David Herbert Donald, in his acclaimed biography of the 16th president, famously stated, “Abraham Lincoln was not interested in his ancestry. In his mind he was a self-made man, who had no need to care about his family tree.”1 This assertion, however, is a misinterpretation of Lincoln’s focus on his humble beginnings, rather than a reflection of his curiosity about his lineage. While Lincoln often spoke of his impoverished childhood, famously quoting Thomas Gray’s “short and simple annals of the poor,” a deeper look into his life reveals a significant interest in his family history, particularly the origins of his paternal grandfather, Captain Abraham Lincoln, Sr. (1744–1786).
Contrary to the notion of disinterest, Abraham Lincoln was deeply curious about his roots. Evidence from his personal correspondence, autobiographical writings, entries in family Bibles, and even his retirement aspirations, paints a picture of a man intrigued by his ancestry and eager to learn more. This interest was not merely academic; it was intertwined with his contemplation of hereditary traits and the source of his own exceptional qualities.
Lincoln’s longtime law partner, William H. Herndon, recounted a telling anecdote that underscores Lincoln’s reflections on heredity. Around 1850, while traveling to court, Lincoln discussed his mother, Lucy Hanks, noting her characteristics and the qualities he believed he inherited from her side of the family. He posited that his analytical abilities, logic, mental acuity, and ambition stemmed from his maternal grandfather, a “well-bred Virginian.” This introspection suggests that Lincoln likely extended similar considerations to his paternal lineage, pondering the source of his talents within his broader family tree.6 Biographer Michael Burlingame aptly described Lincoln as “the exceptional child of unexceptional parents,”7 highlighting the president’s own awareness of his unique place within his family. This awareness fueled his quest to understand his genealogical origins.
Gideon Welles, Lincoln’s Secretary of the Navy, offered another perspective on Lincoln’s limited knowledge of his family history, attributing it to his tumultuous upbringing. Welles noted that Lincoln’s “vagrant life, by a shiftless father, and without a mother or female relative to keep alive and impress upon him the pedigree and traditions of the family, left the president without definite knowledge of his origin.” This deprivation, Welles observed, was something Lincoln “keenly felt.”8 Adding to this lack of familial genealogical knowledge, Lincoln never knew either of his grandfathers9, and tragically, due to his untimely death, he would never know his grandchildren.10
The formal exploration of Abraham Lincoln’s family tree began with Solomon Lincoln, a noted antiquarian and distant relative from Massachusetts. In 1848, Solomon initiated correspondence through Artemas Hale, a Congressman from Massachusetts and a political associate of Lincoln. Solomon, prompted by inquiries from Lincolns in Hingham, Massachusetts, about a potential connection to the Illinois Congressman, sought Hale’s assistance in establishing contact. He requested Hale to ask Lincoln for details about his birth, parents, and grandparents, hoping to connect him to the early Lincoln settlers of Massachusetts.13
Hale conveyed Solomon’s letter, and Congressman Lincoln responded promptly on March 6, 1848. This letter is a crucial genealogical record, representing Lincoln’s earliest documented knowledge of his ancestry. It also serves as a direct rebuttal to claims of his disinterest in family history. Notably, Lincoln’s reply mentioned his awareness of other Lincoln families in New England, particularly those with the name “Levi,” likely referencing prominent figures like Levi Lincoln, Sr., and his sons, all distinguished Massachusetts politicians.14
This initial correspondence sparked further genealogical inquiry. Lincoln reached out to James McDowell, a Virginia Congressman, to investigate a family tradition linking his ancestors to Rockingham County, Virginia. McDowell facilitated contact with David Lincoln, who turned out to be a first cousin, once removed. Letters exchanged in March and April 1848 confirmed their familial relationship.15 Simultaneously, Solomon Lincoln continued his inquiries, prompting a second letter from Congressman Lincoln on March 24, providing more genealogical details.
In the fall of 1848, Abraham Lincoln traveled to Massachusetts to campaign for Zachary Taylor. During this trip, he spent three evenings as a guest of former Massachusetts Governor Levi Lincoln, Jr.16 While neither man was aware of a direct blood relation, they suspected a connection due to shared biblical names like Abraham, Samuel, Isaac, Jacob, and Mordecai.18 A grandson of Governor Lincoln recalled “the jokes between Governor Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln as to their presumed relationship” at a dinner party hosted for the Congressman.19 Lincoln himself humorously remarked, “I hope we both belong, as the Scotch say, to the same clan; but I know one thing, and that is that we are both good Whigs.”20
Despite the inability to definitively document their cousinship, Solomon Lincoln persisted, sending a third letter expressing hope to “link you to a New England ancestry.”21 This appears to be their last communication, yet it underscores the ongoing genealogical pursuit.
