Nettie Colbern Maynard
Trance Medium
The Civil War made Washington, D.C., a Spiritualist Mecca, attracting countless Spiritualist mediums that came to the capital to conduct seances for government officials, members of the Union army, and for the grieving family members who had lost a loved one in the conflict.[1] One such medium was Nettie Colburn, a young trance medium from upstate New York.[2]
In 1891, Nettie Colburn Maynard published her memoir, Was Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist? Curious Revelations from the Life of a Trance Medium. In it, she offers a detailed account of her experiences conducting trance sittings for both President and Mrs. Lincoln.
Nettie Colburn was born in Bolton, Connecticut, but her family had moved to Hartford by the start of the Civil War. There was paranormal activity in their Bolton home, which inspired Nettie to develop her own mediumship. [3]
In 1856, at age 15, Nettie and a friend began sitting to develop their mediumship. They sat daily for a year. It was much easier for people in the 1850s to sit and develop their mediumship because distractions like video games, television, movies, and radio did not exist. Eventually, rapping sounds were produced in Nettie’s presence. Over time, Nettie was able to go into trance and produce some physical phenomena.[4]
Nettie’s Mediumship Development
Nettie Colburn started her career as a medium using traditional table-rapping, sometimes called the “Spirit Telegraph.” During séances, a person would recite the alphabet, and Spirit would rap on the table at the correct letter to spell out the message. This resembled the telegraph machine, which was used to transmit messages physically at the time.
Nettie also developed “deep” trance mediumship, which means that as she entered the trance state, her mind would go “unconscious.” She would not know the words coming out of her mouth. She delivered “sophisticated intellectual or political monologues in a manner far above the level of Nettie’s own education and background.”[5]
Nettie Predicts the Next President
November 3, 1856, the night before the Presidential Election, Nettie’s hand moved uncontrollably. Her father handed her a pencil and paper. She had written Buchanan on the paper, even though her father supported Buchanan’s opponent, John C. Fremont. Despite this, the prediction was correct when Buchanan won the election. This was Nettie’s first experience using her psychic gift of Automatic Writing.
Nettie's First Public Demonstration
On December 24, 1856, Nettie, then 15, held her first public demonstration of trance mediumship in Pequonnock, Connecticut. Although Spiritualism was unpopular, the hall was packed with curious people eager to hear the lecture. Nettie entered a trance for an hour and a half. The information she shared was very detailed, and it was obvious that it was much more advanced than what a 15-year-old girl would normally know. Nettie gave trance lectures for the next three years across New England and Albany, New York.
Outbreak of the Civil War
When the war started in April 1861, Nettie’s father and brothers joined the Union Army to fight in the Civil War. Spirit told Nettie they would all come home safely.
Spirit Wants Nettie to Deliver a Message to President Lincoln
In August 1862, Nettie and a friend, Miss Hannum, were sitting in their room in Albany when Nettie fell into a trance. Spirit spoke to Miss Hannum for over an hour, explaining that a “Congress of Spirits” of leading public figures, now residing in the world of Spirit, were interested in giving guidance to President Lincoln. Nettie was to travel to Washington and seek an audience with the President so the Spirit could speak through her and enlighten President Lincoln. When Nettie returned to her own consciousness and learned of the message, she was reluctant to follow these instructions. She decided to ignore Spirit's wishes. At the time, Nettie was only 21 years old, so a mission of such magnitude and importance overwhelmed her. Yet, in comparison, Joan of Arc was only 12 when she heard voices telling her she was to lead the French Army in defeating the British occupation. Joan listened to the voices and was only 19 when a group of French clergy, who were aligned with the British occupiers, burned Joan of Arc at the stake.
Nettie Receives Two Letters
In November 1862, Nettie received two letters that would change her mind and set her on her way to fulfill her destiny. Nettie is only 21 years old. [6]
The first letter informed Nettie that her brother was sick in a military hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. He needed a furlough to return home for proper medical care. The second letter came from a Spiritualist Society in Baltimore, asking Nettie to visit Baltimore in December and deliver a series of trance addresses. The society would cover her travel expenses and provide funds for her lectures. Suddenly, Nettie had reasons to visit the Washington area, and the resources to make her trip possible! Spirit was guiding Nettie to fulfill their wishes.[7]
Nettie Goes to Washington D. C.
When Nettie arrived in Baltimore, she inquired about who could assist her in obtaining a furlough for her brother. She was told to contact Thomas Gales Foster, a Spiritualist who worked in the War Department.[8] So Nettie contacted Thomas G. Foster, who lived at 12th and D streets (near the White House). Mr. Foster invited Nettie to be his houseguest. He explained to Nettie that obtaining a furlough for her brother was a long, complicated process.
Nettie conducted seances while she was staying in the Foster residence. One night, Nettie met Mr. Cranston Laurie, one of the principal clerks of the Post Office department, who attended one of her seances. For several weeks, Nettie was unable to cut through the red tape at the War Office to obtain a furlough for her brother. She was about to return home empty-handed. Then one night Mr. Laurie visited the Foster house, and asked Nettie to accompany him, and promised that if she did, she would get the furlough for her brother.[9]
Suddenly, Nettie was riding in an elegant carriage to 3227 N Street in Georgetown, where Mr. Laurie lived. Nettie walked into the house. The first person to greet her was Mrs. Mary Lincoln, the first lady of the United States! Mrs. Lincoln had heard of Nettie’s mediumship and was anxious to experience a trance message through her.
