The ordinary items that Abraham Lincoln had in his pocket on the night of his death show a fascinating side of the president

On the evening of April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre by John Wilkes Booth, a stage actor and Confederate sympathizer. The attack occurred only days after the effective end of the American Civil War, sending the United States into immediate shock and national mourning.

In the years since, historians have often focused on a small but revealing detail from that night: the personal items found in Lincoln’s pockets. While unremarkable on the surface, these objects have been examined as a window into his everyday habits and state of mind. Taken together, they provide a rare, humanizing glimpse of a leader who had guided the country through its most divisive and violent era.

Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War

Abraham Lincoln surrounded by Union soldiers — US President Abraham Lincoln at his Antietam headquarters. (Photo Credit: Bettmann / Getty Images)

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

Portrait of John Wilkes Booth — John Wilkes Booth. (Photo Credit: GraphicaArtis / Getty Images)

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

Illustration of John Wilkes Boothe sneaking up behind Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln — John Wilkes Booth preparing to assassinate US President Abraham Lincoln. (Photo Credit: Kean Collection / Getty Images)

On the evening of April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was watching a performance at Ford’s Theatre when John Wilkes Booth, a prominent actor and devoted Confederate sympathizer, shot him. The assassination occurred just days after the Civil War had essentially drawn to a close, stunning the country and leaving Americans mourning the loss of their president.

In the decades since Lincoln’s death, historians have taken particular interest in the small collection of personal belongings he carried that night. While ordinary and modest in appearance, these objects are often seen as providing a rare window into the private life of the president who guided the United States through one of the most difficult and consequential periods in its history.

Ordinary items were found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets

Contents of Abraham Lincoln's pockets on the night he was assassinated — US President Abraham Lincoln had a variety of items in his pockets on the night he was assassinated. (Photo Credit: MPI / Getty Images)

Though Abraham Lincoln is remembered for his monumental leadership, the modest items he carried on the night of his assassination reveal a more intimate side of the man. Inside his pockets were practical, everyday essentials: a small pocketknife, two pairs of eyeglasses, a watch fob, a leather wallet, and a linen handkerchief embroidered with “A. Lincoln” in red thread.

Of particular note are his spectacles, which show evidence of careful repair—likely done by Lincoln himself. This small, unassuming detail speaks to his resourcefulness and humility, hinting at a leader who approached even mundane tasks with the same thoughtful attention he devoted to guiding a nation through its most perilous moments.

What else was found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets?

Close-up of a $5.00 Confederate bill — Confederate $5.00 bill found in US President Abraham Lincoln’s pocket on the night he was assassinated. (Photo Credit: DREW ANGERER / AFP / Getty Images)

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

$5.00 Confederate bill and other items on display — A sample of the items found in US President Abraham Lincoln’s pockets on the night of his assassination. (Photo Credit: Tom Williams / Roll Call / Getty Images)

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

Various personal items belonging to Abraham Lincoln on display — Various items were found in US President Abraham Lincoln’s pockets on the night he was assassinated. (Photo Credit: Alex Wong / Getty Images)

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.