abraham
lincoln
abraham lincoln - 1809
On the stormy morning of Sunday, February 12, Nancy Hanks Lincoln
, wife of Thomas , gave birth to a boy. He was born on a bed of
poles covered with corn husks. The baby was named Abraham after
his grandfather. The birth took place in the Lincolns' rough-hewn
cabin on Nolin Creek near Hodgenville, Kentucky. Thomas Lincoln
was an uneducated carpenter and a farmer. Nancy Lincoln had little
or no schooling and could not write.
abraham lincoln - 1811-1812
In 1811 the Lincolns moved to a farm on Knob Creek which was also
near Hodgenville. In 1811 or 1812 (possibly as late as 1815) Abraham's
younger brother, Thomas, died in infancy.
abraham lincoln - 1815
Abraham spent a short amount of time in a log schoolhouse. He
began to learn his ABC's from a teacher named Zachariah Riney.
He attended school with his sister, Sarah. Sarah had dark hair
and gray eyes, and she was two years older than Abraham. Abraham
attended school dressed in a raccoon cap, buckskin clothes, and
pants so short that several inches of his calves were exposed.
At home young Abraham heard the scriptures read from the family
Bible.
abraham lincoln - 1816
Young Lincoln was saved from drowning by playmate Austin Gollaher.
Abraham and Sarah briefly attended school taught by Caleb Hazel,
a neighbor. Late in the year the Lincoln family moved to southern
Indiana and settled near present-day Gentryville. A cabin was
constructed near Little Pigeon Creek. It measured 16 X 18 feet,
and it had one window.
abraham lincoln - 1818
Abraham's mother, Nancy, passed away on October 5th. She died
of 'milk sickness,' a disease contracted by drinking milk from
cows which have grazed on poisonous white snakeroot. In later
years, Abraham would recall helping to carve pegs for his mother's
coffin. Thomas Lincoln hauled the coffin, which was made of green
pine, on a sled to the top of a thickly wooded hill and buried
her without a formal funeral service. In Lexington, Kentucky,
Mary AnnTodd, Abraham's future wife, was born on December 13th.
abraham lincoln - 1819
Thomas Lincoln married Sarah Bush Johnston on December 2nd. Sarah's
first husband, Daniel Johnston, had died in the summer of 1816.
She added 3 new children by her former marriage to the Lincoln
household - Elizabeth, 12; John, 9; and Matilda, 8. Abraham grew
to be much closer to his step-mother than he was to his father.
During 1818 or 1819 young Abraham was kicked and almost killed
by a horse.
abraham lincoln - 1821
Abraham began borrowing books from neighbors. He read "Pilgrim's
Progress," "Aesop's Fables," "Arabian Nights",
and "Robinson Crusoe."
abraham lincoln - 1822
Abraham attended school taught by James Swaney for about 4 months.
abraham lincoln - 1824
Abraham attended school taught by Azel Dorsey.
abraham lincoln - 1825
Abraham borrowed a book titled "Life of Washington"
by Parson Mason Weems. When the book got soaked with rain, he
worked off its worth for his neighbor from whom he had borrowed
it (Josiah Crawford). This was the very first book Abraham ever
personally owned.
abraham lincoln - 1826
Abraham's sister, Sarah, married a neighbor named Aaron Grigsby
on August 2, but she died in childbirth 1 1/2 years later on January
28, 1828, just 3 weeks before her 21st birthday. Sarah was buried
with her baby boy who was still-born.
abraham lincoln - 1827
Abraham earned his first dollar ferrying passengers to a steamer
on the Ohio River.
abraham lincoln - 1828
Using a flatboat as transportation, Abraham took a load of farm
produce down the Mississippi River to New Orleans with Allen and
James Gentry.
abraham lincoln - 1830
The Lincolns moved from Indiana to Illinois. Abraham drove one
of the ox wagons. They built a log cabin on the north bank of
the Sangamon River about 10 miles southwest of Decatur in Macon
County. Later the family moved southeast to Goose Nest Prairie
in Coles County, Illinois.
abraham lincoln - 1831
Young Lincoln decided to leave his family and go off on his own.
