When Anna Symmes Harrison, proved too ill to travel to Washington, D.C. with her husband, William Henry Harrison, for his upcoming inauguration he asked his recently widowed daughter-in-law to accompany him. This daughter-in-law, Jane Irwin Harrison, was the widow of … Continued
Anna Harrison became the first wife of a sitting President, to become his widow. She was also the grandmother of a future president, Benjamin Harrison. Anna Elizabeth Symmes was born on July 25, 1775 in Morristown, New Jersey. She was … Continued
When Martin Van Buren became the eighth President of the United States, he needed someone to serve as hostess for him. His wife, Hannah, had died from tuberculosis in 1819. President Van Buren turned to his daughter-in-law, Angelica, to serve … Continued
Hannah Van Buren would have been first lady during her husband’s Presidency. However, she died almost two decades before he took office. Hannah Hoes was born on March 8, 1783 to Johannes and Maria Quakenbush Hoes. She was the … Continued
Sarah York Jackson also served as hostess for President Andrew Jackson, whose wife Rachel Jackson died before he took office. She served after Emily Donelson either became unable to serve or refused to continue serving. Eventually the two women would … Continued
Emily Donelson was the niece of Rachel Donelson Jackson. Upon her aunt’s death, Emily stepped up to serve as hostess for her uncle, President Andrew Jackson. Emily’s father, John, was the brother of Rachel Jackson. Emily Tennessee Donelson was born … Continued
Rachel Jackson was the wife of Andrew Jackson. She died after her husband won the election for President, but before he ever took office. Unofficially, she never served as White House. Her niece Emily Donelson took over her role as … Continued
Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams held the special distinction of being the only First Lady not born in the United States, until our current First Lady. Louisa Catherine Johnson was born in London, England on February 12, 1775. She was the … Continued
Elizabeth Monroe was the wife of the fifth President of the United States, James Monroe. She was born as Elizabeth Jane Kortright on June 30, 1768 in New York City. She was the daughter of Lawrence and Hannah Aspinwall Kortright. … Continued
Dolley Madison brought the role of hostess to a whole new pinnacle during her husband’s time in office. She was born Dolley Payne on May 20, 1768 in New Garden, Guilford County, North Carolina. She was born in a Quaker … Continued