Silas H. Billings Diary
Silas H. Billings was a U.S. Army soldier from Lafayette, New York, wounded at the Battle of Winchester in September 1864. In April 1865 he was a patient at Saterlee Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he learned that John Wilkes Booth had assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Billings then received permission to attend Lincoln's funeral in Philadelphia. Like many people at the time, Billings recorded both newsworthy events, like Lincoln's assassination, and the details of his everyday life together. After the Civil War, Billings became a school teacher and part-time farmhand. His wounds led to his death in 1873, at the age of only 30.
[inside cover]
Silas H. Billings
Wounded at
Winchester Va
Sept 19 1864
[Friday, April 14, 1865]
Abraham Lincoln
is Shot at Fords
Theatre at 9,30 p m and dies at 722 am
Wm H & Fred Seward are stabbed at or
about the same time
[Saturday, April 15, 1865]
my eye is very bad
[Wednesday, April 19, 1865]
Funeral of our Chief
Abraham Lincoln
President of the
U S of America
Recd a Visit from
C F Falch co. "D" 9 ny
Ward 2 Turners Lane
[Saturday, April, 22, 1865]
Recd a pass 2 pm to 9 pm
went downtown to Corner
of Broad & Prime Sts
Funeral Train of the
late President A Lincoln
arrives at 4,30 pm
Procession is formed in
Broad & goes down to
Walnut up to 21st
down to Vine down to
2nd up to Chesnut to
Independence Hall on
Chesnut between 5th & 6th
Marjorie Billings Martinez, great-granddaughter of Silas H. Billings
This item may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.
Silas H. Billings. "Silas H. Billings Diary". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1040
Silas H. Billings
April 14, 1865
from Apr. 14, 1865
Silas H. Billings was a U.S. Army soldier from Lafayette, New York, wounded at the Battle of Winchester in September 1864. In April 1865 he was a patient at Saterlee Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he learned that John Wilkes Booth had assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Billings then received permission to attend Lincoln's funeral in Philadelphia. Like many people at the time, Billings recorded both newsworthy events, like Lincoln's assassination, and the details of his everyday life together. After the Civil War, Billings became a school teacher and part-time farmhand. His wounds led to his death in 1873, at the age of only 30.
Marjorie Billings Martinez, great-granddaughter of Silas H. Billings
This item may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.
Silas H. Billings
April 14, 1865
Thomas Stewardson, Jr. Diary Entry: Lincoln Lying in State at Independence Hall
This photocopy displays two pages from the diary of Thomas Stewardson, Jr. Stewardson, a member of The Union League of Philadelphia, recorded his experience viewing President Lincoln's body while lying in state at Independence Hall.
Sunday April 23rd – The Union League was appointed to receive the body of our good President last Eve’g, at Independence Square. As a member of the League I was in a manner obliged to look for a moment upon the face of the honoured dead. I say obliged, because I [should not?], otherwise have made any effort to do so, my impressions of the Man being so pleasant that I feared to disturb my memory with any possible disappointment. But it turned out well. Homely in feature he was, as all the world knows, but a better face and a face which more clearly told of a good man. I never looked upon, even as it lay there lifeless. Gentle and tender, honest, open, pure. I feel, as nearly every man, woman, and child does feel, a personal and warm love for the man as well as an exalted respect for the ruler, [never?] saw him living, though I have had several opportunities to do so – Such universal sorrow never followed any one to his grave in this country, since the days of Washington, and there was another deep feeling (which happily Washington’s death did not demand) which made most intense the emotions of the mourners of Abraham Lincoln. The good and now murdered, martyred Lincoln! Well, so it had to be, but if that stab has not struck Slavery the death blow, through the body of the Great Emancipator, then possibly Lincoln had died in vain, which [it were?] treason against God’s Providence to believe.
He is now lying in Independence Hall, near the famous old Bell with its motto made to speak again “Proclaim Liberty throughout the land, and to all the Inhabitants thereof.”
