A Pioneer Expat Mother Named Nancy
Facing the trials of moving around with determination to give her children opportunities in life she had missed
It was a February, 8 years after the “Declaration of Independence” had given birth to a new nation. A bitter winter’s day at the foot of New Creek Mountain in West Virginia.
A young single woman named Lucy begun to feel her womb’s movements.
“What would be of me and this child?” She thought.
Tears came down as Little Nancy was handed over to her. “She is beautiful” she exclaimed as she saw her baby sleeping on her arms.
A few years later a letter arrived from Kentucky.
“Great news” said Lucy to her little Nancy: ”We are moving to Kentucky to live with auntie Elizabeth. Don’t be afraid, going through the mountains will be fun.”
Little Nancy hugged and said good bye to her childhood friends.
First move 
Two months later after 500 miles on the road, the land of Kentucky welcomed them.
It was Nancy’s first experience settling down in a new culture and with a new family.
She was glad her auntie Elizabeth had decided to keep her and take care of her. Her mother
Lucy, had married and to be a “respectable wife” in those days it meant she could not have a child born “out of wedlock” with her.
Nancy hugged and said good bye to her mother as she and her husband went away.
Auntie Elizabeth loved her as her own child. Nancy grew to become an attractive, delicate framed young woman with dark hair and hazel eyes. Her reputation of being a seamstress with high work ethics required her to travel around to work.
One day while she was working away from home, she met a young carpenter named Thomas.
They fell in love . . . the rest is history . . .
As a newly wed she had to say good bye to her family and friends to go live in a 200 acre farm land owned by Tom.
Second move
9 days later after 90 miles on the road Nancy arrived to her new home.
Her baby girl Sarah was born there. Two years later the young couple faced disputes over land ownership and decided to buy another farm land close by.
Third move
A half-day journey 3 miles away was not as bad as before. Nancy was 7 month pregnant with her second child. She found herself, again living away from her close friends.
On a cold winter day that February in 1809, almost 25 years on her birthday, she laid on her bed of poles and corn husks.
Just as the sun was rising her son was born.
As she didn’t have enough to worry about, a land dispute over their property broke up once more.
“What are we going to do?” she and Tom wondered. “Let’s try leasing a land” was their best solution to stop risking losing their investments. After two years Nancy had to pack up her household and leave her home.
Fourth move
It took a one day journey 10 miles away. For five years the children enjoyed playing and working by the creek named Knob. The boy loved to be by her mother’s side watching her expressive face while she read to him and Sarah. Nancy’s priority was to teach her children to read and write. She had also lost her third child. She had become a woman with a strong personality mixed with extraordinary sweetness.
The last stroke came when Tom and Nancy found out there was a land dispute over the place they were leasing. “Enough is enough” they said of these scams and land frauds.
They decided to move to a different area away from Kentucky.
Fifth move
After 10 days traveling 100 miles, the family arrived in Spencer County Indiana. They could find peace there under a land ordinance which ensured they could retained the land once they bought it.
Nancy was unfamiliar with the plants in the new region. She died two years later of a type of “mad cow milk” poisoning.
Nancy had only 9 years to influence her son. Were her troubles worth it?
You bet!
This is what her grown up son had to say about his mother Nancy.
“God bless my mother;
all that I am or ever hope to be I owe to her.”
16th President of the United States
Nancy Hanks Lincoln
a heck of a pioneer mother and
role model to modern women!!!!
Is there something in your life where you can relate to her?
I’d love to hear from you!
Delmy is a Certified Life Coach who has lived in the international arena for over 25 years. As a wife she has experienced overseas moves with two young daughters and as an empty-nest spouse. Her passion is empowering women who for job-related reasons, are living in a culture different to the one they are accustomed to.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Delmy,
I like your story and being a single mother since the birth of my daughter I can relate to the challenges. It was beautiful to see Abraham Lincoln’s comment about his mother after all they had been through. We do our best as moms and try to make the choices that will best serve our children, much of the time only having trust and faith to go by. I know that living with integrity and being true to myself is the best gift that I can give to my daughter.
Dear Tonya, Your comment is so valuable! Being a mother, regardless of the circumstances is not an easy challenge. I love how you express the importance of “doing our best with trust and faith.”
Your daughter is blessed to have a mother such as you are <3 The most valuable gifts we can give them are sharing of ourselves with them. Like in Nancy Hanks’ story, sometimes we don’t receive recognition while on this life. Enjoying and doing the best for our children while we have them with us is, I believe, the best reward!!! Like Jill Churchill said it:
“There is no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.”
Happy Mother’s day!!! with hugs and affection!
Hello Delmy,
Your story was so wonderfully written! History is captivating and the fact that women like you are so talented in bringing it to us is priceless. As my husband and I decided to move to the U.S….we talked a lot about the consequences of such move. I can just imagine how many sleepless nights Nancy Hanks Lincoln must have spent thinking about the future of her family and prayed to be guided in taking the right path on the road of life! Very inspiring! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Dear Nathalie, Yes indeed, it takes a lot of risk taking and weighing the consequences each time we decide on moving to a different place. Like I youth mentor would said while unknowningly preparing me for my life ahead: “to live the adventure of discovering the world is of great souls. The road is narrow at times, but those who accomplish it are amazingly rewarded.” Thanks dear Nathalie for supporting my way of looking at historical figures, such as Nancy Hanks Lincoln, as a source of encouragement for our daily life. I appreciate your visit and sharing of your experience.
i am a descendent of Thomas Hanks, oldest son of Joseph and Ann Lee Hanks, and oldest brother of Lucy Hanks. I want to thank you for telling the story correctly!! Nancy was not the orphin of James Hanks, or had a Shipley mother. She was the daughter of Lucy Hanks, and did live with her Aunt Elizabeth Hanks Sparrow, not Shipley. I have written my own book, Abraham Lincolns Hanks Family Genealogy, to dispell all these myths about Nancy Hanks Lincoln!
What a gift you have given me Vicky! Reading your words is the best compensation I can ever receive! Your comment is the most uplifting and encouraging I have ever received
During my visit to Kentucky I was looking forward to visit “the actual site” where A.Lincoln was born. It’s one of those things I love to do when I travel. While there my heart was touched and intrigued as I learned about Nancy Hanks. My admiration for her was awaken as I would picture her in that very setting raising her son and planting the very (unseen) seeds of his character.
The more I thought and learned about her I could see how we modern women could relate to her and learn from her legacy. I thought “if she only had imagine the great contribution she was making for the benefit of this nation.” Motherhood at its best. This was one of my most favorite articles to write and so very glad to see your approval of it. . . . ” a real descendant of her uncle!”
You have touched my heart and motivated me immensely to continue on with my blog writings aimed at inspiring and motivating women, especially those whose lives require constant moving. Thanks so much! Awesome you have taken the time to write dispelling myths. I would like to purchase your book and get to know more about the background of this wonderful woman Nancy Hanks Lincoln. What a blessing to be related to her. My hearth felt appreciation for your visit and taking the time to comment.