The Lincoln Festival

Many people in Norfolk know that Samuel Lincoln (the 5 x great grandfather of Abraham Lincoln) was among the group of Puritans who left Hingham for Massachusetts in the 1630s. What is less well known is that Samuel’s grandfather, Richard, lived in Swanton Morley and that, had it not been for a bitter family quarrel about his will, it is unlikely that Samuel would ever have gone to America – thus changing the course of American history.

12 February 2009 is the bicentenary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, and the Friends of All Saints’ Church, Swanton Morley, are organising a Festival to mark the anniversary and to highlight the events that took place in Swanton Morley. A little-known, but historically very important, link with the US Army Air Corps during WWII will also be celebrated during the Festival.

There will be a wide range of events, starting on the anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, and running to mid-July. These will include talks in Norwich Cathedral Library and in the Archive Centre at County Hall, small exhibitions in the Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library and Dereham Library, and a major exhibition in All Saints’ Church which will run from Saturday 13 June to 19 July. The Festival is centred on a concert of American music which will be held in the church on Saturday 27 June. This incorporates a specially commissioned cantata “In Memoriam Abraham Lincoln” which is based on the Gettysburg Address.