Family collection of lost letters, diaries and objects found in attics and archives retrace archetypal ancestors' footprints to discover their lost life stories
Lost + Found Friendship: stories of lore and legend, and never before seen Civil War heirlooms found in attics and archives retrace my family’s Civil War footprints and friendship they shared with the Lincolns. From their first days in Washington until their last— the Lost + Found Friendship story offers a rare glimpse into the lives of the Lincolns from a new vantage point.
LOST + FOUND FRIENDSHIP
Lost + Found Friendship: is presented for the first time in 155 years. Featuring family Civil War letters, heirlooms, and friendship keepsakes discovered in family attics and archives. Preserved over four generations, the items retrace one family’s Civil War footprints and the friendship they shared with the Lincolns — from their first days in Washington until their last.
Lost + Found Friendship shares a unique glimpse into the lives of the Lincolns from a new vantage point.
Lost + Found Friendship program is available as virtual or live event for public libraries, house museums or historical groups.
In 2000, right around the time I discovered the Alonzo Chappel painting that confirmed Elizabeth Dixon’s friendship with Mary Lincoln, I found this letter sent to my father in 1978 from James O. Hall.
Hall’s inquiry took me down rabbit hole but am glad I was able to connect with Dr. Hall shortly before he died. This letter was written two years after the film, Lincoln Conspiracy was released.
James O. Hall letter page 1
James O. Hall letter page 2 and note
Notes:
May 15, 2000, I spoke by phone with James O. Hall, who was, as it turned out, the authoritative expert on the Lincoln assassination. He suggested I go to the Washingtonia Room at the Martin Luther King Library to find the National Intelligencer papers or the Library of Congress Reading Room. Also, see Michael Musick at the National Archives regarding WW Corcoran’s clandestine trip to Europe in 1865. He wondered if James C. Welling was mentioned. Locations etc. He said check Civil War Times editorials regarding Neff fabrication. Jack Davis, William C. Davis is the editor that collaborated with him on articles and research. Hall had a friend named Alan Weber who has the Chappel file, about to sell for big $$$. He said Neff’s fabrication, “Lincoln Conspiracy”, he was a professor at Indiana, and had a falling out and is now a private detective. Hall said; “He is a good liar.” He sent an article he wrote for the 1993 Surratt Courier, as a follow up. It was very interesting.
At the end of our conversation I asked James O. Hall; “What do you think James Clarke Welling would have done if he was given Booth’s letter?”
He replied; “I think he was a good journalist and would have given it to Stanton.”
Over the last 20 years, I have thought back on our talk and continue to wonder, why would someone like Neff and Lynch intentionally lead people to believe in a hoax? “6,000 letters?” Who has such a collection and why the secrecy? No answers today, tomorrow or perhaps never. Just makes me wonder…
During my Jan 16, 2021 interview on Untold Civil War podcast we spoke about a couple major events of the Civil War that were witnessed by members of my family.
On August 22, 1862 when President Lincoln finished his famous letter to Horace Greeley he had the letter delivered to and published by National Intelligencer editor, my great grandfather, James Clarke Welling.
Also, another family member, my great great grandmother, Elizabeth L. C. Dixon was a witness at the Petersen House, when President Lincoln died at 7:22 am on April 15, 1865.
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Paul and I discuss Civil War heirlooms that retrace my family’s Civil War footprints and friendship with the Lincolns, from the Lincolns’ first days in Washington until their last.
Last Hours of Abraham Lincoln
Until now, little is known about these lady friends of Mary Lincoln who witnessed Lincoln’s death.
We discuss, the possibly as to, why it’s taken 155 years to learn who they were and why these friends were at the Petersen House.
Elizabeth Dixon, Mary Lincoln at Lincoln’s deathbed
Mrs. Mary C. Kinney and Miss Constance Kinney, future Countess Gianotti, wife of Count Caesar Gianotti of Italy.
Shown on the top, is my great-great grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth L. C. Dixon with outstretched Mary Lincoln and the dying president.
Below are two other family members who witnessed Lincoln’s death– the sister of Elizabeth L.C. Dixon, Mrs. Mary C. Kinney and niece, Miss Constance Kinney, future Countess Gianotti, wife of Count Caesar Gianotti, of Italy.
Please listen to the episode and let me know if you find it informative and/or interesting.
Elizabeth Dixon comforted her friend, Mary Lincoln at President Lincoln’s deathbed
As noted on Events page, on April 14-15, 2015 Fords Theater in Washington D.C. partnered with National Portrait Gallery and National Park Service to commemorate the 150 year anniversary of the death of President Abraham Lincoln by hosting around-the-clock public events.
In attendance, anonymously, were the great-great grandchildren of Elizabeth L. C. Dixon. She was the close friend of Mary Lincoln, who also witnessed President Lincoln’s final hours of life. After his death, it was she who brought Mary Lincoln, now a lonely widow, back to the White House alone. Mrs. Elizabeth L.C. Dixon shunned all publicity and never wished to be associated to the night Lincoln died.
On 4/15/2015 the grandchildren of the grandchildren of Elizabeth Dixon attended Lincoln 150 at Fords Theater.
In honor of her personal strength and the loving kindness shown to Mary Lincoln throughout the tragic event, the grandchildren of her grandchildren anonymously, with no fanfare, stood among the throngs of spectators in attendance during Fords Theater 150 events.
During the 150 Lincoln commemoration the Dixon cousins assembled for private viewing of Elizabeth LC Dixon’s collection of letters and Civil War relics shared for the first time in 150 years. These artifacts preserved by her grandchildren so that their grandchildren may also be given a glimpse into the lives of the Lincoln’s and their personal friendships.
East entrance funeral pass carried by Elizabeth Dixon
These items were passed down from Elizabeth Dixon, friend who comforted Mary Lincoln at Lincoln deathbed
150 years after Elizabeth Dixon witnessed Lincoln’s last hours her great-great grandchildren attended Fords Theater Lincoln 150 Events.
Great-grandchildren of Elizabeth Dixon, lady friend who comforted Mary Lincoln and witnessed death of Lincoln attend Lincoln 150
But who was Elizabeth L.C. Dixon? Who was this mysterious woman seated next to Mary Lincoln in the famous painting of individuals present at the deathbed of President Lincoln?
1840 wedding portrait of Elizabeth Dixon
After Elizabeth Dixon witnessed Lincoln’s death she virtually erased herself from history. She would still be a nameless face in that painting if not for the publication of The Diary of Elizabeth Dixon 1845-47 in White House History, Issue 33.
Take a peak and read about her first impressions of the Capital city during the Polk administration and even meeting the infamous Dolley Madison.
Next up: I am currently working on another of her diaries — transcription of Elizabeth Dixon’s diary written in 1840-41 while in her European Honeymoon. I am still working on this and looking for a publisher. Please contact me for details.
LOST + FOUND HISTORY 