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Abraham Lincoln

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Student Question

Did Abraham Lincoln own any slaves?

Quick answer:

Abraham Lincoln never owned slaves, despite being born in a slave state, Kentucky. His family was against slavery, leading them to move to free states, Indiana and then Illinois. However, his wife, Mary Todd, was from a wealthy slave-owning family in Kentucky and had to adjust to life without slaves.

Expert Answers

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No, Abraham Lincoln never owned slaves.  Some other Presidents did, such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.

Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, a slave state, but his family opposed slavery.  They later moved to Indiana and then Illinois, both of which were free states.

Abraham Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd, did come from a wealthy slave-owning family in Kentucky.  It took her some time to adjust to a life without slaves, as she had always had someone else to perform the household chores.

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