Exploring Thomas Lincoln Cemetery and Grave - Coles County, Illinois

[@shirleysue228]

Matt, Actually, can't think of a better way to spend my Sat. night, with a storm blowing outside, cozy and warm, a glass of wine, a fascinating history lesson and a visit into the past, of President Lincoln and his family. A visit to this cemetery that I never knew existed. Kids should be taught this in school. What a treat. Thank you.

[@graveexplorations]

Thanks so much for spending part of your stormy weekend with me. :)

[@deborahisaacs5541]

I agree

[@melungeon55]

Excellent! I could feel the love between Sarah and Abraham Lincoln as you read the story of their sweet relationship.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you, there's was a sweet story. :)

[@timhyde5677]

I visited this cemetery today and was confused about the obelisk monument. This video clears it up perfectly. Thank you.

[@graveexplorations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joseleswopes1400]

Thank You for a Monumental Story and Walk 🕊️🙏🌹 Thoroughly enjoyed this moment Awe Inspiring 🕊️🙏🌹

[@ezragonzalez8936]

One can tell Sarah must have been absolutely Stunning in her youth as even as an old lady she was still pretty just look at those big tender looking eyes nearly the same gaze as her beloved Abraham thank you for sharing your talent with us Grave exploration! your presentations always show the upmost respect their lives might be long gone but their stories will live on forever! cheers from Salt Lake City , Utah

[@graveexplorations]

Thanks so much, this was a very special place to visit and a day I will never forget.

[@victoriataylor5457]

Thank you for another walk through history, of this lovely cemetery it was wonderful hearing of my favorite Presidents family. He was a great man. Sad Sarah's premonition came true. And the section that honors our Military Vets, also George's poem, The Pioneer was beautiful.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you for watching, I'm very glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@Epiphone100]

Love these films....from the UK and US history is every bit of fascinating as our own !!!

[@debbieprice2040]

A sad but captivating story. Again your words and music are hypnotic....they won't let one go. Thank you so much for your outstanding work. You do great justice to mankind's final resting places!!!

[@tigerback62]

Thank You so much!!!! Your work is so beautiful! Looking forward to you next video!!!!

[@graveexplorations]

Thanks so much! A new video is currently in the works... stay tuned :)

[@howdyradio934]

Thank you for the upload. With each video I become more enthralled. Watching from Australia.

[@JennaLeigh]

As always, absolutely superb video. I learn so much from these.

[@reginald29061]

A great lesson in American history thank you.

[@steveoconnor7069]

It is a peaceful location where Thomas and Sarah are buried. My wife and I did a Lincoln pilgrimage a few years ago and visited the farm where Thomas and Sarah spent their last years. It and the village of New Salem are well worth visiting.

[@michaelburgess9707]

You are the epitome of excellence. The history, cinematography (those clouds) and respect you show to these unknown friends we'll never meet are to be applauded. Thank you for sharing your very obvious passion.

[@harolynallison7915]

this is just beautiful presentation and this gentle voice presenting this brings tears to my eyes. well done, well done

[@laurab1089]

Wonderful and very moving video..

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@sydneyadams4758]

More than excellent ... as always! This was a beautiful tribute, so befitting of today (Lincoln's Birthday). Thank you

[@graveexplorations]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting :)

[@angiehougen9081]

The poem was beautiful, and a touching end to the video. I enjoyed this exploration, thank you.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you for watching and commenting! :)

[@patricatfurever4051]

Another great history video! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@cumberlandhistoriccemetery9568]

We love your videos, God bless you in saving and promoting our nation's important cemetery history. It is our mission also, from the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization, Cumberland, MD.

[@cindysaroya1251]

This was beautifully done and very moving. Thanks so much for reading the poem, too. It reminds me of a poem from my childhood about Nancy Hanks coming back to earth and asking how her boy Abe was getting on. Where is Nancy Hanks Lincoln's grave?

[@dianekennedy7086]

As a distant family member, I wish to express my appreciation for this wonderful, well done video. Mary Mudd Lincoln and Mordecai Lincoln were my third great aunt and uncle (Mary's sister Elizabeth Mudd Cassidy was my third great grandmother). They were known as "Aunt Mary and Uncle Mord" to President Lincoln. In the early history of the Lincoln family, Mordecai Lincoln was the one who shot the Indian dead in a raid and saved Thomas Lincoln's life. My mother's family were neighbors of Tom and Nancy Hanks Lincoln in Perry County, Indiana. I am so very proud of t his connection.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Great job as always! I haven't been there so that was interesting! I have been to the Santa Claus, IN where just outside of there you can see some fascinating Lincoln history there as well.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you, my friend! I almost went to the Lincoln Homestead near Santa Claus, but bad weather made me change my plans. I'm still kicking myself for that. I have a few more Lincoln locations that I'll put up between other projects. Thanks again, and all the best!

[@BloodofmyKindred]

I just visited these sites on 10-27-2022. Great videos

[@lizzdoe2821]

Such incredible narration!!

