Abraham Lincoln’s Pocket Watch: A Piece of History

Watches do more than tell time; they tell stories. One such story lies within Abraham Lincoln’s English-made pocket watch, stored at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. This watch, which Lincoln bought for himself in the 1850s, reflects a significant moment in his life.

Lisa Kathleen Graddy, a curator of American political history, shares insights about the watch’s significance. Lincoln purchased the watch as a gift to himself at a time when he was rising in prominence. According to Graddy, the watch symbolized Lincoln’s transition from day laborer to successful lawyer and future President of the United States.

On April 13, 1861, while Lincoln’s watch was being repaired by watchmaker Jonathan Dillon, news reached Washington, D.C., about the Confederate Army’s attack on Fort Sumter. Dillon inscribed a secret message inside the watch, marking the start of the Civil War. This story was passed down through his family, and in 2009, NPR was present when the Smithsonian verified Dillon’s inscription.

Inside the watch, Dillon had inscribed the attack details and his own name, including the phrase, “thank God we have a government.” Surprisingly, the Smithsonian discovered additional inscriptions. One was from another watchmaker, L.E. Gross, and the third, “Jeff Davis,” referred to Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States. Graddy suggests the “Davis” inscription might have been a joke or a sign of support.

Graddy believes these inscriptions illustrate ongoing American interaction with government and governance. Citizens expressed opinions, sending messages indirectly to Lincoln himself. She finds Dillon’s inscription particularly moving, describing it as an enduring expression of faith in America. “It makes me tear up every time,” Graddy says, noting its profound impact on her view of American democracy.