Companion to the Count by Melissa Kendall

The journal Pediatrics, as cited by NBC News, states “ viral meningoencephalitis” was likely the cause of her blindness. While Laura wrote it was “scarlet fever” that caused Mary to go blind, this is no longer believed to be the case. Far worst of all, the fever had settled in Mary’s eyes and Mary was blind.”

“ Mary and Carrie and baby Grace and Ma all had scarlet fever. That was the year Mary fell ill and ended up losing her vision at the age of 14.Īs Laura wrote in her book By the Shores of Silver Lake: Other than what Laura has to say about Mary’s earlier years in her books, not much is known about the eldest Ingalls sister until 1879. So what’s the truth about Mary Ingalls, as far as we know? They had no idea the real Mary lived a drastically different life than the character on TV. One such storyline was connected to Mary, who was portrayed by Melissa Sue Anderson in the show.Ī post shared by Denise 💛🌾 the Little House series was so popular, many people knew nothing more about Mary Ingalls than what they saw in the show. While Laura fictionalized some details of her life story in her books, the TV series took things a step further by inventing new characters and storylines. Those books were later used as the inspiration for The Little House on the Prairie TV series, which aired from 1974-1983. Laura would grow up to become Laura Ingalls Wilder, the famous author who told her life story in her Little House book series.

They eventually had two more daughters, Carrie and Grace. Two years later, Charles and his wife, Caroline, welcomed another daughter, Laura. She and her father, Charles, shared a birthday. Mary Amelia Ingalls was born on Januin Pepin County, Wisconsin. Such is the case when it comes to Mary Ingalls. This blur between fact and fiction results in people knowing little about real-life figures who become the subjects of popular works of media. (Left) Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons / (Right) Little House On The Prairie / Facebookīooks and television series, even those based on true events, sometimes stretch the truth or invent new stories to be more entertaining.

Companion to the Count by Melissa Kendall