The Mordecai Lincoln House

The Mordecai Lincoln House. . Built in 1797, the Mordecai Lincoln House is one of two structures in Kentucky, of those formerly owned by members of President Lincoln's family, which still stands largely intact on its original site. Mordecai Lincoln purchased 400 acres for 100 pounds from Terah Templin, pioneer Presbyterian minister, to build the two-story log cabin. There is evidence that the stairs to the second story room were on the east wall. Further examination indicates that the federal-style frame house now on the property would have been added to the log house around 1815 by the wealthy owner Wilfred Hayden. Mordecai owned the house until 1802 and continued to live in the area with his wife, Mary Mudd, and six children until 1810, at which time the family relocated to Grayson County, Kentucky. Mordecai died in 1830 in Hancock County, Illinois. Sadly, in later years the house fell into disrepair when it was used to house pigs and hay. Fortunately, Kentucky purchased the house and, with the assistance of local historians, a restoration project was initiated which resulted in the house being placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Of historic interest is the fact that Mordecai's wife, Mary Mudd, was a cousin of Dr. Samuel Mudd who was convicted for alleged involvement in President Lincoln's murder. Neither Mordecai nor his wife lived to see his nephew become President of the United States. Latitude:37.74833, Longitude 85.20972 , Donated by The Washington County, Kentucky Historical Society October 2023