The death of Tad Lincoln

[RJNorton]

(06-16-2013 08:16 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  One can only imagine how hard it was for Mary Lincoln to lose a third son.

Regarding Tad's death, on October 4, 1871, Mary wrote her friend, Eliza Slataper (a lady who lived in Pittsburgh), "I have been so utterly prostrated - by my deep deep grief, that my health has completely given away. Latterly, I am suffering greatly with violent palpitations of the heart - which has become the cause of much uneasiness to my friends. Consequently, I am ordered perfect quiet - as much as can be obtained by a person so broken-hearted as my poor self....As grievous as other bereavements have been, not one great sorrow, ever approached the agony of this. My idolized & devoted son, torn from me, when he had bloomed into such a noble, promising youth."