At Noble & Cooley, our history is filled with instruments that tell a story—but few are as remarkable as a drum we built in 1860 for Abraham Lincoln’s presidential campaign.
Crafted during a pivotal moment in American history, this drum was made from fence rails that Lincoln himself had split years earlier—directly connecting it to the “Rail Splitter” image that became central to his campaign. At the time, supporters embraced this identity as a symbol of hard work and self-reliance, creating one of the earliest examples of political storytelling in the United States.
Our records describe how the rail was sent from Illinois, cut into strips, and carefully formed into the drum’s hoops. It was then finished with sterling silver hooks, silk cord, and a painted likeness of Lincoln. In August 1860, James Cooley wrote in his diary: “Finished the Lincoln drum today. The finest thing ever made.”
The drum was used at rallies throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts before being presented to the 10th Massachusetts Regiment. It was later believed to be housed at the United States Patent Office—but from there, the trail disappears.
For decades, we’ve hoped to rediscover this piece of our history. Even with assistance from the National Geographic Society in the 1960s, its whereabouts remain unknown.
We’re sharing this story in the hope that someone, somewhere, may have a lead. If you’ve encountered this drum or have any information that could help us locate it, we’d be grateful to hear from you.
This instrument represents more than our craft—it’s a tangible connection to a defining moment in American history. We’d love the chance to find it again.
Thank you to the team at Chronicle 5 for helping us share this story.
Watch the video and read the full story on ABC Boston.
