A Woman of the Civil War

1. A Woman of the Civil War

2. Fictional Character Caroline

4. Mary’s Childhood Mary was born on December 13, 1818 in Lexington, Kentucky. She was the fourth child born to Eliza and Robert Todd. Her father was a banker. When Mary was 6 her mother died. Mr. Todd remarried, Mary did not like her stepmother Betsy. (Ashby, 11)

5. Mary’s Education Mary’s completed her education in the social graces at a local school Madame Mentelle’s. She hones her skills in dancing, flower arranging, French and polite conversation and etiquette. (Ashby, 12)

6. Hoop Skirts Fashionable women like Mary Todd wore a hoop skirt. As much as 13 yard of fabric around the base. In order to reduce her waist to the desired 18 inches a corset was worn. (Ashby, page 11)

7. Mary Todd

8. Mary as a Young Adult In 1837 Mary visited two of her sisters in Springfield, Illinois. In 1839 Mary moved to Springfield. Mary had two suitors; Edwin Webb a lawyer and Stephen Douglas. Mary did not find love with either. She told her sister, “A good man, with a head for position, fame and power, a man of mind with hope and bright prospects rather than all the houses and gold in the world.” (Ashby , 14)

10. Relationship it’s Complicated In December of 1840 Mary and Abe became engaged. Later in the December Abe showed up late to escort Mary to a party and they broke up. Lincoln writes to his law partner, “I am now the most miserable man living.” More than a year later Mary and Abe get back together and are married on November 4, 1842. (Ashby, 16)

11. The Children Robert Todd Lincoln Eddie born in 1846, dies in 1850 of Tuberculosis. William born in 1850 Thomas born in 1853 “Tad”

12. Mrs. Lincoln and Willie and Tad

13. The Home • “They paid $1200 in cash and signed over a lot on Adams Street to buy a new home.” (Clinton, 68) • She wanted to add a second floor for her family of five. She took the opportunity to decorate her home in a lavish Victorian manner, with floral carpeting in the formal rooms, elaborate wallpaper throughout. (Clinton, 113).

25. Mrs. Keckley

26. Images of the Victorian Period

28. Civil War

31. Civil War Christmas Letter

32. What is a woman to do?

35. Fort Sumter South Carolina

36. Conscription

37. Amputations

40. Mourning This stage was supposed to last at least nine months. The widow was allowed to lift the veil off her face and wear it down the back of her head. She continued to wear black dresses, but could accessorize with pearls, jet jewelry or a brooch fashioned from the hair of the dead loved one. She could pay calls and receive visitors. Many an elderly widow maintained this state for the rest of her life. http://www.examiner.com/article/mourning-customs-during-the-american-civil-war-era

44. April 14, 1865 Lincoln’s Choice Ford’s Theater to see the comedy Our American Cousin. Fort Sumter, South Carolina to when Robert Anderson raised the flag that he took with him in 1861 to celebrate the return to the union.

45. Fort Sumter South Carolina

49. Etiquette-Table Manners • Never fill mouth very full • Never attempt to talk with the mouth full. • Never explain at the table why certain foods do not agree with you • Never introduce disgusting or unpleasant topics for conversation • Never pick your teeth or put your hand in your mouth while eating.

50. Tea Time • Be gentle and patient • Speak in a gentle tone. • Deny yourself and prefer others. • Give applause liberally. • Rise to one’s feet out of respect for older person or dignitary.