MEET MARY BIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE & CHRONOLOGY WWW.PRESIDENTLINCOLN.ORG Presidential Library and Museum

MARY TODD’S EARLY LIFE ary Todd was born the finer things in life that allowed to continue her M into a prominent Lex- money bought, among them studies at the Mentelle’s for ington, family. Her were beautiful clothes, im- Young Ladies School. Begin- parents, Eliza Ann Parker ported French shoes, elegant ning in 1832, Mary boarded and Smith Todd dinners, a home library and, at Mentelle’s Monday were second cousins, a com- private carriages. through Friday and went mon occurrence in the early home on the weekend even eighteen hundreds. Mary Mary was almost though the school was only was not yet seven when her nine years old when she one and a half miles from her mother died of a bacterial entered the Shelby Female home. Every week, Mary was infection after delivering a Academy, otherwise known brought to and from school son in 1825. Within six as Ward’s. School began at in a coach driven by a family months Mary’s father began 5:00 am, and Mary and Eliza- slave, Nelson. The cost of courting Elizabeth “Betsey” beth “Lizzie” Humphreys room and board for one Humphreys and they were walked the three blocks to year at this exclusive finish- married November 1, 1826. the co-ed academy. Mary ing school was $120. For The six surviving children of was an excellent student and four years, Mary received Eliza and did excelled in reading, writing, instruction in English litera- not take kindly to their new grammar, arithmetic, history, ture, etiquette, conversation, step-mother. Adding fuel to geography, natural science, letter writing, and dancing. the fire was Betsey’s ten- French, religion, painting, and All of her lessons and con- dency of using shame, em- sewing. Mary’s education versations throughout the barrassment, and humiliation cost her father $44 per year; week were conducted in in raising her step-children. French lessons were extra. French. As a girl, Mary was a tomboy, who enjoyed play- Known as vivacious entertained politicians, diplo- and impulsive, Mary was also ing pranks on people, such as mats, and scholars in his putting salt or pepper in the “one of the brightest girls of home while Mary was young the school who had the high- coffee of her black nurse, and she was allowed to listen Mammy Sally. She loved est marks and took the big- to conversations after the gest prizes.” Mary was con- horseback riding and would dinner hour. Unlike most gad about on her sidesaddle sidered “a merry, compan- girls of her time, Mary loved ionable girl with a smile for outfitted in a plumed hat that to discuss and argue politics. reached her shoulders and everybody,” and “the life of Mary’s fascination with poli- the school, always ready for long flowing skirts. Her qui- tics set her apart from her eter side found enjoyment in a good time and willing to peers and contributed to her contribute even more than reciting poetry, sewing, and reputation as an oddity. By studying. Mary was said to be her own share in promoting the time she was fourteen, it.” But Mary also had an- “highly strung, nervous, im- Mary considered herself an pulsive, excitable, having an other side to her personality, ardent Whig. Mary’s father, and she became known for emotional temperament whose family were founders much like an April day, sun- her biting wit, sharp tongue, of , haughty manner and sarcas- ning all over with laughter did not believe in raising one moment, the next crying tic comments. Her ability to uneducated children, and as mimic people, developed as though her heart would a result, Mary received an break.” Not only was Mary through her participation in atypical education. mischievous, but willful as school plays, brought great well. Because Mary’s father Mary’s education fun to her and her friends, was prosperous, she enjoyed was unusual because she was although, sometimes causing hard feelings and embarrass- Page 2

