Abraham Lincoln’s Historic Pocket Watch and Its Secret Inscriptions

Abraham Lincoln’s pocket watch, an English-made timepiece over 150 years old, resides in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Although not on public display, this watch holds a story within the museum’s extensive collection of artifacts.

Lincoln purchased the watch for himself in the 1850s to mark his success. Lisa Kathleen Graddy, curator of American political history at the Smithsonian, describes it as Lincoln’s personal statement about his accomplishments. “This is the watch that he has when he comes to Washington, D.C. as president of the United States,” Graddy explained.

On April 13, 1861, while Jonathan Dillon was repairing the watch, news arrived that the Confederate Army had launched an attack on Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Dillon allegedly inscribed a secret message inside the pocket watch to commemorate the Civil War’s beginning. His great-great-grandson, Doug Stiles, contacted the Smithsonian about Dillon’s inscriptions.

NPR joined the Smithsonian in 2009 as they opened the watch to verify this claim.

Indeed, Dillon had inscribed notes about the Fort Sumter attack and his gratitude for the government. However, Dillon’s inscription was not alone. Another watchmaker, L.E. Gross, left his name inside, alongside a third inscription: “Jeff Davis,” referring to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

Graddy interprets the “Davis” inscription as either a jest or a Confederate support statement. Regardless, she believes these messages reflect a timeless aspect of American life—citizens expressing opinions to their government. “You can still see that it is Americans stating their opinions and interacting with their government,” Graddy said.

The inscription by Jonathan Dillon, made over 150 years ago, resonates deeply with Graddy. “It makes me tear up every time I think about it,” she said. “It is one of the most moving statements of faith in America that I have ever seen.”