Full Title

Letter signed Althea [Althea Johnson] and Clay, St. Louis, to Parents, April 23, 1865

Description

Discusses the impact of President Lincoln's death on St. Louis.

Source

Missouri History Museum

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Johnson, Althea. "Letter signed Althea [Althea Johnson] and Clay, St. Louis, to Parents, April 23, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 25, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/323

Creator

Johnson, Althea

Date

April 23, 1865

Full Title

Letter of Sallie Thomas, Elizabethtown, Ky., to Brother [George W. Parker], April 19, 1865

Description

Discusses the health of the family and mentions the assassination of President Lincoln. Sallie fears that the next president will be even worse than Lincoln was.

Transcription

Elizabethtown, Ky,
April 19, 1865

My good Brother,
I received your very kind
letter a few days ago, which was perused
with great interest.
I was sorry to learn that Sis Nellie
and the baby were not well, but
suppose they are well by this time.
And was very sorry to hear of Uncle
James’ illness, hope he has entirely
recovered.

We are all as well usual, but some
of us are complaining all of the
time, I am not very well myself
to day, I suppose you will think
I ought not to complain when
I tell you I weigh a hundred and
forty pounds.
Ma is up again, but her health is
not good at all. I do wish I could
get her out there, once I think it
would help her. The negroes fret her
all of the time, and now they
are twice as bad as they ever were.
Lincoln is dead, and am fearful
we will have a worse President
than he was, and will make
things worse all around.
We are very busy now making the
negroes' spring clothes, and Pa
is behind hand with his work,
it has rained so much this, spring
and he is scared of help, which will
make him, backward with his crop.
Pa tells me every letter I write, to tell
you to, come, and every letter I get
from you, he asks if you are
coming, at last, he said well let
him stay. Ma will drop you a
few lines. Give my love to all
and write soon to your sister
Sallie Thomas.

[Transcription Team: Lance R., Madison H., Kelsey K., Drake W., Jerzi G., Sanja D.]
[New Hampton Middle School]

Source

Missouri History Museum

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Thomas, Sallie. "Letter of Sallie Thomas, Elizabethtown, Ky., to Brother [George W. Parker], April 19, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 25, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/317

Creator

Thomas, Sallie

Date

April 19, 1865

Full Title

Letter of Ellen Kean, New York, to Sol Smith, May 4, 1865

Description

Describes the funeral of Abraham Lincoln in detail.

Source

Missouri History Museum

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Kean, Ellen, 1805-1880. "Letter of Ellen Kean, New York, to Sol Smith, May 4, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 25, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/315

Creator

Kean, Ellen, 1805-1880

Date

May 4, 1865

Full Title

Letter of Mary [Mary Farren], New York, to Uncle Sol [Solomon F. Smith], April 18, 1865

Description

Gives her reaction to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. States, ". . . .I presume the horrible occurance of last Friday, has thrown a gloom over St. Louis, as everywhere else. I fear the measures were so well taken that the principal criminal will escape. What a dreadful calamity to befall his family. His poor old Mother, had he no human feeling left, that he could crush her in her declining years with such a blow. Edwin [Edwin Booth] it is said is perfectly prostrated. His career in all probability blighted forever. . . .By the way the name of Actor is not in much favor here at present. I was told the Detectives watch them pretty closely. . . ."

Source

Missouri History Museum

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Farren, Mary. "Letter of Mary [Mary Farren], New York, to Uncle Sol [Solomon F. Smith], April 18, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 25, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/314

Creator

Farren, Mary

Date

April 18, 1865

Full Title

Partial letter of Nellie Blow, New York, to Dearest Mother [Minerva Blow], April 21, 1865

Description

Regarding the prevailing gloom and sadness in the city due to the death of President Lincoln. States that Miss Haines took her out riding on the day of the funeral train. End of letter missing.

Source

Missouri History Museum

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Blow, Nellie. "Partial letter of Nellie Blow, New York, to Dearest Mother [Minerva Blow], April 21, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 25, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/308

Creator

Blow, Nellie

Date

April 21, 1865

Full Title

Sarah Gooll Putnam diary 7 excerpt, entries for 13-17 April 1865

Description

Sarah Gooll Putnam, a teenager (who was 14 years old in during the spring 1865 and lived primarily in Boston, Massachusetts), describes the shock and sadness of hearing about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Her diaries (started in 1860, when she was 9, and continued until close to the time of her death at age 61 in 1912) feature many illustrations. The entry for 15 April 1865 includes a minimalist sketch of a face with a shocked expression.

