Every year on this day, I pause to remember the courage and kindness shown by my great-great grandmother on April 15th 1865. Summoned from her home on Lafayette Square, she was brought to the Petersen House across from Ford’s Theater to comfort her dear friend, Mary Lincoln, where she remained throughout the night and at 7:22am witnessed the death of President Abraham Lincoln.
It was the discovery of her lost diaries, letters and friendship keepsakes that retrace our family’s Civil War footprints and the Lincolns’ —from their first days in Washington until their last. Thank you, Elizabeth L. C. Dixon, for sharing your journey and a glimpse into the lives of the Lincolns from a new vantage point.
Video of my first visit to the Petersen House, April 15, 2005 8:00am, as Taylor Lane and I waited for our private tour given by Ford’s Theater NPS park ranger, Rae Emerson of the Petersen House, where our great-great grandmother had comforted her friend, Mary Lincoln throughout the night and present at 7:22am to witness the death of President Abraham Lincoln.
LOST + FOUND HISTORY 