MEET MARY LINCOLN BIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE & CHRONOLOGY ment. Included in this group were 4:00 p.m. to stroll, gather wild wedding, Mary and Lincoln set some of the brightest names flowers, strawberries, black- up housekeeping at the Globe When Mary was in Springfield: Stephen A. berries, and nuts. When night Tavern living in one room on twenty-one she moved to Douglas, Lyman Trumbull, fell, the girls were escorted the second floor. Springfield, . While in James C. Conkling, James home by Springfield’s most Springfield, Mary was the belle The tav- Shields, Joshua Speed, and eligible bachelors. of the ball and lived with her Abraham Lincoln. Mercy ern/boardinghouse was very eldest sister, Elizabeth, who, Levering, Caroline Lamb, Julia Although their back- different than the elegant Ed- at the age of sixteen, had mar- Jayne, Matilda Edwards, and grounds were completely wards’ home. Stagecoaches ried Ninian Wirt Edwards, other eligible young women different, Mary and Lincoln and carriages arrived several son of Illinois’ third governor. from town rounded out the were drawn to each other by times a day and were accom- Although Mary heard talk of group of like-minded young common interests. Both panied by the ringing of a loud an up-and-coming young law- people who discussed art and loved to discuss politics, bell indicating horses needed yer named Abraham Lincoln politics while having fun at- books, Shakespeare, the thea- to be tended. Boarders came during her visit to Springfield, tending parties, sleigh rides, ter, and poetry. After court- and went regularly and meals she did not meet him. Having and political rallies. Mary was ing for two years, Lincoln and were eaten in a communal promised her father the jour- in her element within this Mary reached an understand- dining room—a far cry from ney to Springfield was strictly group, but oftentimes, Lincoln ing they would marry, much what Mary was used to. The a visit, Mary returned to Lex- had to be persuaded to join in to the dismay of her family, Lincoln’s were charged $4 per ington that autumn. the festivities. His manner who thought she was too week for their accommoda- good for him. tions and meals. When her Eventually Mary re- was awkward, his nature moody, and he was prone to husband was not working the turned to Springfield and took Mary Todd and young couple attended plays, . up residence with her sister Abraham Lincoln were mar- concerts, and the circus. Lin- Elizabeth. Mary’s sister liked Mary along with ried on the morning of No- coln called Mary “Molly,” and to entertain and the Edwards’ several other young ladies vember 4, 1842, in the home she referred to him as “Mr. home was a frequent gather- of Mary’s guardians, Elizabeth belonged to the “Pedestrian Lincoln.” ing spot for important and Club.” They met every day at and . After the stylish people of the town.

MARY LINCOLN’S LIFE AS YOUNG WIFE AND MOTHER hile living at the Globe gutters, and although it was girls to help around the W Tavern Mary found situated on the outskirts of house, but they proved to be herself with time on her town, it was only a short walk inefficient and in constant hands, but that ended on Au- to the center of the city. need of supervision. Mary gust 1, 1843 with the birth of Houses of the day had no had very high standards and her first son, Robert. In the plumbing, so people used believed she could perform winter of 1843, the Lincolns outhouses and carried water the work better. Her philoso- moved out of the Globe and from an outside pump when phy was why part with hard- into a small rental cottage at they wanted to cook or earned money when she 214 South Fourth Street. The bathe. There was no electric- could perform the work far following spring they pur- ity, therefore oil lamps and better and for free? chased their first home at candles were used to light In the autumn of Eighth and Jackson Streets homes. Rooms were kept 1846 Lincoln was elected to from Dr. Charles Dresser, the warm by fireplaces and often- Congress. The family made Episcopal minister who mar- times houses were drafty and preparations to move to ried them. The Lincolns paid cold. Washington, D.C. by renting Dr. Dresser $1,200 for the Newly married, their home for $90 a year. six room house and also gave Mary had little knowledge of Mary, Robert and a second him a small piece of property how to run a household. son, Edward Baker, who had worth $300. After her sons were born, been born March 10, 1846, Constructed in a Mary hired servants to help went with Lincoln in the fall of Greek Revival style, the home with the heavy chores of 1847. Robert was four years was a typical farm house of washing and ironing and old and Eddie was one-and-a- the time. The neighborhood housecleaning. For the most half. In Washington the Lin- had no sidewalks, curbs, or part Mary hired native-born coln family lived at a boarding- Page 3

