Milk Sickness and the death of Nancy Hanks Lincoln

19 Nov Milk Sickness and the death of Nancy Hanks Lincoln

For my internship project, I have decided to replace an exhibit on display at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. This exhibit is dedicated to the cause of death for Abraham Lincoln’s Mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln. There is inaccurate information on the current display that needs to be updated. This is crucial to provide the public with accurate information on southern Indiana history.

Nancy died on October 5, 1818, of Tremetol Poisoning, commonly known as Milk Sickness. It is a poison caused by consuming a plant common in southern Indiana called White Snakeroot.  She most likely died after treating her neighbor Nancy Broone,r for the same condition. Nancy’s Aunt and Uncle, Elizabeth and Thomas Sparro,w also died of Milk Sickness around the same time.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial hosts the burial site of Nancy Hanks Lincoln. She is buried at Pioneer Cemetery along with Nancy Brooner, Elizabeth, and Thomas. The Cemetery can be visited at the site near the Visitor’s Center.

As a Historian, I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to work on this project. This exhibit will provide me with the much-needed experience to grow in my field and contribute to a treasured historical site. This project will preserve the memory of Nancy Hanks Lincoln and educate the public about an important aspect of Abraham Lincoln’s life. I would also like to thank Ranger Connie at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial for assisting me in this project. She has a wealth of knowledge on this topic.