President Lincoln's death and our Family Heirlooms

Today (and tomorrow) marks the 150^th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.  Now, you are probably thinking, “what a freakin’ horrible way to start Tim” but the reason I point out the historic date is because one of my most precious possessions is a newspaper from the morning after he was shot.  The framed copy of the cover of The New York Herald dated April 15, 1865 was found when my grandfather’s parents passed away and they cleaned out the house.  It is one of two physical connections I keep with my Papa that reminds me each day of my family and keeps me connected with previous generations.

Not only do we have this awesome piece of history in our living room but on the opposite wall hangs my Grandfather’s clock he received when he retired from Westinghouse.  My daughter has become fascinated with the clock.  The pendulum swings ticking away the seconds and it chimes every 15 minutes with the hourly strikes marking time.  She dances a little each time it chimes; starting the pendulum or winding the mechanism has become a part of our daily routine.  Not to be forgotten, the other side of my family is represented by my Grandmother’s suitcase from the 1950s, which sits under a table near the clock.  My daughter tries to hide behind it when we play hide and seek but invariably her little butt sticks out and she giggles as I “look” for her.

My wife’s family also has several important pieces of family history in our home.  During Christmas this past year we prominently displayed a large collection of decorations given to us by her Mom and Dad, which they collected throughout her childhood.  We put up her family nativity and also incorporate toys from her childhood into our daughter’s playtime.  In her room we display precious mementos such as my wife’s shoes she took her first steps in, ballet slippers she used and many other childhood memories that keep a watchful eye over our daughter as she sleeps. 

All of these little pieces of history are what make our house a home.  When I walk around cleaning up after a long day or sit down to enjoy dinner with my family, I am reminded that we are living out the dreams our ancestors wanted for their family: to be happy and prosperous.  I know that our relatives living and deceased are with us with each chime of the clock and those who aren’t with us can’t help but laugh as my daughter does something mischievous.  It may sound weird but I am even comforted by the smell of my Grandmother’s cigarettes that still permeates the inside of the clock; I can’t seem to bring myself to scrub that memory from the clock and my life. 

History is funny like that, even though the smell was awful when she was alive, it is my remaining connection to her that I now covet as a part of my childhood. 

As a parent, I hope to make positive memories and pass on these family heirlooms for my children to cherish and look back on as they raise families.  The lesson that Papa's clock reminds me each day: time is fleeting, don’t forget to enjoy the here and now.

The First column written at 1:30AM released by the War Department by Major General Dix in New York reads: "This evening at about 9:30PM, at Ford's Theatre, the President, while sitting in his private box with Mrs. Lincoln, Mrs. Harris and Major Rathburn, was shot by an assassin, who suddenly entered the box and approached behind the President."  The dispatch continues, "The wound is mortal."

  

In the center, released at 7:30AM by the Secretary of War (Edwin M. Stanton), a further dispatch reads, "The President continues insensible and sinking...  Abraham Lincoln died this morning at twenty-two minutes pat 7 o'clock."

On the right, released by Jefferson Davis on April 5th concerning the fall of Richmond reads: "Let us, then, not despond, my country-men but relying on God, meet the foe with fresh defiance and with unconquered and unconquerable hearts."  General Lee would surrender to General Grant four days later on April 9th.  General Grant was scheduled to attend the play at Ford's Theatre with Lincoln on April 14th but changed plans and travelled to New Jersey to visit family.

Papa's clock