Eleven Year Old Girl Writes to Lincoln in 1860 Encouraging Him to Grow a Beard

Photo taken of Lincoln on August 13, 1860, that was the last taken without a beard.

Grace Bedell writes to Abraham Lincoln on October 15, 1860, just a few weeks before he was elected president, encouraging him to grow a beard.

Dear Sir

    My father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr. Hamlin's. I am a little girl only 11 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. Have you any little girls about as large as I am if so give them my love and tell her to write to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have yet got four brothers and part of them will vote for you any way and if you 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 husbands to vote for you and then you would be President. My father is going to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you too, but I will try to get everyone to vote for you that I can I think that rail fence around your picture makes it look very pretty I have got a little baby sister she is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter direct to Grace Bedell Westfield Chautauqua County New York.

I must not write any more answer this letter right off Good bye

Grace Bedell

Photo of Lincoln on November 25, 186o that was the first photo with a beard.