Draft:Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat

Abraham Lincoln's top hat Circa 2010

Abraham Lincoln's top hat was a silk stovepipe hat wore by the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln acquired the hat from a hat maker named J.Y. Davis of Washington D.C. and wore it until his death on April 15, 1865 at Ford's Theatre.

Abraham Lincoln

Creation

The hat was created by a hat maker named J.Y. Davis in the late 1850s or early 1860s and was given to Abraham Lincoln shortly after his election on March 4, 1861.

Usage

Abraham Lincoln was first seen with his hat on May 16, 1861 when he posed for a photo taken by Matthew Brady, wearing the hat on October 3, 1862 when he visited George B. McClellan in Antietam, Maryland.

Willie Lincoln

When Willie Lincoln, Abraham's third son, died on February 20, 1862 Lincoln added a black silk mourning band around the top hat which he wore until his death.

Attempted Assassination

In August of 1864, during his second term as president, Lincoln was on horseback, on his way to the Soldiers’ Home, about three miles northeast of the White House, where he had the use of a stone cottage in the summer months. An unknown assassin shot the crown of the hat and it flew off the president's head.

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  The earliest known photo of Lincoln with his top hat, taken on 16 May, 1861
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  Lincoln with General McClellan and other officers in Antietam, Maryland
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  Abraham Lincoln at Antietam, with Ward Hill Lamon seated at left.