Mary Lincoln (née Todd) – The Victim
- December 13, 1818–July 16, 1882
- Tenure: 1861-1865
- Children: Robert, Edward, Willie, Tad
- Relation to President: Wife
Early Life: Mary Todd was born to Robert and Elizabeth. The family was well-known in Lexington, Kentucky and Mary was raised in a wealthy household. She had sixteen siblings and half-siblings as a result of her father’s second marriage. Mary attended several girls’ schools to study both rigorous academics and feminine arts. She proved to be a bright student with a great interest in literature, politics and astronomy. Mary’s mother died giving birth to her last children and she did not get along with her stepmother Elizabeth.
Marriage: Mary went to live with her married sister Elizabeth in Springfield, Illinois when she was twenty. Young Mary was lively, witty and popular in Springfield high society and caught the attention of several notable suitors. One of these men was Abraham Lincoln, a young lawyer a decade her senior. Another was rising Democratic star Stephen Douglas. Mary eventually chose Lincoln, though he did initially break off the engagement after a few months. They married in November 1842.
Pre-Tenure: Mary was an active wife to her politician husband and mother to their four sons. She cooked for the family and advised her husband on his political career. Mary had grown up a Whig, the initial party of her husband, and enjoyed politics. She advised him not to take the post of Governor of the Oregon Territory and talked him up in the paper. Mary had high hopes for her husband and often attended legislative sessions to take notes. Sadly, one of her sons did die in 1850.
Mary actively campaigned for Lincoln in the 1860 election. She excitedly spoke to reporters and always defended her husband. It seemed that she planned to have a prominent role as First Lady.
Tenure: Unfortunately for Mary, life as First Lady was not an easy thing. Whilst she was a loyal Unionist and opponent of slavery, many of her family members were Confederates. She lost a brother, half-brother and brother-in-law, all of whom fought for the Confederacy. Times were turbulent and society resented the apparently crass Mary.
Mary was eager to redecorate the White House and buy expensive things for the family. She did, however, overspend by a vast margin. Lincoln was furious at his wife and Mary gained a reputation for excess. The family was not a wealthy one by any means and Congress had only allotted them a certain sum to redecorate.
It was here that many noted a sharp decline in Mary’s health and mental wellness. Mary suffered severe migraines that would force her to lay in her room for hours at a time, made worse by an 1863 carriage accident. She became increasingly hysterical, argumentative and irrational. There is some evidence that she hit her husband. Mary was believed to be depressed and historians retrospectively diagnose her with bipolar.
Another Lincoln son, Willie, died in 1862. Mary was devastated beyond belief and was unable to either attend his funeral or look after son Tad. She refused to leave her bed and Lincoln reportedly threatened to put her in an asylum if she didn’t get better.
Mary’s temper often found others. In 1865, the Lincolns joined General Ulysses S. Grant, Julia Grant, General Edward Ord and his wife Sally on a troop inspection. Sally was innocently riding alongside the President when Mary flew into a jealous range. Her words were so cruel that Sally burst into tears. Julia Grant stepped in to defend Sally but also found herself on the end of Mary’s sharp tongue. From the on, Julia Grant made every excuse not to see the Lincolns and even told her husband to reject an invitation to Ford’s Theatre in April 1865.
Despite all this, Mary showed some kindness. She believed in full abolition unlike her husband. Mary would often visit injured servicemen in hospitals to bring them gifts. She continued to defend her husband and his record until the end.
Mary was with him that fateful night and it was to her that his last words were directed. She was pulled away from his deathbed due to her absolute hysteria but was later allowed to return. Mary was with Lincoln when he died the morning after he was shot.
Post-Tenure: Mary continued to suffer tragedy after tragedy following her time as First Lady. It took her a month and a half to move out of the White House, after which she lived with her sons in Chicago. Mary lobbied hard for a pension from Congress and got one in 1870 after an extremely narrow vote. Her mental faculties began to decline once again and she continued spending exorbitant amounts of money. Mary lost another son, Tad, in 1871.
In 1872, the deeply spiritualist Mary visited a ‘spiritual photographer.’ This is where the infamous photograph of Mary with Lincoln’s ‘ghost’ standing behind her comes from. Her behaviour spiralled and in 1875, her surviving son Robert took action.
