Browse Items (581 total)

Mary Lincoln thanks Mrs. Caroline Wright, wife of the former governor of Indiana, for a "beautiful wreath of hair" and adds that "we have had a very busy winter" while the White House is under repair. Mary Lincoln uses stationary with black borders.

Mary Lincoln asks Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton if H. Kelly, a faithful attendant at the White House door, could have a transportation ticket to use on his two-day furlough. A ticket is granted to H. and James Kelly.

Mary Lincoln asks Edwin M. Stanton to oblige her by appointing Albert F. Pike, who is "a most excellent young man and was a favorite of both, my husband & myself." The Taper Collection also contains Pike's letter to Stanton dated December 15,…

While in Frankfurt, Germany, Mary Lincoln writes to her dear friend, Eliza Slataper, that: "all the nobility stop here, counts, dukes and dutchesses abound in the house, and on my table, their cards are frequently laid. Yet in consideration of poor…

Mary Lincoln writes to Eliza Slataper about her travels in Europe, especially England and Scotland, and continues with an account of her chance meeting with Sally Orne.

Mary thanks Fanny Barrow, a successful author of children's fiction, for a book 'Night Caps' sent to "my darling boys" and adds that "since then, sorrow & bereavement have sorely tried us & we, with the whole land, have been called upon to…

Mary Lincoln reminds Francis Bicknell Carpenter of his promise to send a copy of "my beloved husband's portrait one quite as accurate as in the 'Emancipation Proclamation'?" A year later Carpenter sent a portrait with which Mary was extremely…

Mary Todd Lincoln writes to U.S. Treasurer Francis E. Spinner regarding the $25,000 pension Congress awarded her. She asks him to send it as soon as possible.

Mary Lincoln sends a draft for $22,000 with her letter to Francis E. Spinner taking up his offer to convert her husband's unused salary granted to her by Congress into bonds. Mary addresses her black bordered letter and envelope to F.E. Spinner.

Mary Lincoln asks Francis Spinner to advance the sum of $10 to Mr. Williamson and promises to repay him next week. Mary writes this letter on black-bordered stationery.

Mary Lincoln explains to Francis Spinner that circumstances have delayed her sending "the remainder of the money." Mary writes her letter on mourning stationary. This is one of nine documents from the Taper Collection relating to Mary Lincoln…

Mary Lincoln apologizes to Francis Spinner for the her delay in returning the $10 for Mr. Williamson and asks him to pay Galt & Company. This is one of nine documents from the Taper Collection relating to Mary Lincoln's receipt of her husband's…

Mary Lincoln boldly pens on a sheet of stationary reading "Head-Quarters, Army of the Potomac." a note to Gen. Daniel E. Sickles that states: "Sherman is quite pleased with his visit, so if you do not particularly desire his return, cannot he…

Mary Lincoln sends a hurried request to Gustav E. Gumpert, a Philadelphia store owner, which reads: "Has Col. Sweeney gone up to New York, see 'World' of Tuesday please answer immediately."

In a letter written for Mary Lincoln in an unknown hand on War Department stationary, Mary Lincoln asks if Mr. H. Crosby has heard from Mr. Allen and notes that her rent would soon be due. Mary Lincoln asks Mr. Crosby to reply to her at 607 13th…

With her finances apparently in freefall, Mary Lincoln writes a second letter to James Orme renewing her appeal to him in response to word that Congress has turned its back on her situation. She mentions the Senate committee report tabling her bill…

Desperate to resolve her pecuniary situation, Mary Lincoln appeals to wealthy Republican benefactor James Orme: "Dear Mr. Orne, will you, in your great goodness, ascertain as you have the means of doing, whether the services of my great & good…

Mary Lincoln writes from the 5th Avenue Hotel to John Adams Dix, Military commandant of New York, to send someone to accompany her to the Russian frigate. The First Lady was to visit the Russian warship "Osliaba" anchored in New York.

Mary Lincoln informs Leonard Swett that she cannot continue in her present residence with her present means, even practicing "the most rigid economy." She states that if she must give it up her pride would not allow her "to remain in a land, under…

Mary Lincoln asks Leonard Swett to call on her, as "I have some things to say I do not wish to be troublesome yet I am daily convinced that I must make some definite arrangements for the future." Mary uses mourning stationery with black borders.

Mary Lincoln writes a gracious invitation to Mr. & Mrs. W. Brayman and young ladies inviting them to drop by her house for a social visit that Saturday evening. The Braymans occupied the Lincolns' Springfield house during the war years. The…

Mary Lincoln makes an apology to the firm of Miller & Grant for her late payment of a bill and asks for samples of their best quality thread for ruffles. Mary uses stationery with black borders and "L" monogram at top.

Mary Lincoln states in her letter to Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs that Col. Sweeney and Mr. Gilbert "in whom the president & myself feel much interested," are seeking a contract with the quartermaster and she goes on to request that…

Mary Lincoln sends an invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Elliot to a gathering on Wednesday evening, February 5, at 9 o'clock. the narrow oblong invitation is mounted on a black card. The occasion is a White House ball, given by the First Lady, for which…

Mary Lincoln asks Mrs. Charles Heard if she could visit her with Mr. and Mrs. Doubleday noting that "your friend Mrs. Lamon may look in upon us." Mary refers to a party at Mr. Chase's this eve. She uses personal stationary with black borders and "L"…