Turning to another method of preserving family history, Abraham Lincoln utilized family Bibles to record vital genealogical data. In late 1850 or early 1851, he inscribed six entries in Mary Todd Lincoln’s Bible.22 Shortly after his father’s death, he meticulously recorded 21 entries in Thomas Lincoln’s Bible.23 He also separately noted three births for his step-sister’s family.24 The comprehensive nature of these 30 entries suggests Lincoln may have been referencing a pre-existing, now lost, family register.
In 1858, James Grant Wilson interviewed Lincoln, starting with a question about his ancestry. Lincoln recounted, “Well, my young friend, I believe the first of my ancestors we know anything about was Samuel Lincoln, who came from Norwich, England, in 1638, and settled in a small Massachusetts place called Hingham, or it might have been Hanghim.”25 A year later, Lincoln expressed his desire to visit England, “the land of his ancestors.”26 His belief in his English roots likely stemmed from his correspondence with Solomon Lincoln and conversations with Levi Lincoln in 1848.
In 1859, while considering a presidential run, Lincoln prepared an autobiographical sketch for Jesse Fell, a Whig newspaperman.27 Demonstrating the importance he placed on family history, a significant portion of this sketch detailed his parents and paternal grandfather.28 He described his parents’ Virginia origins, his mother’s Hanks lineage, and his paternal grandfather Abraham’s emigration from Rockingham County, Virginia, to Kentucky, where he was killed by Native Americans. He also noted the family tradition of Quaker ancestry and the inconclusive attempt to link his family to the New England Lincolns, observing the shared Christian names like Enoch, Levi, Mordecai, Solomon, and Abraham.
In 1860, Lincoln expanded his autobiographical account, providing a more detailed third-person version of his family tree. Although he couldn’t trace his lineage beyond his grandfather, he added more branches of cousins. The substantial space Lincoln devoted to his family history in his autobiographies underscores its significance to him. Despite these efforts, his genealogical research stalled as he focused on the presidency and the Civil War.
However, his cousinship resurfaced in a poignant way in 1864. Former Governor Levi Lincoln, Jr., then 82 years old, traveled to Boston to deliver a speech in support of his Illinois kinsman. Following his “eloquent speech,” Levi cast one of Massachusetts’ Electoral College votes for Abraham Lincoln.29 This act marked the final living connection between the president and his Hingham relatives.
Looking towards retirement, President Lincoln expressed to Secretary Welles his intention to dedicate time to genealogical research. “I heard him [AL] say on more than one occasion that when he laid down his official life he would endeavor to trace out his genealogy and family history.”30 Tragically, his assassination prevented this plan.
Yet, Lincoln’s death inspired a paternal cousin to continue the genealogical quest. In 1865, an obituary, likely written by Solomon Lincoln, appeared in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, noting the president’s paternal lineage and suggesting a connection to the Lincoln family of Hingham, Massachusetts.31 In a subsequent issue, Solomon proposed a pedigree linking President Lincoln to Samuel Lincoln, who emigrated from England to Hingham in 1637.32 Solomon acknowledged the evidence was still developing but presented “facts which indicate pretty strongly that such was the fact.”33
Solomon Lincoln’s work was seminal, making him “the first to call attention to the probability that President Abraham Lincoln was a descendant from Samuel Lincoln” of Hingham.34 He laid the groundwork for future research. Two decades later, Samuel Shackford, a fifth cousin and genealogist, finally documented the seven-generation lineage connecting Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Lincoln of Hingham,35 completing the genealogical quest that had intrigued the president himself.
Select Abraham Lincoln Genealogical Records
1. AL letter to Solomon Lincoln (March 6, 1848)36
Your letter to Mr. Hale, in which you do me the honor of making some enquiries concerning me, has been handed me by Mr. Hale, with the request that I should give you the desired information. I was born Feb: 12th. 1809 in Hardin county, Kentucky—My father’s name is Thomas; my grandfather’s was Abraham,—the same of my own—My grandfather went from Rockingham county in Virginia, to Kentucky, about the year 1782; and, two years afterwards, was killed by indians. We have a vague tradition, that my great-grand father went from Pennsylvania to Virginia; and that he was a quaker. Further back than this, I have never heard any thing—It may do no harm to say that “Abraham” and “Mordecai” are common names in our family; while the name “Levi” so common among the Lincolns of New England,37 I have not known in any instance among us.
