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Mary’s Big Sister

When 6-year-old Mary Todd lost her mother, her big sister Elizabeth stepped in to fill the role. Later, Mary followed her sister to Springfield—marrying Abraham Lincoln in Elizabeth’s parlor. In this letter, decades later, Elizabeth again plays a vital role—having traveled to Washington to help Mary grieve Willie’s passing.

Gift of Philip R. Baker, 1956

MS-SC445 – Elizabeth Edwards to Julia, March 2, 1862
TN 28115 (repro) – Elizabeth Edwards Photograph

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