Wife vs Widow

[LincolnToddFan]

(06-23-2013 07:49 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  I don't think so, Bill. Offhand I don't even recall her being in Springfield until 1875 when she lived with the Edwardses. When Tad died in Chicago in 1871 only Robert accompanied Tad's remains to Springfield. Mary stayed in Chicago.

In early Dec 1865, eight months after the tragedy, Mary, Robert and Tad made a visit to Lincoln's grave. It was Mary's first sight of her husband's final resting place, and she became so overcome with grief that she collapsed and was in bed under a doctor's care for days afterward.

She never came back to Springfield until Tad's death six years later.

[RJNorton]

(04-10-2014 10:14 PM)LincolnToddFan Wrote:  She never came back to Springfield until Tad's death six years later.

Hi Toia. Thank you for the information on the 1865 trip. Everything I have ever read has said she remained in Chicago after Tad's death in 1871. Are you talking about a trip later in 1871?

[LincolnToddFan]

Hi Roger,

No, according to Linda Leavitt Turner's "Letters" MTL was definitely in Springfield shortly before Christmas 1865 to visit her huband's grave for the first and ONLY time. She collapsed afterward, and her letter to a friend describing how traumatic the visit was for her is published in the book.

The "Letters" compilation is fantastic...a motherlode of insight and information, have you read it?

[RJNorton]

(04-11-2014 08:33 PM)LincolnToddFan Wrote:  The "Letters" compilation is fantastic...a motherlode of insight and information, have you read it?

Hi Toia,

Yes, I have had that wonderful book since the 1990's. I cannot say I have read every single letter, but it is a terrific resource. I use it often to research questions I have received through my Lincoln website.