Grace Bedell Billings: Lincoln's Little Correspondent
The home of
Lincoln's Little
Correspondent
Grace Bedell Billings
1848 - 1936
At the age of 11, Grace Bedell of Westfield, N.Y., wrote Candidate Abraham Lincoln on Oct. 15, 1860 suggesting that he grow a beard. She felt this would increase his appeal to voters, adding "...and then you would be president."
After his election, Lincoln's train was routed through Grace's hometown of Westfield. Lincoln asked for his Little Correspondent, kissed her and said, "You see, I let these whiskers grow for you, Grace."
Grace Bedell married and moved to Kansas about 1871, living the rest of her adult life in Delphos.
[Letter from Grace to Lincoln]
(Excerpts from two-page letter)
Westfield Chatauque Co NY
Oct 15. 1860
Hon A B Lincoln
Dear Sir
....I am a little girl only eleven years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are...
I have got 4 brother's and part of them will vote for you any way and if you will let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husband's to vote for you and then
this page online
I must not write any more answer this letter right off
Good bye
Grace Bedell
[Letter from Lincoln to Grace]
Springfield, Illinois
October 19, 1860
Miss. Grace Bedell
My dear little Miss.
Your very agreeable letter of the 15th. is received.
I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughters. I have three sons -- one seventeen, one nine, and one seven, years of age. They, with their mother, constitute my whole family.
As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affection if I were to begin it now?
Your very sincere well-wisher
A. Lincoln
Erected by the Billings Family.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Government & Politics • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1893.
Location. 39° 16.422′ N, 97° 45.986′ W. Marker is in Delphos, Kansas, in Ottawa County. Marker is at the intersection of Washington Street and 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south on Washington Street. Marker is at the northwest corner of the city park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delphos KS 67436, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Civil War Memorial
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Grace Bedell. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 12, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The Advice of a Little Girl. Library of Congress website entry (Submitted on December 28, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Letter to Grace Bedell. Abraham Lincoln Online website entry (Submitted on December 28, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Lincoln meets Grace Bedell. Abraham Lincoln Online website entry (Submitted on December 28, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 645 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 28, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on June 12, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on December 28, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
