Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, as was his wife Mary Todd Lincoln. Mary’s family, however, came from wealth and education, and participated in Kentucky’s high social circles. When the Civil War broke out, her brother, half-brothers, and brothers-in-law fought for the Confederacy, despite their relation to President Lincoln.

            Mary’s brother-in-law, Benjamin Hardin Helm, was friends with President Lincoln. Lincoln offered the national post of Paymaster to Helm when the war broke out, but Benjamin sided with the Confederacy and abandoned Lincoln. Benjamin Helm led the “Orphan Brigade,” the 1st Kentucky Infantry, until he was killed at the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863. Despite Helm’s betrayal, Lincoln wept at the news of his death.

            George R.C. Todd was Mary’s only full-brother to serve in the Confederate Army. He worked as a doctor prior to the Civil War, and joined the Army as a surgeon. George worked in the field of battle until September 1863, when he was transferred to the General Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. During his service at the hospital, George was accused of harsh treatment towards Union prisoners. In December 1864, he was placed in charge of the Wayside Hospital in Camden, South Carolina, until General Sherman passed through and burned the town in February 1865. George Todd survived the war and died in 1900.

            Samuel Briggs Todd and Alexander Todd were Mary Todd’s half-brothers from her father’s second marriage. Samuel Todd served in Company F, of the Louisiana Crescent Regiment. Samuel died during the Battle of Shiloh on April 7, 1862, from a wound in the abdomen. Alexander Todd, called “Aleck” by Mary, served in Benjamin Helm’s 1st Kentucky Calvary regiment. He was killed during the Battle of Baton Rouge on August 5, 1863. It is recorded that when Mary Lincoln heard the news of his death she cried, “Oh, little Aleck, why had you too to die!” 

            David H. Todd, also Mary’s half-brother, was a captain in the 21st Louisiana Infantry and commandant of the Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. David was wounded in the Battle of Vicksburg, but survived the war. He later applied for, and was granted a presidential pardon by Andrew Johnson for his actions during the war.

            The Lincoln family did not escape the pain and division that affected so many families during the Civil War. Along with her brothers, several of Mary Todd’s sisters were married to Confederate soldiers. Abraham Lincoln was friends with these men, they were family, and yet they fought on opposite sides and died for opposing causes.

Sources:

http://www.geocities.com/20scvi/medical/todd.html

http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=17

http://www.kylincoln.org/lincoln/rebel.htm

This person George R. C. Todd is buried at Quaker Cemetery in Camden South Carolina

Through my geneology research I learned I had a Great, Great, Great Grandmother, named Monica Melissa Lett Goings. She was married to Roswell Goings for many years and as the story goes, he would beat on her whenever he had too much to drink.  Back in those times, this was acceptable behavior....after many years of taking these beatings, Monica had had enough, (at age 70ish) and picked up a piece of firewood and hit him in the head.  The towns people came to her defense, but to no avail and they tried her for murder!  Abe Lincoln was her attorney.  There is a wonderful essay about this, written by Jean Myers of Metamora, Illinois.  I was given permission to use this in my family ancestory.  Also they just had a dedication to Lincoln, in Metamora, and bronze figures sculpted by John McClarey were made in the likeness of Abe and Monica...My family used the name of Roswell for many years, from great uncles to my father, who was named Leonides Roswell to my brother, Gregory Roswell...I am very proud of my grandmother and what she went through and that she finally did take a stand for herself.  I am sorry it ended in my grandfather's death....but it could have ended in Monica's death, many times prior to this, I think.  Leah (LaVeta Sills) Kirk