Fun and Games with the Lincoln Boys

Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln had four sons: Robert (born 1843), Edward (born 1846), Willie (born 1850), and Tad (born 1853). 

The boys—especially the younger ones—were known for their high-spirited antics, and their father often joined them at play.  The reminiscences of family and friends and historical evidence researched by staff at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site suggest some of the toys and games the boys might have enjoyed.  Children today can get a taste of historical pastimes and see another side of Abraham Lincoln by trying these games.

A Springfield doctor recalled that Abraham Lincoln enjoyed the game of Corner Ball.  An indoor version can be played by six or eight players with a small foam ball.

Directions
1. Divide into two teams of three or four players each.  One team is called the Outs, and the other is called the Ins.
2. The Ins stand at the corners of an imaginary triangle or square, and the Outs stand inside the triangle or square.
3. The Ins pass the ball from player to player, occasionally throwing it inside in hopes of hitting an Out and forcing him or her out of the game.  If the throw misses, the thrower is out of the game.
4. Play continues until everyone on one team is out.

Archaeological excavations in Springfield have yielded a variety of marbles.  Children of the mid-nineteenth century would have used clay marbles, but inexpensive glass ones are easier to find and identify in games. 

One of the most basic marbles games is Taw.

Directions
1. Give at least two marbles to each player, one to place in the ring and one to serve as a shooter, or taw.
2. Create a large circle on the ground with a piece of string, or draw a circle on a carpet remnant.  Draw a shooting line outside the circle for the first round.
3. Have each player place a marble inside the circle.
4. Players take turns shooting their taw at the marbles inside the circle.  If they knock one out, they get that marble and take another turn.
5. After the first round, players shoot from the place their taw stopped.  When a taw is hit, its owner is out of the game.
6. Play continues until only one taw remains.

Checkers: In a biography about her Aunt Mary Todd Lincoln, Katherine Helm noted that Robert Lincoln played checkers with her mother, Emilie Todd Helm, during a visit.

Hoops: The Lincoln Home National Historic Site includes wooden hoops as part of its toy collection.  Hoops can be purchased online, but embroidery hoops and pencils are a good miniature substitute!