Things Lincoln never said

[Donna McCreary]

(09-05-2012 06:02 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Gene, that quote is on p. 74 of Katherine Helm's book. Her biography of Mary Lincoln is entitled "Mary, Wife of Lincoln" and was published in 1928. Personally, I have accepted the quote as legitimate. Donna, if you see this thread, what do you think?

It is my understanding that the quote was told to Emilie Todd Helm - thus making it legitimate. But I have to say that one of my favorite Mary quotes is: "Every day I am convinced this is a strange world we live in, the past as the future is to me a mystery." (1840) She was a young Springfield belle when she wrote this - such wisdom from such a young lady.

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(09-05-2012 08:22 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Ninabeth,

I haven't met you or talked with you, but I like you already! I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Mary - from childhood on. It was tragic to lose a mother, not like a stepmother, be educated in the world of men's politics and then not allowed to use the knowledge, grow accustomed to the better things in life and then step down to a lower economic level as a young wife, be shunned by men and women of the "social life of Washington," recognized for extravagance but not for visiting the wounded and sick soldiers, etc. We won't even touch the loss of children and a husband.

Touching on the extravagance, one of the books I read (maybe Crowns of Thorns and Glory) suggested that merchants in D.C. and on her excursions to New York appeared to shower her with "gifts" as First Lady of the Land, but then send bills for these gifts. Has anyone any knowledge of this?

Laurie, there is information about merchants sending bills in Jean Baker's book. Some authors use this as an example of Mary having a 'weak' mind - implying she did not know the difference between a gift and a purchase. Personally, I would like to study the merchants' files -- if they still exist. We know that Mary knew a good bargin - and the lady recognized the best quality and knew how to shop for it.