Seed Pearl Necklace and Bracelets

[kerry]

She definitely had pearl jewelry in 1861, so a delayed payment may well be the case, or it could be a different set. I'm inclined to believe Mary bought them for herself, or got permission from Lincoln to do so as a gift, as I have a really hard time seeing Lincoln actually picking out jewelry. I think that story has just been romanticized. However, it is possible that if they were indeed bought in 1861, Lincoln did tell her she could splurge in exchange for her support all those years.