Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-05-16
THE PARENTS OF ABRAHAM LIN
COLIN.
BY Id. N. TarbelI.

and they are legion-there Is none
In our American chapter at least
which is graver than that which has
been done the parents, and particular
IL. the mother, of Abraham Lincoln.
refer TO the widespread tradition that |
Lincoln was born of that class known
in the south as poor whites that his
father was not Thomas Lincoln. as his
biographers insist on declaring but
rich and cultured planter OF another
state than Kentucky. and that his
mother not only gave a ratherless boy
to the world. but herself was name
less child The tradition has always
lacked particularly. For instance,
there has been large difference OF
opinion about the planter who father
cd Abraham, who he was and where
he came from. One story calls him
Emile, another Calhoun, another Hard
in, and several different states claim
him. Only five years ago book was
published In North Carolina to prove
that Lincoln's father was a resident
OF that state. The bulk OF the testi-
mony offered in this instance came
from men and women who had been
born long after Abraham Lincoln. had
never seen him, and never heard the
tale they repeated until long after his
election to the presidency. OF the
truth OF these statements as to Lin
coins origin no proof has ever been
produced. They were rumors, diligent-
ly spread in the first by those who for
political purposes were glad to be-
little political opponent. They grew
with telling, and curiously enough.
two of Lincoln's best friends helped
perpetuate them-Messrs. Lamon and
Herndon-both OF whom wrote lives
OF the president which are Of great
interest and value. But neither of
these mon was q student, and they did
not take the trouble to look for rec
ords OF Mr.. Lincoln's birth. They ac-
cepted rumors and enlarged upon
them. Indeed, 1t was not until per
haps twenty-five years ago that the
matter was taken UP seriously and an
investigation begun. This has been
going ON at intervals ever since, until
venture to say that few persons born
in = pioneer community. as Lincoln
was. and as early as 1909. have their
lineage on both sides as clearly es-
tablished as that of Abraham Lincoln.
1t takes, indeed, most amazing
credulity for any one to believe the
stories have alluded to after having
looked at the records Of his family.
Lincoln himself. backed by the record
In the Lincoln family Bible, is the first
authority for the time and place OF his
birth. as well as the name of his father
and mother. The father, Thomas Lin.
coin, far from being poor white, y
was the son Of prosperous Kentucky
pioneer. q man OF honorable and we'll
established lineage who had come
from Virginia as a friend of Daniel
Boone, and had there bought large
tracts Of land and begun to grow up
with the country, where he was killed
by the Indians. He left a large fam
lily. BY the law of Kentucky the es-
tate went mainly to the Oldest son and
the youngest, Thomas Lincoln, was
left to shift for himself. This young
est son grew to manhood. and on June
TO-. 1906. was married, at Beechland.
KY. to a young woman OF family
well known In the vicinity, Nancy
Hanks. There is no doubt whatever
about the time and the place OF their
marriage. All the legal documents re-
quired in Kentucky at that period
for marriage are In existence. Not
only have we the bond and the Ger.
tihcate. but the marriage is duly en-.
tered In a list OF marriage returns
made by Jesse Head. one Of the best
known early Methodist ministers OF
Kentucky. 1t is now to be seen in
the records OF Washington county.
Kentucky. There is even In existence
very full and amusing account OF
the wedding and the fanfare which
followed by a guest who was present.
and who for years after was accustom-
ed TO visit Thomas and Nancy. This
guest. Christopher Columbus Graham.
a unique and perfectly trustworthy
man, prominent citizen of Louisville,
died only few years ago.
But while these documents dispose
s1ectually of the question OF the par
entage Of Lincoln. they do not, OF
course, clear up the shadow which
hangs over the parentage of his moth
er. II there anything to show that
Nancy Hanks herself was OF as clear
and clean lineage as her husband?
There had been nothing whatever un-