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To Tell the Truth
with
Mary Todd Lincoln
* With permission from Mark Goodson Productions
Host: Today's guest is Mary Todd Lincoln. Only one of the three on the panel is the REAL Mary Todd Lincoln. The other two are impostors. Your job is to listen carefully to the information presented and decide which of the three guests is the REAL Mary Todd Lincoln. Let's begin by meeting our guests.
Mary Todd Lincoln 1:Good Day, students. I am Mary Todd Lincoln.
Mary Todd Lincoln 2: What am I thinking, my name, is Mary Todd Lincoln! Hello to all of you. Can you tell, I enjoyed writing poetry?
Mary Todd Lincoln 3 :Greetings to you and thanks for inviting me to speak with you today. My name is Mary Todd Lincoln.
Host:Let's begin by reading this short summary on Mary Todd Lincoln:
I, was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in the year 1818. I married Abraham Lincoln, who would become the 16th president of the United States. I was first lady from 1861 to 1865. Interestingly, I was the first wife of a president to be called "First Lady". I suffered from much heartache during my lifetime, beginning with the death of my mother when I was just seven years old. My second son, Eddie, died when just a child of pulmonary tuberculosis. Another son, Willie got sick from typhoid fever, when Abe was the President, and died soon after, causing me to go into a deep depression. Then,my husband was tragically assassinated at Ford Theater, on April 14,1865. Too grief stricken to attend my husband's funeral(the first president to die at the hands of an assassin), I began to wear black crepe dresses, a black bonnet, and black veil for the rest of my life. My son,Tadd, and I traveled after leaving the White House, and then, he, too, died! My remaining son, had to put me in an institution. Eventually, I was allowed to leave the institution and went to spend the rest of my days at the home of my sister, a happy place, with memories of where I had married Abe so many years before. Who could have guessed the sadness that my life would have? I sat in a darkened room at my sister's home, with shades completely closed, until I died at the age of 63 in 1882. Some say that an injury I sustained in 1863, when I was thrown from my carriage and the fact that I might have suffered from diabetes could have resulted in some of my strange behaviors such as contacting spiritualists to communicate with my dead loved ones,sleeping with the lights on fearing that someone wanted to murder me, worrying about being poor and sewing money into the hems of my dresses. Then, again, how might you have behaved having had such a sad life, losing so many people that you dearly loved?
Signed,
Mary Todd Lincoln
Panelist 1: Born Mary Ann Todd, you had to drop the Ann when your younger sister was named "Ann", something you did so unwillingly. Your mother died when you were just a little girl. Your dad married again. Your step mother, Betsey Todd, treated her "own children" differently and was very uncaring to you and the other children from your father's first wife.What memories do you have about growing up as a young girl?
Mary Todd Lincoln 1: When I was about ten years old, I remember, Mammy, the woman that cared for us Todd children, giving food to a runaway slave. When I asked her what she was doing, she told me to keep it a secret. I learned that Mammy had a mark carved into the fence to show other runaways, that the house was one where they would be fed and be given help. I promised Mammy I would keep what she was doing a secret and, asked if I could help, too.
Mary Todd Lincoln 2: When I was about fourteen, my stepmother saw me climbing onto the ridgepole of the carriage house. The view from the top was really beautiful. My stepmother ordered me to get down. She didn't know that I had made a huge pile of leaves on the other side of the building. I jumped. She was horrified until she found me in the pile of leaves. She was angry and told me that I'd better grow up.
Mary Todd Lincoln: My sister and I loved the fashion of the time for women to wear hoop skirts. Lizzie and I decided to sew willow branches into the hems of our skirts to copy the fashion and look grown-up. When we got to church people began to laugh at us. My stepmother ordered us to remove the willow branches. Actually, when I saw what the skirts looked like, I realized that we looked foolish but when Betsey Todd went on to retell the story to her friends, I was very embarrassed. To get even,I put lots of salt in her coffee!
Panelists 2: One day, while visiting your uncle, you and your little sister, Ann Marie, came upon four Indians. Only eleven years old, you didn't let on that you were frightened. You addressed the Indians by telling them they had better not touch your little sister. When your uncle came upon the scene, it turned out the men were friends of his. One of the Indians, named Red Wolf, told your uncle that you were a very brave young lady. Can you tell us more about your childhood,Mary Todd Lincoln?
