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Known
as "Willie" (1850-62), the Lincolns' third child died in
the White House on February 20, 1862 at age eleven. His death devastated both parents, and it cast a dark shadow over the remaining years of Lincoln's presidency. When the president gazed at his son's body, he mourned, "My poor boy, he was too good for this earth. God has called him home. I know that he is much better off in heaven, but then we loved him so. It is hard, hard to have him die!" Mary Lincoln was inconsolable in the loss of her favorite son. To add to the anguish, Tad, her youngest son, lay seriously ill in another room. Both children apparently suffered from typhoid fever contracted from contaminated drinking water. For more information, see Mr. Lincoln's White House. |
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William
Wallace Lincoln
by Mathew Brady, 1861 Click image to enlarge. Copyright 2002 The Chicago Historical Society |
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