Retrace Civil War Footprints

1862 Feb Lincoln White House Dinner Invitation

2012-02-07T15:54:00.000-05:00

From Dixon-Welling collection at Connecticut Historical Society Ms 46829

The President & Mrs Lincoln

request the honor of Sen. & Mrs. Dixon's

company at dinner.

Mrs. Lincoln also hosted a reception

for an old acquaintance of Mrs. Dixon's

Gen. Tom Thumb with his bride, Lavinia Warren.

From Mrs. Dixon's photo album

Tom Thumb and Mrs. Dixon met on board

the Great Western steamship heading to

their 1841 European Grand Tour.

CDV by Brady of Lavinia, wife of Tom Thumb

with their infant daughter.

1862 July Lincoln's Proclamation Draft Preserved

2012-01-01T10:25:00.000-05:00

Abraham Lincoln, Proclamation. Manuscript, 1862

Interesting Relic Donated:

In 1864 James Clarke Welling donated President Abraham Lincoln's draft to the1864 Great Fair of Philadelphia.

Interesting Relic

'This manuscript draft of Lincoln’s Proclamation of July 25, 1862 vowing to confiscate rebel property (a prelude to the Emancipation Proclamation), was auctioned to raise funds at the Fair.

The lucky bidder was Library Company member Anne Hampton Brewster, who later donated it to the Library Company.'

http://www.librarycompany.org/mcallisterexhibition/section6.htm

by Denise M. Larrabee

Coincidentally, the daughter of James Clarke Welling was friend Genevieve who gave nickname of "social outlaw" to Anne Hampton Brewster, the lucky bidder Anne Hampton Brewster, who later donated manuscript draft to Library Company

Today we can visit this American History Treasure and see it on exhibit in Philadelphia at Library Company and Pennsylvania Historical Museum. For details about exhibits go to the http://www.librarycompany.org/

See Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln Volume5. 5:341-42. Proclamation of the Act to SuppressInsurrection, 25 July 1862.

For Daily National Intelligencer references see Lincoln’sEmancipation Proclamation: the end of slavery in America by Allen Guelzo and Eloquent President by Ronald C. White,Jr.

1862 August 22 Greeley Letter On Exhibit

2011-12-01T12:05:00.000-05:00

Ifthere is one document that is more often quoted than any other in the argument, debate, or conversation about Lincoln it is the letter that Lincoln wrote onAugust 22, 1862 to Horace Greeley.

Phillip ShawPaludan

This wonderful exhibit of history in the making is on exhibit at The Wadsworth Atheneum- for details click here: Lincoln's Famous Greeley Letter on Exhibit At Wadsworth

My great grandfather, James Clarke Welling published President Lincoln's reply to Horace Greeley on August 23, 1862 in the Daily National Intelligencer. He kept the original handwritten letter by Lincoln and included a facsimile of the letter in severalpublications, specifically the 1880 issue of Allen Thorndike Rice’s NorthAmerican Review.

Later the famous Greeley letter wasdonated by my family to the Wadsworth Atheneum, HartfordConnecticut. This is the Wadsworth receipt given to my greataunt, Miss Elizabeth Dixon.


Wadsworth receipt for Greeley letter

1861 Follow Lincoln Footprints 2011

2011-11-16T17:23:00.001-05:00

“The better part of one's life consists of his friendships” ― Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln Friends: Retrace Civil War Footprints

slated to begin Spring 2012

Here is a sneak peak. Let me know if it sounds interesting.

Other Lincoln Projects on the boards:

The Night Lincoln Died

Presentation and Exhibit

(watch for my updated link with schedule and details) or email schedulelincolnfriends@gmail.com

Civil War Sesquicentennial Series: Archival Reproductions of

Lincoln's Famous Greeley Letter

(details to follow)

Stay tuned.

Your Lincoln Friend

Lincoln Friends' DC Residences

2011-11-12T15:47:00.000-05:00

I have often wondered where my Connecticut relatives, Senator James Dixon, wife Elizabeth, daughters Betty, Clementine, sons Jamie and Harry lived in Washington during the Civil War. Relics from our family archive offer some clues; an envelope addressed to Mrs. Dixon and one addressed to Senator Dixon.

During the Civil War Mrs. Lincoln wrote a note to Mrs. Dixon at 305 Corcoran's Row. President Lincoln crossed that address out and changed the address to Presidents Square.

Becauserevisions to the numbering systems before and after the Civil War, I have had a difficult confirming where these addresses are in present day Washington, DC.

City directories retrace the Dixons back to a home at 28 Presidents Square.

The District of Columbia directory notes in:

1863 Sen. J. Dixon 28 Presidents Square PA Avenue
1864 Sen. J. Dixon 28 PA Avenue

In Reminiscences and Souvenirs of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Edward Buckingham other neighbors were Henry R. Rathbone, who on April 14th, 1865 along with Miss Clara H. Harris left his residence at the corner of Fifteenth and H Streets and joined the President and Mrs. Lincoln and went with them in their carriage to Ford's Theater, in Tenth Street.

1861 July 27 Lincoln letter published by Welling,

2011-07-27T16:24:00.000-04:00

July 27, 1861

From the Archive of James C. Welling, editor of the National Intelligencer:

The original draft written by President Lincoln in reply to letter from Maryland Members of the House of Representatives both dated July 27, 1861

James C. Welling, editor of the National Intelligencer, published the letter for President Lincoln. Lincoln's reply remained in the family up until the letter was donated by James Clarke Welling's daughter on September 24, 1957

Ms 64990 Abraham Lincolnletter, 27 July 1861

EXECUTIVE MANSION, July 27, 1861.

Hon. Edwin Webster, J.W. Crisfield, C.S.S. Seay, Charles B. Calvert

Gentlemen:---

Yours of to-day, with the enclosure from Mr. Ridgely, has been received and referred to General Scott, as I know nothing whatever of the particular case.

May I beg you to consider the difficulties of my position and solicit your kind assistance in it?

Our security in the seizing of arms for our destruction

will amount to nothing at all, if we are never to make mistakes in searching a place where there are none.

I shall continue to do the very best I can to discriminate between true and false men.

Ms 64990 Abraham Lincolnletter, 27 July 1861

In the mean time, let me, once more, beg your assistance in allaying initiatives which are unavoidable.

Yours, very truly,

A. LINCOLN.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

New York Times reprint transcript below

continues the conversation.

THE ADMINISTRATION AND MARYLAND

Published: August 9, 1861

From the National Intelligencer.

The subjoined correspondence will be specially interesting to our readers in the State of Maryland, as serving to show the zeal and efficiency with which the interests and rights of that State are guarded by its Representatives in Congress, as also the promptitude with which a favorable response was received from the Executive and the General-in-Chief.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, July 27, 1861.

To the President of the United States:

SIR: The undersigned beg leave to lay before you the inclosed letter of JAMES L. RIDGELY, Esq., of Baltimore County, in the State, of Maryland.

Mr. RIDGELY gives a circumstantial account of a visit to his premises, and of a search thereof, made by a party of soldiers of the United States, professing to act by authority of this Government, which seem to us to be very extraordinary and unnecessary.

Mr. RIDGELY is a distinguished citizen of Maryland, well known for his private virtues and for his uniform and consistent loyalty to the Union and the Constitution. Any statement proceeding from him is entitled to full consideration.
In bringing this letter and the facts detailed to your notice, we avail ourselves of the occasion to express our regret that similar cases of military visitation and search, sometimes accompanied by arrest, have been permitted in Maryland, without just reason or necessity. Such visits, searches and arrests, more than any thing which has occurred, keep the minds of our people excited, and afford to the enemies of the Union means of continued agitation.

We respectfully suggest the propriety of having the military restrained to acts in support of the civil authority; or, if cases arise in which the public welfare requires prompter action, then that no visit, search or arrest be made, except upon the order of the officer in command of the district, in writing, setting forth the cause of the visit, search or arrest, and the proof upon which the order is issued. We have the honor to be, yours, &c.,

EDWIN H. WEBSTER,
J.W. CRISFIELD,
C.L.L. LEARY,
CHARLES B. CALVERT.

P.S. -- Messrs. MAY and THOMAS are not in the city, and hence they could not be consulted.

Ms 64990 Abraham Lincolnletter, 27 July 1861, Executive Mansion, to EdwinWebster, et. al. Donatedby Miss Elizabeth D. Welling+ on 24 September 1957.

+ Miss Elizabeth D. Welling was Aunt Elsa to us, James C. Welling's daughter and granddaughter of Senator James Dixon

1861 July 20 Sen. Dixon of CT witnesses Bull Run

2011-07-20T20:44:00.000-04:00

Saturday, July 20, 1861
Sec. Simon Cameron returnsfrom Gen. McDowell's headquarters at Manassas, Va., and reports orallyto President on preparation of army for impending battle.

Sunday, July 21, 1861. President Lincoln returnsto White House about 7 P.M. and learns from Sec. Seward that battle has beenlost. Remains awake all night, listening to stories of senators andcongressmen returning from battlefield.

