More about Cousin George
george burt Lincoln
postmaster appointment
postmaster appointment
Born Hardwick, Massachusetts 25 Aug 1817. Married Mary Adelaide Bannister of New York.
postmaster appointment
postmaster appointment
postmaster appointment
SOON TO BE IMPEACHED ANDREW JOHNSON REMOVED HIM
George's Birthplace in Hardwick with son George on left
assortment of mentions
From Dickinson College Archives summary:
George Burt Lincoln was born in 1817 in Hardwick, Massachusetts. After working for
Benjamin Hamilton for three years, George Burt Lincoln moved to Brooklyn, New York in
1838 to start his own business. An abolitionist, he became involved with the Republican Party,
and was an active supporter of both John Fremont and Abraham Lincoln. After serving in the
defense of Washington D.C. at the start of the Civil War, George Burt Lincoln was appointed
Postmaster of Brooklyn in May of 1861. He held that position until 1867, when he was
appointed Sanitary Commissioner for the State of New York. After his retirement, George Burt
Lincoln traveled the American West and Europe before returning to his property in Tenafly,
New Jersey around 1885. George Burt Lincoln died in 1890.
Three Post Offices
Brooklyn Standard Union Anniversary Issue
Three Post Offices Handled Brooklyn Mail Sixty-five Years Ago.
Brooklyn had three post offices in 1863 as compared with the present day¹s
main office at Washington and Johnson Streets and thirty branch or
sub-station offices scattered throughout the borough.
The Brooklyn Post Office of that day was at Court and Montague Streets, the
Williamsburgh post office was at 78 Fourth Street (E.D.) in the old Wall
House, and the Greenpoint post office at Franklin Street and National Avenue.
George B. LINCOLN was postmaster in Brooklyn, John S. ALLEN was in charge at
Williamsburgh and Charles McCARTIE ran the Greenpoint office.
Stiles History of Brooklyn- Vol 3
In 1861, George B. Lincoln became post master and held the office over five years. By this time the business had so greatly increased that it had sonic ten clerks and thirty carriers. It was during Mr. Lincoln’s term that the money order department was opened, and several reforms were also made to facilitate business. In 1866, Mr. Lincoln was succeeded by Thomas Kinsella, Esq.,
(from Lincoln's Yarns and Stories , by Colonel Alexander K. McClure)
George B. Lincoln, a prominent merchant of Brooklyn, was traveling through the West in 1855-56, and found himself one night in a town on the Illinois River, by the name of Naples. The only tavern of the place had evidently been constructed with reference to business on a small scale. Poor as the prospect seemed, Mr. Lincoln had no alternative but to put up at the place.
The supper-room was also used as a lodging-room. Mr. Lincoln told his host that he thought he would "go to bed."
"Bed!" echoed the landlord. "There is no bed for you in this house unless you sleep with that man yonder. He has the only one we have to spare."
"Well," returned Mr. Lincoln, "the gentleman has possession, and perhaps would not like a bed-fellow."
Upon this a grizzly head appeared out of the pillows, and said:
"What is your name?"
"They call me Lincoln at home," was the reply.
"Lincoln!" repeated the stranger; "any connection of our Illinois Abraham?"
"No," replied Mr. Lincoln. "I fear not."
"Well," said the old gentleman, "I will let any man by the name of 'Lincoln' sleep with me, just for the sake of the name. You have heard of Abe?" he inquired.
"Oh, yes, very often," replied Mr. Lincoln. "No man could travel far in this State without hearing of him, and I would be very glad to claim connection if I could do so honestly."
"Well," said the old gentleman, "my name is Simmons. 'Abe' and I used to live and work together when young men. Many a job of woodcutting and rail-splitting have I done up with him. Abe Lincoln was the likeliest boy in God's world. He would work all day as hard as any of us and study by firelight in the loghouse half the night; and in this way he made himself a thorough, practical surveyor. Once, during those days, I was in the upper part of the State, and I met General Ewing, whom President Jackson had sent to the Northwest to make surveys. I told him about Abe Lincoln, what a student he was, and that I wanted he should give him a job. He looked over his memorandum, and, holding out a paper, said:
"'There is County must be surveyed; if your friend can do the work properly, I shall be glad to have him undertake it--the compensation will be six hundred dollars.'
"Pleased as I could be, I hastened to Abe, after I got home, with an account of what I had secured for him. He was sitting before the fire in the log-cabin when I told him; and what do you think was his answer? When I finished, he looked up very quietly, and said:
"'Mr. Simmons, I thank you very sincerely for your kindness, but I don't think I will undertake the job.'
"'In the name of wonder,' said I, 'why? Six hundred does not grow upon every bush out here in Illinois.'
"'I know that,' said Abe, 'and I need the money bad enough, Simmons, as you know; but I have never been under obligation to a Democratic Administration, and I never intend to be so long as I can get my living another way. General Ewing must find another man to do his work.'"
A friend related this story to the President one day, and asked him if it were true.
"Pollard Simmons!" said Lincoln. "Well do I remember him. It is correct about our working together, but the old man must have stretched the facts somewhat about the survey of the county. I think I should have been very glad of the job at the time, no matter what Administration was in power."
448 HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. - Stiles, Vol 2.
Charles Christmas has contributed $200 to aid in recruiting and rendering a draft in Brooklyn unnecessary, to be paid as special bounties to the first forty volunteers, who signed the rolls between nine and ton, on Wednesday morning. Capt. J. Davenport was at this time raising in Brooklyn a company of “Monitors.” The Smith's department in the Navy Yard, formed a Relief Association. The Hon. William Wall, representative in congress from the Fifth District, contributed $1,000 to aid in recruiting ($10 each), first 100 volunteers in the 1st Long Island, and the 14th Regiments.
The Eastern District was also aroused-meetings were held nightly in almost every election district, and liberal contributions were received.
An amusing episode occurred during this period of general enthusiasm, which was as creditable to those concerned, as it wag entertaining. Mr. Geo. B. Lincoln, then post master of Brooklyn, happening to call on Mayor Opdyke of New York, on the Sabbath immediately following the second battle of Bull Run, (fought oil the 29th of August) was informed by the mayor that he had received a telegraphic dispatch from the secretary of war, requesting that a number of volunteer surgeons be forwarded at once, to the front, to meet the pressing exigencies of the moment. His honor suggested that the medical profession of Brooklyn might also furnish volunteers for this service; and Mr. Lincoln, entering heartily into the plan, immediately returned to Brooklyn, which he reached at about half-past ten A. M., an hour, unfortunately for his purpose, when physicians, as well as others, are generally at church. Taking his carriage, however, he drove rapidly around to the offices of various physicians, finding some ten or a dozen of them at home, all of whom promptly volunteered their services, and prepared to leave by the evening train for Washington. Returning to New York, Mr. Lincoln procured for them the necessary transportation; and, when, after a hard day's work, he reached his home about five P. M., was met at the door by his wife, who told him that the house was full of doctors! And so it proved; for, on entering he found parlors, hall-ways and, indeed, every available standing place, occupied by such a gathering of medical men, as perhaps, Brooklyn never saw before.
450 HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. - Stiles, Vol.2
November 24th. The Woman’s Relief Society was formed.
December 2d. The 42d Massachusetts Volunteers left camp at Union Course, L. I., this day, and being delayed by not finding the transport vessel ready for their reception, spent the night in Brooklyn, at the armory, where they were provided with a good hot supper by the 13th New York State National Guards. A member of the 42d writing to the Barre (Mass.) Gazette, thus describes the hospitalities received by himself and comrades, from the Brooklynites. “Mr. Geo. B. Lincoln, city postmaster, gave supper to ten of our company; gave them a good bed, set a table in the morning for sixty, but breakfasted about forty, that being all he could find. Wm. Gilmore, 277 Hicks street, gave about two hundred and fifty meals; a stanch, old democrat, said he could not go to the war, but wanted to feed the boys. One other man, on Atlantic street, dealt out coffee for two hours, while we were waiting for the boat, and distributed cigars. One widow lady, name unknown, invited to supper about fifteen, gave them lodging, and gave breakfast to about twenty. There were other hospitalities, but I am unable to state them. The 42d say, with a will, “Bully for Brooklyn!”
OBITUARY - New York Herald Tribune
Hon. George Burt Lincoln
In our last issue we announced the death of this excellent and noble man with whose friendship it was our good fortune to be favored.
George Burt Lincoln was at one time postmaster of Brooklyn and formerly prominent in political circles at that city. Mr. Lincoln was born in Hardwick, Mass., in 1817. When 15 years of age he left his father's farm and entered the employ of the proprietor of the country store. In 1838, when 21 years old, he commenced business on his own account in New York City. He went to Brooklyn in 1852. Early in life he became interested in national politics and in 1834, while residing in Massachusetts, he joined the old Liberal party and was a member of the Faneuil Hall committee, which nominated Henry Clay for the Presidency. He did active work among the anti-slavery voters in that city in 1852. He was an earnest worker during the Freemont campaign of 1856 and was among the first to name Abraham Lincoln as the candidate of the Republican party and did much to bring about his nomination. He took a vigorous part in the campaign of 1860 and was the first to tell, in letters to the press, the story of the Republican candidate having been a rail splitter.
When the rebellion began and Washington was threatened, Mr. Lincoln, who was then visiting the national capital, was the only representative of Brooklyn who was a member of the celebrated Clay guard. He was appointed postmaster of Brooklyn by his great namesake and was foremost in the support of the government during the war. He also assisted and provided for the comfort of the troops on entering or returning from the field. In 1864 he was a delegate to the Baltimore convention which nominated Andrew Johnson for Vice President and in 1865 was reappointed postmaster of Brooklyn by the request of many leading citizens. Governor Fenton in 1868 appointed him a member of the Metropolitan sanitary commission, of which he shortly after became president, and he held that office until the abolition of that commission in 1870. While he was president the slaughter houses of New York and Brooklyn were driven from the city limits to Jersey City.
After his retirement from the board of health Mr. Lincoln spent several years in Europe and the West, returning to Brooklyn about six years ago. Four years ago he came to Tenafly, where he has since resided.
Two sons, George B., Jr. and Frederick S., survive him. The former was adjutant of the Sixty-seventh regiment, New York State volunteers during the war, and was engaged in most of the battles of the Potomac. He was subsequently on Governor Fenton's military staff. Frederick S. was for some time master's mate in the navy and was afterward appointed to the United
States naval academy.
The funeral occurred last Saturday at 11:30 a.m. from his late residence, Rev. M.M. Fothergill officiating. A number of friends were present from New York and Brooklyn, and many from Tenafly. The flowers were very tastefully arranged and were beautiful. The impressive service of the Episcopal Church was read. Two young ladies, who Mr. Lincoln had known from their infancy and great favorites of his, sang sweetly the hymns "Jesus Lover of My Soul," and "Nearer, My God to Thee." Mr. Fothergill's appropriate remarks were as follows:
"Some are fallen asleep." - 1Cor. Xv, 6.
We are gathered together on a very solemn occasion, and I feel that I may say a few words to you and surely they should be words of comfort. Of those who have pass-….grief by the thought of the higher and nobler life to come.
Now, I would say a few words of him who has been called from among us: We can indeed cry
"Now the Laborer's task is o'er;
Now the battle day is past;
Now upon the farther shore
Lands the voyager at last.
Father in They gracious keeping
Leave we now our brother sleeping.
There the tears of earth are dried;
There its hidden things are clear;
There the work of life is tried
By a juster Judge than here.
Father in Thy gracious keeping
Leave we now our brother sleeping."
It has been my privilege to see him often and to know him was to respect, revere, aye to …bright with intelligence, and… faithful friend to all that was noble and elevating in life, - an affectionate father, a faithful husband and ever true to his country's cause. If I were asked to write his epitaph I could find no better or truer word than the old saying:
"Here lies the noblest work of God, an honest man."
Yes, an honest man. Brethren let us so live that when our call comes we may be found faithful.
Mr. Fothergill then addressed a few words of comfort to the members of the family, concluding his remarks with the words:
"For all who fall asleep in Thee
Our thankful praise we render;
In death, O Lord, our refuge be,
Our Life, and our Defender."
Mr. Lincoln united with Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, early in the winter of 1852, and for many years was one of its most active members.
Also in Brooklyn Eagle.
family papers preserved
George Burt Lincoln corresponded with the likes of Horace Greeley, Abner Doubleday, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Dickinson College was kind enough to copy and forward his papers to me.