Mary Todd Lincoln 1: I didn't feel welcome in my stepmother's house. When I was just nine years old, I was sent to boarding school. I would continue with boarding school for 10 years, even though my home was only a couple of miles away. During my time, it was very unusual for a girl to get such an education, something I valued in my life.
Mary Todd Lincoln 2: As Mary Todd Lincoln 2 just said,I was fortunate to have received a lengthy education. I learned to speak both French and German. Learning came easily for me. I enjoyed talking politics with my father, when I had the opportunity to see him. Would you believe that politics was a topic not considered proper for young ladies to discuss?
Mary Todd Lincoln 3:During my time, we didn't have the internet which you have today. There wasn't emailing, Facebook, Twitter or texting. As was common for my day, I spend most mornings writing letters to family and friends. I enjoyed speaking my mind and was told I was quick witted but had a sharp tongue which often got me into trouble for offending people.
Panelist 3: Your family wasn't thrilled with your engagement to Abraham Lincoln. He was known for wearing woodsman's boots and for clothes that were too small for him. Your family saw him as poor, not as educated as you and, felt that he wouldn't amount to much. They were certainly wrong! Tell us something about your life with Abraham Lincoln.
Mary Todd Lincoln 1:Abe was a bit clumsy,and often stepped on my toes when dancing. I suggested that he grow a beard so he'd look more distinguished.
Mary Todd Lincoln 2: Because of Abe's height, he was recruited to play professionally basketball playing for the Washington Wonders. Abe was nicknamed Leaping Lincoln because of his great rebounding skills. He left the NBA to become president, the first professional basketball player to become President of the United States. He was the first president to place a basketball court on the White House grounds.
Mary Todd Lincoln 3: I saw in Abraham someone that had the ambition to become President of the United States and I wished to help him(and me) reach that goal. I was the first wife of a presidential candidate to speak at rallies and against Abe's opponents. When Abe won the election, he ran to me saying, "We are elected." It was certainly a proud moment for both of us.
Panelist 4:
Your sons,Tad and Willie liked to "drive"their two pet goats with a chair through the East Room of the White House. Another time, your son was so upset that a turkey he'd named,"Jack",was going to become Thanksgiving dinner,that Abraham Lincoln, pardoned the bird, starting the tradition which presidents continue to do each Thanksgiving holiday.What was it like living in the White House as First Lady?
Mary Todd Lincoln 1: With a one-lane bowling alley in the White House basement,,swimming pool, tennis court and even a movie theater with all the latest movies,(my personal favorite being Avatar) not to mention people to wait on you 24 hours a day, you can imagine that the White House is a wonderful place to live. Did you know that the White House has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, and 147 windows?
Mary Todd Lincoln 2: Living in the White House is like living in a fish bowl. Everyone is watching everything that is done by the President and first family. People were always trying to get a peek of us as they gathered by the fence surrounding the White House. One day, someone got a photograph of me wearing curlers,face cream, capri pants and walking around the grounds in purple flowered flip-flops. It was published in the newspaper to my embarrassment. Another time, someone actually hauled a circus cannon to the fence and jumped inside. His friend lit the fuse, catapulting the man onto the White House lawn while we were having a family picnic. He landed right onto the plaid blanket where we were sitting. I didn't want to be rude so I offered the man a hot dog!
Mary Todd Lincoln 3: At the time the White House was considered a public house. People actually could come and wander around taking pieces of curtains as souvenirs and stealing things. Can you imagine that? When Abe and I arrived, the White House was in bad shape. The rugs were worn, the wallpaper dirty and old. Dinnerware was mismatched and the furniture was broken. I asked Congress for money to restore the White House and was given $20,000, a lot of money at the time. It was almost the salary which Abe received as president of the United States. Once I got started, I spent much more than the money allotted. Abe didn't want to cause problems with Congress and said that he'd pay the additional $7,000 from our own money. I was much criticized for my spending throughout my time in the White House and this was no exception.