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in Springfield. He was named Neighbor children for William Wallace, who was had a friend in Mary Lincoln married to Mary Lincoln's who invited them into her sister, Frances. Willie was a home and served them gin- handsome, smart, serious and gerbread and macaroons. thoughtful child who became Once, in celebration of Wil- the favorite of his parents. lie’s ninth birthday, she hosted a birthday party and invited In the beginning of between fifty and sixty chil- their marriage while Robert dren by sending them hand- was still young, the Lincolns written invitations. made some attempt at disci- pline. Robert was punished Cooking and clean- with spankings when he ran ing took up a large part of away. The discipline was Mary’s day. Mary’s house- short-lived though, and by the work increased considerably time their second son, Eddie, when in 1856 the Lincoln’s was born, the children were renovated their home by add- allowed to do as they pleased; ing a second story and an house, but a boardinghouse neither Mr. nor Mrs. Lincoln addition onto the rear of their was no place for a young fam- had the heart to make their house. Now, Mary had even ily, so in the spring of 1848, children unhappy. This phi- more rooms to clean. By Mary and the boys left Wash- losophy of child rearing ran selling a parcel of land given ington to visit her family in contrary to public opinion to her by her father, Mary Lexington, Kentucky. that expected children to be was able to afford the $1300 obedient. Children were to be Mary’s life was full of improvements. raised with a firm hand and grief between the summer of the use of corporal punish- When Lincoln de- 1849 and the winter of 1850. ment was expected and en- cided to run for the United Her father, Robert died of States Senate in 1858, Mary couraged. cholera in July of 1849 and campaigned for him in Spring- her much-loved grandmother The lack of parental field. In mid-October Mary Parker followed six months discipline led many people to was able to attend the last later. Edward “Eddie” Lincoln consider the Lincoln boys debate in Alton. Lincoln lost was three and a half when he brats, but Lincoln fondly the election, but his perform- became sick with an illness called them the “codgers.” ance during the Lincoln- that lasted fifty-two days. Mary, raised by a stepmother Douglas debates brought him Both Mary and Lincoln nursed who used shame and humilia- into the public eye and im- their son with the accepted tion to control her children, pressed the Republican Party treatments of the day, includ- referred to her sons as leaders. ing Wistor’s Balsam of Wild- “precious, dear boys, darlings, cherry, an opium-based cough and angel boys.” The Lincoln suppressant. The inadequate boys were indulged and loved; medicine was not enough to in Lincoln’s words, “we never save Eddie who died of pul- controlled our children monary on Feb- much.” ruary 1, 1850. Mary was dis- traught and took to her bed as she would with future be- "Tad" was the fourth and last reavements. Mary did not child of Abraham and Mary. attend the burial of her son in Born April 4, 1853, Tad was Hutchison’s Cemetery as it named after Thomas Lincoln, was not the custom of the Abraham's father who had time. Women were expected died in 1851. Tad's head was unusually large at birth and to stay home and grieve. Lincoln, thinking he resembled The third child of a tadpole, called him Tad—a Mary and Abraham Lincoln, nickname that stuck with the “Willie,” was born December baby for the rest of his life. 21, 1850, in the family home Page 4

MEET MARY LINCOLN BIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE & CHRONOLOGY

MARY LINCOLN’S LIFE AS FIRST LADY n the winter of 1861, after presidential draperies. Wall- to injured soldiers. She read I Abraham Lincoln was paper was peeling, furniture to the soldiers, wrote letters elected President, Mary trav- was broken and the carpet for them, and once raised eled to to was threadbare. The state $1,000 for a Christmas dinner purchase a wardrobe befitting dining room only had ten at a military hospital. Tad her new position as First matching place settings of often accompanied her on Lady. Even as a girl Mary china. these visits. Additionally, loved clothes and with the Mary provided support for credit extended by New York With a four-year the Contraband Relief Asso- merchants, she began the first redecorating stipend of ciation which helped blacks of her notorious shopping $20,000 and an annual budget who escaped to the North sprees, all the while keeping of $6,000, Mary arranged during the Civil War. As First her debts secret from