Lincoln and his father-in-law

[Gene C]

My best guess would be her father stayed at her sisters home in Springfield.
The same sister (and her husband - Ninian Edwards) who objected to Mary marrying Abraham because of his social position and prospects for the future.
Elizabeth probably shared those feelings and thoughts with her father, who for whatever reason (I'm guessing he favored Mary) helped the Lincoln's out financially.

For a little more info, try this @ Mr. Lincoln's White House
http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/resi...d-edwards/