Lincoln’s Legacy: Historic Americana from the Life of Abraham Lincoln

Comprising:

1. LINCOLN, Mary Todd. Autograph letter, signed ("Mary Lincoln") to Francis Spinner, dated 30 December 1865. 1 p., on mourning stationery. Reads in part: "Mr. Wentworth called last evening and proposed writing you to day, relative to the $25,000 which Congress voted me. Please send it to me as soon as you conveniently can."

2. LINCOLN, Mary Todd. Autograph letter, signed ("Mary Lincoln") to Francis Spinner, dated 11 January 1866. 2 pp., on mourning stationery. Reads in part: "As you were so kind, as to offer to convert the money coming to me...I enclose you the draft, endorsed to your order, for that purpose..." With original black-bordered envelope addressed in Mary Lincoln's hand.

3. [LINCOLN, Mary Todd]. Manuscript statement, ca. January 1866. Presumably in the hand of Norman Bentley, tabulating interest on amount paid to Mary Todd Lincoln. 1 p.

4. [LINCOLN, Mary Todd]. Partially printed receipt made out to Francis Spinner, by W.J. Herring of the Adams Express Company, for $22,000 to be sent to Mary Todd Lincoln, 15 January 1866. 1 p.

5. [LINCOLN, Mary Todd]. Autograph statement, signed by Norman Bentley relating to Mrs. Lincoln's debts. 1 p.

6. LINCOLN, Mary Todd. Autograph letter, signed ("Mary Lincoln") to Francis Spinner, dated 14 March 1866. 1 p. on mourning stationery. Reads in part: "Your letter and receipt have been received - in a few days, I will send you the remaining sum. May I, at the same time, ask the favor of you, to advance the sum of $10."

7. [LINCOLN, Mary Todd]. Autograph document, signed by Alexander Williamson ("Alex Williamson"), 17 March 1866; acknowledging receipt of $10 from Francis Spinner on account of Mary Lincoln. 1 p.

8. LINCOLN, Mary Todd. Autograph letter, signed ("Mary Lincoln") to Francis Spinner, 6 April 1866. 1 p. on mourning stationery. Reads in part: "Circumstances have delayed my sending you the remainder of the money, to close final settlement. I hope to do so, in a very few days."

9. LINCOLN, Mary Todd. Autograph letter, signed ("Mary Lincoln") to Francis Spinner, 23 July 1866. 1 p. on mourning stationery. Reads in part: "You will kindly pardon my long delay in refunding you the $10... For your consideration, pray accept my thanks."

Despite Abraham Lincoln having left an estate of $80,000 (equivalent to approximately $1,570,000 today), Mary Lincoln's lavish lifestyle all but guaranteed that this would not last her for very long. Having moved to Chicago with her surviving sons, Robert and Tad, she soon found herself in dire financial straits. In 1868, she advertised in the New York World for aid, even going so far as to sell personal items belonging to her and to her husband, at auction. This and the publication of Elizabeth Keckley's memoir Behind the Scenes or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four in the White House resulted in the public airing of Mrs. Lincoln's dirty laundry, especially related to her finances, causing both her and her eldest son Robert no shortage of personal distress.

The materials that comprise the present archive all relate to Mary Lincoln's quest for financial stability in the first year following her husband's death. Many are addressed to Treasurer of the United States Francis E. Spinner, who was appointed by President Lincoln to the position, and was known to be a fierce advocate for women's rights, having been the first to employ female clerks in federal positions. Mary Lincoln's difficulty in managing money, were exacerbated by Tad's death in 1871. It would play a key part in her son Robert's case to have her institutionalized, a slight which Mary would never forgive him for and which contributed to the two not seeing one another again until shortly before her death, in 1882.

Provenance:

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California