Abraham Lincoln Children

He was an affectionate, though often absent, father of four children.

Abraham Lincoln Children – Robert Todd Lincoln

Robert Todd Lincoln was born in 1843 and Edward Baker Lincoln (Eddie) in 1846. Edward died on February 1, 1850, in Springfield, probably of tuberculosis.

“Willie” Lincoln was born on December 21, 1850, and died of a fever on February 20, 1862.

The Lincolns’ fourth son, Thomas “Tad” Lincoln, was born on April 4, 1853, and died of heart failure at the age of 18 on July 16, 1871.

Robert reached adulthood and produced children.

The Lincolns’ last descendant, great-grandson Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith, died in 1985.

Abraham Lincoln Children –  Edward Baker Lincoln

Little is known about the Lincolns’ second son Eddie. He died a month before his fourth birthday.

Although census records list “chronic consumption” (tuberculosis) as the cause of his death. Some doctor now suggested that Eddie died of medullary thyroid cancer.

Later his devasted parents buried Eddie’s body at Hutchinson’s Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.

Abraham Lincoln Children – William Wallace Lincoln

William Wallace Lincoln was the third son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. His mother named him after Mary’s brother-in-law Dr. William Wallace.

Upon their father’s election as President, Willie and Tad moved into the White House and it became their new playground. Willie and Tad became ill in early 1862.

While Tad was not as badly affected, Willie’s condition fluctuated from day to day. The most likely cause of the illness was typhoid fever, which was usually contracted by consumption of contaminated food/water.

Gradually Willie weakened, and his parents spent much time at his bedside. Finally, on Thursday, February 20, 1862, at 5:00 p.m., Willie died.

Abraham Lincoln Children – Thomas “Tad” Lincoln

Thomas “Tad” Lincoln was born on April 4, 1853, the fourth son of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd.

His parents named him after his paternal grandfather Thomas Lincoln and uncle Thomas Lincoln, Jr.

His father nicknamed his the fourth boy “Tad” as for his small body and large head, and because he wiggled like a tadpole as an infant.

Tad’s first name has occasionally been erroneously recorded as Thaddeus.

Lincoln was born with a form of cleft lip and palate, causing him speech problems throughout his life.

He had a lisp and delivered his words rapidly and unintelligibly. Often only those close to Lincoln were able to understand him.