Lincoln & Herndon

[Eva Elisabeth]

(07-11-2014 11:52 AM)L Verge Wrote:  Are there any records to indicate that Lincoln went to Mr. Todd and asked for Mary's hand in marriage? Any comments on what Todd thought of his son-in-law?

No, Lincoln didn't go to Mr. Todd and asked for Mary's hand in marriage, they first met in fall 1843 when Mary’s father came to Springfield to see Mary’s husband and his grandson Robert. During that visit he gave her a $25 gold piece and deeded 80 acres of land to the couple, plus promised a yearly sum of $1,100. AFAIK he didn't give that much to any of his many other (weren't it 13 surviving?) children.

Allegedly A. L. asked for Mary's hand in marriage one day before the wedding. According to Alton Telegraph editor George T. M. Davis "it was at the house of Mr. Francis that Mr. Lincoln and Miss Todd were to be married until the relatives, yielding to the inevitable, insisted on a home wedding."

This is what Eugenia Jones Hunt recalled being told by Mary's sister, Frances Todd Wallace, in the late 'sixties about the Lincolns' wedding (find it such a nice account and worth sharing):
"Mr. Lincoln had known my sister Mary over three years, when he called to see her the night before their marriage. In his conversation with Mary, he referred to his lack of means, his ambitions, and his love for her. 'I now suggest and insist upon our marriage at once. We will live at the Globe Tavern for the present. Now we must go, very quietly without fuss and feathers, at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, before the magistrate, and ask him to marry us.'
The next morning at the breakfast table, Mary told our sister, Lizzie, and Mr. Edwards that she and Mr. Lincoln had decided to be married at ten o'clock that morning, very quietly by the magistrate. Our aristocratic sister, with an outburst, gave Mary a good scolding. 'Do not forget that you are a Todd. But, Mary, if you insist on being married today, we will make merry, and have the wedding here this evening. I will not permit you to be married out of my house. Mr. Lincoln should ask the Reverend Dr. Dresser to officiate at the ceremony.' Mr. Edwards said: 'Mary, I agree with you - Mr. Lincoln is talented and will be an influential man, a leader among men. And now, ask all of your friends to be present at your wedding.'
Be assured, Eugenia, it was a hurly-burly day. How we hustled! I had a whole boiled ham which I took over for the wedding supper, and made the bride's and groom's cake. It was a very pretty and gay wedding. The ladies were in lovely evening gowns. Sister Mary was handsome in her beautiful bridal dress of white satin, with her pearl necklace, earrings, and brooch. Miss Lina Lamb and Julia Jayne were Mary's bridesmaids. After the ceremony, congratulations, and the wedding supper, we danced until midnight in those spacious parlors of the Ninian Edwards home."
(Eugenia Jones Hunt: “My Personal Recollections of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln”, The Abraham Lincoln Quarterly, March 1945, p. 236-237.)

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Thanks for all your comments and info on my questions. Sounds the opinions rather tend to "marriage upon consideration" than "upon mutual feelings"?