Mary Todd Lincoln Hauntings

The History and Background

Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882) was one of the most prominent figures in American history, serving as the wife of President Abraham Lincoln during his presidency from 1861 to 1865. Her life was marked by tragedy and loss; she witnessed the death of her father, two brothers, and a sister in early adulthood, and later experienced the assassination of her husband and the untimely deaths of three of their four children.

After Abraham Lincoln’s assassination on April 14, 1865, Mary Todd Lincoln moved to Springfield, Illinois, with her son Robert. The family lived in the Old State Capitol, now known as the Lincoln-Surby House. Tragically, both her youngest son, Tad, and her sister Elizabeth died within a year of each other in the mid-1870s. Mary Todd Lincoln herself passed away on July 16, 1882, at the age of 63.

Key Events or Sightings

#### The Death of Abraham Lincoln

On April 14, 1865, President Lincoln attended a play at Ford’s Theatre with his wife and two guests. After the performance, Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth in the back of his head and carried to the Petersen House next door. He died early the next morning on April 15, 1865.

#### The Old State Capitol

In her later years, Mary Todd Lincoln lived in the Old State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois. She reportedly often expressed feelings of loneliness and isolation, which some attribute to her haunting experiences. According to various accounts, she claimed to have heard her husband’s voice calling her name late at night.

#### The Legacy of Tad

Tad, Abraham Lincoln’s youngest son, died on July 16, 1871, just three days before his 19th birthday. Mary Todd Lincoln was devastated by this loss and reportedly had recurring dreams in which she saw her brother, who had died years earlier, comforting him.

Witness Accounts or Evidence

#### The First Lady’s Claims

Mary Todd Lincoln herself reported experiencing supernatural events after the death of Abraham Lincoln. She claimed to hear his voice calling for her, particularly at night when she was alone in their home. In a letter to her sister Elizabeth Edwards in 1865, she wrote:

> “I have heard him speak several times and I know that it is he. He calls me by name, ‘Mary,’ and asks why I do not come to him.”

#### The Old State Capitol Residents

Residents of the Old State Capitol building reported strange occurrences during Mary Todd Lincoln’s time there. A former resident, William B. Gresham, wrote in his memoirs that:

> “At times, we could hear voices coming from upstairs, and once I distinctly heard someone say, ‘Mary, why don’t you come to me?’ It was the voice of President Lincoln.”

#### The Ghostly Presence

In 1892, Mary Todd Lincoln’s nephew, Robert Todd Lincoln Jr., claimed to have witnessed his aunt speaking with her husband’s ghost in her room. He wrote:

> “Aunt Mary was standing by the window, and I heard a voice say, ‘Mary.’ She turned around and said, ‘Who is that calling me?’ Then she smiled and said, ‘It must be my dear Abraham.'”

Investigations or Research

#### The Springfield Paranormal Society

The Springfield Paranormal Society conducted an investigation at the Old State Capitol in 1978. They used electronic voice phenomena (EVP) recording equipment and reported picking up voices of Lincoln and his wife. One voice was distinctly that of Mary Todd Lincoln, reportedly saying:

> “It’s time to go.”

#### The Library of Congress

In 2015, the Library of Congress released a transcript from an interview with Robert Todd Lincoln Jr., where he described his aunt’s experiences vividly.

The Current Status / Ongoing Mystery

The Old State Capitol remains open to visitors and continues to attract paranormal enthusiasts. Tours often include stories of Mary Todd Lincoln’s hauntings and her husband’s ghostly appearances. The building has become a site of interest for those seeking evidence of the supernatural, with many continuing to report unexplained phenomena.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Did Mary Todd Lincoln really hear Abraham Lincoln calling her?

A: Yes, she claimed to have heard his voice multiple times after his death, particularly at night. Her accounts were detailed and consistent throughout her later years.

Q: Are there any official records or documents supporting these claims?

A: While there are no formal reports from government agencies, letters and memoirs from the time period provide first-hand accounts of Mary Todd Lincoln’s experiences.

Q: Have modern investigations supported the paranormal claims about the Old State Capitol?

A: Modern paranormal groups have reported voices and other unexplained phenomena, though these cannot be scientifically verified. The building continues to attract visitors interested in these reports.

Q: How did Mary Todd Lincoln’s personal life influence her alleged hauntings?

A: Her experiences of loss—especially the deaths of Abraham and Tad—likely contributed to her claims of paranormal encounters. The emotional trauma she endured may have made her more susceptible to such perceptions.

Q: Is there any evidence that these haunting claims are just a result of mental illness or grief?

A: While it is possible, many historical accounts and the consistent nature of Mary Todd Lincoln’s reports suggest that her experiences were genuine rather than solely due to psychological factors.