SUSAN RINEY YAEGER:
Burial: St. Patrick's Cemetery,
Stithton, Hardin County, Kentucky 1
The original Yeager settler in Tennessee was Daniel Yeager and the original Yeager settler in Kentucky was Cornelius Yeager. Both went from Pennsylvania about the time the Lincolns and the Boones left clerks county – prior to the Revolution.
Cornelius settled in Washington county, Kentucky and his grandson, Joseph Yeager, married Susan Riney, daughter of Zachariah Riney, who was Abraham Lincoln’s first school teacher.
"Lincoln's Parentage and Childhood", by Louis A. Warren, Pages 210 to 213 are devoted to discussing Zachariah Riney.
Source: Christine Murcia
Abraham Lincoln was two years old when his family arrived at Knob Creek. His sister Sarah was four, and his brother Thomas was born the following year. (He died a few days later and was buried on the property.) In 1860, Lincoln recalled that during their stay, "he and his sister were sent, for short periods, to ABC schools, the first kept by Zachariah Riney." Abraham never forgot him, because he was so strict. fair, but strict.
These were "blab" schools, where students learned by repeating their lessons aloud, over and over. Years later, Lincoln annoyed his law partner by reading the newspaper aloud in their office, but explained that he learned better by using two senses.
In 1814, a Catholic priest, Zachariah Riney, who travelled through the country, opened a school in an untenanted cabin at Hodgensville, and for a few weeks gave instructions to the youth of the neighborhood. Abraham attended this school during its brief existence.
Then in the fall of 1815 Abraham Lincoln attended school for a brief period...on the location of the present town of Athertonville, Kentucky (about 2 miles northeast of the Lincolns' Knob Creek farm). The teacher was Zachariah Riney. Susan Riney Yeager, Zachariah Riney's daughter, was interviewed by the Elizabethtown (KY) News in 1897. The following is an excerpt of that interview -
Interview with Susan Riney Yeager in Elizabethtown (KY) News, 1897:
Susie Yeager, a Schoolmate of Lincoln in Kentucky
Yes I remember Abe Lincoln well as a little bit of a fellow, she said. It was what now is Larue County, but was then a part of Hardin County. Abe and I went to the same school. My father Zachariah Riney, was the teacher.
I can see the old school house now, the old lady continues with a far-away look in her eyes. It was built of rough logs, as all school houses were in those days and mostly all of the dwelling houses, daubed with mud. The school house had no windows, but one log removed the length of the building served for light and ventilation. The floor was a dirt one, leveled and beaten solid. The benches consisted of logs split in the middle and placed alongside the walls. There was just one bench made of plank supported by stumps. This the privilege of sitting upon it. The old lady laughed as her memory called her back eighty long years and evidently the senses of her childhood were vividly presented to her mind. She continued...
But you want to know about little Abe. He was then barely seven years old and I was ten. I remember his big sister bringing him to school the first day. Oh, she was fond of him, she also attended school there; and all day long, whether at lessons or at play, her careful eye was constantly watching him. She was a regular little mother to him. I have seen her on rainy days, or when the roads were muddy, carrying him in her arms to and from the school house. At playtime she would always insist that he play with her and the girls, telling him to keep away from the big boys, as they were likely to hurt him in their rough play. In those days quit a number of the scholars were full grown men.
A school session lasted the summer months, because it was too cold to go to school in the winter. It therefore took a long time to acquire such an education as the county afforded. But little Abe would not consent to be held to his sister's apron strings. He had a will of his own and, strangly enought he did seek the society of boys his own age. The one thing I remember most about him was his unfailing good humor. I never remember seen him cry during the two years he attending that school.
He wore home spun clothes as did all the children, and went barefooted. He never received a whipping and in our time the child was not spoiled by sparing the rod, and to go without a whipping a whole session was proof that he was an extra good boy.
Of course, laughed Mrs Yeager, I did not know then that the little chap we all loved so well would someday be the president or I would have taken notes of his sayings and doings. Indeed, it is a fact that I never knew until after his death that President Lincoln was the same identical little Abe. In those days the Lincoln family pronounced their name, Linkhorn.
One thing I remember very distinctly is seeing him bending down saplings and riding them horses. That was his favorite amusement at playtime.
