William Wallace Lincoln

William Wallace "Willie" Lincoln (December 21, 1850 – February 20, 1862) was the third son of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. He was named after Mary's brother-in-law Dr. William Wallace.

Willie and his younger brother Tad were considered "notorious hellions" when they lived in Springfield. They were recorded by Abraham's law partner William Herndon for turning their law office upside down: pulling the books off the shelves while their father appeared oblivious to their behavior.

Upon their father's election as President, Willie and Tad moved into the White House and it became their new playground. At the request of Mrs. Lincoln, Julia Taft brought her younger brothers, 12-year-old "Bud" and 8-year-old "Holly" to the White House and they became playmates of Willie and Tad.

Willie and Tad became ill in early 1862. While Tad was not as badly affected, Willie's condition fluctuated from day to day. The most likely cause of the illness was typhoid fever, which was usually contracted by consumption of contaminated food/water. The White House drew its water from the Potomac River, along which thousands of soldiers and horses were camped. Gradually Willie weakened, and his parents spent much time at his bedside. Finally, on Thursday, February 20, 1862, at 5:00 p.m., Willie died. Abraham said, "My poor boy. He was too good for this earth. God has called him home. I know that he is much better off in heaven, but then we loved him so much. It is hard, hard to have him die!"

Both parents were deeply affected. His father did not return to work for three weeks. Willie's younger brother, Tad, cried for nearly a month because he and Willie were very close. Lincoln generated no official correspondence for four days. Mary was so distraught that Lincoln feared for her sanity.

Willie was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown. After his father's assassination in 1865, Willie's casket was exhumed and he was moved to a temporary tomb. He was re-interred at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois on September 19, 1871, alongside the remains of his father and his brother Eddie, holding a blue handkerchief. Tad and Mary Todd Lincoln were later buried in the same tomb.