Contents of Lincoln's pocket

[Donna McCreary]

He was carrying a watch. When the contents of Lincoln's pockets were removed, the watch was given to Robert. Robert kept it for many years. He then gave it to his cousin, Benjamin Helm. Helm was the son of Mary's half-sister, Emilie and General Benjamin Hardin Helm.
Ben gifted the watch to his friend and attorney, William Townsend. Upon William's death, the watch became the property of his daughter, Mary G. Townsend Murphy. Before her death, Mary gave the watch, along with all of the provenance, to the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort. I do not have a link to a website, but I am sure a quick google search will take you to an article about the history of the watch.

Mrs. Mary Murphy was a friend to me. I was blessed to have known her, and I am grateful to her for allowing me to study the Todd family documents which she inherited when she moved into Helm Place, the last home of Emilie T. Helm and her adult children.