Mary Lincoln's presence at Abraham's death-bed

[RJNorton]

(08-25-2014 03:46 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Mary was not present when her husband died, nor ever after Willie's death entered the Green Room or the guest room where he had died. But was she present WHEN he died? Or when Eddie or Tad died?

Eva, I checked Lincoln's Sons, and there is not specific mention that she was physically present in the rooms at the exact time of death (for all 3). Possibly there are other sources that may have a more specific answer.

Here is the way the Chicago Tribune reported the news of Tad's passing:

"At 7.30 on yesterday [Saturday] morning Tad Lincoln died at the Clifton House on Wabash Avenue, where he had been staying since his return from Europe. The cause of his death was dropsy of the chest. The first symptoms showed themselves while he was abroad, but it was not until his return, the middle of May, that his condition became alarming. The disease made its appearance in the left chest, afterwards attacking the right chest, and soon after it caused death by compression of the heart. He was convalescent at one time, but he got up one night slightly clad and swooned. This was followed by a relapse, after which he grew steadily worse. He was attended by Dr. Charles Oilman Smith."