Poisoning Lincoln

[L Verge]

Another very interesting tidbit for sure. What are "widow's weeds?" Her clothing?
How was she to transmit smallpox with a kiss; did she have it herself?

Yes, I think widow's weeds refers to the black clothing worn sometimes after a husband's death. I do not know about the rest; I am just reporting what is in Roscoe's book.

Dictionary definition: "The deep mourning worn by a widow, including a crape veil, 'weepers,' etc. Now always plural; with or without widow's prefixed." And a "weeper" is "a broad white cuff worn by widows".

The "weeds" refers to the fact that the mourning material of both dresses and veils was usually black crape or bombazine - both of which had a tendency to turn a "rusty" color with age. Women used the same garments every time a death occurred, and over time, this faded color tended to have a "weedy" look (if there is such a term). At least that's what we found while researching a very popular exhibit at Surratt House on death and mourning the Victorian way.

I never remember seeing the term "weeper" used. Full mourning for a widow was one year of nothing but black. If a lady wished to come out of mourning after that year, she still adhered to about six months of wearing dark clothing with just touches of white or gray or lavender.