I would like to thank Diane Hosek, Susan Riney's great-great-great granddaughter, for sending me the interview! The interview was discovered by Diane's aunt, Martina Barker Aldred.
Master Zachariah Riney (who taught Lincoln .. As a Boy) is referred to as "a man of excellent character, deep piety and fair education."
Lincoln had more interaction with Master Riney than historians would have believed. Riney owned a farm adjacent to the Hanks, the family of Abe's mother.
Miss Helen Nicolay, whose father, John G. Nicolay, and John Hay, the late Secretary of State, wrote the one great “Life of Lincoln,” wrote what is considered by authorities, the best “Boys’ Life of Lincoln.” Miss Nicolay says that when Lincoln was four years of age his Parents moved to a “much bigger and better farm on Knob Creek.” “It was,” she says, “while living on this farm that Abraham and his sister, Sarah, first began going to school. Their earliest teacher was Zachariah Riney, who taught near the Lincoln cabin.”
In this connection the following letter is interesting and instructive, for Miss Nicolay truly says “that of the early part of Lincoln’s childhood almost nothing is known.”
In response to an inquiry sent by the United States Marshal, James M. Yeager, whether she was a schoolmate of Lincoln’s, Mrs. Yeager wrote as follows:
Dear Sir: I was very glad to hear from you. Many thanks. Yes, I went to school with Abraham Lincoln. I remember Abe Lincoln well when he was a little bit of a fellow. It was in what is now LaRue county, but then was a part of Hardin county, that Abe Lincoln and I went to the same school. My father, Zachariah Riney, was the teacher. I can see the old school house now. It was built of rough logs as all school houses were in those days. The logs were so arranged at the corners of the building that the ends stuck out and formed little recesses in which the children played at hide and seek. These were favorite hiding places for little Abe. The school house had no windows, but one log removed the whole length of the building served for light and the floor was of dirt. The benches consisted of logs, split in the middle and placed alongside the walls. There was just one bench made of a plank. This was looked upon with envy, and the childred used to fight daily for the privilege of sitting upon it. The school house was situated on Knob Creek where it joins Rolling Ford. I remember that Abe’s sister brought him to school. He was then six years old, and I was ten. They walked a distance of several miles. He was most diligent at his studies. The one thing that I remember best about was his unfailing good humor. He was an extra good boy. He never received a whipping. He was very gentle in his manners. I remember seeing him bend down saplings for horses. This was his favorite amusement at play time. The family moved to Illinois and I never saw them again. I am now nearly ninety-three years of age and do not feel as I did when I went to school and played with little Abe Lincoln.
I hope to hear from you again.
Yours truly,
Susie Yeager.
Rineyville, Ky., Sept. 15, 1897.
Marriage;
1 Joseph Yager b: BET 1801 AND 1810 in Washington County, Kentucky
Married: 18 SEP 1827 in Washington County, Kentucky 2
Children
Manerva Yeager b: ABT 1831 in Kentucky
Margaret Yeager b: ABT 1833 in Kentucky
Joseph T. Yeager b: AUG 1834 in Kentucky
John B. Yeager b: ABT 1838 in Meade County, Kentucky
Sources:
1. Title: Zachariah Riney: Lincoln's First Schoolmaster
Author: Roger H. Futrell
Publication: Kentucky Ancestors, 44, no. 3 (Spring 2009)
Repository:
Media: Magazine
Page: 107
Text: cites The Mirror, Elizabethtown, Ky., 5 February 1904 and Mary M. Olson, St. Patrick Catholic Church History and Records, Stithton, Hardin County, Kentucky, 1831-1920 (Utica, KY: 1999), 255-280, 338 . Buried in an unmarked grave
2. Title: Zachariah Riney: Lincoln's First Schoolmaster
Author: Roger H. Futrell
Publication: Kentucky Ancestors, 44, no. 3 (Spring 2009)
Repository:
Media: Magazine
Page: 107
Text: cites Washington County, Kentucky Marriage bonds Book 2: 54, Ministers' Returns Book 3: 28 and Consent filed by bride's father, 6 September 1827
3. Title: Zachariah Riney: Lincoln's First Schoolmaster
Author: Roger H. Futrell
Publication: Kentucky Ancestors, 44, no. 3 (Spring 2009)
Repository:
Media: Magazine
Page: 107
Text: cites The Elizabethtown News, 5 February 1904
Burial: St. Patrick's Cemetery,
Stithton, Hardin County, Kentucky 1
The original Yeager settler in Tennessee was Daniel Yeager and the original Yeager settler in Kentucky was Cornelius Yeager. Both went from Pennsylvania about the time the Lincolns and the Boones left clerks county – prior to the Revolution.