[@dennisgordon7379]

Thank you for stating that this was and is now known as by some as “The Old Gordon Cemetery”. The Gordon’s buried here are all related to me in some way. Also not too far from here in Janesville is my great grandfather, Daniel Thomas Gordon, grave. He was in the 5th Illinois Calvary and was a message bearer for General Custer on their march to Mississippi. Thank you for putting up this informative video.

[@geezmikey]

I love your videos, it even had me stop by some grave sites you've mention on your videos.. amazing job and work =D the history of them all are just priceless, cant wait for new vids!

[@graveexplorations]

I'm so glad to hear you're going out on own explorations! There's so much fascinating history out there waiting to be discovered. Thank you for all your support! :)

[@geezmikey]

one of my favorite vids, was when you mentioned frank chance of the cubbies! I had just bought his baseball card at the time, and recently told my gf about the 100 yr drought they had. you even made me research all the ball players buried in the los angeles area, so amazing! Ritchie valenz is buried in the san Fernando, perhaps an idea of a video?? =D

[@graveexplorations]

geez mikey The Frank Chance video is near and dear to my heart. Right around the time I made it, I lost a good friend of mine who was a walking talking baseball encyclopedia. He knew everything about the game from 1900 to 1990. Midwest teams were his specialty. He must’ve been guiding me that day 😇 The video is dedicated to him. So glad you enjoyed it.

[@patriciaherman6499]

Thank you this was very interesting and the time to research and edit the video. 👏👏👍😎

[@graveexplorations]

Thanks so much, I'm glad you liked it :)

[@christinisbichonlife8878]

Thank you!!! Love your channel,

[@cardio0007]

Wonderful, Matt~! I've been onto your stories darn near since you got started. VERY inspirational. I'm going to ask my kids to help me to learn to edit video/audio. When I do produce my first offering, the only opinion that will matter will be yours. And maybe Mr. Dark. He is also Fantastic (see what I did there?) thanks again.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you so much! It's wonderful to hear that you are interesting in making your own videos with your kids. Please let me know when your first video is ready, I would love to see it. I wish you all the best. 😊

[@patriciajohnson256]

Awesome video! I wonder how many actually know this very emotional story! Thank you!!

[@Skiff-zo2rz]

outstanding! well put together and narrated

[@KenGriffiths]

Superb Sir, superb...thank you.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@whatsthedealwithdanny3913]

Great video, I wonder if Thomas knew the gift he had given the world. Probably not. But I am thankful he did. Thanks for the video. If I am ever in Illinois, I will try to stop and pay my respects.

[@luciodomicio2192]

Excelente recorrido. Conocimiento, cultura e historia bien narradas. En mi caso, activo los subtitulos en español. Gracias por tu video.

[@ddylla85]

Superb as always.

[@graveexplorations]

Thanks very much! :)

[@MiyshoiCollins]

This made me feel deep.

[@MrWorf53]

"Farmington" in this video is not the current town west of Peoria, but is the alternate name for Campbell. Campbell is on the south border of Coles County. Very nice video.

[@josem.santiago760]

Great history !

[@aliciacollins1032]

Beautiful beautiful video good sir

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you for watching and commenting, I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@strabefie1977]

Excellent Video! I really can lern a lot from your Videos. Greetings from Germany

[@deborahisaacs5541]

Love your videos, l have learned more history from you than l did in school

[@2.7petabytes]

You do good work sir! Many thanks

[@cmcmahon8551]

Beautifully done!

[@patbowman6723]

Beautiful

[@martinyeakey4368]

I like history like that

[@edwardaustin740]

Nother great video. Thank you !!

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you for watching and commenting :)

[@TunTavernWarrior2]

Well done!

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you :)

[@gsdalpha1358]

This is a really late comment :-) Several years ago my Mom and I made a weekend of exploring graves in Lewiston and Petersburg, Illinois by the Spoon River. Edgar Lee Masters "Spoon River Anthology" (pub. 1915) was based upon those graveyards. Fascinating time spent following a map to match the names in his book of poetry! There's no one really famous, just history of the people who lived and died and were immortalized forever in 112 pages.

[@mrbizzarro]

Its been awhile........thank you

[@graveexplorations]

It sure has, and my apologies for the delay. It's been crazy busy on my end for the last few months. I appreciate your patience, thank you! :)

[@sniper13143]

Very nice.

[@patriciafoy9853]

enjoyed very much even though i am scottish many thanks

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! :)

[@sonnydean3187]

You do good work.

[@thetraveler2561]

Well Done.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you! :)

[@annmoles3108]

Never been there but want to go Thank you

[@cindyzaragoza2736]

nice job

[@mocacouture]

Nice!!! 😊

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you! :)

[@KitschyTravels]

Very interesting!

[@graveexplorations]

KitschyTravels I’m glad you found it so. Thank you for watching and commenting 😊

[@miltonroberts7948]

My memory is full of gaps, but there is a medical facility in Coles County, Illinois named for Sarah Bush Lincoln.

