Mary A. Livermore (1820-1905) A prominent activist in the U.S. Sanitary Commission, Mary A. Livermore helped as a nurse and fundraiser. She was the wife of the editor of the Chicago-based New Covenant, a Universalist publication where she also worked as an… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Kate Chase Sprague (1840-1899) Daughter of Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, Kate Chase Sprague married Rhode Island Senator William Sprague during the Civil War. She was beautiful, charming, precocious, a leading social figure in… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Jane Grey Swisshelm (1815-1884) Jane Grey Swisshelm was a journalist, abolitionist, temperance advocate and feminist. During the early part of the Civil War, she was based in Minnesota with her family. She came to Washington to urge a harsh response to… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Nettie Colburn (1841-1892) Mrs. Lincoln first encountered Colburn at the home of Cranstoun Laurie, a top official in the Post Office. As Nettie Coburn later recalled her meeting, she went with Laurie to his home after failing in attempts to obtain an… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Samuel F. Du Pont (1803-1865) When the Civil War broke out, Samuel F. Du Pont took the initiative to protect Washington by sending naval vessels in Chesapeake Bay. During the summer and early fall of 1861, Du Pont cemented a close relationship with… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Military Visitors Soldiers were particularly welcome at the White House. “Lincoln’s reception of the soldiers who were among the crowd could not have been more impressive. Small wonder the army adored him,” recalled Grant aide John Eaton… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Robert K. Stone (1822-1872) According to Dr. Milton Shutes, Dr. Stone “was selected (though politically unsympathetic) as the family physician and became a more or less frequent caller on the President and his family. Mrs. Lincoln suffered much from attacks of severe…” Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

John Covode (1808-1871) Covode was aggressive in personal relations and in his defense of the Union. He visited President-elect Lincoln in Springfield and urged that Simon Cameron not be appointed to the Cabinet – even signing a petition to… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Reverdy Johnson (1796-1876) Reverdy Johnson was a Senator from Maryland (Whig, Democrat, 1845-49, 1863-68), Attorney General (1849-50) under President Zachary Taylor and Minister to Great Britain (1868-1869). A key supporter of Stephen Douglas in 1860, Johnson became a… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) Harriet Beecher Stowe was an anti-slavery activist and the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a novel that did much to radicalize northerners against slavery. Harriet was the daughter, wife and sister of famous preachers… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >