Description:

Lincoln Mary 1818 - 1882 Mary Lincoln archive containing family Bible and other documents exchanged with the Lincolns' family pastor in Springfield, IL Rev. James Smith

This recently discovered archive includes: family Bible presented to the Lincoln family's pastor by Mary Todd Lincoln with her scarce signature tipped in; an extraodinary and revealing 3pp ALS by Mrs. Lincoln to the Reverend; an important draft penned by the pastor about Abraham Lincoln's religious beliefs; and a manuscript by the pastor addressed to Lincoln's law partner regarding the Abraham Lincoln's first love Ann Rutledge.

Shortly after James Smith became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, IL, he presided over the funeral of Abraham and Mary Lincoln's nearly four-year-old son, who died on February 1, 1850. The grief-stricken parents were deeply appreciative of the new pastor's care, and they regularly attended First Presbyterian for the next decade.

The Lincoln family Bible is a King James version leather bound and published in London by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode in 1852.A presentation inscription reads, "Presented as a token of respect and regard to her Pastor, Revd Dr Smith, by his friend, Mary Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, January, 1857." Presentation page also includes a clipped signature from a letter: "Your friend, Mary Lincoln," in Mary Lincoln's hand. The signature in the Bible is closely cropped and in very good condition, with light toning and soiling. Beneath the affixed signature is the notation, "Mrs. President Lincoln's Autograph."

Mary Todd Lincoln presented this Bible to Rev. Dr. Smith the month after his resignation, in gratitude for his ministry to the Lincoln family. She may have given her pastor a Bible that the couple owned or a copy that was used by her husband. Their relationship with Rev. Dr. Smith did not end with his departure as pastor of First Presbyterian in Springfield. In 1861, President Lincoln appointed Smith's son, Hugh Smith, as U.S. consul at Dundee, Scotland. When ill-health forced him to return to the United States in search of a better climate, the younger Smith urged Lincoln to appoint his father, who had acted as vice consul to the post. In February 1863, the President appointed James Smith as consul at Dundee, a position he held until his death.

After Lincoln's assassination, Mary Todd Lincoln turned to Rev. Dr. Smith for consolation. The pastor also helped Mary through a difficult period in which William H. Herndon negatively characterized the Lincolns' marriage and Abraham Lincoln's religious views.

ALS from Mary Lincoln to James Smith dated 28 September 1868. Three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5" x 8". A fascinating letter revealing Mary Lincoln's new life as a widow. In part: "Such a long time has elapsed since I last wrote you & I am sure you must have wondered at my long silence! I was about visiting E—under protection of Mr. Johnson when I last wrote you, illness seized upon me, in Baltimore detaining me & I was then urged to remain to witness the marriage of my son, with a little girl, whom I had always dearly loved, Mary Harlan, daughter of Senator Harlan of Iowa. The marriage took place in Washington three days since and I am here again thinking of sailing, in the same steamer for Bremen next Thursday. I proposed placing Taddie, in school immediately, in Germany, and going myself to Carlsbad, for the benefit of the baths. I am in a very nervous state & really in very poor health. Next spring, I hope to see you in Scotland.... I have passed the summer in the Allegheny mountains. I tremble lest we may have a rough voyage, yet we are all in the hands of that great Being, who rules over the Univers

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