His anti-slavery opinions may have been formulated when he saw
the abuse of slaves during his second flatboat trip to New Orleans.
In July he moved to New Salem, Illinois, where he boarded at Rutledge's
tavern and became acquainted with the owner's daughter, Ann. New
Salem was a frontier village consisting of one long street on
a bluff over the Sangamon River. On August 1 Lincoln cast his
first ballot.
abraham lincoln - 1832
Lincoln joined the Illinois militia for the Black Hawk War. He
was elected Captain of the volunteers but saw no military action
during approximately 3 months of service. On August 6th Lincoln
was defeated while running for the Illinois State Legislature.
Lincoln began to operate a general store in New Salem along with
William F. Berry.
abraham lincoln - 1833
Lincoln became Postmaster of New Salem on May 7th. The store he
operated with William Berry failed. In the fall he learned surveying
and was appointed Assistant Surveyor in the northwest part of
Sangamon County. Lincoln met a young woman named Mary Owens. She
was 4 months older than he was, and she came to New Salem to visit
her sister.
abraham lincoln - 1834
Again Lincoln ran for the Illinois State Legislature, but this
time he was elected. During the summer, John T. Stuart advised
Lincoln to study law. On December 1 Lincoln took his seat in state
government in Vandalia (Illinois' capital prior to Springfield).
He became a member of the Long Nine (the nickname for the delegation
from Sangamon County because their combined height was exactly
54 feet).
abraham lincoln - 1835
When the state legislature adjourned in February, Lincoln returned
to New Salem and resumed his legal studies with great determination.
Additionally, he continued surveying. On August 25th Ann Rutledge
passed away. Although it's unproven, some felt Ann was Lincoln's
first love.
abraham lincoln - 1836
Lincoln was re-elected to the Illinois House of Representatives.
On September 9th, Lincoln was licensed to practice law.
abraham lincoln - 1837
Lincoln, 28, was admitted to the Illinois Bar on March 1, and
he moved to Springfield on April 15. He became a law partner of
John T. Stuart and lived with Joshua Speed. Lincoln now had income
from a law practice as well as a state legislator. In the fall
Mary Owens rejected Lincoln's marriage proposal.
abraham lincoln - 1838
Lincoln was elected for a 3rd time to the Illinois House of Representatives.
abraham lincoln - 1839
Lincoln met Mary Ann Todd who had moved to Springfield from Lexington,
Kentucky. Mary was living at the home of her older sister, Elizabeth
Edwards. Most likely, the two met at a ball. Despite great differences
in background, they became interested in each other.
abraham lincoln - 1840
For the 4th and last time, Lincoln won election to the Illinois
House of Representatives. In the fall Lincoln became engaged to
Mary Todd.
abraham lincoln - 1841
Lincoln and Mary Todd broke off their engagement. Lincoln became
a law partner of Stephen T. Logan on May 14th.
abraham lincoln - 1842
A proposed duel with James Shields on September 22 never came
off. Lincoln married Mary Todd on November 4. James Harvey Matheny
was the best man. Abraham gave Mary a gold wedding ring with the
words "Love is Eternal" engraved inside the band. Mary
wore this ring until the day she died. The marriage took place
in the parlor of the Edwards' home, and the ceremony was performed
by Reverend Charles Dresser, an Episcopal minister. The Lincolns
moved into the Globe Tavern, a two story wooden structure in Springfield,
where they boarded for $4.00 a week.
abraham lincoln - 1843
The first son of the Lincolns, Robert Todd, was born August 1
at the Globe Tavern. He was so-named in honor of Mary's father.
Late in the year the Lincolns moved out of the Globe Tavern and
began renting a 3 room frame cottage at 214 South Fourth Street
in Springfield.
abraham lincoln - 1844
Abraham and Mary purchased a home from Dr. Dresser in Springfield
for $1500. It was located at the corner of Eighth and Jackson.