Robert started proceedings to have Mary committed to an asylum. This worked and Mary was sent to one, having survived a suicide attempt when she heard the news. Mary was there for three months before she decided to take action herself. She sought the help of lawyer couple James and Myra Bradwell, the latter of whom was the first woman admitted to the Illinois bar. That and her letters to the media created embarrassment for Robert Lincoln. Mary managed to get released into her sister’s care.
Mary spent the last years of her life travelling. She lived in France for a short time. Mary once again begged for an increased pension in 1881 and despite Congressional misgivings, she did receive it.
Mary lived with her sister for the rest of her life. She died of a stroke in 1882, having just reconciled with Robert. Lincoln and Mary were buried together.
Appearance and Character: Mary was a petite woman with blue eyes and red hair.
Her character has been misrepresented at large by historians and the public. Mary was capable of great kindness, was a loyal wife and cared deeply for her children. She was extremely intelligent and actively political. Mary was also a spendthrift, extremely temperamental and snobby.
History remembers her as a possibly bipolar woman who was almost definitely mentally unwell. When remembering Mary, we must put the era in which she lived into perspective. Mental illness was not thoroughly understood and care for the mentally unwell was not up to standard. This was particularly true for women, who were often dismissed as hysterical. We see this when we think of how Mary was torn away from her husband’s deathbed. Mary Lincoln is easily the most misunderstood First Lady.
Advocacy: Injured servicemen
Eliza Johnson (née McCardle) – The Tutor
- October 4, 1810–January 15, 1876
- Tenure: 1865-1869
- Children: Martha, Charles, Mary, Robert, Andrew
- Relation to President: Wife
Early Life: Eliza McCardle was born to John and Sarah. The family lived in relative poverty and Eliza was one of the poorer First Ladies. Despite this, Eliza was well-educated in a number of subjects and was well read. Her father died when she was a teenager and the McCardle women were forced to make crafts to make ends meet.
Marriage: Eliza was 15 when she met Andrew Johnson, just after her father died. He was riding into town with his family as they were moving there. Popular legend suggests she saw him and told her friends that she’d marry him one day. Andrew moved away for six months for work but he and Eliza continued to correspond through letters. Once he’d established his business, he sent for Eliza and they wed. Eliza was only 16 when she married, the youngest of any First Lady.
Pre-Tenure: In the early years of his marriage, Eliza helped the semi-illiterate Andrew by reading aloud to him as he worked. Popular rumors that Andrew could not read or write before his marriage are generally held to be untrue. Eliza also taught him rhetoric, public speaking and formal speaking, things that helped with his political career. Andrew would credit his wife with this success. Eliza persuaded her husband to join a debating society soon after they wed.
Eliza managed the family finances, raised their four (later five) children, helped repair the house and grow produce. She remained in Greenville whilst her husband lived in Nashville after getting into state politics. Eliza enjoyed reading about politics and educating her children. She attended events her husband held. Eliza often visited DC when her husband became a congressman but did not live there. Her daughter Mary attended school there and became close to Sarah Polk. Eliza had her fifth child in 1852 but became severely weakened by it.
Despite Eliza’s illness, she still took an active role as a homemaker and wife. She organised daughter Martha’s wedding, visited her grandchildren and collected rent from the tenants of the land. Eliza remained in Greenville when her husband joined the Senate but did arrive in DC as the country collapsed. Her husband’s outspoken criticism of the Confederacy put them at risk. Their home was taken by the Confederate forces and they were forced to live with relatives. They were then evicted from the area and left homeless, having to live in an abandoned restaurant. Eliza and the children finally got safe passage to Nashville but were harassed by fellow passengers.
Eliza later headed to a health spa. She then headed back to Nashville as opposed to DC. Johnson and Eliza were briefly reunited in May 1863 before he had to go to Kentucky. They lost their son Charles a month before after being thrown from a horse.
When her husband was nominated for the vice presidency in 1864, Eliza unusually played no role in campaigning. Her health was poor and her son Robert was suffering from alcoholism. Eliza took him to rehab, all whilst she and son Andrew were suffering from TB. Her daughter Mary lost her husband in December of that year.
Eliza did not leave Nashville when her husband was inaugurated. She learned of Lincoln’s assassination a month later.
