History

Mary Todd Lincoln House

This two-story brick, late Georgian house with its stone water table and belt course was built in 1803-1806 as an inn by William Palmateer. It was operated by Palmateer as an inn until the late 1820’s. By1831 Palmateer came under financial distress and sold the property to Robert S. Todd, father of Mary Todd Lincoln. In 1832, when Mary was 13 years old, Mr. Todd moved his family to this newly renovated house.

The property consisted of a 14 room main house, a kitchen with lodging for servants, a spring house, a wash house, smoke house, and stables with a carriage house.

On November 26, 1812, Robert Todd married Eliza Parker at her home on Short Street. Eliza gave birth to seven children, including Mary Ann Todd who was born on December 13, 1818. Eliza died on July 5, 1825 after the birth of George, her seventh child. A little over a year later, November 1826, Robert Todd married Elizabeth (Betsy) Humphreys of Frankfort. Betsy and Robert had nine children bringing the total of Todd children to 16. One son from each marriage died in infancy.

Mr. Todd died of cholera on July 16, 1849. Because of a discrepancy in his will a public auction was forced resulting in the sale of the house and its entire contents. From this sale a copy of an inventory list was obtained and used in selecting the antiques to place in the house when it was restored.

In 1839, at the age of 21, Mary Todd left Lexington to live with her sister, Elizabeth Todd Edwards, in Springfield, Illinois. There she met, and in 1842, married attorney and political figure, Abraham Lincoln. In 1847, while on their way to Washington, Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln brought their two young sons to visit Mary’s girlhood home. During this visit Mr. Lincoln spent hours enjoying Robert Todd’s extensive library.

Today, the 14 room house contains period furniture, family portraits and furnishings from the Todds as well as the Lincolns. A recently added garden reflects the charm of the original and offers a pleasant respite for visitors.