Lincoln Home Historic Furnishings Report

SECTION D: EVIDENCE OF ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS (continued)

THE LINCOLNS' 1861 SALE OF HOUSEHOLD FURNISHINGS

In February 1861, before their departure for Washington, the Lincolns sold many of their household furnishings. The following advertisement for their sale appeared January 29, 1861:

At Private Sale -- The furniture consisting of parlor and chamber sets, carpets, sofas, chairs, wardrobes, bureaus, bedsteads, stoves, china, Queensware, glass, etc., etc. at the residence, on the corner of Eighth and Jackson Streets, is offered at private sale without reserve. For particulars apply on the premises at once. [35]

This advertisement provides the only known contemporary listing of the contents of the Lincolns' home.

One bill of sale from the Lincoln auction is extant. It reads:

The fact that the Lincolns sold many of their furnishings from their Springfield home before moving to Washington adds credence to the many stories of Lincoln furnishings descending in the families of Springfield residents. Also, an examination of the White House records at the National Archives (Department of the Treasury) has revealed little or no information on what furniture, if any, was moved from Springfield to the White House. This absence in otherwise carefully detailed lists of expenses suggests that little furniture was moved. The only references to shipping charges are for large boxes. The Lincolns did purchase many new furnishings while they were in the White House. These numerous purchases also support the supposition that few furnishings were brought from Springfield.