Did Abe Lincoln Have Any Surviving Children? Tad and Willie?

Abe Lincoln met Mary Todd at a dance and the couple began a tempestuous relationship and marriage after that first eventful evening. Once engaged, Abe had second thoughts and called off the marriage in 1841 but well intentioned friends brought them together and they were married in 1842. It was a stormy relationship due to their conflicting personalities. Mary was a somebody, coming from a wealthy influential Kentucky family. Her father, Robert Samuel Todd, served in the Kentucky legislature and was a close friend of Henry Clay. Mary was well educated, loved politics, and was used to the finer things in life. Her lanky husband had very little education and had lived a life of hardship and poverty. Mary was a spendthrift and mystical, turning to spiritualism which was very popular during her time. Abe was moody, often walking away when Mary went into a rage. They shared an interest in literature, politics, and the theater. But one has to wonder about what really brought them together. Mary always said she wanted to marry a President. Did she see a diamond in the rough when she met the personable, wise, rail-splitter from Illinois? Abe? One might guess he was attracted to this flighty butterfly with desirable political ties because of the things they had in common; they seemed to fill a need both had built on desire and ambition.

They would have four sons, only one would reach the ripe old age of 83. All the boys were spoiled as Abe and Mary were reluctant to enforce discipline, Abe often thought their pranks funny. Mary devoted her life to her family, staying home to provide them a loving, secure base but was bewildered by her rambunctious boys who were always pushing the edges of parental patience. She complained to Abe but he would simply shrug and wave her off. During the Civil War years, he was simply too busy to get involved in family matters.

Robert Todd Lincoln 1843-1926

He was the first child of Abe and Mary and would be the only one to have a long life. He had a sense for fashion and clothing. Robert was known to be priggish and somewhat emotionally distant from his father. Abe was away during much of his son’s early years, riding the court circuit out of Springfield. He was shy and reserved but was intelligent, having graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and was a student at Harvard. He would later earn a law degree when he and his mother along with Tad moved to Chicago. He wanted to serve in the Civil War but his mother fought the idea and Lincoln complied. He finally got to wear the uniform of a captain while serving safely as an aide to General Grant. He later served under President Garfield and President Chester Arthur as Secretary of War and minister to Great Britain. In his later years he was made president of the Pullman Company.

A scandal took him by surprise when word got out that he had his mother, Mary, committed to a psychiatric hospital. He claimed his mother was deep in debt, uncontrollable, and a danger to herself. Mary got in contact with some of her friends and the whole affair was published in the newspapers. Mary was released but she and her son never truly reconciled.

Another little known aspect of his life were the ironies and strange occurrences that plagued him. On July 2, 1881, he was at the train station in Washington and witnessed the assassination of President James Garfield. Although not an eyewitness, he was attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo when President William McKinley was shot. Years earlier, when on a break from Harvard, he was heading home to Washington by train. He was caught on a crowded platform and lost his balance. He was about to be pushed by a moving train when he was grabbed by a handsome young man who pulled him to safety. He recognized the stranger who had probably saved his life as Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth. Edwin would always be grateful he was there that day after the shame brought on the family name by his brother John.

Robert married Mary Harlan in 1868. They would have three children, two daughters and a son. Their son, Abraham Lincoln, died at 17 and was never married. Daughter Jessie Harlan Beckwith, had two children but neither would have children. The other daughter, Mary, had a son who was married but didn’t have children.

Edward Baker Lincoln 1846-1850

Eddie was a tender-hearted youngster who loved animals and was very kind. Unfortunately, he died a month short of his fourth birthday. His death was listed as consumption but others say death was caused by a type of thyroid cancer. It’s believed Mary’s unstable character was aggravated by this tragedy.

William "Willie" Lincoln 1850-1862

Willie was without a doubt the favorite of both parents. He was handsome and bright. Willie loved books and had a fine sense of humor. One wag said he was much like his father but Willie, unlike Abe, was good looking. Some said he would have been a natural writer. His death rocked the family with both parents inconsolable. Mary went into mourning for a year. But it was the second year of the Civil War and Lincoln had to force himself to work. Poor Mary never got over the boy’s death. For years she claimed Eddie and Willie came to her at night and stood by her bedside with reassurances of their love. He died, it’s believed, of a thyroid- like disease and his condition may have been brought on by drinking contaminated water.

Thomas “Tad” Lincoln 1853-1871

This was the fourth and last child of President Lincoln and his wife Mary. When he was born, the President said his head was too large and he looked like a tadpole. The nickname stuck. All of the boys had a sense of humor and like to pull pranks but Tad was unstoppable. He was highly emotional, spoke with a lisp, and hated school and books. He broke mirrors, locked doors, insulted White House guests and was the complete opposite of their dear Willie. He once set up a food shop in the lobby of the White House. Lincoln simply laughed when told of his actions. He was pretty much illiterate into his teen years. Mary and Tad went to Germany after Lincoln’s death where different tutors attempted to teach the young man. On the return home from Europe, Tad came down with a fever which he couldn’t shake. It’s believed he died from tuberculosis.

Meet The Last Lincoln:

Robert “Bud” Lincoln Beckwith 1904-1985

Bud was the son of Jessie Harlan Lincoln Beckwith. His grandfather was Robert Todd Lincoln, his great grandfather would be Abraham Lincoln. He listed his profession as “gentleman farmer of independent means.” He had an indifferent scholastic career but did claim a law degree from the National University Law School. He would serve in World War II as a member of the coast guard. Bud listed his hobbies as boating, fast cars, and beautiful women. His first marriage was to an older woman and lasted 30 years. He had no children of his own. Bud lived in Vermont for most of his life. With his death in 1985, the direct Lincoln line ended.