In an example of extremes, regarding both age and progeny, we have the family of Samuel Lincoln, Jr., who was born in Windham, Connecticut, in 1693. He was the son of Samuel Lincoln and Elizabeth Jacobs (I wrote previously about their son Jacob’s family).
Samuel Lincoln, Jr. lived 101 years, and his son Captain Nathaniel Lincoln lived 105 years. There are stories about gawkers wanting to see the old men, as the elder Nathaniel was still climbing apple trees and working as a cooper at his centennial. Nathaniel’s only known child, his son Captain Nathaniel Lincoln, Jr., lived 93 years.
But three of Samuel’s youngest children never got to count their ages in years:
Joseph born and died April 19, 1730
Jonathan born and died April 18, 1731
Daniel born April 5 and died April 20, 1736.
The other among his four youngest barely got to enjoy adulthood: Eleazer was born March 7, 1732, but died in November 1754.
However, Samuel’s three remaining children, his eldest, gave him 18 grandchildren (including Nathaniel above). His son John was a Revolutionary War Patriot:
And his eldest son Samuel (1724-1800) had the most progeny of them all, 12 children with two wives, Phebe Fenton (1728-1754) and Phyllis Austin (1737-1776). However, some of those children never saw adulthood or had children, though others gave him grandchildren in double digits.
Elihu (1749-1754)
Phebe (1751-1818), never married so no known children
Samuel (1753-1844), married cousin Prudence Lincoln and had 5 children
Ruth (1759-1791) had no known children
Elihu (1760-1847) had no children
Mary (b. 1762, fate unknown)
Elizabeth (1764-1841) had 3 children
Achsah (1766-1849) had 1 known child
Ebenezer/Eleazer (1768-1845) had 2 children
Shubael (see more on his family) had 12 children (1770-1835)
Oshea (1772-1830) had 12 children
Levi (1774-1850) had no known children
This family is also a good example of the losses Colonial families tended to experience despite having numerous children. Of Samuel’s 7 children, only 4 survived to adulthood, and only 3 to have children of their own. His grandchildren fared better, but they still experienced the ups and downs of longevity and loss.
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Lineage and genealogy research
Looking back at families, I'm amazed at those who did survive—especially into old age. Consider the risks of childbirth alone!