Cornelius settled in Washington county, Kentucky and his grandson, Joseph Yeager, married Susan Riney, daughter of Zachariah Riney, who was Abraham Lincoln’s first school teacher.
"Lincoln's Parentage and Childhood", by Louis A. Warren, Pages 210 to 213 are devoted to discussing Zachariah Riney.
Source: Christine Murcia
Abraham Lincoln was two years old when his family arrived at Knob Creek. His sister Sarah was four, and his brother Thomas was born the following year. (He died a few days later and was buried on the property.) In 1860, Lincoln recalled that during their stay, "he and his sister were sent, for short periods, to ABC schools, the first kept by Zachariah Riney." Abraham never forgot him, because he was so strict. fair, but strict.
These were "blab" schools, where students learned by repeating their lessons aloud, over and over. Years later, Lincoln annoyed his law partner by reading the newspaper aloud in their office, but explained that he learned better by using two senses.
In 1814, a Catholic priest, Zachariah Riney, who travelled through the country, opened a school in an untenanted cabin at Hodgensville, and for a few weeks gave instructions to the youth of the neighborhood. Abraham attended this school during its brief existence.
Then in the fall of 1815 Abraham Lincoln attended school for a brief period...on the location of the present town of Athertonville, Kentucky (about 2 miles northeast of the Lincolns' Knob Creek farm). The teacher was Zachariah Riney. Susan Riney Yeager, Zachariah Riney's daughter, was interviewed by the Elizabethtown (KY) News in 1897. The following is an excerpt of that interview -
Interview with Susan Riney Yeager in Elizabethtown (KY) News, 1897:
Susie Yeager, a Schoolmate of Lincoln in Kentucky
Yes I remember Abe Lincoln well as a little bit of a fellow, she said. It was what now is Larue County, but was then a part of Hardin County. Abe and I went to the same school. My father Zachariah Riney, was the teacher.
I can see the old school house now, the old lady continues with a far-away look in her eyes. It was built of rough logs, as all school houses were in those days and mostly all of the dwelling houses, daubed with mud. The school house had no windows, but one log removed the length of the building served for light and ventilation. The floor was a dirt one, leveled and beaten solid. The benches consisted of logs split in the middle and placed alongside the walls. There was just one bench made of plank supported by stumps. This the privilege of sitting upon it. The old lady laughed as her memory called her back eighty long years and evidently the senses of her childhood were vividly presented to her mind. She continued...
But you want to know about little Abe. He was then barely seven years old and I was ten. I remember his big sister bringing him to school the first day. Oh, she was fond of him, she also attended school there; and all day long, whether at lessons or at play, her careful eye was constantly watching him. She was a regular little mother to him. I have seen her on rainy days, or when the roads were muddy, carrying him in her arms to and from the school house. At playtime she would always insist that he play with her and the girls, telling him to keep away from the big boys, as they were likely to hurt him in their rough play. In those days quit a number of the scholars were full grown men.
A school session lasted the summer months, because it was too cold to go to school in the winter. It therefore took a long time to acquire such an education as the county afforded. But little Abe would not consent to be held to his sister's apron strings. He had a will of his own and, strangly enought he did seek the society of boys his own age. The one thing I remember most about him was his unfailing good humor. I never remember seen him cry during the two years he attending that school.
He wore home spun clothes as did all the children, and went barefooted. He never received a whipping and in our time the child was not spoiled by sparing the rod, and to go without a whipping a whole session was proof that he was an extra good boy.
Of course, laughed Mrs Yeager, I did not know then that the little chap we all loved so well would someday be the president or I would have taken notes of his sayings and doings. Indeed, it is a fact that I never knew until after his death that President Lincoln was the same identical little Abe. In those days the Lincoln family pronounced their name, Linkhorn.
One thing I remember very distinctly is seeing him bending down saplings and riding them horses. That was his favorite amusement at playtime.