[@graveexplorations]

Your memory serves you well, I passed it on the way to the location.

[@dantaylor3066]

I really like the photography on "Exploring Thomas Lincoln Cemetery and Grave". However, the narration is inaccurate. Thomas was a generous and kind man. He was not a wanderlust before Illinois. He had one home, one farm, in Indiana from 1816 to 1830. Sarah Lincoln said Thomas was supportive of Abraham's education and reading. Thomas did not abuse Abraham and was no harder on him than other pioneer fathers were on their children. Sarah was a very good stepmother but Abraham credited what he was to his angel mother, Nancy. Abraham was not as estranged from his father as traditional history records. Abraham kept contact with his father with visits and letters throughout Thomas' life. Abraham had visited Thomas not long before his death even though he could not make the final visit referenced in the famous letter used. Abraham and Thomas chose very different approaches to life and that did keep them apart but there was no hate, no animosity between the two. Thomas was a good man, well respected by family and friends. If you want the facts of Thomas' life, refer to my biography of Thomas: Thomas Lincoln, Abraham's Father published by Beacon and available on Amazon.

[@MrWoodMan23]

Often times, we tend to forget those who were instrumental in developing and molding the heart and mind of one of this nations greatest Presidents ever.

[@Mr100741]

My Father was born in Lerna in 1904 as was my Grandmother Leila Funkhouser {1877} and her parents W.L. {1854} and Alice Azalia {Raines} Funkhouser {1858]. My 2 x Great Grandfather Wilson Lee Funkhouser born in 1822 in Effingham and died in Coles County in 1888 had a farm just down the road from Thomas and Sara Lincoln's farm. We've often wondered if Thomas Lincoln and Wilson Lee Funkhouser knew each other.

[@Ghostgetter]

that was great. you never hear of the parents and never taught in school.

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you for watching and commenting, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Some of the mystery about Lincoln's family is in part because of Lincoln. He was very quiet, if not evasive, about his youth.

[@celiagorleski2716]

Coles County, not Cole County. I went to college at the nearby Eastern Illinois University.

[@graveexplorations]

My apologies.

[@celiagorleski2716]

@@graveexplorations No need to apologize. It was a good University. Lol

[@graveexplorations]

@@celiagorleski2716 Haha! I'm sure it was a great school. I meant my apologies for the mispronunciation of Coles County. :)

[@iammike_thx3154]

I’m John Jake Gordon’s Great Great Great Great Grandson, I’m so proud to hear his name

[@CHEHERANDIA]

Matt Thomas Lincoln had another son named Thomas Lincoln Jr.

[@Ghostgetter]

I can understand why. His father I'm sure was not very good to him

[@rogercoles9759]

hmmm my county

[@rere2425]

It's strange I didn't know this history? It's amazing. .I do ancestry tree and what I saw as my results my 10th great aunt Sarah Jones married mordecai lincoln in 1620 correct me if I'm wrong. ..and come to find out as I continue to fill is the relations Abraham Lincoln was my 5th cousin 6th times removed ...I was like ...speechless😵😳

[@Malikadionne]

How u remove a cousin? Blood is blood

[@rebelpearl]

@@Malikadionne When talking about genealogy to say a person is a cousin but removed means the generations away from the connection. For example: your mother has a first cousin but that cousin is your first cousin once removed. Mom - first cousin You - first cousin once removed Cousin has a child Child of cousin - mom’s first cousin once removed Child of cousin to you - second cousin (of the same family generation) Grandchild of first cousin to mom - first cousin twice removed Grandchild of first cousin to you - second cousin once removed Your child to cousin - first cousin twice removed Your child to second cousin - second cousin once removed Your child to grandchild of cousin - third cousin. I hope that helps.

[@rriveter9927]

1620 was the year the Pilgrims arrived here on the Mayflower. Your relatives were here before that or on the voyage ?

[@rebelpearl]

Sarah and Mordecai were married in 1685. Neither were even born yet in 1620. They were my 9th great grandparents.

[@Vrindavan82]

Where are the graves of all the animals that served in the wars

[@baddiebaddie7046]

I personally believe that we are each destined to be who we will be, regardless of all else... there's just several different roads/options that we can take in order to get there. The ppl around us are merely "supporting cast members" of each of our very own"movies". Abraham Lincoln would have become the Abraham Lincoln that we learn about today, REGARDLESS of all else, because it was his DESTINY. Also, Abraham Lincoln is NOT the individual that we are taught to revere, in fact, he is quite the opposite.

[@janineharrison5186]

Why do we try to tear down our heritage? Thank goodness the efforts to tear down that church were not successful. Same with our monuments....when we erase our past, we will repeat our mistakes

[@graveexplorations]

Very well said. Thank yo for watching :)

[@Rumpleskin]

Even more true now in 2020

[@lauralaura2293]

such s beautiful video...

[@graveexplorations]

Thank you so much! :)