Tenure: Eliza arrived in DC in August of 1865. She came with her children, grandchildren, and Martha’s husband. Eliza served as hostess during official functions and when greeting foreign heads of state. Her daughter Martha took the role of informal hostess whilst Mary supervised the children.
Media at the time called her a recluse, but Eliza did have a fairly active role in the White House. She would join events later in the evening but an existing invitation shows her to be the official hostess. Letters sent to her were handled by her daughters.
In 1867, Eliza took part in a fundraiser for orphaned children in the South. This was done along with other prominent ladies of the South, such as Varina Davis and Mary Lee. Eliza continued to counsel and guide her husband, though she was not remembered for her political policy. She did read the papers and kept abreast of what was happening in Congress. Eliza stayed loyal during her husband’s impeachment hearings.
Post-Tenure: Eliza returned to Tennessee seven weeks after the presidency finished. Tragically, however, her son Charles killed himself as a result of alcoholism and business failings. Eliza was heartbroken.
Johnson was elected to the Senate in 1875 by a single vote. He felt himself and his politics to be vindicated. Unfortunately, Johnson suddenly died of a stroke only five months into his term. Eliza was too ill to attend the funeral and died five months later.
Appearance and Character: Eliza was a tall woman with brown hair and hazel eyes. She was a patient, intelligent woman who suffered bravely through many hardships. Eliza worked hard to stop her sons from falling into alcoholism. She also ensured that her daughters received a thorough education despite meaning that they would be separated. Eliza had a knack for and interest in history.
She was not a fan of slavery, though the family did own them- whether or not she had any say in the matter is lost to history.
Advocacy: Orphans
Martha Patterson (née Johnson) – The Country Girl
- October 25, 1828—July 10, 1901
- Tenure: 1865-1869
- Children: Andrew, Mary
- Relation to President: Daughter
Early Life and Marriage: Martha was the eldest daughter and child of Andrew and Eliza Johnson. From an early age, Martha assisted her mother with raising the younger children and keeping house. She was educated at a local school then one in DC. Martha was known for her serious and unpretentious nature, never playing with the other kids at school. She remained in DC during the school holidays as a guest of the Polks, to whom she became close.
Martha met a law clerk named David Patterson when she was 23. She was serious about marrying well and half-joked that she wouldn’t marry him until he proved himself. They wed after he became a Tennessee Circuit Court Judge. Despite the ten year age gap, they seemed happy. She married at 27, late for the time period and eleven years after her mother did.
Martha lived in Greenville until 1862 when she headed to Nashville. She did return home briefly after her home was damaged by troops to survey the damage. Martha lived in safety in Nashville until the war ended. She rode with Sarah Polk in a mourning procession for Lincoln.
Tenure: Martha, her husband and their children joined the rest of the family at the White House. She took a large amount of responsibility for social events when her mother wasn’t available. Martha personally cleaned the White House, took care of its poor state, and ensured no guests saw it. When visitors came, she used various means to distract them. Martha refused to buy expensive new furniture and sorted everything herself.
She also did manual labour, most notably caring for the cows that lived on the lawn and producing dairy products. Martha also created a small gallery of portraits of former residents, including Julia Tyler who personally gave her own picture. Despite her austere character, her banquets were widely praised.
Martha provided counsel to her father in the same way her mother did, but refused to help office seekers and those who wanted something political. Her husband was part of the body that started the impeachment trials of her father. Martha was cautious the entire time, never letting on what she thought or giving any indication of fear.
She joined her father on a Western trip and was appalled by the very poor reception he received.
Post-Tenure and Death: Martha ensured that they only took personal gifts and things they bought with their own money back with them. The servants requested a picture of her as a gift and she sat for a photographer, ensuring her family did the same. In Tennessee, Martha oversaw the renovations of the house and became a caretaker for her mother.
After the death of her parents, Martha became a dedicated defender of their legacy. She was widowed in 1891 and left with only her son, as her daughter died the same year. Martha became a recluse, granting few interviews.
Martha died in 1901.
Appearance and Character: Martha was a mannish, serious woman with dark hair. She was an unpretentious, natural person who was always calm and dignified. In some ways, she was a typical Southern charmer. Martha never put on any airs and graces and was revered for her plainness. Though sometimes mocked as being unfashionable, she was beloved by common folk. She ensured that they had access to her father and politely refused gifts, endearing her even further to the common person.
