Ann Rutledge was a young woman who lived in the small village of New Salem, Illinois, in the early 19th century. She is best known for her alleged romantic relationship with Abraham Lincoln, who would later become the 16th president of the United States. But how did Ann Rutledge die, and what impact did her death have on Lincoln’s life and career? In this article, we will explore the tragic story of Ann Rutledge’s cause of death and its aftermath.
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Who Was Ann Rutledge?
Ann Mayes Rutledge was born on January 7, 1813, near Henderson, Kentucky. She was the third of 10 children born to James Rutledge and Mary Ann Miller Rutledge. Her father was one of the co-founders of New Salem, a frontier settlement in central Illinois, where he owned a tavern and a hostelry.
Ann Rutledge was described as a short, attractive, and lively girl, who had a good education and a pleasant personality. She met Abraham Lincoln when he moved to New Salem in 1831, and became his friend and confidante. Lincoln was a tall, awkward, and ambitious young man, who worked as a store clerk, a postmaster, a surveyor, and a lawyer.
How Did Ann Rutledge and Abraham Lincoln Fall in Love?
The exact nature of the relationship between Ann Rutledge and Abraham Lincoln is a matter of debate among historians and biographers. Some claim that they were just friends, while others assert that they were deeply in love and planned to marry.
According to some sources, Ann Rutledge was initially engaged to another man, John McNamar, who left New Salem in 1832 to settle some family affairs in New York. He promised to return and marry Ann, but his letters became less frequent and less affectionate over time. Ann eventually broke off the engagement, believing that McNamar had abandoned her or died.
Meanwhile, Lincoln and Rutledge grew closer, and reportedly became engaged in 1835. They intended to marry as soon as Lincoln could establish himself as a lawyer and a politician. They were both 22 years old, and had high hopes for their future together.
What Was Ann Rutledge’s Cause of Death?
Unfortunately, fate had other plans for the young couple. In the summer of 1835, a wave of typhoid fever swept through New Salem, infecting many of its residents. Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that causes high fever, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and sometimes death. It is spread by contaminated food or water, and was a common and deadly disease in the 19th century.
Ann Rutledge was one of the victims of the typhoid epidemic. She fell ill in July, and her condition worsened in August. She died on August 25, 1835, at the age of 22. Her death was a devastating blow to Lincoln, who was deeply attached to her. He was overcome with grief and depression, and even contemplated suicide. He later said that he “loved the woman dearly and soundly” and that he “think often—often of her now”
How Did Ann Rutledge’s Death Affect Abraham Lincoln?
Ann Rutledge’s death was a turning point in Abraham Lincoln’s life. It was the first of many personal tragedies that he would face, including the deaths of his mother, his sister, two of his sons, and his assassination. It also marked the beginning of his lifelong struggle with melancholy and depression, which he managed to overcome with his humor, his faith, and his sense of duty.
Lincoln’s grief over Rutledge’s death also motivated him to pursue his political ambitions more fervently. He moved to Springfield, Illinois, in 1837, and became a successful lawyer and a prominent leader of the Whig Party. He married Mary Todd in 1842, and had four children with her. He served in the Illinois State Legislature, the U.S. House of Representatives, and eventually became the president of the United States in 1861.
Lincoln never forgot Ann Rutledge, and often spoke of her with fondness and respect. He also visited her grave several times, and kept a lock of her hair as a memento. He considered her as his first and true love, and credited her with inspiring him to achieve greatness. He once said, “I can never be satisfied with anyone who would be blockhead enough to have me, unless I could find one who would suit me as well as she did.”
Where Is Ann Rutledge Buried?
Ann Rutledge was originally buried in the Old Concord Burial Ground, near New Salem. However, in 1890, her body was exhumed and reburied in the Oakland Cemetery, in Petersburg, Illinois. Her grave is marked by a large monument, which bears the inscription: “Ann Rutledge, Pioneer, Friend of Lincoln.”
Ann Rutledge’s grave is a popular tourist attraction, and a symbol of the enduring legend of her romance with Abraham Lincoln. Her story has been immortalized in books, poems, plays, movies, and songs, and has inspired generations of Americans with its tragic beauty and historical significance.
Conclusion
Ann Rutledge was a young woman who died of typhoid fever in 1835, leaving behind a heartbroken Abraham Lincoln. Her death was a major event in Lincoln’s life, and influenced his personality, his career, and his legacy. She was his first love, and his muse, and he never forgot her. Ann Rutledge’s cause of death was a tragedy, but also a catalyst, for one of the greatest leaders in American history.
