1864: Anna Dickinson, age 21

Dickinson story

1864: Grace Bedell, age 14

Grace G. Bedell to Abraham Lincoln, Albion, New York, January 14, 1864, National Archives, Washington, D.C.*

–Transcribed April 22, 2007 by Matthew Pinsker

 

Albion, Orleans Co, N.Y.

Jan 14th /64

Pres. Lincoln,

After a great deal of forethought on the subject I have concluded to address you asking your aid in obtaining a situation.  Do you remember before your election receiving a letter from a little girl residing at Westfield in Chautauqua Co. advising the wearing of whiskers as an improvement to your face.  I am that little girl grown to the size of a woman. I believe in your answer to that letter you signed yourself, “Your true friend and well-wisher.”  Will you not show yourself my friend now.  My Father during the last few years lost nearly all his property and although we have never known want, I feel that I ought and could do something for myself.  If I only know what that “something” was.  I have heard that a large number of girls are employed constantly and with good wages at Washington cutting Treasury notes and other things pertaining to that Department.  Could I not obtain a situation there?  I know I could if you would exert your unbounded influence.  A word from you would secure me a good paying situation which would at least enable me to support myself if not to help my parents, this, at present is my highest ambition.

My parents are ignorant of this application to you for assistance.  If you require proof of my family’s respectability I can name persons here whose names may not be unknown to you.  We have always resided here excepting the two years we were at Westfield.  I have addressed one letter to you before pertaining to this subject but receiving no answer I chose rather to think you had failed to receive it –not believing that your natural kindness of heart of which I have heard so much would prompt you to pass it by unanswered.

Direct to this place

Grace G. Bedell

[NOTATION ON REVERSE SIDE IN DIFFERENT HAND:]

Employment, Grace G. Bedell, applicant]

 

*   Previously unknown letter discovered by independent researcher Karen Needles in February 2007