Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-09-25
Chattanooga Times, "a.

Chattanooga Times, "a.
DR.. Lincoln, Of this city, a cousin
Of Abraham Lincoln, has in his pos
session a letter written to his father by
his relative in 1854, which sheds some
light on the illustrious statesman's
family history. DR.. Linooln's father
was at the time living in an upper
East Tennessee county. The fame
Of Abraham Lincoln was becoming
national at that period. Mr.. Lincoln's
name was Israel, and all his relatives
bore biblical names. When the name
Of Abraham Lincoln reached bis ears,
he wrote him, making inquiries re-
garding his family, feeling confident
that he was a relative, and the follow,
ing was the response:
SPRINdTIELD, ILL.,, April |, 1854
Ny DEAR SIR-0n yesterday I
had the pleasure Of receiving your
letter of the 18th Of March, From
what you say there can be no doubt
that you and | are OF the same family.
The history Of your family as you give
It is precisely what | have always
heard, and partly know, Of my own.
As you have supposed | am the grand
son OF your uncle Abraham, and the
story OF his death by the Indians, and
Of uncle Mordacai, then fourteen
years old, killing one Of the Indians,
is the legend most prominent of ali
others imprinted upon my mind and
memory. | am the son Of g~randiather's
youngest son, Thomas. | have often
heard my father speak Of his Uncle
Isaac, residing on the Watauga-I
think-near where the then States Of
Virginia, North Carolina and Tennes.
see join. You seem now to be some
hundred miles or so west OF there. l
often saw Uncle Mordacai and Uncle
Josiah, but never in my life resided
near either Of them. Uncle Mordacai
died in 1921 or 1882 in Hancock coun
ty, ILL.,, where he had then recently
removed from Kentucky, and where
his children had also removed and
still reside, as | understand, Wheth>
er Uncle Josiah is dead or living
cannot tell, not having heard from him
for more than twenty years. When
last heard from him he was living on
Big Blue river, Hancock county. Ind.
| think, and where he has resided ever
since before the beginning of my rec.
objection. My father, Thomas, died
January II, 1851, 10 Coles county, ILL.,,
where he had resided twenty years.
| am his only child l have resi-
ded here aud hereabouts twenty three
years. | am forty.fve years of age,
and have a wife and three children,
the Oldest eleven years. My wife was
born and raised at Lexington, Ky,
and my connection with her has some
times taken me there, where | have
heard the old people Of her relatives
speak Of your Uncle Thomas and his
family. He is dead long ago, and
his descendants have gone to some
part Of Missouri, as | recollect what
| was told When | was at Wash.
ington in l848, | got up a correspond.
ence with David Lincoln, residing at
Sparta, Rockingham county, Va, who,
like yourself, was a first cousin Of my
father, but | forget, if he informed
me, which Of my grandfather broth
ers was his father. With Colonel
Crozier Of whom you speak, | formed
quite an intimate acquaintance for a
short one, and when you meet him
again WOuld THANK vou IN nraean,
him my respects. Your present Gov
ernor, Andrew johnson, was also at
Washington while | was, and he told
me Of there being people Of the name
Of Lincoln in Carter county. | can no
longer claim to be q young man nv.
self, but | infer that as you are Of the
same generation Of my father you are
some older. | shall be very glad TO
hear from you again.
Very truly your relative,
A. LINCOLN.