I would like to thank Diane Hosek, Susan Riney's great-great-great granddaughter, for sending me the interview! The interview was discovered by Diane's aunt, Martina Barker Aldred.
Master Zachariah Riney (who taught Lincoln .. As a Boy) is referred to as "a man of excellent character, deep piety and fair education."
Lincoln had more interaction with Master Riney than historians would have believed. Riney owned a farm adjacent to the Hanks, the family of Abe's mother.
Miss Helen Nicolay, whose father, John G. Nicolay, and John Hay, the late Secretary of State, wrote the one great “Life of Lincoln,” wrote what is considered by authorities, the best “Boys’ Life of Lincoln.” Miss Nicolay says that when Lincoln was four years of age his Parents moved to a “much bigger and better farm on Knob Creek.” “It was,” she says, “while living on this farm that Abraham and his sister, Sarah, first began going to school. Their earliest teacher was Zachariah Riney, who taught near the Lincoln cabin.”
In this connection the following letter is interesting and instructive, for Miss Nicolay truly says “that of the early part of Lincoln’s childhood almost nothing is known.”
In response to an inquiry sent by the United States Marshal, James M. Yeager, whether she was a schoolmate of Lincoln’s, Mrs. Yeager wrote as follows:
Dear Sir: I was very glad to hear from you. Many thanks. Yes, I went to school with Abraham Lincoln. I remember Abe Lincoln well when he was a little bit of a fellow. It was in what is now LaRue county, but then was a part of Hardin county, that Abe Lincoln and I went to the same school. My father, Zachariah Riney, was the teacher. I can see the old school house now. It was built of rough logs as all school houses were in those days. The logs were so arranged at the corners of the building that the ends stuck out and formed little recesses in which the children played at hide and seek. These were favorite hiding places for little Abe. The school house had no windows, but one log removed the whole length of the building served for light and the floor was of dirt. The benches consisted of logs, split in the middle and placed alongside the walls. There was just one bench made of a plank. This was looked upon with envy, and the childred used to fight daily for the privilege of sitting upon it. The school house was situated on Knob Creek where it joins Rolling Ford. I remember that Abe’s sister brought him to school. He was then six years old, and I was ten. They walked a distance of several miles. He was most diligent at his studies. The one thing that I remember best about was his unfailing good humor. He was an extra good boy. He never received a whipping. He was very gentle in his manners. I remember seeing him bend down saplings for horses. This was his favorite amusement at play time. The family moved to Illinois and I never saw them again. I am now nearly ninety-three years of age and do not feel as I did when I went to school and played with little Abe Lincoln.
I hope to hear from you again.
Yours truly,
Susie Yeager.
Rineyville, Ky., Sept. 15, 1897.
Marriage;
1 Joseph Yager b: BET 1801 AND 1810 in Washington County, Kentucky
Married: 18 SEP 1827 in Washington County, Kentucky 2
Children
Manerva Yeager b: ABT 1831 in Kentucky
Margaret Yeager b: ABT 1833 in Kentucky
Joseph T. Yeager b: AUG 1834 in Kentucky
John B. Yeager b: ABT 1838 in Meade County, Kentucky
Sources:
1. Title: Zachariah Riney: Lincoln's First Schoolmaster
Author: Roger H. Futrell
Publication: Kentucky Ancestors, 44, no. 3 (Spring 2009)
Repository:
Media: Magazine
Page: 107
Text: cites The Mirror, Elizabethtown, Ky., 5 February 1904 and Mary M. Olson, St. Patrick Catholic Church History and Records, Stithton, Hardin County, Kentucky, 1831-1920 (Utica, KY: 1999), 255-280, 338 . Buried in an unmarked grave
2. Title: Zachariah Riney: Lincoln's First Schoolmaster
Author: Roger H. Futrell
Publication: Kentucky Ancestors, 44, no. 3 (Spring 2009)
Repository:
Media: Magazine
Page: 107
Text: cites Washington County, Kentucky Marriage bonds Book 2: 54, Ministers' Returns Book 3: 28 and Consent filed by bride's father, 6 September 1827
3. Title: Zachariah Riney: Lincoln's First Schoolmaster
Author: Roger H. Futrell
Publication: Kentucky Ancestors, 44, no. 3 (Spring 2009)
Repository:
Media: Magazine
Page: 107
Text: cites The Elizabethtown News, 5 February 1904
SUSAN RINEY YAEGER:
Burial: St. Patrick's Cemetery,
Stithton, Hardin County, Kentucky 1
The original Yeager settler in Tennessee was Daniel Yeager and the original Yeager settler in Kentucky was Cornelius Yeager. Both went from Pennsylvania about the time the Lincolns and the Boones left clerks county – prior to the Revolution.