her buying trips to Lady, Mary came into contact husband. As wife of the Presi- and New York to purchase with Elizabeth Keckly, a for- dent-elect, people were eager items for herself as well as mer slave who became Mary’s to make her acquaintance and her new home. Rosewood dressmaker, confidante, and furniture, bell pulls, wash- fawn over her. When Mary her close friend. returned to Springfield, prepa- stands, footbaths, French fab- rations were made to move rics and wallpaper, a 190 Life as First Lady was piece set of Haviland china not easy for Mary. She was the family to Washington. worth $3,195, and Dorflinger the target of unceasing criti- Before Lincoln and glassware were some of the cism. Her family's ties to the his family arrived in the Capi- items she purchased. In Confederacy led people to tol there was much gossip Washington, she contracted call her a traitor. When she regarding their uncouth and for services to clean, wax held receptions, rustic western habits. Mary, floors, wash windows, and she was criticized for her who was always susceptible to paint walls. New carpeting inappropriate frivolity during a gossip, was determined to and books for the library’s national crisis. If she chose make an impact on her de- collection were added. not to host social functions, tractors. But Mary was not she was attacked for adding Mary prided herself greeted with open arms when to the dark mood of the day. she arrived in Washington as on her fine taste, but her ef- First Lady. Rather, she was forts to remodel the White Left alone much of met with contempt and hostil- House were met with stinging the time, Mary formed a salon ity by the city’s prominent criticism and she soon found where she hosted reputable southern-bred females. The herself in the public eye. Over as well as disreputable men. teas, balls and levees she the course of four years, Mary The ability to flatter Mary was hosted were boycotted by the made eleven buying trips to enough to gain admittance to social elite of Washington New York in an effort to re- the Blue Room where her which hurt her feelings and furnish the White House, coterie met. Here, they dis- caused resentment. Mary never hesitating when told cussed literature, politics, and became a target of the Wash- there was not enough money. gossip. A few women at- ington press, and while there When Lincoln learned of tended but many of the men were journalists who sup- Mary’s over expenditures he were considered unsuitable ported Mary and wrote kindly became furious, especially company for well-bred about her, just as many were when it became known that women, but Mary didn’t care. she had ordered wallpaper disparaging. from France for $6,800. Even- Early in 1862, Mary When the Lincolns tually Mary’s bills were pad- Lincoln decided to hold a took up residence in the ded into other appropriations lavish party at the White White House, it was in poor but not before she became House. Her favorite son, Wil- condition. Any citizen was the source of additional gos- lie, was in bed with a fever that got worse as the evening allowed to enter the White sip, disapproval, and scorn. House and wander around wore on. Both parents spent the public rooms where they As First Lady, Mary much of the evening sitting by frequently helped themselves also made many trips to hos- Willie’s bedside. Willie never to souvenirs and pieces of the pitals, taking food and flowers recovered but died on Febru- Page 5

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ary 20, 1862 of a typhoid-like to have him die!" said his fa- formance of “Our American disease. His death was trau- ther after Willie's death. Cousin” at Ford's Theatre. matic for the entire family and That night, as Mary held her was probably caused by the In the summer of husband’s hand, contaminated water that 1863, while driving from the Booth shot the President. flowed through a nearby canal White House to the Soldier’s Lincoln died the next morn- and provided water for the Home, Mary was thrown ing. It was a tragedy from White House and a place for from her carriage and suffered which Mary would never re- a head injury that took three children to play. Mrs. Lincoln cover. "did all a mother ought or weeks to heal. While she was could during Willie's sick- recuperating the Battle of ness—she never left his side Gettysburg was being fought. at all after he became danger- After Mary recovered, she ous, & almost wore herself took a two month trip to the out with watching, and she White Mountains in Vermont mourns as no one but a with Tad. mother can at her son's On , 1865, death," reported Benjamin B. the Lincolns attended a per- French. "It is hard, hard, hard

