The Contents of Lincoln's Pockets
What do these items say about Lincoln?
What did Lincoln have in his pockets when he was assassinated? And so what? The contents of someone's pockets reveal a great deal about that person. What do you have in your pockets or bag? Let's take a look at what Lincoln had in his pockets and see what that says about President Lincoln.
Examine the photos of the contents of Lincoln's pockets below. Click on the images to enlarge them.
Pocket Knife
What does this say about President Lincoln?
Confederate $5 bill
Why might Lincoln have had this in his pocket?
Hankerchief
What does this say about Lincoln and about change over time?
Newspaper Clipping
Why do you think Lincoln was carrying this? What might it have been about?
Glasses
What you notice about these glasses? What does that say about Lincoln?
Pocket Watch fob
What is a pocket watch fob?
Eyeglass Cleaner
What do you notice about this cleaner?
Billfold
How are the three parts of the billfold labeled? What can you learn from this?
Thoughts? Questions?
What can you learn about Lincoln from these items?
Your Writing Assignment
Module 12 Writing Assignment
- Develop an analysis for each item that was in Lincoln's pockets the night he was assassinated. For each item, include a) a description of that item and b) an analysis of what that item might tell you about Lincoln or how this items shows a change over time.
- Write a paragraph about what is in your pockets and what these contents say about you.
- Write a paragraph about what a modern day president might have in his/her pockets.