Cornelius settled in Washington county, Kentucky and his grandson, Joseph Yeager, married Susan Riney, daughter of Zachariah Riney, who was Abraham Lincoln’s first school teacher.
"Lincoln's Parentage and Childhood", by Louis A. Warren, Pages 210 to 213 are devoted to discussing Zachariah Riney.
Source: Christine Murcia
Abraham Lincoln was two years old when his family arrived at Knob Creek. His sister Sarah was four, and his brother Thomas was born the following year. (He died a few days later and was buried on the property.) In 1860, Lincoln recalled that during their stay, "he and his sister were sent, for short periods, to ABC schools, the first kept by Zachariah Riney." Abraham never forgot him, because he was so strict. fair, but strict.
These were "blab" schools, where students learned by repeating their lessons aloud, over and over. Years later, Lincoln annoyed his law partner by reading the newspaper aloud in their office, but explained that he learned better by using two senses.
In 1814, a Catholic priest, Zachariah Riney, who travelled through the country, opened a school in an untenanted cabin at Hodgensville, and for a few weeks gave instructions to the youth of the neighborhood. Abraham attended this school during its brief existence.
Then in the fall of 1815 Abraham Lincoln attended school for a brief period...on the location of the present town of Athertonville, Kentucky (about 2 miles northeast of the Lincolns' Knob Creek farm). The teacher was Zachariah Riney. Susan Riney Yeager, Zachariah Riney's daughter, was interviewed by the Elizabethtown (KY) News in 1897. The following is an excerpt of that interview -
Interview with Susan Riney Yeager in Elizabethtown (KY) News, 1897:
Susie Yeager, a Schoolmate of Lincoln in Kentucky
Yes I remember Abe Lincoln well as a little bit of a fellow, she said. It was what now is Larue County, but was then a part of Hardin County. Abe and I went to the same school. My father Zachariah Riney, was the teacher.
I can see the old school house now, the old lady continues with a far-away look in her eyes. It was built of rough logs, as all school houses were in those days and mostly all of the dwelling houses, daubed with mud. The school house had no windows, but one log removed the length of the building served for light and ventilation. The floor was a dirt one, leveled and beaten solid. The benches consisted of logs split in the middle and placed alongside the walls. There was just one bench made of plank supported by stumps. This the privilege of sitting upon it. The old lady laughed as her memory called her back eighty long years and evidently the senses of her childhood were vividly presented to her mind. She continued...
But you want to know about little Abe. He was then barely seven years old and I was ten. I remember his big sister bringing him to school the first day. Oh, she was fond of him, she also attended school there; and all day long, whether at lessons or at play, her careful eye was constantly watching him. She was a regular little mother to him. I have seen her on rainy days, or when the roads were muddy, carrying him in her arms to and from the school house. At playtime she would always insist that he play with her and the girls, telling him to keep away from the big boys, as they were likely to hurt him in their rough play. In those days quit a number of the scholars were full grown men.
A school session lasted the summer months, because it was too cold to go to school in the winter. It therefore took a long time to acquire such an education as the county afforded. But little Abe would not consent to be held to his sister's apron strings. He had a will of his own and, strangly enought he did seek the society of boys his own age. The one thing I remember most about him was his unfailing good humor. I never remember seen him cry during the two years he attending that school.
He wore home spun clothes as did all the children, and went barefooted. He never received a whipping and in our time the child was not spoiled by sparing the rod, and to go without a whipping a whole session was proof that he was an extra good boy.
Of course, laughed Mrs Yeager, I did not know then that the little chap we all loved so well would someday be the president or I would have taken notes of his sayings and doings. Indeed, it is a fact that I never knew until after his death that President Lincoln was the same identical little Abe. In those days the Lincoln family pronounced their name, Linkhorn.
One thing I remember very distinctly is seeing him bending down saplings and riding them horses. That was his favorite amusement at playtime.
