Lincoln's Frock Coat: The Enduring Mystery of an Assassination Relic

by Reignette G. Chilton

258 pages, Paperback

Published January 2, 2026

About the author

Reignette G. Chilton is a New Jersey-based author, researcher, and historian specializing in the material culture of the American presidency. Drawing on a twenty-five-year career at Brooks Brothers, she applies unique expertise in historical textiles and tailoring to historical forensics. She is best known for her deeply researched books, including "Lincoln's Greatcoat: The Unlikely Odyssey of a Presidential Relic" (2019) and "Lincoln's Frock Coat: The Enduring Mystery of an Assassination Relic" (2026), which investigate the garments worn by Abraham Lincoln on the night of his assassination. Through her writing, Chilton bridges the gap between material fashion and political history to uncover new insights into iconic American moments.

Reviews

[David Kent]

A deep dive into the alluring history of three frock coats (suit jackets, essentially) that belonged to Abraham Lincoln and may, or may not, have been the coats he was wearing when he was assassinated. Chilton has done some extensive research and followed the drama from the White House to the Chicago History Museum, the Smithsonian, and the Ford's Theatre Museum. A must for the serious Lincolnophile.

David J. Kent
Author, "Lincoln in New England: In Search of His Forgotten Tours"
Immediate Past President, Lincoln Group of DC

[Thomas Mackie]

Lincoln artifact study.