The Lincoln Family
The owner of this dress, Maria Barnes, was born in 1827 to parents Ensign Barnes Jr. and Deborah Lincoln. The Lincoln family of Hingham contains many famous members.
The patriarch, Samuel Lincoln (1622-1690), emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony from England in 1637. He was one of the earliest settlers of Hingham and had 11 children. This large family would eventually spread throughout the future United States and have many successful members. Samuel’s descendants included Benjamin Lincoln, the first Secretary of War of the United States and the general who accepted the British surrender at Yorktown at the end of the Revolutionary War, and Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
Perhaps the most exciting Lincoln family member was Maria’s grandfather, Captain Barnabas Lincoln. On December 17, 1821, on the way to Cuba on the schooner Exertion, Barnabas and his crew of six were captured by pirates. He described his captors as:
“It is impossible to give an account of the filthiness of this crew, and were it possible it would not be expedient. In their appearance they were terrific, wearing black whiskers and long beards, the receptacles of dirt and vermin. They used continually the most profane language; had frequent quarrels; and so great was their love of gambling that the captain would play cards with the meanest man on board.”
By the time Barnabas and his crew safely arrived back in Boston on March 25, 1822, Barnabas’ ordeal had many twists and turns worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster film.
Click here to read Barnabas’ complete account!