Lincoln and Ann Rutledge

[Eva Elisabeth]

(05-28-2014 08:38 AM)Gene C Wrote:  [quote='David Lockmiller' pid='33604' dateline='1401251869']
Eva, may I ask your comment regarding Mary's tempers and the possible deleterious affects upon her husband at that time.

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It is well documented that Mary had a temper. Possibly aggravated by her head aches, hormone changes, medication taken, and stress. On the other hand, she was a very kind, compassionate woman. She visited military hospital, took flowers, fresh fruit, listened to to and comforted the wounded soldiers, on a fairly frequent basis. Not a criticism, but our current first lady doesn't do that (and she doesn't have Mary's personality quirks) . After Lincoln's death, and she was pinching pennies, she wrote a kind letter to Abraham's step mother and sent her money. Now I personally think Abraham loved her deeply, and it pained him to see her erratic behavior and see her suffer. He had to know there was something wrong with her. It's hard to stand by and see someone suffer when you don't know how to help them. I'm sure all of this hurt him (especially when Willie died). But how he responded is one of the reasons we have this discussion forum, why thousands of books are written about him. He rose above the circumstances with strength, dignity, compassion, and his faith in God, even when he didn't feel like it.

Great reply, Gene!!! Thanks!

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At all, as I said once on another thread, I think A. Lincoln was aware Mary was far more extreme than others (positive as negative), and I think he cared much more for the positive traits and for what he and Mary shared - love for children, poetry, theater, politics, and travelling.

I can only repeat - as for most of her tempers I think it was just like he (allegedly) said (even if he didn't really): "It does her a power of good, and it doesn't hurt me any." It might have been unimaginable for others like Mr. Burlingame or Herndon, but people feel differently and have different values. Mary sure caused him certain troubles, but only very few marriages are without such, and he sure was not always an easy husband to live with, too. Daveid, I think if it did "pain" and worry A. Lincoln to see Mary's behavior etc. it was because he loved her.