Martha was known for her intelligence, particularly in mathematics, and could easily do sums in her head. She had no use for waste and hated useless expenses. Martha was compared favourably to Harriet Lane and was praised as being better than Mary Lincoln.
Julia Grant (née Dent) – The Greeter
- January 26, 1826–December 14, 1902
- Tenure: 1869-1877
- Children: Frederick, Ulysses, Nellie, Jesse
- Relation to President: Wife
Early Life: Julia Dent was born to Frederick and Ellen. Her father was a wealthy slave holder and her mother had grown up in a well-to-do household. Ellen had once been sheltered by Aaron Burr when she was travelling from school. The family lived in a large house with new technologies and inventions. Julia would describe her childhood with the utmost happiness. Her parents spoiled her and her brothers included her in all of the activists. Julia also believed that her slaves were happy and wanted to be there. Her father refused to free them until emancipation forced him to.
Julia received her first part of formal schooling in a one room log schoolhouse. She then boarded at a private school for girls during the week. Julia had a great love for literature, especially Shakespeare and poetry. She was below average in other subjects.
Marriage: Julia’s brother Fred was at West Point when he met fellow cadet Ulysses S. Grant. He became impressed with Fred and wrote to Julia with such observations. Grant began visiting the family regularly and gave Julia his class ring, a sign of them being exclusive. He soon proposed after returning from the Mexican War. Julia’s father liked Grant as a person but did not feel as though he could give Julia a good life. Grant proposed spending two years in the army making a living before they wed. This turned into four years. Grant and Julia married in 1848. Grant’s deeply religious and abolitionist parents refused to attend- they had no quarrel with Julia, but with her slave owning family.
Pre-Tenure: Grant and Julia had a loving marriage. Nevertheless, she was forced to bow to his army obligations and the two frequently moved around the country with their family. Julia enjoyed peacetime, as it allowed her to run her own home and spend time with her husband. Grant allowed Julia an allowance and she prided herself on keeping their accounts.
The family spent years living relatively poorly. Julia admitted that this caused her depression and her husband had to keep her spirits up. They then lived with Grant’s parents. His father Jesse saw Julia as too extravagant and lavish. He refused to help the family beyond the bare minimum.
The outbreak of the Civil War provided tests for Julia. She was unsure of what to do with herself, wanting to help in any way she could but finding no way that she could. Julia and the children were safely based in Philadelphia, where wealthy citizens provided them with a nice home. Grant was provided with counsel and help from Julia, who kept abreast of the political situation.
There was also tension between the families. Julia’s family were ardent Confederates, especially her father. Julia managed to keep their close relationship, though he never forgave his son-in-law. Other relations never spoke to Grant and Julia ever again. Julia also received vitriol from the Union side due to her Confederate family.
She did, however, join Confederate women as a volunteer nurse. Julia proved popular in this endeavour, both with patients and the military. She did take a great interest in politics, though this did not sit well with her husband’s inferiors. Julia actively promoted her husband’s rising profile and strenuously denied his reported alcoholism.
One relationship often noted is the one between Julia and Mary Todd Lincoln. The two disliked one another- Julia thought Mary rude and crass, whilst Mary had a prickly temperament. Julia was horrified by Mary making a general’s wife cry with rudeness and swore to never be close to her. This may have saved her and her husband’s life- Julia refused the invitation to join the Lincolns at Ford’s Theatre due to Mary’s rudeness and security fears.
Julia was in Virginia when the news came of Lee’s surrender and was told by her husband in person. She immediately continued to promote her publicity shy husband. Whilst Julia did not attend Lincoln’s funeral, she did lead mourning outside the White House.
With the Civil War over, Julia enjoyed a life of comfort and splendour. Her status as the wife of a war hero allowed her splendid parties, celebrations and even a house given by locals. She even allowed news reporters to intrude on their private moments. Julia supported President Johnson’s policies of reconciliation with the South and became good friends with him and his daughter. As the Grants had moved to DC, Julia became a key social hostess.
Grant was a reluctant office seeker but Julia pushed him all the way. She was happier with his election and inauguration than he was.
