Laurie's daughter took a photo of Abraham Lincoln!

[L Verge]

Laurie, I was wondering about the watch, too. Mary had a wristwatch:

...but I've never heard her husband had one, nor men in those days at all.

Reminds me of Ben Hur...

I never knew Mary had a wristwatch. Where is it now?

[RJNorton]

Laurie, I am not certain, but I think it's in the Smithsonian in the First Ladies exhibit. I am not sure, but I vaguely recall Eva may have posted a photo of it once.

[Eva Elisabeth]

You are right about both, Roger - I once posted it and it is on display in that exhibition:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/first-ladi...ons-page-3

[L Verge]

Does anyone have more history on Mrs. Lincoln's wristwatch? I have spent so many years telling our female guides to not wear or to hide their wristwatches because they are not period appropriate. I never remember seeing this post or ever reading about this one. I'm not finding much history online about it either.

From what I have found, this watch may date after the Civil War period. The only source that gave any indication of when wristwatches were invented said that the first one was manufactured by Philippe Patek in 1868.

[Angela]

Well that would be a proper continuation of the "Impromptu Levee" incident where "for fifteen minutes the President had as much on his hands as one man might desire”

It certainly looks like Old Abe has caught the attention of the young women in the second picture (with red hair) sitting by the pool having her hair brushed

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Some may remember this story of the Presidents pocket watch.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/li...-57066665/

[L Verge]

I don't remember whether it is in the Smithsonian article, but there is a photo somewhere of a "necklace" watch that Mr. Lincoln bought for Miss Todd in the late-1850s. It looks wonderful in the photo and has a lengthy engraving to Mary.

[Gene C]

I think I found it.
The story goes that one day Mary was having one of her loud outbursts. Lincoln took her over to the window and pointing to the horizon gave her this watch.
He said, Mary you'll have to control yourself, or one day we may have to send you here.

http://www.ignydesign.com/aupewala.html

[L Verge]

Found the Miss Todd watch I was looking for: http://theawesomer.com/abe-lincolns-pock...ch/173485/

Also, found an interesting story of another one that was bought for Mary, but never given to her: www.liveauctiontalk.com/free_article_detail.php?article.id=668

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I think I found it.
The story goes that one day Mary was having one of her loud outbursts. Lincoln took her over to the window and pointing to the horizon gave her this watch.
He said, Mary you'll have to control yourself, or one day we may have to send you here.

http://www.ignydesign.com/aupewala.html

Sending her to a penal colony! Knocks him down a notch on my respect-o-meter.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Found the Miss Todd watch I was looking for: http://theawesomer.com/abe-lincolns-pock...ch/173485/

Also, found an interesting story of another one that was bought for Mary, but never given to her: www.liveauctiontalk.com/free_article_detail.php?article.id=668

Wow - I have never heard of either watch, Laurie!!! The second (non-given) one is lovely and would have been very becoming to Mary! As for the first one I find the use of "Abe" in the engraved signature strange - I've always read Abraham Lincoln hated to be called like that. On the other hand I cannot recall reading a source for his dislike of this nickname - does anyone know?

[PaigeBooth]

I was in Washington DC last month and visited the Smithsonian Museum where I saw Mary's watch; it is stunning! Mary also had a solid gold evening purse. Mary's name and the year 1863 are engraved inside the ring of the purse, and her initials ML are engraved on the front. This too, was absolutely gorgeous to see in person. Mary certainly had some beautiful pieces. Below is a picture I took of Mary's purse:

   

[L Verge]

I had seen a photo of the purse before and was amazed by it because I had carried a silver one that is very similar (without chain and as much engraving) at my daughter's wedding.

[RJNorton]

As for the first one I find the use of "Abe" in the engraved signature strange - I've always read Abraham Lincoln hated to be called like that. On the other hand I cannot recall reading a source for his dislike of this nickname - does anyone know?

I agree, Eva. I have always read he did not like it, but I do not recall ever seeing an original source for that statement. In an interview with William Herndon after the assassination Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln constantly referred to him as "Abe." For example, she said, "I had a son, John, who was raised with Abe. Both were good boys: but I must say, both now being dead, that Abe was the best boy I ever saw." Would she call him "Abe" if he really hated it that much?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Good question, Roger. (Maybe because his stepmother called him that way and he considered it a "boyhood" nickname to be used by mother only?) But did he ever sign any letter or similar "Abe"?

[RJNorton]

But did he ever sign any letter or similar "Abe"?

Not that I have ever seen.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Mary never called him like that either, did she? (Only "father", or "Mr. Lincoln" AFAIK, and "my dear husband" in letters.)