This first séance that Lincoln attended was held in December of 1862 in the Red Room of the White House and it was also attended by several other well known individuals who later wrote about it. One witness, Colonel S. P. Kase, published a detailed account of this séance in his book as well as Nettie Colburn. This is her description of that first meeting and séance.

“I was led forward and presented. He (Lincoln) stood before me, tall and kindly, with a smile on his face. Dropping his hand upon my head, he said, in a humorous tone, ‘So this is our little Nettie that we have heard so much about?’ I could only smile and say, ‘Yes, sir,’ like any school girl; when he kindly led me to an ottoman. Sitting down in a chair, the ottoman at his feet, he began asking me questions in a kindly way about my mediumship; and I think he must have thought me stupid, as my answers were little beyond ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. His manner, however, was genial and kind, and it was then suggested we form a circle. He said, ‘Well, how do you do it?’ looking at me. Mr. Laurie came to the rescue, and said we had been accustomed to sit in a circle and join hands; but he did not think it would be necessary in this instance. While he was speaking, I lost all consciousness of my surroundings and passed under control. For more that an hour I was made to talk to him, and I learned from my friends afterward that it was upon matters that he seemed to fully understand, while they comprehended very little until that portion was reached that related to the forthcoming Emancipation Proclamation. He was charged with the utmost solemnity and force of manner not to abate the terms of its issue, and not to delay its enforcement as a law beyond the opening of the year; and he was assured that it was to be the crowning event of his administration and life; and that while he was counseled by strong parties to defer enforcement of it, hoping to supplant it by other measures and to delay action, he must in no wise heed such counsel, but stand firm to his convictions and fearlessly perform the work and fulfill the mission for which he had been raised up by an overruling Providence. Those present declared that they lost sight of the timid girl in the majesty of the utterance, the strength and force of the language, and the importance of that which was conveyed, and seemed to realize that some strong masculine spirit force was giving speech to almost divine commands. I shall never forget the scene around me when I regained consciousness. I was standing in front of Mr. Lincoln, and he was sitting back in his chair, with his arms folded upon his breast, looking intently at me. I stepped back, naturally confused at the situation – not remembering at once where I was; and glancing around the group, where perfect silence reigned. It took me a moment to remember my whereabouts. A gentleman present then said in a low voice, ‘Mr. President, did you notice anything peculiar in the method of address?’ Mr. Lincoln raised himself, as if shaking off his spell. He glanced quickly at the full length picture of Daniel Webster, that hung above the piano, and replied, ‘Yes, and it is very singular, very!’ with a marked emphasis. Mr. Somes said, ‘Mr. President, would it be improper for me to inquire whether there has been any pressure brought to bear upon you to defer the enforcement of the Proclamation?’ To which the President replied: ‘Under these circumstances that question is perfectly proper, as we are all friends (miling upon the company). It is taking all my nerve and strength to withstand such a pressure.’

”At this point the gentlemen drew round him and spoke together in low tones, Mr. Lincoln saying least of all. At last he turned to me, and laying his hand upon my head, uttered these words in a manner that I shall never forget: ‘My child, you posses a very singular gift; but that it is a gift from God, I have no doubt. I thank you for coming here tonight. It is more important than perhaps anyone present can understand. I must leave you all now; but I hope I shall see you again.’ He shook me kindly by the hand, bowed to the rest of the company, and was gone. We remained for an hour longer, talking with Mrs. Lincoln and her friends, then returned to Georgetown. Such was my first interview with Abraham Lincoln, and the memory of it is as clear and vivid as the evening on which it occurred.”

Arthur Conan Doyle, who was a psychic researcher and the creator of Sherlock Holmes, said that this meeting between Lincoln and Nettie:

“was one of the most important events in the history of the United States. This spirit message strengthened the President in taking a difficult step to which he was not yet firmly committed.”

The second séance Lincoln attended was on February 5, 1863 in Georgetown. At first Abraham Lincoln was not planning on attending but changed his mind the last moment. Historically this was a very important séance since, while in a trance, Nettie told Lincoln that the union army was demoralized due to their defeats, and that the morale would improve if the President made a personal visit to the front lines. It is historically documented that Lincoln did make that visit within a few months and it made a great impact on the morale of the union troops and was very important for their future success.  

It has been documented that Lincoln attended at least five séances, the last one being held in the White House in 1864. He may have attended others that have not been recorded.

During one of the séances, a piano moved up and down on the floor by spirit influence. Abraham Lincoln and others together climbed upon the piano in an effort to hold it down. They did not succeed with all their weight and it still kept moving. This was reported by several independent witnesses as well as a newspaper reporter who was present.

Nettie Colburn described what happened.

“Mrs. Miller played upon the piano (a three corner grand), and under her influence it ‘rose and fell,’ keeping time to her touch in a perfectly regular manner.