Owing to my father being left an orphan at the age of six years, in poverty, and in a new country, he became a wholly uneducated man; which I suppose is the reason why I know so little of our family history. I believe I can say nothing more that would at all interest you. If you shall be able to trace any connection between yourself and me, or, in fact, whether you shall or not, I should be pleased to hear a line from you at any time.
Very respectfully,
A. Lincoln
2. AL letter to Solomon Lincoln (March 24, 1848)38
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 me 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
3. AL letter to David Lincoln (March 24, 1848)39
Your very worthy representative, Gov. McDowell has given me your name and address, and, as my father was born in Rockingham, from where his father, Abraham Lincoln, emigrated to Kentucky, about the year 1782, I have concluded to address you to ascertain whether we are not of the same family. I shall be much obliged, if you will write me, telling me, whether you, in any way, know any thing of my grandfather, what relation you are to him, and so on. Also, if you know, where your family came from, when they settled in Virginia, tracing them back as far as your knowledge extends.
Very respectfully,
A. Lincoln
4. AL letter to David Lincoln (April 2, 1848)40
Last evening I was much gratified by receiving and reading your letter of the 30th. of March.41 There is no longer any doubt that your uncle Abraham, and my grandfather was the same man. His family did reside in Washington county, Kentucky, just as you say you found them in 1801 or 2. The oldest son, uncle Mordecai, near twenty years ago, removed from Kentucky to Hancock county, Illinois, where within a year or two afterwards, he died, and where his surviving children now live. His two sons there now are Abraham & Mordecai; and their Post-office is “La Harp.”
Uncle Josiah, farther back than my recollection, went from Kentucky to Blue River in Indiana. I have not heard from him in a great many years, and whether he is still living I can not say—My recollection of what I heard is, that he has several daughters & only one son, Thomas. Their Post-office is “Corydon, Harrisson county, Indiana.
My father, Thomas, is still living, in Coles county, Illinois, being in the 71st year of his age. His Post-office is Charleston, Coles, co. Ill. I am his only child. I am now in my 40th year; I live in Springfield, Sangamon county, Illinois. This is the outline of my grandfather’s family in the West.
I think my father has told me that grandfather had four brothers, Isaac, Jacob, John and Thomas. Is that correct? and which one of them was your father? Are any of them alive? I am quite sure that Isaac resided on Wataga, near a point where Virginia and Tennessee join; and that he has been dead more than twenty, perhaps thirty, years. Also, that Thomas removed to Kentucky, near Lexington, where he died a good while ago.
What was your grandfather’s christian name? Was he or not, a Quaker? About what time did he emigrate from Berks county,42 Pa. to Virginia? Do you know any thing of your family (or rather I may now say, our family) farther back than your grandfather?
If it be not too much trouble to you, I shall be much pleased to hear from you again. Be assured I will call on you, should any thing ever bring me near you. I shall give your regards to Gov. McDowell, as you desire.
Very truly yours,
A. Lincoln
5. AL handwritten entries in Mary Todd Lincoln Bible,43 1850–1851
Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd, married, November 4 – 1842 –
Robert Todd Lincoln, born August 1 – 1843 –
Edward B. Lincoln, born March 10 – 1846 –
William Wallace Lincoln born December 21 – 1850 –
Thomas Lincoln, born April 4. 1853.
Edward B. Lincoln died February 1 – 1850
6. AL handwritten entries in Thomas Lincoln Bible44 May 17–18, 1851
[Thos. Lincoln was born Jan. the 6th A.D. 1778 and was married June 12th 1806 to Nancy Hanks who was born Feb 5th 1784
Sarah, Lincoln Daughter of Thos. and] Nancy Lincoln, was born Feb. 10th. 1807.
Abraham Lincoln, Son of Thos. & Nancy Lincoln, was born Feb. 12th. 1809.
Sarah Bush, first married to Daniel Johnston, and afterwards second wife of Thos. Lincoln, was born Decr. 13th. 1788.
John D. Johnston, Son of Daniel & Sarah Johnston, was born May [10] th. 18[15] married to Mary Bar[ker] October 13th. 1834 – who was born July 22nd. 1816.
Thomas L. D. Johnston, Son of John [D.] and Mary Johnston, was born January 10th. 1837.