The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: XI.2.1973.2)
Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as “Courtesy of The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia.” Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact The Abraham Lincoln Foundation.
Thomas Stewardson, Jr.. "Thomas Stewardson, Jr. Diary Entry: Lincoln Lying in State at Independence Hall". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1013
from Apr. 23, 1865
This photocopy displays two pages from the diary of Thomas Stewardson, Jr. Stewardson, a member of The Union League of Philadelphia, recorded his experience viewing President Lincoln's body while lying in state at Independence Hall.
The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: XI.2.1973.2)
Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as “Courtesy of The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia.” Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact The Abraham Lincoln Foundation.
Thomas Stewardson, Jr.
April 23, 1865
Ink and Paper
George Himes Diary
In 1865, George Henry Himes was a typesetter for the Oregonian newspaper in Portland, Oregon, when he heard of Lincoln's assassination, presumably via telegraph. Himes then worked to publish a special edition of the Oregonian, which, as he noted in his diary, brought an extra $79 (equal to $1,221.24 in 2015) in sales. Himes also reported that stores closed in mourning. On Wednesday, April 19, Himes noted that stores were again closed in honor of Lincoln's funeral, taking place at that moment across the continent in Washington, D.C. Himes later owned a printing company and was among the founders of the Oregon Historical Society.
George Himes papers, Mss 1462, Oregon Historical Society, Davies Family Research Library
Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission.
George Himes. "George Himes Diary". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1005
from Apr. 15, 1865
In 1865, George Henry Himes was a typesetter for the Oregonian newspaper in Portland, Oregon, when he heard of Lincoln's assassination, presumably via telegraph. Himes then worked to publish a special edition of the Oregonian, which, as he noted in his diary, brought an extra $79 (equal to $1,221.24 in 2015) in sales. Himes also reported that stores closed in mourning. On Wednesday, April 19, Himes noted that stores were again closed in honor of Lincoln's funeral, taking place at that moment across the continent in Washington, D.C. Himes later owned a printing company and was among the founders of the Oregon Historical Society.
George Himes papers, Mss 1462, Oregon Historical Society, Davies Family Research Library
Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission.
George Himes
April 15, 1865
Clara Barton's Diary
Clara Barton, who in 1865 was directing the Missing Soldiers Office answering families' pleas for information on their loved ones, responded with few words to the Lincoln assassination. The Missing Soldiers Office was located three blocks east of Ford's Theatre. In few words, she described the confusion that Washingtonians felt after the event and the anguish that she felt, both over the death of the president as well as the death of her nephew the previous week–sometimes conflating the two.
Friday, April 14, 1865
Assassination of President
Lincoln
Was returning from a call at
Mr. Upperman’s when it was
Rumored on the street.
Saturday, April 15, 1865
President Lincoln died at
7- o clock this morning
the whole city in gloom
no one knows what to do
Dr. Sidney came
Vice President Johnson
Inaugurated President
Sunday, April 16, 1865
Assassins not detected.
Known to be J. Wilks Booth,
The attempted murder of Mr.
Seward + family was sup-
posed to be by one Surrat-
I was quiet all day.
Monday, April 17, 1865
Attempted to offer some help
Went to Surg Genl office
Could get no one.
The President embalmed in
Preparation to be laid in state
Tomorrow,
Mailed 100 letters
Tuesday, April 18, 1865
President Lincoln laid in
State—dept went in bodies
To see him. Resolutaions passed
at the Mars rooms in
Honor of the President and
Commemoration of poor Irving
Fannie not returned –
Heard this evening that
The assassination of Mr. Seward[?]
Had been arrested at –
2 o clock this morning
- dressed as a laborer, on HE st –
Borrowed some tables to write on
Wednesday, April 19, 1865
Funeral of President Lincoln
I remained in doors all day.
Thursday, April 20, 1865
President lain in state
At the capital
Sally + Fannie + Vester
Return from Mas.