Panelist 5: Many people criticized that fact you were from a "country town in the west" and wouldn't know how to be a first lady. You were criticized for the money you spent on clothes trying to impress your critics but this only increased their dislike of you and gave them negative things to say about you. You supposedly bought 300 pairs of lace gloves in just a couple of months when soldiers couldn't get blankets. Your critics also called you a traitor to the north, being from Kentucky and having brothers fighting in the Confederacy. Can you share with us how you felt to the harsh comments made about you?
Mary Todd Lincoln 1: As the saying goes,"Sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt you." People were just jealous that I got to live in the White House, married to a man that became president of the United States. It didn't bother me a bit.
Mary Todd Lincoln 2:I actually challenged one television reporter, who was especially mean spirited toward me, to a water duel. We went out on into the Rose Garden, and used Nerf Waterguns. I completely soaked the woman and I remained completely dry as her watergun wasn't filled with any water! OK, maybe, I shouldn't have had a full time dressmaker since this gave more full for their criticism.
Mary Todd Lincoln 3:Sure, some of my brothers fought and died for the Confederacy, but most of my siblings were supporters of the north during the Civil War, including me! When there was a hearing held the the Committee on the Conduct of the War to investigate me for charges of "communicating with the enemy"(my sister Emilie was forced to leave after coming for a visit after people called us "rebels in the White House"). This angered me, greatly.
Panelist 6:During the war, you visited wounded soldiers in the hospitals, bringing them lemons and oranges and stopping to talk with each soldier. What were some of the issues for which you supported as First Lady?
Mary Todd Lincoln 1: I was a supporter of slavery and, argued often, with Abe about his Emancipation Proclamation idea.
Mary Todd Lincoln 2: I supported increased technology and I helped to develop the White House website where people can obtain information on what is going on with a click of a mouse. It was also my idea to have a live stream of the President's weekly Presidential addresses to the nation. I also posed for a number of photographs by the famed Civil War photographer, Mathew Brady, which I scanned to the website.
Mary Todd Lincoln 3: I was a supporter of the abolitionist movement, to rid slavery in our land. My husband, Abe, valued my judgement. We often discussed politics and issues each night.
Host: It is now time for the panelists and members of our audience to decide who is the REAL Mary Todd Lincoln. Please vote for number 1, number 2 or number 3. Alright, the votes have been cast...Will the REAL Mary Todd Lincoln, please stand up?
Additional Information:
As students read the play, consider pausing between one or more of the panelists' questions to review the information students have heard. Invite opinions about which guest may be the real Mary Todd Lincoln, encouraging students to share their reasoning along with their responses. Remind the class that only the real guest must always tell the truth.
Time for the REAL Mary Todd Lincoln To Please Stand Up!
Once all the votes have been cast, establish that__3_______
is the real Mary Todd Lincoln. Then review the play, making sure that students are
aware of these facts from each section of the play:
Panelists #1 and #2: All responses are correct.
Facts about the White House are correct although the pool, theater, tennis court and bowling alley didn’t exist during the time that Lincoln was the president.
Mary Todd Lincoln did have a full time dressmaker and did pose for photographs with the famed Civil War photographer, Mathew Brady.
It was actually Grace Bedell,11 , who wrote a letter suggesting that Lincoln grown whiskers saying that ladies would like a man with a beard and his face wouldn't look so thin.
Discussion Questions:
1. Would you have liked Mary Todd Lincoln for a friend? Explain why or why not.
2. Make a list of the positive and negative characteristics of Mary Todd Lincoln.
3. What is something about Mary Todd Lincoln you found most interesting?
4. When did you suspect ______were impostors? Why?
Activities:
1. Write a diary entry as if you were Mary Todd Lincoln and tell about a memory you had about something that happened to you.
Additional Resources:
Mary Todd Lincoln , Tragic First Lady of the Civil War by Mary E. Hull(Enslow Publishers,Inc.) 2000
Mary Todd Lincoln by Lavere Anderson(Garrard Publishing Company)1975
Website on Mary Todd Lincoln:
http://www.lincolnbicentennial.gov/lincolns-life/lincolns-family/mary-todd-lincoln/default.aspx
Other websites used to develop this play:
* Always check websites before having students use them.