MARY LINCOLN’S LATER YEARS On May 23, 1865, Mary Lin- by her husband’s estate, she home base, Mary traveled coln left Washington, D.C. on had no way to pay her debts. through Europe visiting a private railroad car accom- Mary came up with several France, , and Austria. panied by Robert and Tad and plans to raise money. First, When the Franco-Prussian several close friends. In a she attempted to return the War began in 1870, Mary and daze, Mary spent most of the extravagant jewelry and cloth- Tad left Germany and headed fifty-two hour journey weep- ing purchased while her hus- for . Mary and Tad ing. When they arrived in band was living. Another finally returned to the United , the unsuccessful endeavor dubbed States in 1871. took up residence at the Tre- “the Old Clothes Scandal,” mont Hotel; but, soon moved was an attempt to sell her Mary and Tad re- to the less-expensive Hyde unused wardrobe of party turned to Chicago and stayed Park Hotel, where they stayed clothes, furs, and jewelry to at the home of Robert Lin- coln, but soon took up resi- for two and a half months. the general public. dence at the Clifton House. In the spring of Hoping to ease her During the trip home, Tad 1866, Mary enlisted Simon embarrassment and live more developed a cold which stead- Cameron’s help in raising cheaply, Mary Lincoln, accom- ily got worse and settled in money so she could purchase panied by Tad, left the United his lungs. Three months past a house. Anticipating that States for Germany in Octo- his eighteenth birthday, on enough money would be ber, 1868. Mrs. Lincoln en- July 15, 1871, raised on her behalf, Mary rolled Tad in a boarding died of pleurisy. Funeral ser- purchased a home at 375 school and took up residence vices were held for Tad the West Washington Street, in Frankfurt, Germany where next day in his ’s Chi- near Union Park, in Chicago. she lived for the next two cago home. Mary was in a Within one year she was years. Mary spent her time stupor of grief and was unable forced to move because she strolling the city’s streets, to make the trip to Springfield could not afford the upkeep. visiting museums, taking the where more formal funeral mineral waters in various services were held at the First After the assassina- health spas, having tea with Presbyterian Church. Tad's tion of her husband, Mary’s other expatriates, shopping remains were transported to creditors began sending her for her daughter-in-law and and the bills for her purchases. new grand-daughter, reading placed with his father, and With no income and living newspapers, and writing let- two , Eddie and Wil- only on the interest generated ters. Using Frankfurt as a lie. After the death of Tad, Mary nesses, including five doctors, ington, Kentucky, Philadelphia, spent time traveling to various gave evidence. Four of the and New York City. She spent health spas. Increasingly prone doctors had never met Mary the next four years seeking to illness and erratic behavior, Lincoln and based their testi- anonymity and traveling the she sought warmer weather mony on information received European continent visiting the for health reasons and traveled from her son. cities of Rome, Naples, Sor- to Florida to spend the winter rento, Marseilles, Avignon, and of 1874. In the spring of 1875, Isaac Arnold, an old Paris, while based in Pau, Mary had a premonition that friend of Abraham Lincoln’s, France, a popular health resort was Mary’s defense lawyer. He Robert was deathly ill and at the foot of the Pyrénées. provided very little in the way returned to Chicago. of defense and called no wit- Mary Lincoln re- In Chicago, Mary nesses on Mary’s behalf. It turned from Europe in Octo- spent her days shopping and took the jury only ten minutes ber 1880 in deteriorating purchasing items she did not to reach a verdict of insanity health and lived with her sis- need, including ten pairs of and recommend Mary be com- ter; spending most of her time gloves, three watches for her mitted to a private asylum. sitting in a room lit by a single son, and one dozen pairs of candle. Traveling to New York curtains that were never On May 20, 1875, City in 1881, Mary Lincoln opened. Whenever she went Mary Lincoln was taken to spent her last winter living in a out she was dressed in heavy Bellevue Place sanatorium in medical hotel ailing from cata- mourning attire and soon