On the evening of April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot and mortally wounded by John Wilkes Booth, a prominent stage actor and Confederate sympathizer, while watching a play at Ford’s Theatre. The assassination occurred only days after the Civil War had effectively concluded, shocking a nation just beginning to imagine peace. In the aftermath, historians have drawn attention to an intriguing detail from that night: the everyday objects found in Lincoln’s pockets. Simple as they were, these items provide an intimate snapshot of the inner life of the man who had carried the country through its darkest crisis.
Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War
The assassination of Abraham Lincoln remains one of the most notable events in US history. The president had helped lead the nation through the turbulent American Civil War, a time of unparalleled difficulty, and was well loved, especially by the African-American community for his large role in the abolition of slavery.
John Wilkes Booth snuck up behind the US president
Abraham Lincoln was watching a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC, with his wife, Mary Todd, and was completely focused on the show, unaware of the danger that John Wilkes Booth, his assassin, was about to bring. Booth, who was famous for his acting career, had quietly slipped into the president’s box without anyone noticing.
The assassination that shook the United States
On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated while watching a performance at Ford’s Theatre, shot by John Wilkes Booth—an actor and ardent Confederate supporter. The killing occurred only days after the Civil War had effectively ended, plunging a weary nation into sudden grief. In the aftermath, historians have focused on a small but revealing detail: the handful of personal effects Lincoln had in his pockets that evening. Ordinary in nature, these belongings nonetheless offer an unusually personal window into the private world of the president who had steered the United States through its most perilous era.
Ordinary items were found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets
While Abraham Lincoln’s assassination stands as a pivotal moment in American history, the humble items he carried that evening provide a strikingly personal glimpse of the man behind the office. His pockets held practical, everyday belongings: a small pocketknife, two sets of eyeglasses, a watch fob, a leather wallet, and a linen handkerchief embroidered with “A. Lincoln” in red thread.
Among these objects, a pair of carefully repaired spectacles stands out—likely mended by Lincoln himself. This simple act reflects his resourceful and unpretentious nature, offering insight into a leader who treated life’s ordinary tasks with the same deliberate care he applied to the nation’s most critical affairs.
What else was found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets?
Alongside his everyday belongings, Abraham Lincoln also carried a collection of newspaper clippings that praised him. However, the most unexpected item he had with him that evening was a $5.00 Confederate bill discovered in his wallet.
Theory surrounding the $5.00 Confederate bill
The discovery of enemy currency raises questions about why the president might have had it in his possession. While the answer isn’t definitive, researchers at the Library of Congress propose a theory. Clark Evans, head of Reference Services in the Rare Book and Special Collections Division, proposes:
“We don’t know with one hundred percent certainty but just a few days earlier, Richmond had fallen, and Lincoln did actually travel to Richmond and this was likely passed onto him as a souvenir.”
Preserving the items found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets
The remarkable preservation of the possessions carried by Abraham Lincoln on the night of his assassination is incredible. After his death, the items were entrusted to his eldest son, Robert, and remained in the family’s possession for the next seven decades. Today, these invaluable artifacts can be viewed at the Library of Congress.