Browse Items (22278 total)

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 writes to B.B. French protesting the dismissal of Gibbs and praising the man's conduct and usefulness. Mary confesses that she "... cannot spare him from the conservatory." She states that her "...interest in retaining him is very…

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 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 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 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"…

Still mourning the death of her son, Willie, Mary Lincoln writes to B.B. French referring to "our heavy bereavement" and noting that "situated as we are, being compelled to receive the world at large, I have endeavored to bear up, under our…

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 appeals to B.B. French for a salary increase on behalf of a young man (Dunn) who is employed at the White House as a doorman. She states that he is unable to continue at his present salary. The following year Dunn gave a piece of the…

Mary Lincoln writes to an unknown correspondent requesting the services of Charles Forbes for the day. Charles Forbes was Lincoln's personal attendant from 1861 until Lincoln's assassination. He was present at Ford's Theatre when the President was…

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 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."

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 completes a partially-printed invitation and addresses its envelope to Vice President Hannibal Hamlin inviting him to a dinner for Zachariah Chandler on Monday, February 13, 1865. Hamlin is a lame-duck vice-president at this date and not…

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.

Six months after Lincoln's assassination, Mary Lincoln writes to Sally Orme in which she refers to the possibility that Congress will pass an appropriation for her. Mary writes desolately: "I am so anxious once more, to be quiet, in a home of my own,…

In her letter to Thomas (Tad) Lincoln's former tutor, Alexander Williamson, Mary Lincoln asks whether their carriage "is to be sold at auction in N.Y.' and adds "How is this?" She notes that "Taddie has recovered, goes to school & can almost…

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,…

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 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…