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+--- Thread: Elizabeth Keckley (/thread-683.html)
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RE: Elizabeth Keckley - David Lockmiller - 12-14-2018 09:19 AM
(12-13-2018 06:19 PM)ReignetteC Wrote: The "Overlooked No More" column of the December 12 edition of The New York Times features an OBIT of Elizabeth Keckly.
"Overlooked No More: Elizabeth Keckly, Dressmaker and Confidante to Mary Todd Lincoln."
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/12/obituaries/elizabeth-keckly-overlooked.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2Foverlooked
The following is from a comment to the NYTimes obituary by janeqpublicnyc:
Elizabeth Keckley's book, by the way, has been available online for free since 2008 at Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24968)
CHAPTER VII WASHINGTON IN 1862-3[Pg 53]
In 1863 the Confederates were flushed with victory, and sometimes it looked as if the proud flag of the Union, the glorious old Stars and Stripes, must yield half its nationality to the tri-barred flag that floated grandly over long columns of gray. These were sad, anxious days to Mr. Lincoln, and those who saw the man in privacy only could tell how much he suffered. One day he came into the room where I was fitting a dress on Mrs. Lincoln. His step was slow and heavy, and his face sad. Like a tired child he threw himself upon a sofa, and shaded his eyes with his hands. He was a complete picture of dejection. Mrs. Lincoln, observing his troubled look, asked:
"Where have you been, father?"
"To the War Department," was the brief, almost sullen answer.
"Any news?"
"Yes, plenty of news, but no good news. It is dark, dark everywhere."
He reached forth one of his long arms, and took a small Bible from a stand near the head of the sofa, opened the pages of the holy book, and soon was absorbed in reading them. A quarter of an hour passed, and on glancing at the sofa the face of the President seemed more cheerful. The dejected look was gone, and the countenance was lighted up with new resolution and hope. The change was so marked that I could not but wonder at it, and wonder led to the desire to know what book of the Bible afforded so much comfort to the reader. Making the search for a missing article an excuse, I walked gently around the sofa, and looking into the open book, I discovered that Mr. Lincoln was reading that divine comforter, Job. He read with Christian eagerness, and the courage and hope that he derived from the inspired pages made him a new man. I almost imagined that I could hear the Lord speaking to him from out the whirlwind of battle: "Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me."
RE: Elizabeth Keckley - L Verge - 12-14-2018 11:17 AM
(12-13-2018 06:19 PM)ReignetteC Wrote: The "Overlooked No More" column of the December 12 edition of The New York Times features an OBIT of Elizabeth Keckly.
"Overlooked No More: Elizabeth Keckly, Dressmaker and Confidante to Mary Todd Lincoln."
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/12/obituaries/elizabeth-keckly-overlooked.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2Foverlooked
I just wish that the article had mentioned that many thought Mrs. Keckly's burial site was lost to history until our forum member Rich Smyth located it and the Surratt Society and two co-sponsors raised the funds to mark it.
RE: Elizabeth Keckley - Warren - 12-18-2018 12:38 PM
"He reached forth one of his long arms, and took a small Bible from a stand near the head of the sofa, opened the pages of the holy book, and soon was absorbed in reading them. A quarter of an hour passed, and on glancing at the sofa the face of the President seemed more cheerful. The dejected look was gone, and the countenance was lighted up with new resolution and hope. The change was so marked that I could not but wonder at it, and wonder led to the desire to know what book of the Bible afforded so much comfort to the reader. Making the search for a missing article an excuse, I walked gently around the sofa, and looking into the open book, I discovered that Mr. Lincoln was reading that divine comforter, Job. He read with Christian eagerness, and the courage and hope that he derived from the inspired pages made him a new man. I almost imagined that I could hear the Lord speaking to him from out the whirlwind of battle: "Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me."
Though she may have witnessed the event, that passage screams ghost-writer to me.
And, not having read her book (I would like to), was Abe's pointing to the asylum an implied threat to Mrs. Lincoln?
RE: Elizabeth Keckley - RJNorton - 12-18-2018 12:57 PM
(12-18-2018 12:38 PM)Warren Wrote: And, not having read her book (I would like to), was Abe's pointing to the asylum an implied threat to Mrs. Lincoln?
Hi Warren. We once discussed this on the forum. There were quite a few comments. Please start here.
RE: Elizabeth Keckley - Warren - 12-18-2018 02:14 PM
(12-18-2018 12:57 PM)RJNorton Wrote:(12-18-2018 12:38 PM)Warren Wrote: And, not having read her book (I would like to), was Abe's pointing to the asylum an implied threat to Mrs. Lincoln?
Hi Warren. We once discussed this on the forum. There were quite a few comments. Please start here.
Thanks, Roger. That answers many questions, though I haven't read all of the comments.
The only source I have in my office right now is Sandburg; the story appears in Volume 1 of the War Years, page 458, and the alleged episode occurs because of Mary's grief upon Tad's death.
RE: Elizabeth Keckley - ReignetteC - 01-06-2019 06:14 PM
Laurie's comment:
I just wish that the article had mentioned that many thought Mrs. Keckly's burial site was lost to history until our forum member Rich Smyth located it and the Surratt Society and two co-sponsors raised the funds to mark it.
Laurie, I have thought about your comment, and I decided to email the NYT team responsible for the "Overlook Obit" column. I reiterated your remarks (gave the credit to you) and suggested that they contact the Surratt Society/House Museum. It would be nice, I feel, if Rich and the Surratt Society were recognized for the monumental contribution.
RE: Elizabeth Keckley - L Verge - 01-06-2019 06:36 PM
(01-06-2019 06:14 PM)ReignetteC Wrote: Laurie's comment:
I just wish that the article had mentioned that many thought Mrs. Keckly's burial site was lost to history until our forum member Rich Smyth located it and the Surratt Society and two co-sponsors raised the funds to mark it.
Laurie, I have thought about your comment, and I decided to email the NYT team responsible for the "Overlook Obit" column. I reiterated your remarks (gave the credit to you) and suggested that they contact the Surratt Society/House Museum. It would be nice, I feel, if Rich and the Surratt Society were recognized for the monumental contribution.
What a wonderful thing to do. Thank you so much.