DAVID WILLS, LINCOLN'S GETTYSBURG HOST — TYPED LETTER SIGNED TO THE GETTYSBURG TOWN COUNCIL CONCERNING HIS PREMISES ON YORK STREET, 1894

DAVID WILLS, LINCOLN'S GETTYSBURG HOST — TYPED LETTER SIGNED TO THE GETTYSBURG TOWN COUNCIL CONCERNING HIS PREMISES ON YORK STREET, 1894

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Item Code: 453-61

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Typed letter signed, one page, "Gettysburg, Pa., January 9th, 1894," addressed "To, The Town Council of the Borough of Gettysburg," boldly signed in ink "David Wills."

Wills writes that he is making improvements on his premises and intends to put in two bath-rooms and two water-closets, "one in connection with my residence and one in the new improvement I am making," and wishes a convenient outlet into a public sewer. He asks the Council to ordain as a public sewer "the small stream of water crossing York Street East of Stratton," which he describes as a natural water-course, and to direct that it be put in order for the use of any persons wishing to drain into it. With the Council's consent, he proposes to lay a sewer pipe down York Street from his premises, on top of his present sewer but not entering it, and run it into the new public sewer. He closes by asking for action without delay, adding that the Council "will confer a favor on me if you take prompt measures in this matter" — very nearly the phrase he had used thirty years earlier in inviting President Lincoln to stay at his house.

The premises in question are the Wills house on the Diamond at the corner of York and Baltimore Streets, the town's largest residence, where Abraham Lincoln stayed the night of November 18, 1863, and where he is believed to have completed the final draft of the Gettysburg Address. Wills (1831-1894), a Gettysburg attorney, was Governor Curtin's agent in the creation of the Soldiers' National Cemetery and the man who invited Lincoln to deliver "a few appropriate remarks" at its dedication. He later served as president judge of the county courts. He died at his home on October 27, 1894, so this letter dates from the final year of his life.

The verso carries the Council's period pencil docket, "Proposition / of / Wills & McPherson / and Lewis &c," indicating the request was received and filed as a joint proposition on behalf of Wills and other property holders.

A rare piece of Gettysburg local history tied directly to the Wills House.

Single sheet, approx. 8 x 13 in., typed in blue-purple ribbon on the upper two-thirds, lower third blank. Minor period ink corrections to the text, including a marginal interlineation at left. Pencil docket on verso.

CONDITION

Original horizontal and vertical folds with short separations at the fold ends along the edges. Overall even toning, light creasing, and small chips and corner creases at the edges, including a small nick at the upper edge. The signature is strong and dark. Text fully legible.    [ss][ph:L]

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