Then Nettie was introduced to Rev. John Pierpont, an abolitionist and Unitarian clergyman. He was also a clerk at the Treasury Department. Next, Nettie met Isaac Newton, the commissioner of Agriculture, who knew all the creditable spirit mediums in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Daniel Somes, a former member of the House of Representatives from Biddeford, Maine, was also in attendance. When they were both House representatives, he became President Lincoln's good friend. Mr. Somes was new to Spiritualism and eager to experience a séance.
Shortly afterward, the séance began, and Nettie went into a trance. For an hour, Spirit spoke to Mrs. Lincoln “with great clearness and force upon matters of state.”[10]
Spirit also gave Mrs Lincoln some personal messages from her son Willie, who had become ill and suddenly died ten months before this séance. Mrs. Lincoln was very excited by the messages she received. She tells Nettie that she must remain in Washington. Nettie responded that she didn’t have the funds to stay in the city much longer and informed the First Lady of her brother’s situation. Mrs. Lincoln also assured Nettie that she would receive the furlough for her brother.
Within days, Nettie’s brother, Amase Colburn, was going home on medical leave. Furthermore, Mrs. Lincoln “pulled some strings,” and Nettie received a job at the Agricultural Department. Nettie now had the finances to remain in Washington so she could conduct seances for the Lincolns and other Spiritualists.[11]
Nettie's First Seance at the White House
The day after her brother left for Hartford, Connecticut, Nettie received a note from Mrs. Lincoln inviting her to the White House. Nettie traveled with the Lauries, and they were shown into the Red Room of the White House. A few other people were present, including Mrs. Miller, a medium who could play the piano. To entertain the guests, Mrs. Miller began playing. Soon, the piano started levitating into the air, rising and falling in time with the music!
Suddenly, the music stopped, and President Lincoln entered the room. The Lauries, Mrs. Miller, and then Nettie were introduced to the President. After a brief conversation, Nettie is asked to go into trance.
Spirit's Advice on the Emancipation Proclamation
Once under Spirit control, Nettie spoke for over an hour on various topics, most of which concern the nation, especially the war. What drew everyone’s attention was when Spirit urged Lincoln to ignore his Cabinet advisors who opposed it and to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. It needed to be enforced by the start of the new year, and it would be the crowning achievement of Lincoln’s administration and life!
The attendees at the séance were impressed by the strength and force of the language coming from Nettie’s mouth and the eloquence of her words that they forgot Nettie was a 21-year-old woman. Instead, they thought they were listening to a mature man!
Some thought it was Daniel Webster, whose portrait hung on the wall of the Red Room![12]
Nettie Describes Lincoln’s Reaction After She Regained Consciousness
Effects of the Emancipation Proclamation
After the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, the formerly enslaved people who reached New Bern, North Carolina, were legally free. This landmark policy accelerated the flow of refugees into Union-controlled areas. Many newly freed slaves decided to join the Union Army.[13]
A Second Seance with the Lincolns
In early February 1863, Nettie received a note from Mrs. Lincoln to come to Georgetown for a séance. Nettie’s Spirit control told her President Lincoln would be in attendance. Mr. Laurie doubted that the president would come.
As people were arriving for the séance, President Lincoln suddenly arrived. Mr. Laurie promptly exclaimed, “Welcome, Mr. Lincoln, to my humble roof; you were expected.”
President Lincoln was surprised and admitted he had no plans to attend the séance. However, after his cabinet meeting, he found Mrs. Lincoln ready to leave for the Georgetown séance and decided to accompany her.
At this séance, Nettie went into a trance. Spirit told Lincoln that the front was very precarious. General Hooker had just taken command. Spirit advised that President Lincoln and his family should visit the front line of the troops. It would be essential to make the troops feel that the President was interested in their sufferings and hardships.
“Show yourself to be what you are, Bramford said. “The Father of the People…it will unite the soldiers as one man, unite them to you in bands of steel.” Lincoln replied, “It shall be done.”[14]
The Dancing Piano
February 5, 1863, marks a well-known séance that was reported in several newspapers. It took place at Mr. Laurie’s house, with his daughter, Mrs. Belle Miller, serving as the medium. Belle started to play the piano and quickly entered a trance. The grand piano began to levitate and moved up and down to the rhythm of the music.
Both President Lincoln and Colonel Simon Kase were present. President Lincoln suggested that some of the men in attendance climb onto the piano to weigh it down and see if the levitation would stop. President Lincoln sat down on the piano with his legs dangling off the side. Colonel Kase joined him, along with Daniel Somes. The piano continued rising up and down. President Lincoln later called the levitation proof of an “invisible power.”