be- Batavia, Illinois. She was given racts, chronic spinal inflamma- a sentence that allowed her to came a recognizable figure tion, and kidney disease. throughout the city. Her be- remain a patient for as long as havior was strange; she en- the doctors, and her son, Mary Lincoln died in gaged store clerks and hotel thought she needed treatment. her sister’s home on July 16, employees in unnecessary Several months later, Robert 1882, at the age of 64, most conversation, paid hotel maids Lincoln became the conserva- likely of complications from to sleep in her room, was tor of his mother’s estate. diabetes. She left no will. Her nervous and excitable and Mary’s stay at Bellevue lasted estate was valued at $84,035 carelessly dressed, spoke of almost four months. Mary was and was left to her only heir, hearing voices through the allowed to leave Batavia on Robert Lincoln. walls, and believed she was September 10, 1875 to live being watched while in the with her sister, Elizabeth Ed- washroom. Mary also habitu- wards in Springfield, Illinois. ally carried sums of money as In June, 1876, Mary large as $57,000, sewn into a Lincoln appeared at another pocket in her petticoat. insanity hearing in Chicago— On the morning of one that declared her sane and May 19, 1875, Mary Lincoln restored her estate. Several answered the door of her months after regaining her hotel room and found two property she broke all contact uniformed policemen who with Robert and went into escorted her to an insanity self-exile in Europe, but not hearing at the Cook County before traveling with her courthouse. Seventeen wit- nephew, Lewis Baker to Lex- Page 7

MEET MARY LINCOLN BIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE & CHRONOLOGY

MARY TODD LINCOLN CHRONOLOGY 1818 1842 1849 On , Mary Ann Mary and Abraham renewed Lincoln’s term in the House Todd was born in Lexington, their relationship and were ended, and his political career Kentucky. Her parents, Eliza married on November 4, by stalled. The Lincolns once and Robert Smith Todd, were the Reverend Charles again were together in Spring- members of a socially and Dresser in the Edwards field. Mary's father, Robert economically prominent Ken- home. At first, the Lincolns Smith Todd, died July 16 of tucky family. Robert Smith boarded at the Globe Tavern cholera. Todd had sixteen children; in Springfield for $4.00 a 1850 seven with his first wife, Eliza week. Parker, and nine with his sec- In January, Mrs. Eliza Parker, ond wife, Elizabeth Hum- 1843 Mary's grandmother, passed , the away. The Lincoln’s son, phreys. couple's first child, was born Eddie, died on February 1. 1825 August 1st at the Globe Tav- The Lincoln’s third child, Wil- Mary's mother, Eliza, passed ern. He was named after liam “Willie” Wallace was away on July 5. Mary's father. Late in the born December 21. year the family moved and 1826 rented a three room frame 1851 On November 1, Robert cottage at 214 South Fourth Thomas Lincoln, Abraham's Todd married Betsy Hum- Street in Springfield. father, passed away. phreys. Mary Todd entered Shelby Female Academy (John 1844 1853 The Lincoln’s last child, Tho- Ward's) located in Lexington. The Lincolns purchased, from Dr. Charles Dresser, a home mas “Tad” was born April 4. 1832 in Springfield for $1500. It was 1857 Mary entered Madame Men- located at the corner of telle's school for girls. There In September, the Lincolns Eighth and Jackson Streets. traveled to New York. They she lived at school during the This was the only home the week and at home on week- toured New York City and Lincolns ever purchased. ends. Mary excelled in school revisited Niagara Falls. and was considered one of 1846 1858 the very best students in the On March 10, the Lincolns' During the Lincoln-Douglas class. second child, Edward “Eddie,” Debates, Mary did her own was born. 1837 "campaigning" in Springfield. In Mary spent three months in 1847 mid-October Mary traveled the summer visiting her sister Mary and the children went to to Alton, Illinois to hear the Elizabeth in Springfield. In the Washington, D.C. with Abra- last of the debates—the only fall, Mary returned to Ward's, ham who had been elected to one of the seven she at- as an apprentice teacher. the House of Representatives. tended. In Washington the Lincolns 1860 1839 lived at Mrs. Ann Sprigg's Mary went to Springfield, Illi- Lincoln was elected President boardinghouse. nois, to live with the Edwards in the fall election. family and soon became 1848 1861 prominent in society. She met During