1861 June 20 Mary Lincoln's Voice

2011-07-20T14:18:00.000-04:00

Mary Lincoln's Plea to Kentucky

1861 July 15

2011-07-15T15:10:00.007-04:00

July 15, 1861

FROM THE SENATE

Senator James Dixon presented a petition from citizens of the State of Connecticut in favor of sustaining the Government in the war.

1861 July 1st

2011-06-13T15:37:00.000-04:00

July 1 1861

CONTENT INFO: Content associated with this blog was created by Caroline Welling Van Deusen. 1, such as Civil War papers, ephemera, textiles, furniture, journals, photographs, letters, family antidotes, memorabilia descend from Sen. James Dixon (1812-1873) from Connecticut, his wife Elizabeth Lord (Cogswell) Dixon (1818-1871). Their daughters Elizabeth L. Dixon (1843 -1942). Clementine (Dixon) Welling (1845-1911) and husband, James Clarke Welling (1825-1894)

Blog creator hopes these forgotten relics passed down from her great grandparents offer a glimpse into the Civil War and the lives of the Lincolns from a new vantage point.

1861 Lincoln's 1st Inauguration

2011-03-04T16:24:00.017-05:00

March 1861

1860 Role as Editor of National Intelligencer

2010-12-31T10:43:00.001-05:00

1860

Hon. William Seaton, surviving editor of the National Intelligencer, announced James C. Welling as editor of editorial content.

Note from blog owner:

The magnitude of my discovery about my great-great grandparents' and their friendship with the Lincolns was somewhat diminished after delving into papers left by my great grandfather, James C. Welling, NationalIntelligencer editor who advised Lincoln from his first days in office as President.

This discovery along with his writings and historical Civil War documents left by him has been ....like touching history... so fascinating... fertile soil and seed from which this blog hath bloomed.

Connecticut Life Before and After

2010-12-01T12:11:00.001-05:00

I wonder if this account will be amusing in after years, for that was my object in writing it. A giddy life for those who entered into it, but my head was not turned by it. Elizabeth L. C. Dixon Washington 1847

For a glimpse into their lives of the Sen. James Dixon before and after the Civil War, head to Hartford, Connecticut, and head west from the downtown area.

Mark Twain's Neighbors

Rose-Mount

On the left side of Farmington Avenue, in what is now historical neighborhood of Asylum Hill, you will see the site where once stood Rose-Mount, the grand estate of Senator James Dixon, his wife, Elizabeth and their children.

The Dixons purchased the tract of 14 acres of land in 1840 and built was a large mansion, several small out-buildings and a barn. Their beautiful gardens, inspired them to name their home: Rose-Mount.

Lydia Huntley Sigourney (September 1, 1791 – June 10, 1865) the close friend and mentor of Elizabeth L.C. Dixon, Senator Dixon's wife wrote in of the the Dixon's wonderful home,

Mrs. Sigourney

"Many of the residences on Asylum Hill are conspicuous for their elegance and grace. Among these, Rose-Mount, the seat of James Dixon, Esq., is particularly distinguished by the.extent and arrangement of its grounds. Fourteen acres, highly cultivated, are divided into lawns, gardens, and groves, and embellished with parterres of flowers, hedges, and a variety of shrubs, fruits, and forest-trees. All is found here to constitute a delightful retirement for the man of letters and of taste, where cultivated intellect may enjoy the luxuries of literature, or woo the willing muse." Scenes In My Native Land [1]

Mrs. Sigourney also wrote "a women's conversation should adhere to three rules: It should give pleasure; it should be instructive; and it should comforting. Sigourney also made a case for the value of silence at times, and argued that part of a woman's role is to be a good listener^[2].

Elizabeth L. C. Dixon at Lincoln's Deathbed +

^{Undoubtedly this sage advice endeared Mrs. E.L. Dixon as a friend to the Lincolns and helped Mary Lincoln summon her faithful friend the night Lincoln died.}

The Dixon–Welling Place

Over the years, Rosemount became known as the Dixon–Welling Place, daughter Clementine married James C. Welling, editor of Washington, D.C newspaper National Intelligencer and was host to many of our nation's most celebrated writers, poets, dignitaries and military leaders of the day. For more than 70 years the Dixon and Welling family lived here until 1929 when they sold the 12 acre property to the Aetna Insurance Company.

Today, the only remnants of this paradise lost are several copper beach trees on the grounds and the Dixon’s large bell that hung outside the main house to summon the gardeners.

+ The Last Day of Lincoln circa 1865-186, John Badger Bachelder (1825-1894) and Alonzo Chappel (1828–1887), oil on canvas, John Hay Library, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island