I would like to thank Diane Hosek, Susan Riney's great-great-great granddaughter, for sending me the interview! The interview was discovered by Diane's aunt, Martina Barker Aldred.
Master Zachariah Riney (who taught Lincoln .. As a Boy) is referred to as "a man of excellent character, deep piety and fair education."
Lincoln had more interaction with Master Riney than historians would have believed. Riney owned a farm adjacent to the Hanks, the family of Abe's mother.
Miss Helen Nicolay, whose father, John G. Nicolay, and John Hay, the late Secretary of State, wrote the one great “Life of Lincoln,” wrote what is considered by authorities, the best “Boys’ Life of Lincoln.” Miss Nicolay says that when Lincoln was four years of age his Parents moved to a “much bigger and better farm on Knob Creek.” “It was,” she says, “while living on this farm that Abraham and his sister, Sarah, first began going to school. Their earliest teacher was Zachariah Riney, who taught near the Lincoln cabin.”
In this connection the following letter is interesting and instructive, for Miss Nicolay truly says “that of the early part of Lincoln’s childhood almost nothing is known.”
In response to an inquiry sent by the United States Marshal, James M. Yeager, whether she was a schoolmate of Lincoln’s, Mrs. Yeager wrote as follows:
Dear Sir: I was very glad to hear from you. Many thanks. Yes, I went to school with Abraham Lincoln. I remember Abe Lincoln well when he was a little bit of a fellow. It was in what is now LaRue county, but then was a part of Hardin county, that Abe Lincoln and I went to the same school. My father, Zachariah Riney, was the teacher. I can see the old school house now. It was built of rough logs as all school houses were in those days. The logs were so arranged at the corners of the building that the ends stuck out and formed little recesses in which the children played at hide and seek. These were favorite hiding places for little Abe. The school house had no windows, but one log removed the whole length of the building served for light and the floor was of dirt. The benches consisted of logs, split in the middle and placed alongside the walls. There was just one bench made of a plank. This was looked upon with envy, and the childred used to fight daily for the privilege of sitting upon it. The school house was situated on Knob Creek where it joins Rolling Ford. I remember that Abe’s sister brought him to school. He was then six years old, and I was ten. They walked a distance of several miles. He was most diligent at his studies. The one thing that I remember best about was his unfailing good humor. He was an extra good boy. He never received a whipping. He was very gentle in his manners. I remember seeing him bend down saplings for horses. This was his favorite amusement at play time. The family moved to Illinois and I never saw them again. I am now nearly ninety-three years of age and do not feel as I did when I went to school and played with little Abe Lincoln.
I hope to hear from you again.
Yours truly,
Susie Yeager.
Rineyville, Ky., Sept. 15, 1897.
Marriage;
1 Joseph Yager b: BET 1801 AND 1810 in Washington County, Kentucky
Married: 18 SEP 1827 in Washington County, Kentucky 2
Children
Manerva Yeager b: ABT 1831 in Kentucky
Margaret Yeager b: ABT 1833 in Kentucky
Joseph T. Yeager b: AUG 1834 in Kentucky
John B. Yeager b: ABT 1838 in Meade County, Kentucky
Sources:
1. Title: Zachariah Riney: Lincoln's First Schoolmaster
Author: Roger H. Futrell
Publication: Kentucky Ancestors, 44, no. 3 (Spring 2009)
Repository:
Media: Magazine
Page: 107
Text: cites The Mirror, Elizabethtown, Ky., 5 February 1904 and Mary M. Olson, St. Patrick Catholic Church History and Records, Stithton, Hardin County, Kentucky, 1831-1920 (Utica, KY: 1999), 255-280, 338 . Buried in an unmarked grave
2. Title: Zachariah Riney: Lincoln's First Schoolmaster
Author: Roger H. Futrell
Publication: Kentucky Ancestors, 44, no. 3 (Spring 2009)
Repository:
Media: Magazine
Page: 107
Text: cites Washington County, Kentucky Marriage bonds Book 2: 54, Ministers' Returns Book 3: 28 and Consent filed by bride's father, 6 September 1827
3. Title: Zachariah Riney: Lincoln's First Schoolmaster
Author: Roger H. Futrell
Publication: Kentucky Ancestors, 44, no. 3 (Spring 2009)
Repository:
Media: Magazine
Page: 107
Text: cites The Elizabethtown News, 5 February 1904
Burial: St. Patrick's Cemetery,
Stithton, Hardin County, Kentucky 1
The original Yeager settler in Tennessee was Daniel Yeager and the original Yeager settler in Kentucky was Cornelius Yeager. Both went from Pennsylvania about the time the Lincolns and the Boones left clerks county – prior to the Revolution.
