Interior of Lincoln watch bears Fort Sumter remarks

Image by Smithsonian National Museum of American HistoryImage by 20090311-watch.jpg

A gold pocket watch belonging to Abraham Lincoln was in the possession of a watchmaker during 1861 when the Confederacy fired on Fort Sumter.

That watchmaker, Jonathan Dillon, wrote: "Jonathan Dillon April 13- 1861 Fort Sumpter [sic] was attacked by the rebels on the above date. J Dillon," and continued, "April 13- 1861 Washington thank God we have a government Jonth Dillon."

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