“Mr. Laurie suggested that, as an added ‘test’ of the invisible power that moved the piano, Mrs. Miller (his daughter) should place her hand on the instrument, standing at arm’s length from it, to show that she was in no wise connected with its movement other than as agent. Mr. Lincoln then placed his hand underneath the piano, at the end nearest Mrs. Miller, who placed her left hand upon his to demonstrate that neither strength nor pressure, was used. In this position the piano rose and fell a number of times at their bidding. At Mr. Laurie’s desire the President changed his position to another side, meeting with the same result. The President, with a quaint smile, said, ‘I think we can hold down this instrument.’ Whereupon he climbed upon it, sitting with his legs dangling over the side, as also did Mr. Somes, S.P. Kase, and a soldier in the uniform of a major from the Army of Potomac. The piano, notwithstanding this enormous added weight, continued to wobble about until the sitters were glad to vacate the premises. We were convinced that there were no mechanical contrivances to produce the strange result, and Mr. Lincoln expressed himself perfectly satisfied that the motion was caused by some ‘invisible power’; and when Mr. Somes remarked, ‘When I have related to my acquaintances, Mr. President, that which I have experienced to-night, they will say, with a knowing look and wise demeanor, You were psychologised, and as a matter of fact, you did not see what you in reality did see.’  Mr. Lincoln quietly replied, ‘You should bring such person here, and when the piano seems to rise, have him slip his foot under the leg and be convinced by the weight of evidence resting upon his understanding.’ When the laughter caused by this rally had subsided, the President wearily sank into an armchair, the old tired, anxious look returning to his face.”

The piano jumped violently and shook us up

The last séance in 1864 is very interesting. It seems that Lincoln asked Congressman Somes, to bring Nettie Colburn to the White House for a secret session.

Hon. Daniel E. Somes – Brady Photograph 1863
 

Lincoln told Somes “Consider the matter confidential.” At the scheduled time, Somes and Nettie were brought upstairs to the executive chamber, where the President and two other gentlemen were waiting. This is the description of the event by Nettie.

“We sat quiet for a few moments before I became entranced. One hour later I became conscious of my surroundings, and was standing by a long table, upon which was a large map of the Southern States. In my hand was a lead pencil, and the tall man, with Mr. Lincoln, was standing beside me, bending over the map, while the younger man was standing on the other side of the table, looking curiously and intently at me. Somewhat embarrassed, I glanced around to note Mrs. Lincoln quietly conversing in another part of the room. The only remarks I heard were 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.’ Looking up, they both saw that I was awake, and they instantly stepped back, while Mr. Lincoln took the pencil from my hand and placed a chair for me.

“Then madam and Mr. Somes at once joined us, Mr. Somes asking, ‘Well, was everything satisfactory?’ ‘Perfectly,’ responded Mr. Lincoln; ‘Miss Nettie does not seem to require eyes to do anything,’ smiling pleasantly. The conversation then turned, designedly, I felt, to commonplace matters. Shortly afterwards, when about leaving, Mr. Lincoln said to us in a low voice, ‘It is best not to mention this meeting at present.’ Assuring him of silence upon the question, we were soon again on our way.”

Lincoln’s last meeting with Nettie occurred in 1864 when Nettie decided to return to New England. She was one of several mediums who warned Lincoln of the possibility of his being assassinated. She saw dark clouds hanging over him. He said that he had many letters from mediums warning him of his assassination, but it did not frighten him, although he did reflect on it because of the strange dreams he had about his own death.

“Then turning to me, he said, ‘I am sorry you cannot remain to witness the inauguration, as no doubt you wish.’ ‘Indeed, we would enjoy it,’ I replied, ‘but the crowd will be so great we will not be able to see you, Mr. Lincoln, even if we remain.’ ‘You could not help it,’ he answered, drawing his tall figure to its full height, and glancing at my friend in an amused way, ‘I shall be the tallest man there.’ ‘That is true,’ my friend responded, ‘in every sense of the word.’ He nodded pleasantly at the compliment, and then turning to me remarked, ‘But what do our friends say of us now?’ ‘What they predicted for you, Mr. Lincoln, has come to pass,’ I answered, ‘and you are to be inaugurated the second time.’ He nodded his head and I continued, ‘But they also re-affirm that the shadow they have spoken of still hangs over you.’ He turned half impatiently away and said, ‘Yes, I know. I have letters from all over the country from your kind of people -mediums, I mean – warning me against some dreadful plot against my life. But I don't think the knife is made, or the bullet run, that will reach it. Besides, nobody wants to harm me.’ A feeling of sadness that I could not conceal nor account for came over me and I said, ‘Therein lies your danger, Mr. President - your over-confidence in your fellow men.’ The old melancholy look that had of late seemed lifted from his face now fell over it, and he said in his subdued, quiet way, ‘Well, Miss Nettie, I shall live till my work is done, and no earthly power can prevent it. And then it doesn't matter so that I am ready-and that I ever mean to be.’ Brightening again, he extended a hand to each of us, saying, ‘Well, I suppose I must bid you good bye, but we shall hope to see you back again next fall.’ ‘We shall certainly come,’ we replied, ‘if you are here,’ without thinking of the doubts our words implied. ‘It looks like it now,’ he answered, and walking with us to a side door, with another cordial shake of the hand, we passed out of his presence for the last time. Never again would we meet his welcome smile.”