Thomas Lincoln facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thomas Lincoln
Thomas Lincoln (1778–1851)
Born	January 6, 1778 Rockingham County, Virginia, United States
Died	January 17, 1851(1851-01-17) (aged 73) Coles County, Illinois, United States
Occupation	Farmer, carpenter
Spouse(s)	Nancy Hanks ​ ​ (m. 1806; died 1818)​ Sarah Bush Johnston ​ ​ (m. 1819)​
Children	3, including Sarah and Abraham
Parents	Captain Abraham Lincoln (father) Bathsheba Herring (mother)
Family	See Lincoln family

Thomas Lincoln (born January 6, 1778 – died January 17, 1851) was an American farmer and carpenter. He is best known as the father of Abraham Lincoln, who became the 16th president of the United States. Thomas faced many challenges in his life, including problems with land ownership and the early death of his first wife. He worked hard to provide for his family, eventually settling in Illinois.

What Was Thomas Lincoln's Early Life Like?

Growing Up in Virginia

Thomas Lincoln was born in 1778 in Linville Creek, Virginia. His parents were Abraham and Bathsheba Lincoln.

In the 1780s, his family sold their land in Virginia. They moved to what is now Springfield, Kentucky. Thomas's father, Abraham, had bought a large amount of land there.

In May 1786, Thomas saw a terrible event. His father was killed by Native Americans while working on their farm. Thomas's brother, Mordecai, saved his life that day.

Moving to Kentucky

Between 1786 and 1788, Thomas's mother, Bathsheba, moved the family again. They settled in Beech Fork, near Springfield, Kentucky. A copy of their cabin can be seen at the Lincoln Homestead State Park.

As the oldest son, Mordecai inherited his father's property. This meant Thomas and his other brother, Josiah, had to find their own way. From 1795 to 1802, Thomas worked many low-paying jobs.

This cabin in Elizabethtown was believed to be Thomas Lincoln's home after his first marriage.

At 19, he served in the state militia. By age 24, he became a constable. In 1802, he moved to Hardin County, Kentucky. The next year, he bought a 238-acre farm. It was located seven miles north of Elizabethtown. While living there, Thomas served on juries and helped guard prisoners. He was also active in his community and church. His mother, sister, and brother-in-law later moved to live with him.

In 1805, Thomas used his carpentry skills. He built much of the woodwork for the Hardin house in Elizabethtown. In 1806, he transported goods on a flatboat. He traveled down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans for a store.

Marriage and Family Life

Starting a Family in Kentucky

This is the marriage bond for Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. It is dated June 10, 1806.

On June 12, 1806, Thomas Lincoln married Nancy Hanks in Washington County, Kentucky. Nancy was known for being very smart. She taught young Abraham to read using the Bible. Abraham later said, "All that I am or hope ever to be I get from my mother."

Thomas Lincoln was a skilled carpenter. People respected him for his public service and his ability to tell stories. He was also known for being good-natured.

A historical cabin similar to the one where Abraham Lincoln was born near Hodgenville.

Their first child, a daughter named Sarah, was born on February 10, 1807. She was born near Elizabethtown, Kentucky. In early 1809, Thomas bought another farm. It was 300 acres near Hodgenville, Kentucky. This farm was called Sinking Spring Farm. On February 12, 1809, their second child, a son named Abraham Lincoln, was born there.

In 1811, the family moved to Knob Creek Farm. This farm was about 10 miles from Sinking Spring Farm. It was also next to a main road. Abraham had some of his first memories at Knob Creek. He remembered his younger brother, Thomas Jr., dying shortly after birth in 1812. He also remembered growing corn and pumpkins. Abraham sometimes went to a small school with his sister. By 1814, Thomas Lincoln was one of the wealthier landowners in the area.

Thomas lost his farms three times because of land disputes. The laws about land ownership in Kentucky were very confusing. He did not have money to pay lawyers to fix these problems. Also, as a farmer, he could not compete with those who used enslaved people to work their fields.

Abraham Lincoln later spoke about his family's poverty. He said his life could be described as "The short and simple annals of the poor." They often lacked enough food and clothing. Abraham remembered his toes sticking out of his broken shoes in winter.

In December 1816, Thomas Lincoln moved his family to Indiana. He bought land there. One reason for the move was that slavery was not allowed in Indiana. Abraham Lincoln later said his father moved partly because of slavery. He also moved because of the land title problems in Kentucky.

Life in Indiana

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, Indiana. Abraham Lincoln lived on this farm from age 7 to 21. His mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, is buried here.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

The foundation of the Lincoln home in the Little Pigeon Creek Community.