Abraham L. B. Johnston, Son of same parents, was born March 27th. 1838.
Marietta, Sarah Jane Johnston, Daughter [of] same parents, was born January 21[st.] 1840.
Squire H. Johnston, son of same parents, was born, December 15th. 1841.
Richard M. Johnston, son of same parents, was born, October 26th. [sic] 1843.
Dennis F. Johnston, son of same parents, was born, November 18th. 1845.
Daniel W. Johnston, son of same parents, was born, December 13th. 1847.
Nancy Jane Williams, was born, March 18, 1836.
Thomas Lincoln married to Sarah Johnston, Decr. 2nd. 1819.
Sarah Lincoln, daughter of Thos. Lincoln, was married to Aaron Grigsby, Aug. .1826.
Abraham Lincoln, son of Thos. Lincoln, was married to Mary Todd, Novr. 4th. 1842.
John D. Johnston was married to his second wife, Nancy Jane Williams, March 5. 1851.
Nancy Lincoln wife of Thos. Lincoln, died October 5th. 1818.
Sarah, daughter of Thos. Lincoln, wife of Aaron Grigsby, died [Jan] uary 20th. 1828.
Thomas Lincoln, died, January 17 [1851] aged 73 years & 11 days.
Daniel W. Johnston, Son of John D. & Mary Johnston, died July 5th. 184[8 or 9?]
7. AL letter to Jesse Lincoln (April 1, 1854)45
On yesterday I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 16th of March. From what you say there can be no doubt that you and I are of the same family. The history of your family, as you give it, is precisely what I have always heard, and partly know, of my own. As you have supposed, I am the grandson of your uncle Abraham; and the story of his death by the Indians, and of Uncle Mordecai, then fourteen years old, killing one of the Indians, is the legend more strongly than all others imprinted upon my mind and memory. I am the son of grandfather’s youngest son, Thomas. I have often heard my father speak of his uncle Isaac residing at Watauga (I think), near where the then States of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee join,—you seem now to be some hundred miles or so west of that. I often saw Uncle Mordecai, and Uncle Josiah but once in my life; but I never resided near either of them. Uncle Mordecai died in 1831 or 2, in Hancock County, Illinois, where he had then recently removed from Kentucky, and where his children had also removed, and still reside, as I understand. Whether Uncle Josiah is dead or living, I cannot tell, not having heard from him for more than twenty years. When I last heard of him he was living on Big Blue River, in Indiana (Harrison Co., I think), and where he had resided ever since before the beginning of my recollection. My father (Thomas) died the 17th of January, 1851, in Coles County, Illinois, where he had resided twenty years. I am his only child. I have resided here, and hereabouts, twenty-three years. I am forty-five years of age, and have a wife and three children, the oldest eleven years. My wife was born and raised at Lexington, Kentucky; and my connection with her has sometimes taken me there, where I have heard the older people of her relations speak of your uncle Thomas and his family. He is dead long ago, and his descendants have gone to some part of Missouri, as I recollect what I was told. When I was in Washington in 1848, I got up a correspondence with David Lincoln, residing at Sparta, Rockingham county, Virginia, who, like yourself, was a first cousin of my father; but I forget, if he informed me, which of my grandfather’s brothers was his father. With Col. Crozier, of whom you speak, I formed quite an intimate acquaintance, for a short one, while at Washington; and when you meet him again, I will thank you to present him my respects. Your present governor, Andrew Johnson, was also at Washington while I was; and he told me of there being people of the name of Lincoln in Carter County, I think. I can no longer claim to be a young man myself; but I infer that, as you are of the same generation as my father, you are some older. I shall be very glad to hear from you again.
Very truly your relative,
A. Lincoln
8. AL letter to Richard V.B. Lincoln (April 6, 1860)46
Owing to absence from home, yours of March 19th. was not received till yesterday. You are a little mistaken. My grand-father did not go to Berks Co. Pa; but, as I learn, his ancestors did, some time before his birth. He was born in Rockingham Co Va; went from there to Kentucky, and there was killed by indians about 1784. That the family originally came from Berks, I learned a dozen years ago, by letter, from one of them, then residing at Sparta, Rockingham Co. Va. His name was David Lincoln. I rem[em]ber, long ago, seeing Austin Lincoln & Davis Lincoln, said to be sons of Hannaniah, or Annaniah Lincoln, who was said to have been a cousin of my grand-father. I have no doubt you and I are distantly related. I should think from what you say, that you and my father were second cousins.
