When Lincoln Paid

When Lincoln Paid is a 1913 American short silent historical drama film written by William Clifford and directed by Francis Ford, who also appears in the film as Abraham Lincoln. Ford portrayed Lincoln in nine silent films; all are now lost except for this one and The Heart of Lincoln.

Plot

The mother of a dead Union soldier attempts to convince President Lincoln to pardon a similarly condemned Confederate soldier whose unjust conviction was the result of her vindictive scheme.

Cast

Francis Ford as Abraham Lincoln
Jack Conway as Bob Porter
Charles Edler as Confederate General Porter
Ethel Grandin as Mrs. Barnes
Joe King as John Wade
Grace Cunard as John Wade's Sweetheart

Background

This was one of many films from the 1910s focusing on Lincoln's well-known practice of pardoning young Civil War soldiers condemned to die, if any extenuating circumstances might have been involved.

Preservation status

When Lincoln Paid was thought to be lost until a contractor who was demolishing a barn in Nelson, New Hampshire discovered a 35mm Monarch projector and seven reels of film. Among the seven reels was a nitrate print of When Lincoln Paid. The contractor donated the reels to the Keene State College Film Society. When Lincoln Paid was restored and was screened at Keene State College in April 2010. The 35mm copy of the film was gifted by Keene State College to George Eastman House, where it is now held.