Benjamin Lincoln Lear was born in the President's House in Philadelphia. Benjamin's godfather was President George Washington. His father, Tobias Lear, was personal secretary to the President of the United States. Benjamin was only two when his mother Polly died and he spent most of his childhood either with his grandmother in New Hampshire or in boarding school.

Lincoln, as he was called, became a successful lawyer in Washington. Lincoln got married twice: his first wife died in childbirth and his second wife gave him his only child, a girl. Unfortunately, Lincoln never saw his daughter. He, like his own mother Polly, was the victim of an epidemic. This time it was not yellow fever but cholera that took his life.

What can you learn from archaeology?

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Image courtesy of Portsmouth Historical Society.

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