Cornelius settled in Washington county, Kentucky and his grandson, Joseph Yeager, married Susan Riney, daughter of Zachariah Riney, who was Abraham Lincoln’s first school teacher.
"Lincoln's Parentage and Childhood", by Louis A. Warren, Pages 210 to 213 are devoted to discussing Zachariah Riney.
Source: Christine Murcia
Abraham Lincoln was two years old when his family arrived at Knob Creek. His sister Sarah was four, and his brother Thomas was born the following year. (He died a few days later and was buried on the property.) In 1860, Lincoln recalled that during their stay, "he and his sister were sent, for short periods, to ABC schools, the first kept by Zachariah Riney." Abraham never forgot him, because he was so strict. fair, but strict.
These were "blab" schools, where students learned by repeating their lessons aloud, over and over. Years later, Lincoln annoyed his law partner by reading the newspaper aloud in their office, but explained that he learned better by using two senses.
In 1814, a Catholic priest, Zachariah Riney, who travelled through the country, opened a school in an untenanted cabin at Hodgensville, and for a few weeks gave instructions to the youth of the neighborhood. Abraham attended this school during its brief existence.
Then in the fall of 1815 Abraham Lincoln attended school for a brief period...on the location of the present town of Athertonville, Kentucky (about 2 miles northeast of the Lincolns' Knob Creek farm). The teacher was Zachariah Riney. Susan Riney Yeager, Zachariah Riney's daughter, was interviewed by the Elizabethtown (KY) News in 1897. The following is an excerpt of that interview -
Interview with Susan Riney Yeager in Elizabethtown (KY) News, 1897:
Susie Yeager, a Schoolmate of Lincoln in Kentucky
Yes I remember Abe Lincoln well as a little bit of a fellow, she said. It was what now is Larue County, but was then a part of Hardin County. Abe and I went to the same school. My father Zachariah Riney, was the teacher.
I can see the old school house now, the old lady continues with a far-away look in her eyes. It was built of rough logs, as all school houses were in those days and mostly all of the dwelling houses, daubed with mud. The school house had no windows, but one log removed the length of the building served for light and ventilation. The floor was a dirt one, leveled and beaten solid. The benches consisted of logs split in the middle and placed alongside the walls. There was just one bench made of plank supported by stumps. This the privilege of sitting upon it. The old lady laughed as her memory called her back eighty long years and evidently the senses of her childhood were vividly presented to her mind. She continued...
But you want to know about little Abe. He was then barely seven years old and I was ten. I remember his big sister bringing him to school the first day. Oh, she was fond of him, she also attended school there; and all day long, whether at lessons or at play, her careful eye was constantly watching him. She was a regular little mother to him. I have seen her on rainy days, or when the roads were muddy, carrying him in her arms to and from the school house. At playtime she would always insist that he play with her and the girls, telling him to keep away from the big boys, as they were likely to hurt him in their rough play. In those days quit a number of the scholars were full grown men.
A school session lasted the summer months, because it was too cold to go to school in the winter. It therefore took a long time to acquire such an education as the county afforded. But little Abe would not consent to be held to his sister's apron strings. He had a will of his own and, strangly enought he did seek the society of boys his own age. The one thing I remember most about him was his unfailing good humor. I never remember seen him cry during the two years he attending that school.
He wore home spun clothes as did all the children, and went barefooted. He never received a whipping and in our time the child was not spoiled by sparing the rod, and to go without a whipping a whole session was proof that he was an extra good boy.
Of course, laughed Mrs Yeager, I did not know then that the little chap we all loved so well would someday be the president or I would have taken notes of his sayings and doings. Indeed, it is a fact that I never knew until after his death that President Lincoln was the same identical little Abe. In those days the Lincoln family pronounced their name, Linkhorn.
One thing I remember very distinctly is seeing him bending down saplings and riding them horses. That was his favorite amusement at playtime.