In December 1816, the Lincolns settled in the Little Pigeon Creek Community in Indiana. Thomas and Abraham worked together to build a home and clear land. Thomas also found work as a carpenter. Nancy's aunt, uncle, and cousin Dennis Hanks moved nearby the next fall. Dennis Hanks became a good friend to Abraham.

In October 1818, Nancy Hanks Lincoln became sick. She died on October 5, 1818.

Abraham and Sarah Lincoln lived alone for six months. Then, Thomas went back to Kentucky to find a new wife. On December 2, 1819, he married Sarah Bush Johnston, a widow. She brought her three children, Elizabeth, Matilda, and John. This made a new family of eight. Thomas helped build the Little Pigeon Baptist Church and became a member. By 1827, he owned 100 acres of land in Indiana.

Even in Indiana, the family lived in great poverty. Sometimes, the only food they had was potatoes. The children often did not have enough clothes. Abraham was once not invited to a wedding because he had nothing proper to wear. His life was described as "one of hard labor and great privation."

Settling in Illinois

Thomas Lincoln had a restless spirit. His cousin, John Hanks, moved to Illinois and sent back exciting news. He spoke of fertile land that did not need forests cleared. So, in early 1830, Thomas sold his Indiana land. He moved first to Macon County, Illinois. Then, in 1831, he moved to Coles County, Illinois.

His home site on Goosenest Prairie is now the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site. Thomas Lincoln, already in his fifties, lived in Coles County for the rest of his life. He died in 1851 at age 73. He was buried at Shiloh Cemetery. His widow, Sarah, lived in their home until she died in 1869.

Thomas Lincoln's Relationship with Abraham

As Abraham grew up, especially after his mother died, his relationship with his father became difficult. Thomas relied on Abraham to do farm work. He also sent Abraham to work for neighbors, earning money for Thomas. Some historians say Abraham felt like a "slave to his father."

Historians have different ideas about how Thomas treated Abraham. Some say Thomas was harsh and did not like Abraham's efforts to learn. Others say Thomas was generally easygoing. They note that Thomas sent his children to school when possible. Abraham's stepmother, Sarah, said Thomas "never made Abe quit reading to do anything if he could avoid it." Both sides agree Thomas would punish Abraham if he neglected chores. As Abraham got older, he wanted to move away from his father.

There was a difference between Abraham's love for learning and Thomas's lack of understanding about it. Abraham seemed to think his father did not care enough about education. Abraham Lincoln later said his father "grew up literally without education." Abraham, however, may not have fully understood how hard his father struggled. Thomas earned little money from manual labor or carpentry. It was very difficult for him to buy his first farm.

Father and son also had different religious beliefs. Thomas was a Baptist. Abraham, however, grew up to be a free-thinker. Some also say Thomas favored his stepson, John Johnston, over Abraham. Their relationship became strained after Abraham left home. It worsened when Abraham had to help Thomas with money problems.

Abraham did help his father financially a few times. He also visited Thomas once when he was sick. But when Thomas was dying, Abraham sent a message saying it would be "more painful than pleasant" to meet. He hoped his father would have a "joyous meeting with many loved ones gone before." Abraham chose not to attend his father's funeral. He also did not pay for a headstone for his father's grave. This might have been due to their difficult relationship or Abraham's own struggles.

Thomas and his wife were not invited to Abraham's wedding. They never met Abraham's wife or children. One historian noted that Abraham never said a good word about his father in his writings. However, Abraham named his fourth son Thomas. This might suggest that some of Abraham's memories of his father were not all bad. It might also hint at guilt for not going to the funeral.

Abraham, perhaps because of his own difficult relationship with his father, was a very caring and loving father to his own children.

Thomas Lincoln's Religious Beliefs

As a young man, Thomas Lincoln became active in the Primitive Baptist church. He became a leader in this church. Historians say he was one of the most important men among the Baptists in Indiana. His life in Indiana was very much shaped by his strong religious beliefs. In Indiana, Thomas served as a church trustee. He also helped build the church meeting house with Abraham.

Thomas Lincoln disliked slavery for religious reasons. This was part of why he moved from Kentucky to Indiana. Slavery was not allowed north of the Ohio River. After moving to Coles County, Illinois, Thomas and his wife became members of the Church of Christ.

How Thomas Lincoln Has Been Portrayed

In Films

Thomas Lincoln has been shown in several films. Here are some examples:

See Also

• Lincoln family