, 1921-11-08

Much or the mystery OF Lineoln's
religion. n that OF his parents. for
over n half century n mooted ques-
ton, has been evaporated by the find
ings of Mr.. McGregor In the little old
deer-slSin book OF Little Pigeon
church.
There Is no record OF Abraham Lin
coins affiliation with any church de-
nomination. but Mr.. McGregor's story
OF Thomas Lincoln. moderator and
pillar OF the little Baptist church
proves conclusiveiy Mr.. McGregor
says. that the Lincoln family were
Baptists.
The parents of Abraham Lincoln
deserve a fnirer estimate than has
been allotted them by most OF the BIZ
ographers of Lincoln" said Mr.. Nc
Gregor, and tho story. as told by the
records that are stili to be found in
the archives OF Little Pigeon church.
near Lincoln City, Spencer county.
Indiana. of the devotion paid by the
parents OF Lincoln to Him who guild
ed the lad OF Pigeon Creek in the hour
OF the nations travail. goes far 10
give to them thcir true estimate. In
fact they were well to do pioneers OF
their day; OF sturdy ancestral stock,
owned a farm. domestic animals, tools
and a family Bible; neishboriy. sacri-
ficing and active church-going mem.
bers.
Church still In Use
Pigeon Creek church was founded
on June 8. 1916. the rear that Thomas
Lincoln and his family moved from
Kentucky and settled on Little Pigeon
Creek in what. was then warrick
County. Indiana territory. II was
then. as now. the chief church in that
vicinity. When the rlseth,s house
was built. Its site wa selected about
a mile west OF Thomas Lincoln's
home. the church building today oc-
cupying practically the same place,
When Lineoin's mother died she was
buried between their home n the
church. h graveyard not having
been at that time started Mt the
church. but when Lincoln's sister.
Sarah Grisby. died in 1898. she was
buried at the church burying ground.
where her grave Is yet to be seen.
marked by a rough stone.
This church. with its continuous
existence since 1916. has only two
books containing Its records and min
utes; the first covering the period
from 1916 to 1910. II Is In this book
that We find Abraham Lncoln's
father. stepmother and sister were
active members OF the hard-shelI Bap-
list church of Pigeon Creek. and this
book with its deer skin cover. the hair
still remaining. not only reveals in its
crude historic way the true religion
Of Lincolu's parents. but gives us the
best insight yet found to his own re.
ligious views.
LincoIn's Parents Unite
Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks
were married by a Methodist minister
by the name OF Jesse Head, but short
ly afterward they were united with
ono of the churches of the Baptist
Licking Locust association of regular
Baptist churches in Kentucky. and
when Nancy Lincoln died in Indiana,
Abraham. by his own efforts. had
their Kentucky pastor. Elder David
Elkins. come tn their wilderness home
and preach his s'other's funeral.
After Thomas Lincoln had mar
ried Sally Bush johnson he sent back
to his Kentucky church and obtained
his letter of fellowship and as the
minutes on June 1, 1898 show, he
united with the Pigeon Greek church
by this letter and his wife by expert.
ence. From that date until they NOV.
ed to Illinois in 1880. their names mp |
posr frequently in the minutes OF the
t...1urch proceedings, Thomas being
one Of the pillars of the church. act. |
ing as moderator, on committees to
investigate the conduct Of brethren
Inc sisters. and messenger to azsocin-
tons. bearing tho letter OF Pigeon
Creek to her sister churches.
The historic minute which records
the utilization of Thomas Lincoln and
his wife with this little pioneer church
follows:
June the Z" 1923.
THE church met and after prayer
proceeded to business.
list Inquired for fellowship.
end Invited members OF sister
churches to seats with US.
'rd Opened a dore for the Recep.
ton OF Members.
18th Receiyed Brother Thomas
Linkhon by letter and
nth Received Brother John Wire
by Relation and Sister Linkhon and
Thomas Carter by Experience"
Thomas Lincoln was not in such
poor circumstances but that he al
ways donated to tho needs OF his
church." said Mr.. McGrcgor In offer-
ing the following copy Of an agree
mont to build a now chimney on the
meeting house:
Whiskey Keeps Meet Church Needs
rr .--E----A w. 80 ana
with another TO pay the Several.
somes next our names In produce this
fall to be Delivered Betwixt the first
a 20 OF December, the produce, as
follows. Corn. wheat whiskay. soft
Linnen wool or any other article a
material TO do the work with. the pro-
duce will be Delivered at VIM, Bar
kers In good mercantile produce"