Tenure: It had been years since a First Lady had remained in post for eight consecutive years- not since Dolley Madison left in 1817. Julia believed that the role meant she herself should be treated with a high level of respect and prestige. This contrasted with her shy husband. Observers found her to be a little naive when it came to life in the White House.
Julia opened up entertaining so that more working class people would attend. She struggled with some aspects of the role, such as remembering names and contributing recipes. Julia enjoyed small talk and conversation. She was a big believer in fine entertainment and held large dinners. Julia also took a large role in redecorating the White House, something enjoyed by First Ladies before and after.
The First Lady was a keen traveller and took many trips outside of Washington DC. She was a political animal though not partisan, she simply did what she thought was right for people. Julia also ensured that she had direct access to the press, though coverage was not always popular.
During the administration’s many scandals, Julia sought to get rid of those she thought were disloyal to her husband or were causing him issues. Julia wished for her husband to run for a third term but was dismayed when he chose not to.
In 1874, Julia organised the wedding of First Daughter Nellie.
Post-Tenure: Grant and Julia enjoyed a whirlwind tour of the world for two and a half years. They travelled around Europe and Asia, visiting countries such as Japan, India and Greece. They met with many world leaders such as Queen Victoria and Otto Van Bismarck, the latter of whom she discussed military strategy with. The two returned to the US in 1877, where they immediately embarked on a tour of the western USA.
When the Grants arrived back in DC in late 1880, they enjoyed a spirited welcome from the residents and outgoing President Hayes. The Grants then set up residence in New York, where Julia enjoyed life as a social queen during the Gilded Age. Unfortunately, a bad investment in 1884 hit them. Cornelius Vanderbilt offered to pay off their debt, so the Grants essentially repaid him with his Civil War mementos. Julia was heartbroken and the couple were reduced to poverty.
President Grant authorised magazine articles and other press events in order to regain his family’s finances. He was then diagnosed with throat cancer. Grant immediately started writing his memoirs. Julia stayed by his side during his illness, which they spent at a friend’s house. She remained calm during the final weeks but maintained a bedside vigil throughout.
Grant finished his memoir on the 19th July 1885. He died four days later and was given an elaborate funeral.
Julia remained a prominent figure during her twenty year widowhood. She constantly made public appearances and ensured that her husband’s legacy was remembered well. Julia received a large amount of money from her husband’s book sales as well as a pension from Congress. She was smart enough to make some good business decisions. Julia oversaw her husband’s tomb being built and its 1901 dedication.
In her later years, Julia was close friends with Frances Cleveland, Caroline Harrison, Mary Harrison McKee, Ida McKinley and Varina Davis. She wrote her memoirs and became an impassioned supporter of womens’ voting. Julia remained well-travelled and well-connected to the end.
Julia died aged 74 at her daughter’s home. Her funeral was attended by President Theodore Roosevelt, a first for a First Lady. She was buried alongside her husband.
Appearance and Character: Julia was a short, squat woman often regarded as plain. She suffered from strabismus- being cross eyed. Julia rejected surgery for it. As a person, Julia was a warm, gracious and extremely charitable person. She was well-liked by many across society, even those who sided with the Confederates. Julia proved a capable First Lady who enjoyed the task. She was a strong advocate of women’s rights, such as suffrage and being against polygamy. Unfortunately, she did seem to share disparaging views about African-Americans as was sadly common for the time, though she disavowed white supremacy.
Advocacy: Julia was an extremely charitable woman who gave help whenever she could. She did not have a particular favourite issue, but assisted as a nurse during the Civil War and a leading philanthropist during the Spanish-American War. Julia was well remembered and regarded for this.
Lucy Hayes (née Webb) – The Teetotaler Activist
- August 28, 1831–June 25, 1889
- Tenure: 1877-1881
- Children: Birchard, Webb, Rutherford, Joseph, George, Fanny, Scott, Manning
- Relation to President: Wife
Early Life: Lucy Webb was born to Dr. James and Maria. Her father died of cholera when she was not yet two years old, leaving her mother to raise Lucy and her two brothers. Maria Webb was a devout abolitionist and temperance advocate, influenced by her father Isaac, a politician. These ideals were passed on to Lucy, who swore to abstain from alcohol and who abhorred slavery.