Poor Bubby is at rest –
Friday, April 21, 1865
President Lincoln remains
taken on to Baltimore
great search for Booth -
[Transcription provided by the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Museum.]
This item is in the public domain.
Clara Barton. "Clara Barton's Diary". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/997
Clara Barton
April 15, 1865
from Apr. 15, 1865
Clara Barton, who in 1865 was directing the Missing Soldiers Office answering families' pleas for information on their loved ones, responded with few words to the Lincoln assassination. The Missing Soldiers Office was located three blocks east of Ford's Theatre. In few words, she described the confusion that Washingtonians felt after the event and the anguish that she felt, both over the death of the president as well as the death of her nephew the previous week–sometimes conflating the two.
This item is in the public domain.
Clara Barton
April 15, 1865
Abigail M. Brook's Diary
Abigail Brook, a teacher in Tennessee, recorded the events of her life from 1865 to 1870, including the end of the Civil War and the Lincoln assassination.
Abigail M. Brook’s Diary
Friday, April 14, 1865
The morning is clean and cool. The air feels a little like fall but it is growing warm and I think it will rain. School and all its’ duties went on very well today. All work and sunshine without storms or squalls. The girls studying Botany together with myself took a walk in Mr. Johnson’s lot after school where we found some wild flowers to amuse ourselves and contribute to our knowledge of plants. The imitable works of the Creator are seen in all things. The delicate limits of the flowers which deck our fields and crown our land with beauty, proclaiming The Hand that made them is Divine.
Saturday, April 15, 1865
The day has been bright and pleasant, with the air coolish but no rain. I have not been well as usual. After dinner went by ** Bishop Soude’s** to see Mr. ? a little while. The startling news has been received that Abraham Lincoln died this morning, by the hands of an assassin who shot him in the Theatre. Their act—evidence? The terrible condition in which our country is placed. The deed was done no doubt by a person who had suffered from injustice in some way and the memory of our wrongs goaded him to desperation. “** may be controlled, when they pass the bounds of reason **.”
Sunday, April 16, 1865
The day is bright and beautiful. I have spent most of it in writing to my father. I am thinking only of Lincoln’s death. Yesterday they were in the midst of celebrating the surrender of Lee’s army and when in the heighth of their **mirth** there came a shock equal to **Belshazzar’s impious feast when the **hand** writing appeared on the wall. The joy was turned into mourning. The merriment into sadness. **A*ash? and heartless people is politically short-lived: where is the magnanimity which should characterize a great and mighty nation, to be preparing celebrations at the public expense, to exault over a fallen foe.
Monday, April 17, 1865
My scholars are all here with the addition of a new one. I am not discouraged in regard to my school, but I feel that the South is the subjects of a relentless foe from whose magnanimity or clemency they may expect-but-little. I fear plans and schemes replete with bitterness, tyranny, and resurpation, will be laid by that deep, dark, scheming man Andy Johnson which will reduce all his foes to the condition of vassals to be governed by the might of conquest and not the laws of humanity.
Perhaps he may profit by the example of his predecessor, who has characterized his ** -end- by constant acts of tyranny.
Tuesday, April 18, 1865
The was is nominally over in the exclamation upon all sides. A hasty peace will be patched up, with a tottering foundation, and war will again deluge our land in blood. If Andy would repeal all these obnoxious acts passed by Lincoln, reversing those Abolition measures on granting to the South her inalienable rights, then would he be received as a benefactor. The dismemberment of the Southern army has not changed the materials of which it is co**pored** and the rebellion yet lives although its prorations are feeble. The task** martens** had better be lenient in their moves.
Wednesday, April 19, 1865
The condition of our country is all I have to trouble me now. I think the death of Lincoln at this time is a retributive rebuke to those who were felicitating over the misfortunes of a people whose love of country amounted to enthusiasm, personified who recovered submission to a man who was not their choice and whose name since has election has been a synonym of resurpation, except a short-time time before his death a slight-streak of magnanimity displaced itself after the surrender of Lee’s army, together with terms of capitulation, stipulated by him.
