Chapter 1: A Leader's Early Loss

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, is celebrated as one of the nation’s most influential leaders. His thoughtful and practical demeanor was, in part, shaped by the profound loss of his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, during his childhood—a tragedy that stemmed from a surprising source: poisoned milk.

Lincoln was born into a pioneering family in a log cabin in Kentucky and later relocated with them to the untamed wilderness of Indiana. This challenging environment forced his family to often live on the outskirts of settlements, constantly pushing the boundaries of civilization.

In 1818, at the tender age of nine, Lincoln’s mother tragically passed away after caring for a sick neighbor who had contracted the same illness. She fell ill shortly after and died about two weeks later. It was later revealed that her death resulted not from any contagious disease she may have caught while helping others, but from a condition known as "milk sickness," which was prevalent in the area at the time.

The culprit behind Nancy’s demise was tainted milk from a cow that had consumed White Snakeroot, a toxic plant. This large weed, characterized by its fluffy white flowers, is commonly found in regions like Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. Initially believed to have medicinal properties for treating snake bites, it was later discovered that it posed a serious danger to those who ingested milk or meat from affected cows. Symptoms of milk sickness included severe vomiting, muscle stiffness, pain, coma, and even death. Tragically, Nancy's relatives, Elizabeth and Thomas Sparrow, are also thought to have succumbed to the same fate due to contaminated milk.

The spike in milk sickness during Nancy Lincoln's time was likely due to the influx of settlers in the area, many of whom were inadequately managing their livestock's grazing habits. This lack of proper pastures led cows to forage in wooded areas, increasing their chances of consuming the poisonous plant.

Dr. Walter J. Daly from the Indiana University School of Medicine discussed the impact of milk sickness in the Indiana Magazine of History:

"Ordinary settlers and their doctors found it unpredictable, untreatable and highly fatal. Milk sickness killed many, frightened more and caused local economic crises. Villages and farms were abandoned; livestock died; entire families were killed. Migration to areas thought to be safer became common. And then the disease almost disappeared without any special preventive actions … Its disappearance would prove to be a consequence of the progress of Midwestern civilization and advances in agriculture."

This traumatic loss, compounded by the fact that Lincoln personally assisted his father in constructing the coffin for his mother, left a deep mark on his youth. To add to the tragedy, no one understood why a robust woman like Nancy could perish so suddenly at just 34 years of age.

While Lincoln’s father is often seen as a rugged, hardworking figure, the future president was fortunate to have a stepmother, Sarah Bush Johnston, enter his life the year following his mother’s death. She provided nurturing support that encouraged his interests in reading and education, despite the demanding nature of rural farm life.

Milk sickness has since become rare, but White Snakeroot continues to flourish. Ironically, some of these plants have been spotted in recent years, growing alarmingly close to the resting place of Nancy Hanks Lincoln.

Explore the dark secret of White Snakeroot and how it led to the poisoning of Lincoln's mother, forever changing his life.

Learn about the tragic circumstances surrounding the milk poisoning that claimed the life of Lincoln's mother.