Mary's Reputation

[Donna McCreary]

You are correct - the only thing accidential about the carriage incident is that Mary was in the carriage instead of Abraham. While the accident may have added to her pains and headaches, it is also important to remember that Mary suffered from severe headaches much of her adult life. While in Washington in the spring of 1848, Lincoln wrote to Mary:

"And you are entirely free from headache? That is good - good considering it is the first spring you have been free from it since we were acquainted."

Most believe these to be migraines. However, since Lincoln wrote of Mary suffering each spring, I have often wondered if the headaches were related to allergies and sinus infections.