Transcription

31 April
Glee. The little dog was taken away by John
I read [?] [?], and check home
Lousia came in in the morning and so did
Mr. Greenrough and Mr. Baron.

13 Thurs. I packed up some of my things and
Stayed to alice Russels to drink tea, where I
Stayed awfully late

14 Frid. Packing went on at a great rate. Just
Think, we shall be out of this house Monday
Or Tuesday. I went to Aunt Lousia’s to tea
Grandma Upham came to our house for her’s.

15th Sat. Now guess my feelings when
Coming down to breakfast as Mother’s saying
“The President is killed!” I stood so for
A few minutes without speak -
Ing. I can not realize it yet-
Poor, dear, old, abe, [?] of
Will kill how his death came
On without any sentiment for that over
No good. Last night he went with Mrs.
Lincoln to see “Our American Cousin” [?]
([?] - Washington) During one of the acts
A justice shot was heard and a shriek
From Mrs. Lincoln and before people
Could collect their [?] a man flourishing

A knife strung from the boy by President
Lincoln, dashed onto the stage, said “[?] [?]
[?]” and rushed off. Now President
L is dead, dear old kind Abe. An attempts
Was made on Mr. Seward’s life too, who was
Sick in his bed. An assasin came into the room
Under pretense of somebody sent from a
doctor or something like that. He almost
Succeeding in assasinating both Mr. Seward
and his son who was in the same room
With his father. Everybody’s house almost
Is just in mourning for Abraham Lincoln
The houses are drafted with black and white
16th Sun. The sermon was almost entirely about
The [?] assassination.

17th Mon. Mother cleaned out the house, and
I went to Aunt Louisa’s to tea. Many and
[?] went to Grandma Upham’s.

18th Tues. There was an question at our house
It was rather mournful coming home from
School to see loads of furniture going from
Our house that we never shall sleep in
Again! Bridget, Hannah and many [?]
Walked round this house [?] the [?] with
Robin in Bridget’s [?] She bought the kitchen

[Transcription by: Megan Klein, Rachel Engl's class, Lehigh University]

Source

Massachusetts Historical Society, Ms. N-758

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as: From the Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please see this web page.

Tags

Cite this Item

Putnam, Sarah Gooll. "Sarah Gooll Putnam diary 7 excerpt, entries for 13-17 April 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 25, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/285

Creator

Putnam, Sarah Gooll

Date

April 15, 1865

Full Title

Hair Brooch worn by Matilda Bergen Beach at Lincoln's Burial

Description

Hair Brooch worn by Matilda Bergen Beach at Lincoln's burial composed of small strands in a bow knot, from which a hair acorn is suspended. A gold attachment in the center of bow bears the initials "M.B."

Source

1940.064.006b

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as defined here. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact The Detroit Historical Society.

Tags

Cite this Item

anonymous. "Hair Brooch worn by Matilda Bergen Beach at Lincoln's Burial ". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 25, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/186

Creator

anonymous

Date

May 4, 1865

Material

hair brooch

Dimensions

2" x 2"

Full Title

Excerpts from the diary of Mary Jane Chadick, published in "The Alabama Historical Quarterly", Volume 9, Number 2 (Summer 1947).

Description

In her entry for April 16, 1865, Chadick discusses local reaction to the death of Lincoln, including a military order calling for the punishment of "all persons exalting the death of President Lincoln." She also mentions the attempted assassination of Secretary of State Seward. An introduction by the journal editor is included. (The original diary is located at the University of Arkansas Libraries; see "Source" field for specific location information.)

Source

Mary Jane Chadick Journal, Fordyce Family Papers (MC 1311), Box 4, Folder 4. Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville. Finding aid for this collection is available here.

(A transcript is available at the Alabama Department of Archives and History, collection number SPR69. Catalog record for this title is available here.)

Rights

Tags

Cite this Item

Chadick, Mary Jane. "Excerpts from the diary of Mary Jane Chadick, published in "The Alabama Historical Quarterly", Volume 9, Number 2 (Summer 1947).". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 25, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/212

Creator

Chadick, Mary Jane

Date

April 16, 1865