Posted on 07/10/2012 7:18:19 PM PDT by DogByte6RER
Secret Message in Lincoln’s Pocketwatch, 1861
‘In 2009 the Smithsonian found a “secret” message engraved in Abraham Lincoln’s watch by a watchmaker who was repairing it in 1861 when news of the attack on Fort Sumter reached Washington, D.C.
‘In an interview with The New York Times April 30, 1906, 84-year-old Jonathan Dillon recalled he was working for M.W. Galt and Co. on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, where he was repairing Lincoln’s watch. The owner of the shop announced that the first shot of the Civil War had been fired. Dillon reported that he unscrewed the dial of the watch, and with a sharp instrument wrote on the metal beneath:
‘The first gun is fired. Slavery is dead. Thank God we have a President who at least will try.’
‘He then signed and dated the inscription and closed the dial. Dillon told The New York Times in 1906 that to his knowledge, no one ever saw the inscription.
‘After being contacted by Dillon’s great-great-grandson, the museum agreed to remove the dial to see if the watchmaker’s message was inside. The museum did find a message inscribed on the brass underside of the movement. The wording was slightly different from Dillon’s own recollection. The actual engraving says:
‘Jonathan Dillon April 13-1861 Fort Sumpter [sic] was attacked by the rebels on the above date J Dillon April 13-1861 Washington Thank God we have a government Jonth Dillon
‘“Lincoln never knew of the message he carried in his pocket,” said the director of the National Museum of American History. This inscription remained hidden behind the dial for almost 150 years.’
Lincoln's English gold watch was purchased in the 1850s from George Chatterton, a Springfield, Illinois, jeweler. Lincoln was not outwardly vain, but the fine gold watch was a conspicuous symbol of his success as a prominent Illinois lawyer.
More background story here ...
Lincoln’s Pocket Watch Reveals Long-Hidden Message
Confirmed Legend: Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch was Opened
http://www.interwatches.com/blog/2009/06/08/Confirmed-Legend-Abraham-Lincoln-Pocket-Watch-was-Opened-
This might be of interest ...
historical clockworks ping
PFL
Interesting. It shows that people often do recognize history as its being made.
It says “Jeff Davis”.
That seems significant, but no mention in the article.
That seems significant, but no mention in the article.
It would have been, had he finished as he intended: "... sucks dirty donkey d---." But just then the boss walked in and he had to close up the watch.
This angle should’ve been used for National Treasure 2.
The “1864” that’s there as well.
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| GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach | |
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Thanks DogByte6RER. |
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Because though not yet “President,” he was still a well-known traitor.
Stauer has been selling a replica of this watch, complete with the inscription, for a couple of years. More history on it is in their marketing materials/website.
Gwjack
LS, thought you would find this interesting!
Hahahahahaha....
Darn. I thought this was something newly found.
It looks like there was plenty of room for “Jeff Davis can KMA” ;-)
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