I shall be glad to hear from you any time.
Yours very truly
A. Lincoln
9. AL letter to Samuel Haycraft (May 28, 1860)47
Your recent letter, without date, is received. Also the copy of your speech on the contemplated Daniel Boone monument,48 which I have not yet had time to read. In the main you are right about my history. My father was Thomas Lincoln, and Mrs. Sally Johnston, was his second wife. You are mistaken about my mother—her maiden name was Nancy Hanks. I was not born at Elizabethtown: but my mother’s first child, a daughter, two years older than myself, and now long since deceased, was. I was born Feb 12. 1809, near where Hogginsville [sic] now is, then in Hardin county. I do not think I ever saw you, though I very well know who you are—so well that I recognized your hand-writing, on opening your letter, before I saw your signature. My recollection is that Ben. Helm was first Clerk, that you succeeded him, that Jack Thomas and William Farleigh graduated in the same office, and that your handwritings were all very similar. Am I right?
My father has been dead near ten years, but my step-mother (Mrs. Johnson) is still living.
I am really very glad of your letter, and shall be pleased to receive another at any time.
Yours very truly
A. Lincoln
10. AL autobiographical statement, extract (June 1860)49
His [AL’s] father, Thomas, & grand-father, Abraham, were born in Rockingham county, Virginia, whither their ancestors had come from Berks county, Pennsylvania. His lineage has been traced no farther back than this. The family were originally quakers, though in later times they have fallen away from the peculiar habits of that people. The grandfather, Abraham, had four brothers—Isaac, Jacob, John & Thomas. So far as known, the descendants of Jacob and John are still in Virginia. Isaac went to a place near where Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee join; and his descendants are in that region. Thomas came to Kentucky, and after many years died there, whence his descendants went to Missouri. Abraham, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to Kentucky, and was killed by indians about the year 1784. He left a widow, three sons and two daughters. The eldest son, Mordecai, remained in Kentucky till late in life, when he removed to Hancock county, Illinois, where soon after he died, and where several of his descendants still reside. The second son, Josiah, removed at an early day to a place on Blue River, now within Harrison county, Indiana; but no recent information of him, or his family, has been obtained. The eldest sister, Mary,50 married Ralph Crume and some of her descendants are now known to be in Breckenridge county Kentucky. The second sister, Nancy, married William Brumfield, and her family are not known to have left Kentucky, but there is no recent information from them. Thomas, the youngest son, and the father of the present subject, by the early death of his father, and very narrow circumstances of his mother, even in childhood was a wandering laboring boy, and grew up literally without education. He never did more in the way of writing than to bunglingly sign his own name. Before he was grown, he passed one year as a hired hand with his uncle Isaac on Wataga, a branch of the Holsteen River. Getting back into Kentucky, and having reached his 28th. year, he married Nancy Hanks—mother of the present subject—in the year 1806. She also was born in Virginia; and relatives of hers of the name of Hanks, and of other names, now reside in Coles, in Macon, and in Adams counties, Illinois, and also in Iowa. The present subject has no brother or sister of the whole or half blood. He had a sister, older than himself, who was grown and married, but died many years ago, leaving no child. Also a brother, younger than himself, who died in infancy.
11. AL letter to John Chrisman (September 21, 1860)51
Yours of the 13th. was duly received. I have no doubt that you and I are related. My grand-father’s Christian name was “Abraham.” He had four brothers—Isaac, Jacob, John & Thomas. They were born in Pennsylvania, and my grand-father, and some, if not all the others, in early life removed to Rockingham Co. Virginia. There my father—named Thomas—was born. From there my grand-father removed to Kentucky, and was killed by Indians, about the year 1784. His brother Thomas, who was my father’s uncle—also removed to Kentucky—to Fayette Co. I think—where, as I understand he lived, and died. I close, by repeating, I have no doubt you and I are related.
Very truly yours
A. Lincoln
12. AL letter (extract) to Mrs. Susannah Weathers (December 4, 1861)52
Your letter informs me that your maiden name was Crume, and that you were raised in Washington county, Kentucky, by which I infer that an uncle of mine by marriage was a relative of yours. Nearly, or quite sixty years ago, Ralph Crume married Mary Lincoln,53 a sister of my father, in Washington county, Kentucky.
Notes
Thomas Gildea Cannon is an independent historian, genealogist, and retired lawyer. He is the author of Equal Justice: A History of the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee (Marquette University Press, 2010).
