Mary Lincoln's Family

Mary Lincoln's Family (HMWQC)

Location: Springfield, IL 62757 Sangamon County
Buy Illinois State flags at Flagstore.com!
Country: United States of America
Buy United States of America flags at Flagstore.com!

N 39° 47.906', W 89° 38.779'

  • 0 likes
  • 0 check ins
  • 0 favorites
  • 563 views
Inscription
These four Todd sisters each married a Springfield man and established households within a few blocks of each other, Elizabeth was the oldest and became Mary's surrogate mother." Frances lived closest to Mary (across the street where the Grace Lutheran church now stands) and was described by some as "taciturn, cold and reserved." Mary was thought by her sisters to be impossible. She caused a rift by marrying a commoner without refinement or family pedigree. Ann Marie was the youngest. Mary resented surrendering her double name "Mary Ann," when her younger sister was born.

Mary first visited Springfield in the Spring of 1835.
She and her sisters were reared in Lexington, Kentucky, members of a prominent Kentucky family. Their mother died when Mary was six. One by one the four oldest Todd sisters left home, refugees from a difficult stepmother. Mary's oldest sister, Elizabeth, married Ninian W. Edwards, the son of an Illinois governor, and settled in Springfield. Elizabeth invited each younger sister to join her, in turn, assuming the role of matchmaker. The four Todd sisters, their uncle Dr. John Todd, and their cousin, the dashing John Todd Stuart, were socially prominent and made up part of the aristocracy of early Springfield.

By most accounts, Mary was warmer and more personable than her sisters. None shared her interest in public affairs. They all opposed her marriage to Abraham Lincoln, thinking she was marrying beneath herself.

Elizabeth's matchmaking was more successful for her other sisters. The second oldest, Frances, married William Wallace, a physician and druggist who became the Lincolns' doctor. The youngest, Ann Marie, married Clark M. Smith, a leading Springfield merchant.

Mary had three sisters, an uncle and a cousin who lived within a few blocks of her in Springfield. The sisters formed a female support network during their early years of marriage and child raising. They could be jealous and competitive and would sometimes quarrel. Relations were strained during the Civil War when the Todd family's Kentucky roots created political difficulties for the First Lady and her husband. the rift widened when a conflict arose with Elizabeth's husband over a government position. Nevertheless, family bonds were strong. Elizabeth went to Washington to be with Mary after Willie Lincoln died. In the last years of Mary's life, Elizabeth became her advocate, welcoming Mary back to Springfield to spend her last days in the Edwards' home.

Details
HM NumberHMWQC
Series This marker is part of the Illinois: Looking for Lincoln series
Tags
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Sunday, October 19th, 2014 at 9:02am PDT -07:00
Pictures
Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.
Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)16S E 273433 N 4408736
Decimal Degrees39.79843333, -89.64631667
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 39° 47.906', W 89° 38.779'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds39° 47' 54.36" N, 89° 38' 46.74" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)217
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 701-801 E Capitol Ave, Springfield IL 62757, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

Is this marker missing? Are the coordinates wrong? Do you have additional information that you would like to share with us? If so, check in.

Nearby Markersshow on map
Check Ins  check in   |    all

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.

Comments 0 comments

Maintenance Issues
  1. What historical period does the marker represent?
  2. What historical place does the marker represent?
  3. What type of marker is it?
  4. What class is the marker?
  5. What style is the marker?
  6. Does the marker have a number?
  7. What year was the marker erected?
  8. Who or what organization placed the marker?
  9. This marker needs at least one picture.
  10. Can this marker be seen from the road?
  11. Is the marker in the median?