The first turkey was pardoned on Christmas day not Thanksgiving! Late in 1863 a live turkey was sent to the White House for the Lincoln family to feast on for the holidays. Tad Lincoln, age 10, quickly befriended the bird. Tad taught the turkey to follow him as he walked around the White House grounds. The turkey was named Jack, and Tad fed him as a pet. When the time came to prepare the turkey for the Christmas meal, Tad burst into his father’s Cabinet meetings! He was crying loudly! Tad told his dad Jack was about to be killed and that he obtained a temporary delay from the executioner so he could put Jack’s case before the President! Tad said, “Jack must not be killed; it is wicked!” President Lincoln replied, “”Jack was sent here to be butchered and eaten…I cannot help.” Tad still sobbing said, “He is a good turkey and I do not want him killed!” Abraham Lincoln President of the United States, paused in the middle of a cabinet meeting during the civil war, took out a card and wrote an order for a reprieve! Jack’s life had been spared and Tad raced out of the cabinet meeting and delivered the Presidential order to the guy with the hatchet!