The family moved in on May 2nd. Lincoln visited his former home
in Indiana while campaigning for Henry Clay, the Whig candidate
for President. In December Lincoln accepted William Herndon as
his law partner.
abraham lincoln - 1846
The Lincolns had their first photograph taken. Abraham and Mary's
second son, Edward Baker, was born on March 10th. On August 3rd
Mr. Lincoln was elected to the United States House of Representatives.
He took his seat the next year and spoke out against the Mexican
War.
abraham lincoln - 1847
The Lincolns boarded at Mrs. Anna G. Sprigg's boardinghouse in
Washington (nowadays the Library of Congress is located on this
site). On December 22nd Lincoln introduced the "spot"
resolutions in Congress (having to do with his opposition to the
Mexican War). Lincoln also became known for his opposition to
slavery.
abraham lincoln - 1848
Lincoln campaigned for the Whig Presidential candidate, Zachary
Taylor, throughout New England. His opposition to the Mexican
War was not popular in Illinois. During the summer the Lincolns,
with the two boys, traveled through the state of New York, visited
Niagara Falls, and took a steamer from Buffalo across the Great
Lakes.
abraham lincoln - 1849
Lincoln failed in his attempt to be appointed commissioner of
the General Land Office, and he returned to a full time law practice
in Springfield as his term in the House of Representatives had
expired on March 4th. On March 7th he was admitted to practice
law before the United States Supreme Court. Also, he received
a patent for his device that would lift vessels over shallow spots
by means of inflating buoyant chambers. Nothing ever came of his
invention.
abraham lincoln - 1850
Lincoln's son, "Eddie," died on February 1. His third
son, William Wallace ("Willie") was born on December
21st.
abraham lincoln - 1851
Mr. Lincoln's father, Thomas, passed away from a kidney ailment
on January 17th. He was 73 years old and died in Coles County,
Illinois. Abraham did not attend the funeral.
abraham lincoln - 1853
The fourth and last son of the Lincolns, Thomas ("Tad"),
was born on April 4th. His nickname stemmed from the fact that
his father thought he looked like a tadpole.
abraham lincoln - 1854
Lincoln was elected to the Illinois legislature, but he declined
the office on November 27th to become a candidate for the U.S.
Senate. (He was defeated in this attempt early in 1855). His re-entry
into politics was fueled by his opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska
Act. Lincoln jotted down his famous quote on slavery and democracy:
"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master -
This expresses my idea of democracy - Whatever differs from this,
to the extent of the difference, is no democracy - " (The
exact date of this quote is uncertain. Some sources put its origin
in 1858. It was written on a scrap of paper and is not known to
be part of any speech or special occasion. Mary Todd Lincoln gave
it to her friend Myra Bradwell who had helped get Mrs. Lincoln
released from the Illinois sanatorium she was sent to in 1875).
abraham lincoln - 1856
Lincoln helped organize the new Republican Party in Illinois.
In Bloomington he gave his famous "Lost Speech" on May
29th. Although he wasn't nominated, he received 110 votes for
Vice-President at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.
During the Presidential campaign, Lincoln gave over 50 speeches
in support of the Republican nominee, John C. Fremont. The Lincolns
added a second story to their Springfield home.
abraham lincoln - 1857
Lincoln spoke out against the Dred Scott decision.
abraham lincoln - 1858
Lincoln was nominated by the Republicans to run for the U.S. Senate
against Stephen Douglas. He gave his famous "House Divided"
speech. The Old State Capitol in Springfield where Lincoln gave
the House Divided speech. During the summer, Lincoln and Douglas
engaged in a series of 7 debates throughout Illinois. On November
2nd Douglas won the election.
abraham lincoln - 1859
Lincoln gave political speeches in Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin,
and the Kansas Territory.
