The Bond Between Mary Todd Lincoln and Her Seamstress

The connection between first lady Mary Todd Lincoln and her African-American seamstress Elizabeth Keckley was a remarkably strong one, forged out of a common sense that they were both outsiders in Washington, DC.
From the Series: First Ladies Revealed: In Times of War bit.ly/2CqCDI7

[@slave4glue]

This is a fabulous channel, it’s great to see such interesting snapshots of great American culture. So different from here in Europe even though we share a common ancestry. Really fascinating.

[@loopslytle]

Beautiful story. Thank you.

[@jensmom604]

Mary turned against Keckley after the latter published a ghost-written book about the family. She later referred to Keckley as "the colored historian."

[@BrownRiceBunny1]

‘Colored’ wasn’t actually a
derogatory term back then - we just settled the terms we wanted to be called instead of having them thrown on us.
Also I doubt that Mary Lincoln would’ve of turned on her friend so quickly and harshly so as to use derogatory/racist language towards her. I’m not saying they didn’t drift apart but an ex-first lady has more couth than that.

[@tamlynn786]

Keckley included in her book letters Mary had written to her after Lincoln had died and Mary was penniless. Mary wrote those things in confidence and Keckley told all so yeah that was a bit shady.

[@Nyx773]

@@tamlynn786 Mary was never penniless. She was a monomaniac.

[@tamlynn786]

@@Nyx773 Yes, Mary was penniless. She had a shopping addiction and bought all her accessories and fabrics on the White House tab. Lincoln, who was slow to anger, was furious with her when he found out how much debt she had racked up. Furthermore, when Lincoln was assassinated there was no widowers pension at that time, so Mary had to sell a large portion of her dresses and accessories to have enough money to live on. This is well documented. She died a poor widow with mental illness. Robert Lincoln also wrote about the poor condition his mother was in after his dad died.

[@Nyx773]

@@BrownRiceBunny1 You obviously know very little of MTL or have only read biased revisionist biographies that are not based on facts. MTL very often spoke without thinking and it is completely inaccurate to make a blanket statement such as "an ex-first lady has more couth than that."MTL was known for very rapid mood swings and to have a very vicious tongue, more than once berating others into tears (Mrs. Ord and Mrs. Harlan).

[@elizabethbuck6482]

I went to a public middle school in Fayette County (Lexington, Ky) and the only Home Economics course I took during public school was sabotaged by the 3 male classmates who I sat with during that particular class.

[@BigBrother-fm2tx]

Poor girl! 💐🌹🌺

[@khfan4life365]

And then Keckley shared everything that was said and written in confidence. Don’t blame Mary for falling out with her. Airing someone else’s dirty laundry is in bad form.

[@9786oof]

Damn Mary was skinny

[@belle9768]

who else had this lesson in English class?

[@anonymouspost9144]

Things in Washington haven't changed much have they?

[@thenightcoreninja1293]

She didn't buy her freedom a lady raised the money so she could pay for freedom

[@charleskeefer3043]

First, Syracuse and the divorce that was not On paper.

[@acajudi100]

Let go and let God always. Be nice to non-beggars.
I am 80, and I have been blessed, and I regret nothing.
Loving my retirement in Queretaro.
Readers are leaders. Put down the guns and read.
Use online lectures etc. Work and do not steal.

[@unnew9448]

Is this a dude or girl narrarating

[@janebaker4912]

YetiM3 women of course

[@saltymcsaltface]

Smurfette Did It bitch

[@michellepaul8514]

unnew It’s a woman. It doesn’t sound like a man at all to me.

[@sunnywakefield4659]

NO THIS IS GLOBAL