"My Hand will Never be Given where my Heart is Not."

"My Hand will Never be Given where my Heart is Not.". Mary Todd to Mercy Levering, 1841. Mary Ann Todd was born on December 13, 1818 to a large and wealthy family from Lexington, Kentucky. Mary was six years old when her mother died. Her grandmother helped raise her and made sure she received several years of schooling, which she completed when she was about 20. , Mary Todd was a charming and popular young lady. She enjoyed talking about politics and literature and she could speak and read French fluently. Abraham Lincoln was quickly attracted to her intelligence and elegance. They married and purchased their home in 1844 where they held many gatherings that increased Mr. Lincoln's reputation for his political career. , With Mr. Lincoln often away on business, Mary took charge of the home and family. When Mr. Lincoln became the Republican presidential nominee, Mary and her home became the center of national attention. One Republican official commented that "I shall be proud, as an American citizen, when the day brings her to grace the White House." , Captions , Upper Middle: In 1839, Mary moved to Springfield to live with her oldest sister, Elizabeth Edwards, in this house. Mary and Abraham Lincoln may have met at one of the many parties held at the Edwards home. They were married here on November 4, 1842. In her later years, Mary faced health issues and eventually returned to this home, where she died on July 16, 1882. National Park Service. , Lower Middle: The Lincoln family grew to include four boys: Robert, born on August 1, 1843; Edward, born on March 10, 1846, but died on February 1, 1850; William, born on December 21, 1850; and Thomas, born on April 4, 1853. Left: Robert Lincoln, 1860. Middle: Mary, Willie (left) and Tad Lincoln, 1860. Right: Abraham Lincoln, 1846. Library Of Congress; Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum; Library Of Congress, Lower Right: Mary Todd Lincoln, 1846. Library Of Congress