[Transcription by Isabel H., Larinda Agee's class, Berea Community Middle School]
Abbie M. Brooks Diaries and Church Invitation. Atlanta History Center, Atlanta, GA
Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission.
Abigail M. Brook. "Abigail M. Brook's Diary". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/918
Abigail M. Brook
May 1, 1865
from May. 1, 1865
Abigail Brook, a teacher in Tennessee, recorded the events of her life from 1865 to 1870, including the end of the Civil War and the Lincoln assassination.
Abbie M. Brooks Diaries and Church Invitation. Atlanta History Center, Atlanta, GA
Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission.
Abigail M. Brook
May 1, 1865
O.H. Bronson
O.H. Bronson, a business person located in the Hartford, CT area, mentions the death of Lincoln briefly in excerpts from their diary entry on April 14, 1865. They make further references to the stabbing of Lincoln's Secretary of State Seward and church services being held to mourn and commemorate Lincoln's life in the Hartford area. The diary also notes that businesses would be closed for mourning the following day.
Monday, April 1, 1865
Celebration of the Sunday of [[?]] and his day
Tuesday 11
Sent? to capt. Clarke $2,50
Paid
Henry started for the [[?]] the every 7.0 [[?]]
Wednesday 12
Rainy [[?]] [[?]]
played at house last night.
Thursday, April 13, 1865
Offered Frank [[?]]
Stock in ground
For 10 [[?]] at note
3 months
Friday 14
Abraham Lincoln President
Of United States was
assassinated in theater
this evening
Secretary Stewart
was also stabbed in the
neck 3 times but it
hoped not mortally
his son [[?]] [[?]]
were stabbed.
Saturday 15
Johnny Gains
per day 300 meal 300
Sunday, April 16, 1865
Mr Parker redeemed
[[?]] on the death of
President Lincoln this eve.
Monday 17
Sold LB goodmaid 1/4 [[?]]
[[?]], he claimed 40 lb short
weighed the coal 23 1/4 pails
21 1/4 each 21 1/4
___________
23.
466.
5
_________lbs
49.4
[[?]] went to
New York this day
As book keeper in [[?]] bank
Tuesday 18
( scribble)
Wednesday, April 19, 1865
All the offices and many
of business closed from
12 to 3 o'clock on [[?]]
Of funeral of president Lincoln
received in the different
[[?]] at 12 o'clock
most of the [[?]]
in city [[?]] in morning
Thursday 20 [[?]]
Cargo of coal
for 6 B Jammer to go the
[[?]] retreat for sets
[[?]]
Friday 21
Samuel Clark [[?]]
To take [[?]] Made
From first of May
At $10 for each horse
Rcpt. [[?]] at
You'd pay as the as he [[?]]
[[?]]
[Transcription Team: Ryan P., Kenzie B., Brooke B., Madison R.]
[New Hampton Middle School, New Hampton, Iowa]
Ms 90282
Use of item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires permission. For permission, please contact the Connecticut Historical Society. chs.org/research/digital-reproductions.
O.H. Bronson. "O.H. Bronson". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/868
from Apr. 14, 1865
O.H. Bronson, a business person located in the Hartford, CT area, mentions the death of Lincoln briefly in excerpts from their diary entry on April 14, 1865. They make further references to the stabbing of Lincoln's Secretary of State Seward and church services being held to mourn and commemorate Lincoln's life in the Hartford area. The diary also notes that businesses would be closed for mourning the following day.
Ms 90282
Use of item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires permission. For permission, please contact the Connecticut Historical Society. chs.org/research/digital-reproductions.
O.H. Bronson
April 14, 1865
bound paper with script in ink and type
8cm x 17.5cm
Record Book of James H. Sawyer, 1862-1865
Excerpt from the diary of James H. Sawyer (b.1843), a resident of Woodstock, CT and a soldier in the 18th Regiment of Connecticut Infantry. This excerpt describes the somber mood in Sawyer's camp upon learning of Abraham Lincoln's death. It also describes how the camp was alerted of Lincoln's death.
