Abraham Lincoln and Mary Lincoln to Caleb B. Smith, May 31, 1861

In this letter, the Lincolns are attesting to the character of Ann G. Sprigg, with whom they boarded in Washington, DC, when Lincoln was in Congress.

Image courtesy of Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Two Letters from Mary Lincoln to Abraham Lincoln, November 2 and 3, 1862

Image courtesy of Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Bill of Sale of Alexander T. Stewart & Co. to Mary Lincoln, with endorsement of approval by Abraham Lincoln, May 24, 1861

When Mary Lincoln purchased items for the White House renovations, Lincoln signed off on the expenses, which the U.S. Treasury Department paid out of the appropriation for improvements. This bill of sale from Alexander T. Stewart & Co. in New York provides details about individual rugs and fabrics Mary purchased. Next to several of the entries, the rooms in which Mary intended their installation are also noted. Axminster, Wilton and Chintz were types of carpets. The endorsement on the second page reads “approved and referred to the proper accounting officers for settlement” and is signed by “A. Lincoln.”

Image courtesy of Record Group 217: Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, 1777–1934, vault, National Archives, College Park, Maryland.

Invitation of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Lincoln to Robert Anderson, October 1861

During her time as First Lady, Mary Lincoln played hostess to a steady stream of White House guests. Small dinner parties were so common that Mary used preprinted invitations. This particular dinner invitation is to Robert Anderson, who was the commanding officer of Fort Sumter in April 1861.

Image courtesy of the Robert Anderson Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.