Christmas with the Conklings

[RJNorton]

Thank you for posting this, Susan!

Unless an earlier letter has been found since the publication of the Turners' book, the earliest existing letter in Mary Lincoln's hand is a letter to Mercy Ann Levering dated July 23, 1840. It's obvious in the letter that Mary considered "Merce" a very close friend, and a person with whom she could share innermost thoughts. She never mentions Lincoln by name, but there are hints of her attachment to him.