Record Book of James H. Sawyer:
About three o’clock in the morning of the 15th
of April I happened to be lying awake in my
tent. Away in the distance towards town I heard
the faint hoof beats of a horse on the hard mae-
adaized road. They gradually sounded louder and
louder. I was [[impeded]] with the thought that the
rider on that horse was bring important news
or [[?]] to our camp. Nearer and nearer came the
rider and the hoof beats suddenly sounded loud-
er as the horse rounded the corner from the main
street and turned towards our camp.
Clatter, clatter they went till they stopped at
the doors of Col. Peales shanty. Then silence a few
seconds, followed by a sharp rap, rap, as the rider
of that horse struck with the same hard substance
on the door. I soon heard the door open, and
a voice spoke in a low quick tone. This was fol-
lowed by an answer in a louder tone. Then silence
as probably our commander was reading the mes-
sage brought to him. Then there was a loud, em-
phatic, surprised tone, followed by quick
footsteps and knockings on other doors as the other
field offices were around. Then there was a new loud,
excited, anxious tones, all speaking together. This was
kept up some minutes when they all retired to their
tents and silence again fell over the camp.
Then Geo. Heath, “my pard,” who has heard
the voices, spoke up.
“What’s that, [[corporal]]?”
“Something’s up,” I answered. “We’ll hear
something surprising in the morning. Marching
orders for home, I guess.”
Little did we think what we would
hear in the morning.
When the companies assembled at the
morning roll-call the news that was brought
by the orderly was read to them. They were ap-
palled by the announcement, and home which
had seemed so near, appeared to fade away
at the war seemed not yet to be ended.
[[end page]]
[[start page]]
Feelings of revenge and sadness took passion
of our minds. The men dispersed to their tents
talking in low tones and the camp was very
silent and funeral like all that day.
The astounding news that was read to us was
that President Lincoln, Gen Grant Secretary Seward
and other numbers of the Cabinet had been murdered
the night before. The real news were exaggerated in
that Gen. Grant-Sec Seward and the other members of
the Cabinet had been killed; it was sad enough
when we knew the real facts that our beloved
President was dead-so fouly murdered by the
assassin J. Wilkes Booth.
It was days before the men regained their
usual cheerfulness and saw that these things were
not going to retard the progress of the closing up of
the affairs of the Great Rebellion.
Our duties now were somewhat relaxed.
Picket duty was kept up but there was nothing
to look out for. A week or so after the surrender
I was on picket at the old brick house on the
Winchester road. All day long the [[?]] rebel
soldiers of [[Lu’s]] army kept coming along on their
way to their homes in this part of the country. They
came in [[?]], squads of half a dozen or so, and one
squad of about 20 came along in the afternoon. They
would stop and chat with us and pass more or
less chaff. They all measurably said that they were
glad the war was ended.
Drilling was suspended but we had to ap-
pear at [[?]] parade. This became to be the event
of the day, and [[?]] from the town came every
evening to witness the parade. We had become
so that we could execute the maneuver in great
style and to see the regiment go through the move-
ments at this parade like clockwork, was really quite
a sight.
[Transcription by: Karsen O'Rourkr, Rachel Engl’s class, Lehigh University.]
Ms 96780
Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires permission. For permission, please contact the Connecticut Historical Society at chs.org/research/digital-reproductions.
James H. Sawyer. "Record Book of James H. Sawyer, 1862-1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/863
from Aug. 6, 1862
Excerpt from the diary of James H. Sawyer (b.1843), a resident of Woodstock, CT and a soldier in the 18th Regiment of Connecticut Infantry. This excerpt describes the somber mood in Sawyer's camp upon learning of Abraham Lincoln's death. It also describes how the camp was alerted of Lincoln's death.
Ms 96780
Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires permission. For permission, please contact the Connecticut Historical Society at chs.org/research/digital-reproductions.