Lucy was the best-educated First Lady America had seen. She attended preparatory school and a girls’ school connected to Wesleyan University. The academics were rigorous but Lucy proved to be an extremely able, intelligent woman. Lucy was the first presidential spouse with a college education, getting a BA from Wesleyan. During her college years, Lucy wrote many debate papers on a variety of subjects and even promoted female suffrage.
Marriage: Lucy first met Rutherford B. Hayes in about 1845. He dismissed her as too young to think about marrying. The two met again five years later at a wedding. Hayes was attracted to Lucy’s beauty, charm and intellectualism. They courted for around a year before marrying in late 1852.
Pre-Tenure: Lucy became close with her suffragist sister-in-law Fanny and became influenced by her views. She was devastated when Fanny died in childbirth and later named her only daughter after her. Lucy maintained the role of mother and homemaker for their eight children as Hayes continued in his career. She had strong views on race- she continued to be an abolitionist, taught her black housekeeper to read and write and attended an integrated church.
Lucy encouraged her husband to volunteer for the Civil War. The era was very hard on her- she lost two sons, her mother and her mother-in-law. Lucy visited her husband on the front and became a beloved member of his regiment through her kindness. She became an active philanthropist after the war, including building an orphanage for war orphans, visiting schools and assisting disabled children.
Lucy described herself as a ‘Radical Republican’ and opposed President Johnson’s conciliatory stance towards the South. She became a little more opposed to suffrage though was not strong in her rejection. Lucy did not join any formal organisations in case it reflected poorly on her husband.
Whilst Lucy did not initially support Hayes’ campaign, she came to help him. Her quiet domesticity proved popular with voters and it was thought women would encourage their husbands to vote for Hayes based on Lucy. She was upset when it seemed that Samuel J. Tilden would win. Due to her husband’s dubious victory, there was no inaugural ball.
Tenure: Lucy maintained her domestic lifestyle in the White House, especially since her two youngest children were still school age. She was deeply civic minded and believed in religious responsibility. Lucy was a very popular First Lady and actively courted by organisations, though she never joined any advocacy groups.
People today often remember Lucy for her teetotaler receptions, hence the nickname ‘Lemonade Lucy.’ The nickname came after her administration, and she in fact often served water at receptions. She was mocked relentlessly in the press but was also widely admired for her morality.
Lucy’s level of higher education meant that often promoted education for women. She toured schools across the nation and addressed students. She also remained devoted to charity and was known for assisting her very own White House workers. Lucy invited African-American musicians to perform and took an interest in Native affairs. Her keenest interest seemed to be in slum housing. Residents of DC slums were often visited by Lucy and she seemed to care about their welfare.
She often toured with her husband, their travels taking them all around the nation. Lucy also re-established the Easter Egg Roll at the White House; it became a yearly event.
Post-Tenure: Lucy lived a more private life after the White House. Previously favourable views on Civil Rights seemed to have disappeared, as Lucy spoke disparagingly against African-Americans. Confusingly, she also spoke out in favour of helping Southern blacks and the urban poor. She also developed a love of animals and became President of the Methodist Missionary Society.
Lucy suffered a stroke and died in 1889. Hayes sadly stated that ‘the soul has left Spiegel Grove [their residence].’ When he died four years later, his last words were ‘I know that I’m going where Lucy is.’ They are buried together.’
Appearance and Character: Lucy was a woman of medium height with brown hair and black eyes. She was a deeply intelligent woman with a good education behind her. Lucy showed interest in many topics but avoided too much controversy. She was a deeply charitable woman who helped out anyone she could personally and through foundations. Her views on civil rights were generally positive, though she may have held personally racist views.
Advocacy: The urban poor, slum dwellers, soldiers, children, African-Americans, Native-Americans, education and animals.
Mary Lincoln (née Todd) – The Victim
- December 13, 1818–July 16, 1882
- Tenure: 1861-1865
- Children: Robert, Edward, Willie, Tad
- Relation to President: Wife
Early Life: Mary Todd was born to Robert and Elizabeth. The family was well-known in Lexington, Kentucky and Mary was raised in a wealthy household. She had sixteen siblings and half-siblings as a result of her father’s second marriage. Mary attended several girls’ schools to study both rigorous academics and feminine arts. She proved to be a bright student with a great interest in literature, politics and astronomy. Mary’s mother died giving birth to her last children and she did not get along with her stepmother Elizabeth.
