The Seances of a President

Spiritualism – the belief that the disembodied spirits of the dead, surviving in another world, can communicate with the living in this world, especially through mediums. That’s how the Collins English Dictionary defines it. Spiritualism in America took off after the Fox Sisters starting communicating with ghosts with a series of tapping in 1848. Séances were held quite frequent and though many mediums were proven frauds and even Margaret, one of the Fox sisters, declared she was faking it (which she later recanted) spiritualism grew rapidly.

Not only did spiritualism grow it also influenced many high up politicians during some important times in American history. One of those politicians was as high as you can get during one of the most pivotal times, President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.

Was Lincoln a spiritualist? That is a pretty big debate, if he was, he never admitted it publically but there some who say he did enjoyed a séance or two in the White House. There are reports that when the subject of Spiritualism came up he would get annoyed and one time claimed, “A simple faith in God is good enough for me, and beyond that I do not concern myself very much” but according to historians, Lincoln did have access to mediums during his terms and Nettie Colburn Maynard wrote a book about her experiences.

I am sure President Lincoln had his reasons for keeping his interest in the spirit world secret but also found it interesting because there are written accounts of him having prophetic dreams. He even had a dream about his own death. It is the meetings with Nettie Colburn Maynard however that would help shape the future of America.
The first known séance that Lincoln was said to attend was in December 1862.

There were at least two witnesses, Colonel S. P. Kase and of course Nettie Colburn Maynard that published accounts of it. It was here, according to Nettie that Lincoln got reassurances the Emancipation Proclamation, which Lincoln was still wavering on, must be done. According to Nellie:

“…I lost all consciousness of my surroundings and passed under control. For more than an hour I was made to talk to him, and I learned from my friends afterward that it was upon matters that he seemed to fully understand, while they comprehended very little until that portion was reached that related to the forthcoming Emancipation Proclamation. He was charged with the utmost solemnity and force of manner not to abate the terms of its issue, and not to delay its enforcement as a law beyond the opening of the year; and he was assured that it was to be the crowning event of his administration and life…”

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle also commented on this meeting that it:

“was one of the most important events in the history of the United States. This spirit message strengthened the President in taking a difficult step to which he was not yet firmly committed.”

In another meeting between Nettie and Lincoln, she warned him that his army was stacking up arms and losing faith. Mass desertion was eminent and he must take the following action to save his army and the hopes that the North would prevail. She told him, again in a trance state, that he must go and visit the troops. Not the officers but the soldiers themselves, in their tents. Listen to their concerns and show that you are interested in their trials and tribulations. Lincoln did this and his army welcomed him and rallied around him.

Of course Nellie warned Lincoln that he would not make it through his second term. This was something Lincoln was already familiar with. Lincoln fully believed that whatever was set in motion could not be changed by mortal man. That fateful night at Ford’s Theatre, the last premonition came true and Lincoln was shot on April 14th, 1865 and died the next day.

So was the Emancipation Proclamation, one of the most important events in American history influenced by a medium and the spiritual world? Did this same medium, Nettie Colburn Maynard, again get advice that rallied the Northern troop’s at the most dire time? According to some… yes. Lincoln himself is said to say of Nettie, “My child, you posses a very singular gift; but that it is a gift from God, I have no doubt. I thank you for coming here tonight.”

Though unknown to many and not something you learn in history class, a lot of people in this country today should also thank Nettie for bring there that night.

Related posts:

1. The Ghost of the Old Stagecoach Inn
2. The Haunted Lincoln Theater
3. Ghosts of the White House
4. Paranormal Proof is What We Seek