The Thomas Memorial Collection contains material related to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.
Included in this collection are more than 2,700 volumes as well as authentic photos concerning Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. A $10 check signed by Lincoln is also part of the collection and has been included in The Papers of Abraham Lincoln project. Other interesting materials include a piece of oak from the floor of Lincoln’s Springfield law office, a gavel made from a tree planted by Lincoln, and a section of his original marble sarcophagus. Several oil portraits of Lincoln also make up this collection.
Dr. Vernon L. Thomas, along with Dr. Russell C. Slater and John W. Fling, Jr., contributed books, photos, periodicals, and other memorabilia concerning Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. The collection was opened to the public on July 4, 1976.
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32 Pound Solid Shot Cannon Ball
Southern Adventist University
Pictured here is a 32 pound solid shot cannonball. This cannonball was picked at the site of the Civil War Battle of Murfreesboro. The cannonball was donated by Robin Harris, the nephew of Truman Parrish, who was a graduate of Southern College in 1960.
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Bullets
Southern Adventist University
Pictured here are an assortment of civil war bullets donated by Warren Oakes. This collection contains five minié balls. Two of the bullets are coated in a white dust. This dust is most likely a basic lead carbonate which results from weathering and the early stages of lead oxidation.
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Bullets from the Battle of Vicksburg
Southern Adventist University
Pictured here are an assortment of civil war bullets donated by Warren Oakes. This collection contains eight minié balls, and one musket ball. These bullets originate from the Battle of Vicksburg (May 18-July 4, 1863). The musket ball and six of the eight minié balls are coated in white dust. This dust is most likely a basic lead carbonate which results from weathering and the early stages of lead oxidation.
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Butler Portrait
Southern Adventist University
This genuine platinum photograph, known as the Butler Portrait, is an image of Abraham Lincoln. The frame is made of a piece of oak from the original flooring in Lincoln's first law office.
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Double Sided Campaign Pin
Southern Adventist University
Pictured here is an 1860 Presidential campaign pin. The front side of the brass pin contains a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The backside of the brass pin contains a different portrait of Hannibal Hamlin. Similar to current political pins, this brass pin was used to show support for a presidential candidate during the election cycle.
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Single Sided Campaign Pin
Southern Adventist University
Pictured here is an 1864 Presidential campaign pin. The brass pin contains a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Similar to current political pins, this brass pin was used to show support for a presidential candidate during the election cycle.
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The Lincoln Calendar
Southern Adventist University
Pictured here is The 1923 Lincoln Calendar. This is a monthly calendar published by Dodge Publications in 1922. The calendar is named The Lincoln Calendar because of the quotes vocalized by Abraham Lincoln that are shown in each month.
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Walt Whitman Poems about Abraham Lincoln
Southern Adventist University
Pictured here is the book Memories of President Lincoln by Walt Whitman. This edition was published in 1906 by Thomas Bird Mosher in Portland, Maine. This collection of poems contains Whitman’s most well-known poetry about Abraham Lincoln.
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Watercolor Miniature of Abraham Lincoln
Southern Adventist University
Pictured here is a miniature watercolor of Abraham Lincoln. This miniature was commissioned by John W. Fling from William Patterson. Patterson was a portrait artist in the first quarter of the 20th century. He specialized in painting portraits of Lincoln based on photographs. It is mounted on a gold locket in a pearl gray velvet case.
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Lincoln Gavel
McKee Library
The mallet (gavel) is made from a tree planted by Abraham Lincoln at his Springfield home. The handle is made from the doorframe in the Edwards home where Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd exchanged their wedding vows. This gavel now part of the Thomas Memorial Collection.
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Lincoln Oak Floor Piece
McKee Library
Section of oak flooring from Abraham Lincoln’s Springfield law office. This item is part of McKee Library's Thomas Memorial Collection.
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Marble from Lincoln's Sarcophagus
McKee Library
Section of marble from Abraham Lincoln's sarcophagus. This piece, one of several taken from the tomb, was picked up by John W. Fling, Jr. Mr. Fling retained his piece, despite the State of Illinois demands for the return the stolen property. This piece was acquired by another collector and eventually donated to Southern Adventist University. It is part of the Thomas Memorial Collection.
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Richard A. Fling Tape Recording
Richard A. Fling
Audio recording of Richard A. Fling discussing the collection curated by his father, John W. Fling, Jr. This collection is now part of the Thomas Memorial Collection at McKee Library on the campus of Southern Adventist University. Items discussed include the piece of Abraham Lincoln's sarcophagus, the watercolor miniature of Lincoln, and the oak floor plank.
The exact date of the recording is unknown.
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Civil War Diary and Military Papers of Colonel William Hanna
William Hanna
This typed transcription of William Hanna’s diary and military papers that were compiled and edited by Dr. R.C. Slater of La Salle, Illinois in 1960 is part of McKee Library's Thomas Memorial Collection.
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Matthew Baird Journal
Matthew Baird
Matthew Baird, born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1839 and the oldest child of George W. Baird and Mary Eliza Merrill, was a confederate soldier during the Civil War. He joined the 3rd Infantry, Company E in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 13, 1861 and reported for duty on June 10, 1861. More information on the life of Matthew Baird can be found at the Historic Charlton Park.
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A. H. Hutchinson Civil War Diary
A. H. Hutchinson
A.H. Hutchinson was a Civil War soldier in the 36th Alabama infantry, company C.
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Oval Lincoln Photograph
John Sartain
This engraved image of Abraham Lincoln by artist John Sartain depicts Lincoln in his younger years. This item contains the signature of Abraham Lincoln. Signature authenticity is unverified.
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Equity Digest from Lincoln & Herndon Law Office 1844-1861
Barbour and Harrington
A copy of Equity Digest by Barbour & Harrington from Lincoln & Herndon Law Office, 1844 - 1861. This work is an analytical digest of the equity cases, decided in the courts of the United States. This piece was donated to Southern Adventist University and is part of the Thomas Memorial Collection.
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Split Walnut Rail
McKee Library
Fragment of walnut rail split by Abraham Lincoln and used in the Decatur Convention (Republican Party Convention) of 1860. Presented by Richard J. Oglesby to Jesse K. DuBois. This piece was acquired by another collector and eventually donated to Southern Adventist University. It is part of the Thomas Memorial Collection.
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Abraham Lincoln Check
Abraham Lincoln
Scan of original check signed by Abraham Lincoln on September 28, 1857.
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Lincoln's Ambition Photograph
M. T. Sheahan, Boston
This framed quote from Lincoln first presidential address on March 9, 1832 states: “Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say for one, that I have no other so great, as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem.”