I would like to thank Diane Hosek, Susan Riney's great-great-great granddaughter, for sending me the interview! The interview was discovered by Diane's aunt, Martina Barker Aldred.
Master Zachariah Riney (who taught Lincoln .. As a Boy) is referred to as "a man of excellent character, deep piety and fair education."
Lincoln had more interaction with Master Riney than historians would have believed. Riney owned a farm adjacent to the Hanks, the family of Abe's mother.
Miss Helen Nicolay, whose father, John G. Nicolay, and John Hay, the late Secretary of State, wrote the one great “Life of Lincoln,” wrote what is considered by authorities, the best “Boys’ Life of Lincoln.” Miss Nicolay says that when Lincoln was four years of age his Parents moved to a “much bigger and better farm on Knob Creek.” “It was,” she says, “while living on this farm that Abraham and his sister, Sarah, first began going to school. Their earliest teacher was Zachariah Riney, who taught near the Lincoln cabin.”
In this connection the following letter is interesting and instructive, for Miss Nicolay truly says “that of the early part of Lincoln’s childhood almost nothing is known.”
In response to an inquiry sent by the United States Marshal, James M. Yeager, whether she was a schoolmate of Lincoln’s, Mrs. Yeager wrote as follows:
Dear Sir: I was very glad to hear from you. Many thanks. Yes, I went to school with Abraham Lincoln. I remember Abe Lincoln well when he was a little bit of a fellow. It was in what is now LaRue county, but then was a part of Hardin county, that Abe Lincoln and I went to the same school. My father, Zachariah Riney, was the teacher. I can see the old school house now. It was built of rough logs as all school houses were in those days. The logs were so arranged at the corners of the building that the ends stuck out and formed little recesses in which the children played at hide and seek. These were favorite hiding places for little Abe. The school house had no windows, but one log removed the whole length of the building served for light and the floor was of dirt. The benches consisted of logs, split in the middle and placed alongside the walls. There was just one bench made of a plank. This was looked upon with envy, and the childred used to fight daily for the privilege of sitting upon it. The school house was situated on Knob Creek where it joins Rolling Ford. I remember that Abe’s sister brought him to school. He was then six years old, and I was ten. They walked a distance of several miles. He was most diligent at his studies. The one thing that I remember best about was his unfailing good humor. He was an extra good boy. He never received a whipping. He was very gentle in his manners. I remember seeing him bend down saplings for horses. This was his favorite amusement at play time. The family moved to Illinois and I never saw them again. I am now nearly ninety-three years of age and do not feel as I did when I went to school and played with little Abe Lincoln.
I hope to hear from you again.
Yours truly,
Susie Yeager.
Rineyville, Ky., Sept. 15, 1897.
Marriage;
1 Joseph Yager b: BET 1801 AND 1810 in Washington County, Kentucky
Married: 18 SEP 1827 in Washington County, Kentucky 2
Children
Manerva Yeager b: ABT 1831 in Kentucky
Margaret Yeager b: ABT 1833 in Kentucky
Joseph T. Yeager b: AUG 1834 in Kentucky
John B. Yeager b: ABT 1838 in Meade County, Kentucky
Sources:
1. Title: Zachariah Riney: Lincoln's First Schoolmaster
Author: Roger H. Futrell
Publication: Kentucky Ancestors, 44, no. 3 (Spring 2009)
Repository:
Media: Magazine
Page: 107
Text: cites The Mirror, Elizabethtown, Ky., 5 February 1904 and Mary M. Olson, St. Patrick Catholic Church History and Records, Stithton, Hardin County, Kentucky, 1831-1920 (Utica, KY: 1999), 255-280, 338 . Buried in an unmarked grave
2. Title: Zachariah Riney: Lincoln's First Schoolmaster
Author: Roger H. Futrell
Publication: Kentucky Ancestors, 44, no. 3 (Spring 2009)
Repository:
Media: Magazine
Page: 107
Text: cites Washington County, Kentucky Marriage bonds Book 2: 54, Ministers' Returns Book 3: 28 and Consent filed by bride's father, 6 September 1827
3. Title: Zachariah Riney: Lincoln's First Schoolmaster
Author: Roger H. Futrell
Publication: Kentucky Ancestors, 44, no. 3 (Spring 2009)
Repository:
Media: Magazine
Page: 107
Text: cites The Elizabethtown News, 5 February 1904
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