From Lexington to the White House: Mary Todd Lincoln was born in Kentucky
Editor’s Note: As Lexington celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Herald-Leader and kentucky.com each day throughout 2025 will share interesting facts about our hometown. Compiled by Liz Carey, all are notable moments in the city’s history — some funny, some sad, others heartbreaking or celebratory, and some just downright strange.
Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln, was born in Lexington on Dec. 13, 1818.
Mary Ann Todd was born to Robert Smith and Eliza Parker Todd in their home on Short Street. The fourth of seven children, Mary Todd was just six when her mother died in childbirth. Her father married Betsy Humphreys in 1826, and the family moved to their new home at 578 W. Main St., now known as the Mary Todd Lincoln House.
She attended the Mentelle School, where she excelled at French and literature. By the age of 20, she was known for being witty and gregarious with a keen sense for politics. In 1839, she moved to Illinois to stay with her sister, Elizabeth Todd Edwards, the wife of an Illinois congressman. There, she was courted by Stephen A. Douglas, a young lawyer and politician.
In addition to Douglas, Mary Todd was courted by a number of suitors but settled on one who shared her love of politics, Abraham Lincoln. Not long after their courtship began, the two were engaged.
But her sister didn’t approve. Lincoln was lower-class in status, and the Edwards questioned his future prospects. Their engagement ended on Jan. 1, 1841, and Lincoln went into a deep depression.
After a year and a half, the two secretly rekindled their relationship and married on Nov. 4, 1842. Todd was 23 to Lincoln’s 33.
The couple kept their plans to wed a secret until the day of their wedding, when Lincoln ran into Edward’s husband, Ninian, and confessed their plans. Ninian Edwards demanded they wed at his house.
After the wedding, the couple moved to a one-room apartment over a tavern. Todd gave birth to their son Robert there.
Later they would move to a cottage, and Mary Todd gave birth to three other sons — Eddie, Willie and Tad. But only one of their sons would live to adulthood.
Eddie died of tuberculosis at four years old. William died in 1862 of typhoid fever while his father was president. After Lincoln’s assassination, Tad also died at age 18 — the exact cause is not known, but pleurisy, pneumonia, congestive heart failure and tuberculosis are considered possible causes. Only Robert survived his mother and father.
As first lady, Mary Todd struggled to navigate the social pitfalls and power struggles of Washington, D.C. She was responsible for refurbishing the White House, including redecorating all the public and private rooms, as well as buying new china. The changes led to extensive overspending and required Congress to pass two additional appropriations to cover expenses.
After Lincoln’s assassination, Mary struggled with her grief. She moved back to Illinois, where she struggled with money. At one point, she tried to sell some of her belongings to raise money. In 1870, Congress passed legislation granting her a pension of $3,000 a year (about $77,000 in 2025 dollars) as a presidential widow.
After Tad’s death in 1871, Mary’s behavior continued to become more erratic. By 1875, her remaining son, Robert, had her committed to a private asylum. She was later released to live with her sister, Elizabeth, and by 1876 was deemed competent to manage her own affairs.
She lived for years in Europe before returning to the States in 1881 to live with Elizabeth again. In 1882, Mary Todd Lincoln collapsed and slipped into a coma. The next morning, she died of a stroke at age 63. She is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.
Have a question or story idea related to Lexington’s 250-year history? Let us know at 250LexKy@gmail.com.