Gilpin, Sarah Lydia (1802-1894) Untitled
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06846.05 Author/Creator: Gilpin, Sarah Lydia (1802-1894) Place Written: s.l. Type: Diary Date: 1865/01/25 - 1865/07/09 Pagination: 191 p. 16.7 cm x 10.5 Order a Copy
Pages numbered 665 - 856
This volume contains accounts of the end of the Civil War and the assassination and funeral of President Lincoln.
10 April 1865, p. 737: News of General Lee's surrender to General Grant.
13 April 1865 p. 739: "One of the days appointed for the Fort Sumpter celebration. The Flag to be raised there by Gen. Anderson."
14 April 1865 p. 742: "Gen. Lee said to be gone to join Johnston to induce him to give up the war. Mr. Seward still quite ill from his injuries from jumping out of the carriage when the horses were running away. The ladies stayed in the carriage but were not hurt."
15 April 1865 p. 743: "The morning paper brought the fearful news of the assassination of President Lincoln & attack upon W. Seward - the perpetrators escaped. At 10 oclock the Flags at half-mast we suppose the President is dead. God have mercy & save our country 'By terrible things in righteousness …'"
15 April 1865 p. 744: "President died at about 7 o clock this morning. W. Seward & his son still alive. … The assassin discovered to be an actor named Booth a notorious seccecionist - supposed to be three men engaged in the plot. Andrew Johnston sworn as president. Everyone filled with undefined fears. Genl Grant gone to Washington."
19 April 1865 p. 748: "The funeral of the President at Washington at 12 o clock & all the churches open here at that time for services. … the shops shut universally & mourning emblems & draperies on nearly all the houses in Broadway & the other principal streets, crape worn by both men & women…"
Gilpin was the daughter of Joshua Gilpin, a Wilmington, Delaware paper manufacturer and a contemporary of E. I du Pont. She was also related to William Gilpin, the first territorial governor of Colorado who accompanied J.C. Fremont on his 1843 expedition. There are Gilpin family papers at the Hagley Museum and Library, the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.