Clinton had a plurality in the popular vote both those years, i.e., he led in the popular vote, and did so by a comfortable seven points, IIRC.
You misread my post. First of all, I was referring to to essentially two-candidate races (third party candidates not strong enough to have any impact). Secondly, I didn't say that the winner of the popular vote needed an absolute majority, only that he have a 2 point or more margin in the popular vote to be virtually certain of winning the Electoral College.
As for Lincoln, he won four-man race in 1860 and he also won a strong plurality of the popular vote, though not a majority. His three opponents divided the opposition vote quite evenly.
Oh. Late at night. Brain at less than full performance. Sorry.