Hidden agendas: inscriptions on the inside of Abraham Lincolns watch.
He never knew it was there…
Wait, what?
Yep – Lincoln bought this watch in Springfield, back in the 50’s when he was starting to have some real success as a lawyer.
He brought it all the way to Washington in 1861 and, shortly after arriving, handed it to Jonathan Dillon who was working at M.W. Galt and Co. jewelers, for maintenance work.
Many years later, Dillon remembered that during the repair work, he received the news that shots were fired on Fort Sumter…the event that started the Civil War.
Spontaneously, he inscribed a message to the part of the watch that the owner most likely would never open himself.
The message reads: “Jonathan Dillon April 13-1861 Fort Sumpter was attacked by the rebels on the above date J Dillon April 13-1861 Washington thank God we have a government Jonth Dillon.”
And so, for the next four years, Abraham Lincoln carried with him a strong message of support…without ever knowing it.
Here is another picture and one where you can see Lincoln wearing it:
Also, another watchmaker apparently had the same idea some years later – but his inscription wasn’t as favorable.
