Mordecai Lincoln

Mordecai Lincoln (1771–1830) was an American settler and a member of the Lincoln family. He was the eldest son of Captain Abraham Lincoln (1744–1786) and Bathsheba Herring (c. 1742–1836). Born in Augusta County, Virginia, Mordecai was part of a family that migrated westward in the late 18th century. His father received 210 acres of land in Virginia and later sold it to relocate the family to western Virginia, which later became Kentucky, in 1782.

The Lincoln family initially settled in Jefferson County, Kentucky, near Hughes' Station on Floyd's Fork, an area still contested at the time by Native American tribes. Mordecai's father, Abraham Lincoln, established a homestead there, where he cleared land, cultivated crops, and built a cabin. In May 1786, Abraham Lincoln was shot from the forest while working in his field, leading to the death of Mordecai's father. During the attack, Mordecai, then a young boy, ran for a loaded firearm, and in the process, shot and killed a Native American that had approached his father, an act that reportedly influenced Mordecai’s subsequent sentiments toward Native Americans.

Following his father’s death, the family moved to Washington County, Kentucky, near Springfield. As the eldest son, Mordecai inherited his father's land according to the law of primogeniture. He married Mary Mudd, the daughter of Luke Mudd, in 1792. Around January 1797, Mordecai sold his inherited property in Jefferson County, which had been purchased by his father in 1780, and shortly afterward bought 300 acres in Springfield, Kentucky, from Terah Templin, a noted Presbyterian minister. The homestead built by Mordecai was a two-storied cabin, later enlarged between 1810 and 1815, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains on its original site—the only Lincoln family home believed to be unaltered in position.

Mordecai and Mary Lincoln had six children: three sons named Abraham, James, and Mordecai; and three daughters, whose names are not specified. The family resided on their Kentucky farm, where Mordecai engaged in breeding racehorses. By 1810, he owned more than 400 acres of land. In 1811, Mordecai moved from Washington County to Grayson County, Kentucky.

In the spring of 1828, Mordecai moved with his family to Fountain Green (Fountain Park), Hancock County, Illinois, along with other Catholic families. Four of his six children accompanied him. In December 1830, during a three-day blizzard, Mordecai was overtaken by the storm, and his body was found only after the snow melted in April. It is believed he was captured in snowdrifts up to 20 feet deep; his horse returned during the storm, but Mordecai was unable to escape the elements.

Mordecai Lincoln was buried at the Old Catholic or Lincoln Cemetery near Fountain Green, Illinois. His home near Springfield, Kentucky, remains the only original Lincoln family residence in its initial location and is designated on the National Register of Historic Places.

Throughout his life, Mordecai was recognized for his intelligence, generosity, and storytelling abilities. President Abraham Lincoln occasionally referenced Mordecai, acknowledging his influence within the family, describing him as a significant familial mentor and jokingly attributing the family's talents to his uncle.

**Family and Relationships**

Mordecai was a maternal uncle of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, and their relationship has been noted for shared characteristics in humor and physical appearance. Their familial bond and Mordecai's personality have been documented through historical accounts.

**See Also**

- Mordecai Lincoln House, Springfield, Kentucky

- Lincoln family tree