James H. Sawyer
August 6, 1862
paper, pen on ink
32cm x 21cm
Reverend Leonard Francis Smith
Reverend Leonard Francis Smith was a Methodist preacher appointed to the Girard, Illinois, circuit at the time of Lincoln's death. He traveled to Lincoln's hometown of Springfield, Illinois, two days after the assassination and observed the collective mourning. Smith also held a service in his church the day Lincoln's ceremonial burial service was held in Washington D.C. In his diary, Smith recalls these events and comments on the progress of the hunt for Lincoln's killer and the person who attempted to murder Secretary of State, William H. Seward.
April 1865
[continued from previous page] W R Constant & Christian Commission Annual Report. Another dona-
tion. 2 dresses for wife 7.85. J C Drake donator. Prayer meeting.
Lovely day for the first in sometime. Things are growing some.
Friday 14 This is Good Friday & tenaciously observed by some
as the time for planting potatoes & other roots to have a good
crop. This is the day the redeemer was led to Cavalry & suffered
in our stead. The just for the unjust that he might bring us to
God. Sure such an event is fraught with great importance to us &
should make a deep impression on our minds & consciences. Am free
to confess it does not today have that regard it was worthy of.
Pardon me, O Lord. Busied myself in writing & reading today. Took
some shoulder & potatoes to W Morris. It is now raining.
Satruday 15 Sat night & I am yet alive. Have performed most of
the duties of the day & evening. Attended Masonic Lodge. Felt de-
pressed on account of the sad news reached us of the death of
Abraham Lincoln & Secy Seward. Lincoln attended a theatre last
night & was shot through the head & died this morning. Seward was
murdered in his bed. It was the secessionist work. They are dirty
devils. What a suddn unsuspected affair. Sold 1 bush. and a half
of potatoes to Aylsworth & Kendalls. Bot sugar $1. Sent letter to
Father in law. Paid out to treas. of Lodge 95¢. Rained today.
Sunday 16 Easter Sunday. Christ the first fruits of them that
slept arose from the dead. A pledge of our Resurrection. Though the
skeptic & materialist may deny the resurrection of the dead, etc.
yet the testimony of the Apostles & his appearances at different
times is sufficient evidence of his being resurrected. Over 47 at
S S this a.m. in Wmsville. Recd of Mother Aylsworth 35¢ on papers.
35 of Keagle for Golden Chain; 35 of Drakes for Chain. Covers &
J Constants each dr for Chain. Let Schliffe at Bices have Chain &
Quest. Book 15¢. Broughtons, Chain 35. Hickmans, G T, dr to Chain
35. Coll. at Wmsville 5.75. Bices S H large turn out. Recd one into
church, Mary Waters. Miss. Anniversary. Raised 6.05. Joanna Ramey,
Mary Miller & Eli Blue went to Bices with me. Lovely day indeed.
Monday 17 Visited Springfield this day. Most all the stores &
businesses as well as many private residences were draped in
mourning. The people everywhere are speaking of the great loss, &
the people are nearly as a whole sad at the loss of so great a man
as Abraham Lincoln. He sleeps in death. Secy Seward who was re-
ported dead is still alive & probably will recover. Bot Journal
with all the particulars 10¢. Bot at Kimbers me a hat 3.25. Corsets,
gaiters, trimming etc. hoop skirts, veil, -----& comb amounting in
all to 24.70. Paid Kimber 2.50 owed before . Bot halter stem 75¢.
Fare on R R 1.80. Bot envelopes & stamps for Lodge. Sent summons
to Cantrell, Thompson, Canterbury, McLeod, Mitter, Lawrence & Winn.
Ramey brought us bag of flour 20lbs. Oranges 60¢. Lovely day.
Windy. Rain at night. Home in the rain & mud.
