Lincoln & Herndon

[LincolnToddFan]

(07-11-2014 11:42 AM)Gene C Wrote:  Lincoln didn't meet Mr. Todd before the marriage. He was pleased that the first son was named Robert Todd.
He did like AL, and I understand that AL was the executor? of his estate.

Hi Gene,

After RST's death, Lincoln filed a "bill of reviver" on behalf of himself and Mary, as well as her three sisters Elizabeth, Frances and Ann-Marie, against the claims of Mary's brother George Todd who had challenged his father's will out of greed. He wanted a bigger piece of the pie by cutting out their stepmother Betsy. Cold-blooded guy!(pgs#156-157 The Lincolns: Portrait of a Marriage, Daniel Mark Epstein)

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(07-11-2014 05:32 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Is it known when (how many days before the wedding) A. L. bought the wedding ring? He didn't have one, did he? Why not? Was that generally uncommon in those days?

Eva E.,

Their wedding took place in the evening, and I have always read that AL purchased the ring and had it engraved on the morning of the same day.

Also, I have never read that account of the night before the wedding. This is the night that the estimable Prof. Burlingame speculates that Mary spent seducing AL into bed, causing him to panic the next morning to the extent that he felt compelled to marry her that same day.(Abraham Lincoln, A Life, Vol I)

I think your account sounds much more likely and believable...thank you!