the summer, Mary, The Lincoln family traveled to a rising lawyer/politician Abraham, Robert, and Eddie Washington, D.C., and took named Abraham Lincoln. traveled through New York up residence in the White State, visited Niagara Falls, House. Mary refurbished the 1840 and took a steamer from Buf- Mary became engaged to White House but overspent falo across the Great Lakes. the money Congress had ap- Abraham Lincoln. Mary did not return with propriated for this task. 1841 Abraham to Washington for Mary and Abraham broke up the 2nd session of the Thirti- 1862 eth Congress. She and the Willie Lincoln died in the on January 1st. boys stayed in Springfield. White House on February 20. Page 8

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Mary ceased social activities tion was terminated when no 1876 until the next year and never wrongdoing was discovered. After her release from Belle- again entered the room in In the spring, Mary purchased vue, Mary went to Springfield which Willie died. Mary's half a home in Chicago located at to live with her sister, Eliza- brother, Sam Todd, was killed 375 West Washington Street, beth Edwards. On June 15th, fighting for the Confederacy near Union Park, in Chicago. a second court hearing re- in the . Often- Within one year she was versed the early court’s insan- times with Tad at her side, forced to move because she ity ruling. Mary traveled to Mary visited wounded soldiers could not afford the upkeep. Europe and spent much of the in hospitals. next four years living in Pau, 1867 France. 1863 Mary attempted to raise On July 2, 1863, Mary was $100,000 by selling clothing 1877 involved in a carriage accident she could not wear anymore. Mary visited Marseilles, in which she was thrown to Dubbed “The Old Clothes Naples, and Sorrento. the ground hitting her head Scandal,” the plan backfired on a rock. The wound be- and Mary gave permission to 1879 came infected and she re- exhibit and sell her clothes to At the age of 60, in Pau, Mary quired nursing care for three the general public. Mary was took a fall from a stepladder injuring her spinal cord. In weeks. At the urging of Eliza- ridiculed by the press. beth Keckly, the First Lady’s pain she traveled to Nice, dressmaker and a former 1868 France. Mary and Tad traveled to slave, Mary assisted in raising 1880 funds for the Contraband Europe and spent much of the next three years in Frankfurt, On October 16, Mary Relief Association. Germany. On September 24, boarded a ship bound for 1864 1868, Robert Lincoln married New York City. Mary re- turned to Springfield to live Mary began showing increas- Mary Eunice Harlan. ing signs of irrationality, espe- with her older sister, Eliza- cially in matters concerning 1869 beth. money. She worried that if Mrs. Lincoln vacationed in Scotland during July and Au- 1881 Lincoln lost the Election of Kidney and eye problems and gust. 1864, her excessive spending spinal sclerosis caused Mary's would be discovered. In an 1870 health to decline rapidly. effort to alleviate her grief On July 14, Congress passed a over the death of her son bill granting Mary a $3,000 1882 Willie, Mary spent more time In January, Congress raised annual lifetime pension. participating in séances with Mary's annual pension from mediums and clairvoyants. 1871 $3000 to $5000, and also Mary and Tad returned to the voted her a donation of 1865 . In Chicago on $15,000. On July 15, the anni- Mary and Abraham attended July 15, Tad died of complica- versary of Tad's death, Mary the play "Our American tions resulting from fluid in collapsed in her bedroom Cousin" at Ford’s Theatre on perhaps from a . The April 14, where Lincoln was the lungs. next day, Mary passed away at shot by . 1875 8:15 p.m. Her estate, mostly Mary entered a period of Mary's only surviving son, in bonds, was valued at extreme grief. Robert, instigated a hearing in $84,035. Services were held which his mother was de- 1866 at the First Presbyterian clared insane by a jury of Church at 10:00 a.m. on In January the Congressional twelve men. Mary spent sev- Committee on House Appro- Wednesday, July 19, with eral months in a private asy- Reverend Dr. James Arm- priations began investigating lum in Batavia, Illinois, but she whether Mary had taken strong Reed presiding. Mary was released with the help of was buried in Oak Ridge White House property such , an attorney, as bedding, utensils, china, Cemetery in Springfield, Illi- table linen, etc. The investiga- and Bradwell’s husband. nois along with her sons and husband.