Abraham Lincoln to David Lincoln, 24 March 18481
Washington, March 24th 1848.Mr David LincolnDear Sir:Your very worthy representative, Gov– McDowell has given me your name and address;2 and, as my my father was born in Rockingham, from whence his father, Abraham Lincoln, emigrated to Kentucky about the year 1782, I have concluded to address you to ascertain whether we are
not of the same family– I shall be much obliged, if you will write me, telling me,
whether you, in any way, know any thing of my grandfather, what relation you are to him, and so on– Also, if you know, where your family came
from, when they settled in Virginia, tracing them back as far as your knowledge extends–
Very respectfullyA. Lincoln32James McDowell represented the Eleventh Congressional District of Virginia.
Kenneth C. Martis, The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts, 1789-1983 (New York: MacMillan, 1982), 78, 79.
3David Lincoln responded to Abraham Lincoln on March 30, and Lincoln responded to his
letter with a letter of his own on April 2. David Lincoln’s letter of March 30 has not been located.
Abraham had a short correspondence with David, but he did make reference to it in
two later letters, one in 1854, and another in 1860.
Lincoln’s interest at this time with his paternal ancestry and genealogy also extended
to Lincolns in Massachusetts. See his correspondence with Solomon Lincoln: Abraham Lincoln to Solomon Lincoln;
Solomon Lincoln to Abraham Lincoln.
Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s), Brown University (Providence, RI).