Mary's funeral expenses

[L Verge]

Depending on the type of fabric, the dress may have deteriorated over time also - to the point where flaws could not be hidden well. It was made of silk according to Mary's letter, and it is inclined to split at times (even when totally protected).

As an aside, we have the receipt for Mr. Surratt's coffin when he died in 1862. Mary paid $50 for a mahogany one - and he had already left her $3500 in debt!