold the party was at this time split over the issue of slavery. A new party the "Free Soil" party had formed from disgruntled Whigs who were anti-slavery, and northern Democrats who believed that the party of Jackson was ignoring northern interests. Lincoln made a stirring speech at the old City Hall in Worcester on the evening of September 12, 1848. I wrote an article about Lincoln's visit on my blog if you want to read it go here: http://crhipkins.blogspot.com/2012/07/ab...ester.html

Craig

[L Verge]

Very interesting. Didn't know you had a blog yourself. Thanks for sharing.

[Rsmyth]

I just read your blog too. Very interesting story on a little known Lincoln visit.

[Craig Hipkins]

Thanks for the comments. The blog is a sort of potpourri of things that interest me. Lincoln, of course being one of those things.

Craig

[HerbS]

Craig-Great blog on Lincoln!When I was at The Seward House Museum last month a docent gave an excellent talk.It was about a legal case that Seward tried and lost to none other than Van Buren's brother in 1848.Seward then took the case to the U.S.Supreme Court and it was reversed! Oh the power of politics!

[Craig Hipkins]

Craig-Great blog on Lincoln!When I was at The Seward House Museum last month a docent gave an excellent talk.It was about a legal case that Seward tried and lost to none other than Van Buren's brother in 1848.Seward then took the case to the U.S.Supreme Court and it was reversed! Oh the power of politics!

Herb,
Thanks! Old Martin Van Buren was a pragmatist of the top level. He dominated Andrew Jackson's cabinet, and would often be seen whispering in Old Hickory's ear. Jackson seemed to rely on him. I was unaware Van Buren had a brother into politics and law. Good info!

Craig

[DanielC]

Craig interesting post. Thank You! About a year and a half ago I was researching Lincoln's trip to Worcester. I was literally a stones throw from the new city hall in Worcester on Front St. I went in to see if their was any type of plaque (although it's not the original structure). I was also looking for Levi Lincolns house where A.L. had dined. Turns out it had been relocated to the entrance of near Old Sturbridge Village on route and is now home to a Country Curtain store!

Dan

[Craig Hipkins]

Craig interesting post. Thank You! About a year and a half ago I was researching Lincoln's trip to Worcester. I was literally a stones throw from the new city hall in Worcester on Front St. I went in to see if their was any type of plaque (although it's not the original structure). I was also looking for Levi Lincolns house where A.L. had dined. Turns out it had been relocated to the entrance of near Old Sturbridge Village on route and is now home to a Country Curtain store!

Dan

Dan,
Old Sturbridge Village! It has been years since I have been there. You are correct about the Old City Hall. If I am not mistaken the New City Hall (which is over 100 years old itself ) was built next to the old one. The city of Worcester should put up some kind of plaque to commemorate the event.

Craig

[LincolnMan]

Craig: Went to your blog. I'm amazed, for one, by the variety of topics! Great stuff

[Craig Hipkins]

Craig: Went to your blog. I'm amazed, for one, by the variety of topics! Great stuff

Bill,
Thanks! I can say the same for your Blog. Great Stuff!

Craig

[Tom Turner]

For Lincoln's visit to Worcester and other places in Massachusetts see William Hanna's book Abraham Among the Yankees. On September 22, Jim Getty is going to recreate Lincoln's speech at Tremont Temple in Boston where William Seward also spoke. Of course Seward was a lot better known and his address received a lot more coverage. Bill Hanna will introduce Jim Getty and provide some background about the trip.

[Craig Hipkins]

For Lincoln's visit to Worcester and other places in Massachusetts see William Hanna's book Abraham Among the Yankees. On September 22, Jim Getty is going to recreate Lincoln's speech at Tremont Temple in Boston where William Seward also spoke. Of course Seward was a lot better known and his address received a lot more coverage. Bill Hanna will introduce Jim Getty and provide some background about the trip.

Tom,
Thanks for the information. I will have to put this one on my reading list. I wonder if this event will be broadcast on C-Span? One of my favorite books on Lincoln's later visit to New England is Abraham Lincoln in New Hampshire by Elwin Page. Although dated there is some good material in that book.

Craig

[DanielC]

Hello,

Were Seward and Lincoln in Worcester Ma, at the same time in 1848?

Thanks!

[RJNorton]

Hi Dan. From what I can tell this may be more of an anecdote than historical truth. The story goes that Lincoln and Seward shared a room at the Lincoln House in Worcester in September of 1848. Seward allegedly said, "We spent the greater part of the night talking. I insisted that the time had come for sharp definitions of opinions and boldness of utterance. Before we went to sleep Mr. Lincoln admitted that I was right in my anti-slavery position and principles."

In Walter Stahr's new Seward biography, he finds this story to be questionable. He says the train schedules did not match up, and the story is probably apocryphal. Stahr writes, "Seward and Lincoln were not in Worcester on the evening after their joint appearance in Boston."

Author Ralph Gary checked the large newspaper file formerly at the Lincoln Museum in Ft. Wayne and could find no reference to Lincoln and Seward being in Worcester together.

[DanielC]

Thank You Roger! I appreciate your help. I'm hoping to get out to the Historical society their in Worcester to do some additional digging.

Thanks again!

Dan