Notable Visitors Among the visitors to the White House were many politicians and office-seekers. Although Mr. Lincoln seldom read the newspapers, some of the regular visitors were journalists. Some of them were family friends—like Noah Brooks. Some were also prominent Republican leaders… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Mary’s Charlatans Journalist Henry Villard noted that Mary Todd Lincoln started contributing to President Lincoln’s troubles as soon as the family arrived in Washington. She had very strong opinions about people. If she could not convince her husband directly, she sometimes tried more circuitous routes to obtain… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Employees & Staff Most of the household employees of the White House were white although there were several blacks, including butler-waiter Peter Brown, cook Cornelia Mitchell, and an usher named Edward. The President himself brought a black servant with him from Illinois but racial problems… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882) Called “Mother” by Mr. Lincoln, Mary Todd was the fourth child of Robert and Eliza Parker Todd. Raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Mary came to Springfield, Illinois to visit her sisters in 1840. After a tumultuous courtship, she married Abraham Lincoln on November 4, 1842. Often… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Robert Todd Lincoln (1843-1926) Robert Todd Lincoln, or “Bob” and “Prince of Rails” (a nickname developed on the President-elect’s trip to Washington and one which Robert detested), was named after Mary Todd’s father and was the oldest of the Lincoln children. Cross-eyed as child, he developed into a reserved but determined… Abraham Lincoln’s White House […]

Thomas Lincoln (1853-1871) The youngest Lincoln son was named after Abraham Lincoln’s father, Thomas, but “Tad’s” nickname stemmed from his father’s belief that he resembled a tadpole at birth. He was rambunctious child who was a favorite of his father, particularly after the death of his bosom brother… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

William Wallace Lincoln (1850-1862) “Willie” was named after Mary Todd’s brother-in-law, Dr. William Wallace. He was a handsome, smart, serious and thoughtful child who was the favorite of Mary Todd Lincoln and her husband. Her cousin, Elizabeth Todd Grimsley, described Willie as a “noble,… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Visitors from Congress President Lincoln paid special attention to the patronage requests of members of Congress. Congressmen George Julian recalled that President Lincoln was assailed by an “army of place-seekers.” The President had to balance the interests of different party factions in order to maintain… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

The Generals and Admirals President Lincoln’s primary concern was the conduct of the Civil War so it was natural that military leaders would be frequent visitors to the White House. Union commanders like Winfield Scott, George B. McClellan and Henry Halleck made their headquarters in Washington… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Relatives & Residents There were seven bedrooms on the second floor of the White House where the office of the President was also located. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln each occupied one. Lincoln’s secretaries, John Nicolay and John Hay, occupied another one. After Willie died, only Tad needed a… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >