Authoring, Researching, Reporting and other Work

The Lincolns:  A Pageant
By Howard Taylor

Ann Todd Smith

Hello.  I am Mary Lincoln's youngest sister, and am 6 years younger than her.  Everyone calls me Ann.  I am a Kentucky girl, and love to go to the big parties that my parents and sister Elizabeth like to hold.  I don't get up to Springfield very often, but am very happy to be here at the Lincoln home today.  All of us sisters are having a re-union here at Mary's house.  She has such a fine home.

Where I come from is way down south where plantation owners have slaves.  Our daddy has slaves, and needs them to keep in the farming business.  I know some of our slaves, especially the ones that work in our house.  They are good people.  We had a slave nanny that took care of us when we were little.  We all loved her very much.  Our dad is good to the slaves, but expects them to do their jobs well.  He makes sure they well fed and don't get sick.  If they do, he has a doctor see them.

It is colder up here in Illinois.  You get lots of snow and ice, which we don't see as often in the South. While in Springfield, we have to dress much warmer and keep the fires going in the fireplaces all the time.

Mary has a big family, and maybe some day I will have a big family.  Right now it looks like a lot of work.  I enjoy the boys, but they get too rough to play with.  Willie is such a sweet little boy.  He looks and acts just like his father, Abraham.

Well, I hope you enjoy your visit to Mary's house.  Come on down to Lexington to visit with us sometime.