OTD: President Andrew Jackson appoints Lincoln Postmaster

President Andrew Jackson appointed Lincoln Postmaster of New Salem, Illinois on May 7, 1833. https://papersofabrahamlincoln.org/documents/D294525

On this day in 1833, President Andrew Jackson appointed Abraham Lincoln the postmaster of New Salem, Illinois. Although the post was a political patronage position, Lincoln had yet to join the Whig Party, an oppositional movement that would crystallize in the coming years, becoming a national party that Lincoln was recognized as among its rising stars in lllinois. In his position as postmaster, Lincoln had access to newspapers from across the country. He also used his position to get to know people not only in New Salem, but also those living on the outskirts of the village. Unlike most postmasters who were required to maintain an office and hours in which residents could collect their mail, Lincoln made it a point to deliver the mail to their homes and, in doing so, he developed personal relationships that paid dividends in his political races for the state legislature. Lincoln served as the postmaster of New Salem until May 30, 1836 when the post office relocated.

Unlike most Postmasters, Lincoln often delievered mail to residents living on the outskirts of New Salem not only to get to know people better, but also win their votes for the state legislature.

The document above includes a list of postmasters appointed by President Andrew Jackson. Jackson appointed Lincoln postmaster of New Salem in May 7, 1833. On May 27, Nelson Alley and Alexander Trent signed the $500 bond Lincoln was required to post. Sources: https://papersofabrahamlincoln.org/documents/D294525; Harry E. Pratt, The Personal Finances of Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1943), 15-17.