Lincoln's Sister-in-Law Lived Here

President Abraham Lincoln's sister-in-law, Martha Todd White, lived in this Italianate cottage next door to Sturdivant Hall. A half-sister of Mary Todd Lincoln, Martha was a fierce Confederate who, according to the historic marker, is said to have "severely criticized" the Lincolns when she was accused by the northern press of using her presidential pass to smuggle medicine and other necessities "behind the lines" into the Confederacy. Another sister, Elodie, met her husband here while visiting and later led the effort to raise funds for a Confederate monument in Old Live Oak Cemetery.

This cottage and its grounds will be the site of the "box lunch" on March 19 and 20 of the Historic Selma Pilgrimage. The lunches need to be pre-ordered as only a limited number of extras will be available. More information is available HERE.

Confederate Rose at White-Force Cottage

Confederate Roses are blooming at White Force Cottage on Mabry Street. The roses are a hibiscus and related to cotton and okra. The large blooms first open as white blossoms, then turn pink on the second day and blue-pink on the third day.

White-Force Cottage was the Selma home of Mary Todd Lincoln's (President Abraham Lincoln's wife) half sister, Martha Todd White, and is next door to Sturdivant Hall.