abraham lincoln - 1860
Lincoln gained national fame because of his powerful speech at Cooper
Union in New York City on February 27th. He toured New England making
more speeches. Regarding the presidency, he wrote a friend on April
29th that "The taste is in my mouth a little." On May
18th he was nominated for President at the Republican National Convention
in Chicago. In July the Lincolns' eldest son, Robert, enrolled at
Harvard University. On October 15th 11-year-old Grace Bedell of
Westfield, New York, wrote Lincoln a letter suggesting he grow a
beard. He decided to follow her advice. On November 6th Lincoln
was elected President over 3 opponents (Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge,
and John Bell) winning 39% of the popular vote but nearly 60% of
the electoral vote. The Lincolns rented their home for $350 a year
and sold most of their furniture. Much of the furniture was purchased
by L.L. Tildon of Chicago, and it was destroyed in the Great Chicago
Fire of 1871.
abraham lincoln - 1861
Abraham visited his beloved step-mother, Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln.
On the rainy Monday morning of February 11th he left Springfield
by train bound for Washington. He had roped his trunks himself and
labeled them, "A. Lincoln, The White House, Washington, D.C."
Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the provisional President of
the Confederate States of America on February 18th. Lincoln arrived
in Washington on February 23rd and was inaugurated as the 16th President
of the United States on March 4th. The Civil War began with the
Confederate attack on Ft. Sumter in April. On April 15th Lincoln
called for 75,000 volunteers to serve for 3 months. The Union met
disaster at the Battle of Bull Run.
abraham lincoln - 1862
On January 13th the President appointed Edwin Stanton as Secretary
of War. On February 20th "Willie" Lincoln died in the
White House of typhoid fever. Lincoln proposed a plan of compensated
emancipation for slaves in states that remained loyal to the Union.
On September 22nd the President announced the Preliminary Emancipation
Proclamation after the Battle of Antietam. On October 2nd the President
visited General George McClellan and other Union officers at Antietam.
abraham lincoln - 1863
On January 1st the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the slaves
in the rebelling areas, took effect. On March 3rd Lincoln approved
the first draft law in U.S. history. In early July the Union won
two major battles at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. A huge anti-draft
riot took place in New York City, and many were killed. On October
3rd Lincoln issued a proclamation creating Thanksgiving Day. On
November 19th Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address which dedicated
the battlefield there to the soldiers who had perished. He called
on the living to finish the task the dead soldiers had begun. He
spoke for about 2 1/2 minutes following a 2 hour speech by Edward
Everett. On November 26 the first national observance of Thanksgiving
was held.
abraham lincoln - 1864
Lincoln nominated Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant as the first
full lieutenant general since George Washington. Grant assumed his
role as General-in-Chief of Union armies. Lincoln received the Republican
(National Union Party) nomination on June 8th to run for a 2nd term
as President. Andrew Johnson was his Vice-Presidential running mate.
On November 8th he easily defeated Democrat George B. McClellan
in the Presidential election. Later in November General Sherman
set Atlanta on fire and began his destructive "march to the
sea." On December 6th Lincoln nominated Salmon P. Chase for
Chief Justice.
Once a shot was fired through Lincoln's hat (possibly by a hunter
but probably by a sniper) while the President was on horseback near
the Soldiers' Home. The President asked that no mention of it be
made to the public. He said, "It was probably an accident and
might worry my family."
abraham lincoln - 1865
A peace conference at Hampton Roads, Virginia, failed. On March
4th Lincoln was inaugurated as President for the second time.
This is a Library of Congress photograph of Lincoln speaking at
his 2nd Inauguration. Richmond was abandoned by the Confederates,
and Lincoln walked through the streets of that city on April 4th.
On April 9th Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at
Appomattox. Lincoln gave his last public speech on April 11th.
He told a crowd at the White House that he hoped for an early
return of all the seceded states to the Union. The Lincolns attended
the play Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre on April 14th,
and Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth at about 10:15 P.M.
The President died the next morning at 7:22 A.M. + 10 seconds.
He was 56 years old at the time of his death. Andrew Johnson took
the oath of office as the 17th President on April 15th. On April
21st a nine car funeral train that included 300 dignitaries left
Washington, D.C. and began a nearly 1700 mile journey back to
Springfield. During the afternoon of May 4th, Lincoln's body was
buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery .
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