On April 15, 2021, the 156th anniversary of the assassination of President Lincoln, I shared before fellow Arts Club of Washington members and friends, the life story of my great, great grandmother, Elizabeth Dixon, the woman depicted in deathbed paintings, (shown above) who comforted Mrs. Lincoln throughout the tragic night at the Petersen House and was among the few who witnessed President Lincoln’s death.
Up until now, history had erased any trace of the Civil War friendship shared by the Lincolns and Elizabeth Dixon. Recently, I discovered a lost trove of family papers, writings and friendship keepsakes that confirmed her friendship with the Lincolns from their first days in Washington until their last.
Each artifact and page provided a new detail that verified the sweet friendship shared with the Lincolns, and four generations later, shared her life story and a glimpse into the lives of the Lincolns from a new vantage point.
Within the lines of one of these lost letters we confirm Mary Lincoln and Elizabeth Dixon’s close friendship;
October 1865 Letter from Mary Lincoln to Elizabeth L. C. Dixon
My saddened memory often recalls you to mind and your gentleness and tender sympathy. It could never be forgotten in the middle of my grief, on that terrible night, which has left me so desolate and brokenhearted, it has often struck me as strange yet. Not so that even whilst I was so wild in my despair, when Robert said to me mother, what ladies shall I go. I immediately exclaimed Mrs. Dixon and Mrs. Kinney! The scenes we then passed through are continually present with me and will ever bow my head in sorrow and in vain regret.
To watch the April 15, 2021 program on YouTube:
LOST + FOUND HISTORY 