Colonel Kass said, “The piano jumped so violently and shook us up so roughly that we were thankful to get off of it.”[15]
Spirit offers further Advice
During the winter of 1863-1864, Nettie was invited to the White House along with Mr. and Mrs. Somes. Nettie entered a trance, and Spirit spoke to President Lincoln. Many freed slaves were now homeless, without food or any way to earn a living. Spirit advised President Lincoln to form a committee “to control and regulate all the affairs connected with the freemen.”
Nettie later writes that she read in the Daily Courant (now called the Hartford Courant) that “President Lincoln has appointed a special committee to investigate the condition of freedmen.” This, again, was evidence that President Lincoln acted on the advice he received from Spirit.
Planning War Strategy
In one séance, Spirit provided military strategy regarding the war. After becoming entranced, the medium awakened, standing in front of a map of the Southern states with a pencil in her hand. "The only remark I heard was these: 'It is astonishing,' said Mr. Lincoln, 'how every line she has drawn conforms to the plan agreed upon.' 'Yes,' answered the older soldier, 'it is very astonishing,'" Nettie Colburn claimed. Upon leaving, the President turned to the medium and said, "It is best not to mention this meeting at present."[16] Nettie promised to keep silent about the events she had witnessed.
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Residency at the White House
“For two years, from 1863 to 1865, Mrs. Maynard was engaged exclusively by President Lincoln, and made her home in the White House, where she gave the President seances almost daily.”[17]
Conclusion
Nettie Colburn Maynard played a significant role in American History by serving as a spokesperson for the Spirit, guiding and urging President Abraham Lincoln to take the politically difficult step of issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. That single step provided the impetus for the Union Army to achieve victory and to keep the United States united.
Footnotes
[1] Margaret Leech, Reveille in Washington 1860-1865. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books Inc., 1962. P 377. Quoted by: Hamilton, Michelle L. “I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears”: Spiritualism in Abraham Lincoln’s White House. 2013. p. 63.
[2] Hamilton, Michelle L. “I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears”: Spiritualism in Abraham Lincoln’s White House. 2013. p. 63.
[3] Coleman, Christopher Kiernan. The Paranormal Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: Presentiments, Precognition, Prophetic Dreams, & Other Uncanny Encounters of the 16th President of the United States. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, LTD., 2012. p. 98.
[4] Coleman, Christopher Kiernan. The Paranormal Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: Presentiments, Precognition, Prophetic Dreams, & Other Uncanny Encounters of the 16th President of the United States. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, LTD., 2012. p. 98.
[5] Coleman, Christopher Kiernan. The Paranormal Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: Presentiments, Precognition, Prophetic Dreams, & Other Uncanny Encounters of the 16th President of the United States. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, LTD., 2012. p. 99.
[6] Coleman, Christopher Kiernan. The Paranormal Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: Presentiments, Precognition, Prophetic Dreams, & Other Uncanny Encounters of the 16th President of the United States. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, LTD., 2012. p. 99.
[7] Coleman, Christopher Kiernan. The Paranormal Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: Presentiments, Precognition, Prophetic Dreams, & Other Uncanny Encounters of the 16th President of the United States. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, LTD., 2012. p. 99.
[8] Coleman, Christopher Kiernan. The Paranormal Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: Presentiments, Precognition, Prophetic Dreams, & Other Uncanny Encounters of the 16th President of the United States. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, LTD., 2012. p. 99.
[9] Coleman, Christopher Kiernan. The Paranormal Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: Presentiments, Precognition, Prophetic Dreams, & Other Uncanny Encounters of the 16th President of the United States. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, LTD., 2012. p. 100.
[10] Coleman, Christopher Kiernan. The Paranormal Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: Presentiments, Precognition, Prophetic Dreams, & Other Uncanny Encounters of the 16th President of the United States. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, LTD., 2012. p. 100.
[11] Coleman, Christopher Kiernan. The Paranormal Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: Presentiments, Precognition, Prophetic Dreams, & Other Uncanny Encounters of the 16th President of the United States. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, LTD., 2012. p. 100.
[12] Coleman, Christopher Kiernan. The Paranormal Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: Presentiments, Precognition, Prophetic Dreams, & Other Uncanny Encounters of the 16th President of the United States. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, LTD., 2012. p. 101.
[13] Harper's Weekly, February 21, 1863, p. 116.
[14] Coleman, Christopher Kiernan. The Paranormal Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: Presentiments, Precognition, Prophetic Dreams, & Other Uncanny Encounters of the 16th President of the United States. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, LTD., 2012. p. 108.
[15] Coleman, Christopher Kiernan. The Paranormal Presidency of Abraham Lincoln: Presentiments, Precognition, Prophetic Dreams, & Other Uncanny Encounters of the 16th President of the United States. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, LTD., 2012. p. 108.
[16] Maynard Nettie Colburn. Was Abraham Lincoln A Spiritualist? or Curious Revelations From A Trance Medium. Philadelphia, PA: Rufus C. Hartranft, 1891. pp. 101-102.
[17] Williams, M.E. Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, A Spiritualist. NY: Venice Art Press, 1891. [https://iapsop.com/ssoc/1891__williams___abraham_lincoln_a_spiritualist.pdf].