Mary's purchase ....

[Laurie Verge]

Donna McCreary needs to weigh in on this one. Mrs. Lincoln's "fascination" with the other world and her fear of those around her dying are certainly well-grounded and well-documented. This purchase of what seems an excessive amount of mourning materials was written about long before Anthony Pitch stressed it again. Earlier historians have hinted that it was evidence of Mary's involvement in her husband's death. I got the feeling when I read Papa that Tony was hinting at the same thing....

I do not believe that Mrs. Lincoln maintained solid mourning from the time of Willie's death beyond the appropriate length. However, she likely realized that one never knew when the unexpected would happen. I also don't think that these materials were necessarily just for her personal adornment. The White House would have to be draped if someone within the administration or someone close to the family were to die.

Also, please remember that the yardage needed to make one mourning dress was/is considerable. I have tucked away in my closet, four period-appropriate day dresses and one skirt and zouave jacket. Each outfit uses about eight yards of material or more. Then one must add trim and also layers of black petticoats, pantalets, chemises, corsets, etc. The undergarments might not be visible to the public, but they were de riguer for ladies in full mourning. Don't forget the heavy veils, the black bonnets, handkerchiefs, and so forth.

I had one other thought as to why she would buy these a month before the assassination: The final strike at Richmond and Petersburg was at hand. The massive loss of lives was inevitable - and one of the Lincolns was at the front lines with Gen. Grant. Would Robert become the third son to die? Was his mother preparing for that eventuality?