Mary's funeral expenses

[Gencor]

(05-22-2016 08:35 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  

(05-20-2016 01:14 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  RE: ''I wish my remains to be clothes in the white silk dress which will be found in the lower drawer of the bureau in my room."

I do not think her wishes were honored. Maybe they weren't known? Catherine Clinton, in her Mary Lincoln bio, writes that, "Mary would be laid to rest in a new dress ordered by Elizabeth Edwards, sent down from Chicago in one last, lavish gesture to reflect an older sister's loving indulgence."

Mary wrote this to Robert in 1874 - maybe when she passed away in 1882, the dress didn't exist anymore? Or Robert didn't forward the wish?

I have never read any accounts about Mrs. Lincoln's final wishes until I read this article but I tend to believe that by the time she died, if her sister sent the dress for her, either no one had any knowledge of her request or by then the dress just didn't exist. I am still amazed that the funeral expenses, in the year 1882, only came to almost $280.00. $225 for a casket and $1.50 for crepe and ribbon.

I love the idea of the "Lincoln Room" where the ledger will be kept on display.