Exclusive: Congressman Tim Moore says he’ll ‘Add It to the List’—Was President Lincoln born in NC?
Newly elected Congressman expresses interest in investigating claims that Abraham Lincoln was born in Bostic, North Carolina, if federal DNA evidence can prove it.
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SPINDALE, N.C. — Yesterday, on Presidents’ Day, Congressman Tim Moore opened his new district office at Isothermal Community College in Spindale, one of three locations serving North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District. Moore, a Republican and former Speaker of the N.C. House, represented the Bostic area for a decade in the state legislature. But at Monday’s event, my first question to him and his comments on an unusual historical debate took center stage: Was Abraham Lincoln actually born in North Carolina?
A Mystery That Won’t Die
For decades, local historians in Rutherford County have argued that Lincoln’s true birthplace was not in Kentucky, as history books state, but in Bostic, N.C. The Bostic Lincoln Center, a volunteer-run nonprofit historical group, has pushed for DNA testing to prove the claim. They contend Lincoln was the illegitimate son of a local man, Abraham Enloe, and a servant girl named Nancy Hanks.
The center says that Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was not born, as commonly believed, in a small Kentucky log cabin, but in a log plantation home at a place called Puzzle Creek in Rutherford County.
There was enough oral history that books discussing the possibility began to be published in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and, in 2008, with the help of local supporters, the Bostic Lincoln Center opened in a 1928 train depot in downtown Bostic.
Supporters say Hanks was sent away to Kentucky, where she later married Tom Lincoln, who raised the boy as his own. They argue there is no official birth certificate for Lincoln, and some 19th-century records suggest he may have been born earlier than 1809. While mainstream historians reject the theory due to a lack of documentation, the Bostic Lincoln Center continues to advocate for genetic testing.
Tim Moore’s Take
When asked about the debate, Moore did not commit to either side. “I don’t have a clue. I don’t know,” he said.
I explained to him that, according to the Bostic Lincoln Center, the federal government possesses Lincoln’s DNA, and advocates have tried for years to get officials to authorize testing. Their goal is to confirm or debunk the theory once and for all.
Moore, a close ally of President Donald Trump, suggested the request could be added to a growing list of historical investigations. “Well, you know, we’re working on all the things about other things being released,” Moore said. “Maybe we’ll add it to the list.”
His remarks alluded to the Trump administration’s executive order to declassify long-sealed records, including the JFK assassination files.
The Push for DNA Testing
The Bostic Lincoln Center has long maintained that modern science could settle the birthplace debate. Advocates want federal authorities to compare Lincoln’s DNA with known descendants of Abraham Enloe.
“DNA is going to be the one thing that I think either makes or breaks this story,” Keith Price told PBS North Carolina 13 years ago.
The center has petitioned for access to genetic materials that could verify or disprove their claims. However, without government approval, the testing remains out of reach.
“If they can prove us wrong, we’ll shut up,” one advocate told me at the center’s Presidents Day annual gathering last year. “But we just want to know the truth.”
Beyond Lincoln: Government Transparency and Local Issues
Moore’s comments on Lincoln’s birthplace came during a broader discussion about transparency in government records. He addressed the importance of public oversight in historical investigations and modern issues such as federal grants and state funding.
He also spoke about pressing local concerns, including homelessness in Rutherford County and financial controversies surrounding United Way of Rutherford County, which has faced scrutiny over allegations of misused funds.
As for the Lincoln debate, Moore admitted he was not well-versed in the specifics but agreed it would be significant if proven true.
“It would be good to know, wouldn’t it? Either way,” he said.
The Debate Continues
Despite skepticism from mainstream historians, the Bostic Lincoln Center remains determined to share its research. The small-town museum attracts visitors intrigued by what supporters call “one of history’s best-kept secrets.”
Whether DNA testing will ever be conducted—and whether it could rewrite Lincoln’s biography—remains to be seen. But for now, the birthplace mystery continues to spark curiosity in Rutherford County and beyond.
Opinion & Analysis: Cops & Congress Commentary
Three things I’m watching as we inch closer to the truth about Lincoln’s birthplace—and what it could mean for Rutherford County
Let’s recap: Newly elected Congressman Tim Moore has signaled interest in investigating the long-standing claim that Abraham Lincoln was born in Bostic, North Carolina. While the official narrative places Lincoln’s birth in Hodgenville, Kentucky, researchers at the Bostic Lincoln Center have spent years compiling evidence suggesting otherwise. If this claim gains traction and the federal government allows DNA testing to settle the matter, it could have major implications—not just for historians but for Rutherford County itself. Here are three key things I’m watching as we get closer to the truth.
1. Will Washington Finally Take This Seriously?
For years, the federal government has dismissed efforts to confirm whether they even have Abraham Lincoln’s DNA, let alone conduct testing to verify his ancestry. But now that Congressman Moore has expressed interest in "adding it to the list" of historical inquiries, we may finally see movement. A sitting member of Congress asking the question changes the game—especially in an era when Americans are demanding greater transparency from their government.
If the government acknowledges it has Lincoln’s DNA, it raises another question: why has it been hidden from public examination for so long? If they refuse to investigate, it will only fuel speculation that history, as it’s been told, is more about controlling a narrative than about uncovering the truth.
2. What Happens If Bostic Was Right All Along?
Let’s imagine for a moment that DNA testing—or even a serious congressional investigation—proves that Lincoln was, in fact, born in Bostic. That would upend nearly two centuries of accepted history and force a reevaluation of Lincoln’s roots. But more importantly for Rutherford County, it would instantly put the small town of Bostic on the national map.
Tourism dollars, historical tourism grants, and national attention could flood into Rutherford County, boosting the local economy and giving Bostic the recognition it deserves. Right now, Hodgenville, Kentucky, has a Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park funded by federal dollars. If Bostic were declared the real birthplace, it could mean major investment from both the state and federal levels. That’s a game-changer.
3. The Political and Cultural Implications
Let’s be honest—this issue isn’t just about history. It’s about the politics of history. If Lincoln’s origins are different than we’ve been told, it raises larger questions about how much of our history has been manipulated to fit a convenient narrative. For conservatives who have long argued that history is too often rewritten to serve ideological agendas, this would be a major moment of validation.
Additionally, Rutherford County would have a new claim to greatness, one that ties directly into America’s founding principles—self-determination, resilience, and the belief that even a child born in the humblest of circumstances can rise to lead a nation. This could inspire a renewed sense of pride in local heritage and serve as a rallying point for those who believe in honoring the truth, no matter where it leads.
Final Thoughts
Congressman Tim Moore’s willingness to consider this issue is a step in the right direction. Whether it leads to a full-scale investigation or not, one thing is certain: Rutherford County deserves answers. And if the truth about Lincoln’s birthplace is ever confirmed, it won’t just be a win for history—it’ll be a win for the people who’ve fought for decades to have their voices heard. Stay tuned. This is just the beginning.
🏛️ All those mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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