Emma Weir Casey

Emma Weir Casey (1834-1911) and her sons, Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr., Harry Weir Casey, and Edward Pearce Casey, had very close relationships. While Thomas was at school in West Point and later away for his service in the Army and work, he and Emma wrote weekly letters, Thomas always addressing his “My Dear Mother.” In his letters he expressed common concerns from sons to mothers, such as career and dating troubles. Thomas updated his mother on his health and asked about hers, always expressing sympathy when she had fallen ill, for example with vision problems. Emma completed tasks for him like shopping and mending clothing, along with managing her households and pursuing hobbies like reading, attending theater, and playing piano.

Emma counseled Thomas on school matters, career choices, fashionable clothing, health, and home decorating. Emma also performed emotional labor for Thomas, listening to him complain about professors at West Point and his distaste for working in particular cities as an American Army Engineer. To cheer him up, Emma sent him candy, cigars, and surprise gifts, to which he always replied “much obliged.” Emma was often to be found at Casey Farm in the summertime where “the air of the farm would do you good” or at their primary home in Washington, D.C., but letters also reveal her travel to many places like New York, California, Boston, New Hampshire, Vermont, Atlantic City, and Philadelphia. Some of the most famous visitors that Emma hosted in Washington, D.C. were President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes. Her husband, Thomas Lincoln Casey, Sr., was head of the Army Corps of Engineers and did much to outfit the White House for the new administration.