PERSONAL LIFE OF MARY TODD LINCOLN

PERSONAL LIFE OF MARY TODD LINCOLN

Introduction

Mary Todd was born December 13, 1818 in Lexington, Kentucky. Mary Todd had reddish-brown hair with bright blue colored eyes. She enjoyed watching horse races, dancing, and took a deep interest in politics and poetry. Mary had a large wealthy family. Mary Todd Lincoln's life spanned from 1818 to 1882. Her 63 years included three major periods: 1) her youth, 2) her time as wife and mother, and 3) her widowhood. This essay will discuss the personal life of Mary Todd Lincoln

Discussion

Youth

The Todds and Parkers had been founding families in Lexington, and Mary grew up in the household of one of the richest, most prominent families in town. The Todds were the Kennedys of Kentucky. The Todds lived in the South and owned a few slaves. Her father was a military officer, lawyer, merchant, and a member of the Kentucky legislature. Mary spent most of this important first part of her life in Lexington, Kentucky, with her large, privileged family. She was born into luxury and prestige family:

She came into the kind of home where there was a fanshaped window above the entrance, the gleam of silver onthe sideboard, and rich furnishings reflected in goldframed mirrors. There were dainty clothes, the gentle brown hands of a Negro “mammy” to receive her, and an imposing circle of relatives to exclaim over the new baby.

Mary Ann's mother, Eliza Parker, died while Mary was just six years old. Before Eliza's death, Eliza and Robert had seven children, Mary was the fourth child born, of Elizabeth, Frances, Ann, Levi, Robert, and George. Within a year of Eliza's death, Mary's father remarried to Betsy Humphreys, and had nine more children born into the family; Robert, Margaret, Samuel, David, Martha, Emilie, Alexander, Elodie, and Katherine. At the age of eight years, mary started attending Shelby Female Academy, where as she went to Madame Victorie Mentelle's at the age of fourteen. Later, she shifted to Springfield, Illinois, where her sister lived.

As Mary grew older she attended Wards Academy; an all girls school, in Lexington. By that time she was five feet two inches tall and plump. Most people said that she was very elegant looking and lady like. According to Ross,

This was the tone of the first part of Mary Todd Lincoln's life, including the years in Springfield at her sister Elizabeth's house. During these fortunate years as child, student, and socialite, Mary had few conflicts and almost no responsibilities. She seems to have been reasonably happy.

As Wife and Mother

During the second phase of her life, Mary Todd Lincoln was, in her own mind, primarily a devoted wife and mother. She married Abraham Lincoln when she was 24. Abraham Lincoln met Mary Todd's in a dance, in the year 1839, and immediately fall in love with her. Mary was a rich lady from a wealthy family, where as Lincoln was neither wealthy nor educated. Despite these huge differences they married in the month ...