Abraham Lincoln's grandfather, also named Abraham Lincoln (1744-1786), was shot and killed by a Native while working his field in Virginia. His son Mordecai (the eldest of three), ran to the cabin to retrieve a gun. Thomas (the later president's father), stood by his father...

As Thomas (8 at the time) stood by his father, Mordecai saw a Native come out of the woods, observing Lincoln's body. When the Native reached for Thomas Mordecai shot him in the chest, killing him. Later, the family would move to Washington County, Kentucky, a more settled area.

Thomas later told the story of his father's death to his son. The President would later say: "The story of his death by the Indians, and of Uncle Mordecai, then 14 years old, killing one of the Indians, is the legend more strongly than all others imprinted on my mind and memory."