474
April 1865
Thursday 18 Lincoln, brave, honest & great. Abraham Lincoln is
dead. He died a martyr. Yea he lived to set menfree. He rests from
labor. His body will shortly be buried. His memory will be cher-
ished through the future ages. He was the country’s friend. Has
fallen. The wretch is not as yet captured. Vengeance will yet over-
take him. Good news. Mobile is ours. Johnston negotiating. Recd
dispatch from Elkhart inviting me to officiate tomorrow. Signed
D L Dana. Letter from Jesse K. Sent letter to George Smith, Rev
Simms, P Cartwright. Recd 75¢ of C Brest & $2 quarterage, Sister
Purce;$10 donation of Wm. Mount. Beans of Council. Paper 10¢.
Planted beans & potatoes. Quite warm. Rain 8:30.
Wednesday 19 Today the citizens of the town & country assembled
in our church to commemorate the burial of Abraham Lincoln at
Washington. Services were opened by reading from 2 Sam 1:17 and
Psa 46. Then singing & prayer, then sketch of his life, the speech
by Jacob Beck, then singing, then Bro Todd spoke. Took text. Then
I read his Farewell Address at Springfield. Then a little talk &
resolutions which were adopted by all save a few Copperheads.
Church was draped in mourning. Recd sub. to Central, Fletcher
Council, & 2$ through Bro Laucke. Had some eggs etc. exchanged.
Set a hen. Paid Olsen $5 which pays till June 26. Recd letter etc
Planted some corn. Quite summer like. Peaches are out in blossom.
Thursday 20 The supposed assassin of Seward caught. Should be
hanged up till dead, dead. Sent letter to Capt J B Jenkins, Baton
Rouge. Indebted to Lodge 72.00 & 61/2 yrs interest. Bot stamps 25¢.
Sent letter to Mason, Bloomington. Recd one from Kittie Lowe & $10
in it. Were aroused at 3 a.m. by neighbors. Pickerell Bices store
& two dwelling were burned by some incendiaries. Planted corn,
beets, squashes, butter beans, cymblings [cabbage sprouts] and
transplanted some hemp. Prayer meeting. Dr Winn joined on Prob.
& Langley & wife by letter. Rained by spells some today.
Friday 21 Fasting primitively was regarded by the Saviour as
essential to the casting out of stubborn devils or dumb spirits.
The directions for fasting were important. Examples worthy of
notice in reference to fasting are given us. The blessed Master &
his Disciples & Apostles fasted often. We do not fast as often now
since we do not have such humble views of ourselves as we ought to
have. Since we are not as holy nor as useful. Letter from Rev
Gooding. His babe died. Circular Syrian Lodge No 333. Bought sugar
(white) 4 lbs $1. Coal oil 1. per gal. Recd 35¢ for Chain. Bot
Tribune 10¢. Put some cucumber seed in the ground. Heard opening
sermon at the Presbytery. Rev Marcus, Micah 7:7. Bro Bishop Haller
supped with us. Rained by times all day.
Saturday 22 Lamentations 3:26: It is good for man – Dr Cartwright
preached at 11 a.m. from that text to small assembly at Yocums S H
Dined at Wm Yocums. Quarterly Conf. Recd of Wmsville this quarter
$28, 4. already allowed; of Fancy Creek 37. quarterage & 5.00
Donation; & $11 for potatoes; of Yocums 9.00; of Wolfe Creek
475
HC.00190 - Reverend Leonard Smith Diaries Collection
Educational use only, no other permissions given. Copyright to this resource is held by Michigan State University and is provided here for educational purposes only. It may not be reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission of the University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Reverend Leonard Francis Smith. "Reverend Leonard Francis Smith ". Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/851
Reverend Leonard Francis Smith
Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections
April 15, 1865
Typed on Paper
8" x 10"
from Aug. 26, 2015
Reverend Leonard Francis Smith was a Methodist preacher appointed to the Girard, Illinois, circuit at the time of Lincoln's death. He traveled to Lincoln's hometown of Springfield, Illinois, two days after the assassination and observed the collective mourning. Smith also held a service in his church the day Lincoln's ceremonial burial service was held in Washington D.C. In his diary, Smith recalls these events and comments on the progress of the hunt for Lincoln's killer and the person who attempted to murder Secretary of State, William H. Seward.
HC.00190 - Reverend Leonard Smith Diaries Collection
Educational use only, no other permissions given. Copyright to this resource is held by Michigan State University and is provided here for educational purposes only. It may not be reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission of the University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Reverend Leonard Francis Smith
Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections
August 26, 2015
Typed on Paper
8" x 10"
Handwritten Diary of Quincy A. Moore,1866, 1869
Diary entry of Aug. 12, 1865 describes how Moore attended the Dan Rice Great Show [a circus] and saw a sideshow tableaux of the assassination of President Lincoln in Bellefontaine, Ohio. [Note: Dan Rice is one of the greatest Civil War era clowns. He dressed and looked like our image of Uncle Sam.] Moore may have been a school district official in Logan County, Ohio. He regularly visited West Liberty, Bellefontaine, Lake Branch, and Degraff, Ohio. His diary, March 19, 1865-Oct. 1, 1869, gives a daily account of his farming, church, family, social life, and illness in Ohio.
Aug. 12, 1865.
I was at Bellefontain [sic] to the show Dan Rice Great Show I saw Elephants Lions Bear wild cat yak camels buffalo monkeys Leopard Congerooh [Kangaroo]and a Blind Horse witch [which] was taught to under stand [sic] english language and a variety of other animals and I was in the side shows in one of them I saw the Representation of the assassination of Lincoln and also of secretary Seward it looked most horrible in the other side show I saw the albino family and a boy sixteen years old witch [which]was eightteen [sic]inches high the girl twenty two inches high seventeen years old a cat witch [which] had but two legs naturaly [sic] born so and a monkey go through military performance [sic] and a woman with beard it cost me for all I seen and bought just 50 [cents]
Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Quincy A. Moore Diary, 1865, 1869
This item may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.
Moore, Quincy A., d. 1877. "Handwritten Diary of Quincy A. Moore,1866, 1869". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/846
Moore, Quincy A., d. 1877
1865
Diary
12x7.5 inches
from Aug. 12, 1865
Diary entry of Aug. 12, 1865 describes how Moore attended the Dan Rice Great Show [a circus] and saw a sideshow tableaux of the assassination of President Lincoln in Bellefontaine, Ohio. [Note: Dan Rice is one of the greatest Civil War era clowns. He dressed and looked like our image of Uncle Sam.] Moore may have been a school district official in Logan County, Ohio. He regularly visited West Liberty, Bellefontaine, Lake Branch, and Degraff, Ohio. His diary, March 19, 1865-Oct. 1, 1869, gives a daily account of his farming, church, family, social life, and illness in Ohio.
Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Quincy A. Moore Diary, 1865, 1869
This item may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.
Moore, Quincy A., d. 1877
August 12, 1865
Diary
12x7.5 inches
Order of Exercises, Occasion of the Funeral of Abraham Lincoln
Order of exercises for Lincoln's funeral. Published by Wm. H. Huse & Co., Printers, Newburyport, Massachusetts, April 19, 1865
Library of Congress, Alfred Whital Stern Collection of Lincolniana portfolio 16, no. 33
This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution
Wm. H. Huse & Co., Printers, Newburyport, Massachusetts. "Order of Exercises, Occasion of the Funeral of Abraham Lincoln". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/737
Wm. H. Huse & Co., Printers, Newburyport, Massachusetts
April 19, 1865
from Apr. 19, 1865
Order of exercises for Lincoln's funeral. Published by Wm. H. Huse & Co., Printers, Newburyport, Massachusetts, April 19, 1865
Library of Congress, Alfred Whital Stern Collection of Lincolniana portfolio 16, no. 33
This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution
Wm. H. Huse & Co., Printers, Newburyport, Massachusetts
April 19, 1865