Marriage: Mary went to live with her married sister Elizabeth in Springfield, Illinois when she was twenty. Young Mary was lively, witty and popular in Springfield high society and caught the attention of several notable suitors. One of these men was Abraham Lincoln, a young lawyer a decade her senior. Another was rising Democratic star Stephen Douglas. Mary eventually chose Lincoln, though he did initially break off the engagement after a few months. They married in November 1842.
Pre-Tenure: Mary was an active wife to her politician husband and mother to their four sons. She cooked for the family and advised her husband on his political career. Mary had grown up a Whig, the initial party of her husband, and enjoyed politics. She advised him not to take the post of Governor of the Oregon Territory and talked him up in the paper. Mary had high hopes for her husband and often attended legislative sessions to take notes. Sadly, one of her sons did die in 1850.
Mary actively campaigned for Lincoln in the 1860 election. She excitedly spoke to reporters and always defended her husband. It seemed that she planned to have a prominent role as First Lady.
Tenure: Unfortunately for Mary, life as First Lady was not an easy thing. Whilst she was a loyal Unionist and opponent of slavery, many of her family members were Confederates. She lost a brother, half-brother and brother-in-law, all of whom fought for the Confederacy. Times were turbulent and society resented the apparently crass Mary.
Mary was eager to redecorate the White House and buy expensive things for the family. She did, however, overspend by a vast margin. Lincoln was furious at his wife and Mary gained a reputation for excess. The family was not a wealthy one by any means and Congress had only allotted them a certain sum to redecorate.
It was here that many noted a sharp decline in Mary’s health and mental wellness. Mary suffered severe migraines that would force her to lay in her room for hours at a time, made worse by an 1863 carriage accident. She became increasingly hysterical, argumentative and irrational. There is some evidence that she hit her husband. Mary was believed to be depressed and historians retrospectively diagnose her with bipolar.
Another Lincoln son, Willie, died in 1862. Mary was devastated beyond belief and was unable to either attend his funeral or look after son Tad. She refused to leave her bed and Lincoln reportedly threatened to put her in an asylum if she didn’t get better.
Mary’s temper often found others. In 1865, the Lincolns joined General Ulysses S. Grant, Julia Grant, General Edward Ord and his wife Sally on a troop inspection. Sally was innocently riding alongside the President when Mary flew into a jealous range. Her words were so cruel that Sally burst into tears. Julia Grant stepped in to defend Sally but also found herself on the end of Mary’s sharp tongue. From the on, Julia Grant made every excuse not to see the Lincolns and even told her husband to reject an invitation to Ford’s Theatre in April 1865.
Despite all this, Mary showed some kindness. She believed in full abolition unlike her husband. Mary would often visit injured servicemen in hospitals to bring them gifts. She continued to defend her husband and his record until the end.
Mary was with him that fateful night and it was to her that his last words were directed. She was pulled away from his deathbed due to her absolute hysteria but was later allowed to return. Mary was with Lincoln when he died the morning after he was shot.
Post-Tenure: Mary continued to suffer tragedy after tragedy following her time as First Lady. It took her a month and a half to move out of the White House, after which she lived with her sons in Chicago. Mary lobbied hard for a pension from Congress and got one in 1870 after an extremely narrow vote. Her mental faculties began to decline once again and she continued spending exorbitant amounts of money. Mary lost another son, Tad, in 1871.
In 1872, the deeply spiritualist Mary visited a ‘spiritual photographer.’ This is where the infamous photograph of Mary with Lincoln’s ‘ghost’ standing behind her comes from. Her behaviour spiralled and in 1875, her surviving son Robert took action.
Robert started proceedings to have Mary committed to an asylum. This worked and Mary was sent to one, having survived a suicide attempt when she heard the news. Mary was there for three months before she decided to take action herself. She sought the help of lawyer couple James and Myra Bradwell, the latter of whom was the first woman admitted to the Illinois bar. That and her letters to the media created embarrassment for Robert Lincoln. Mary managed to get released into her sister’s care.
Mary spent the last years of her life travelling. She lived in France for a short time. Mary once again begged for an increased pension in 1881 and despite Congressional misgivings, she did receive it.
Mary lived with her sister for the rest of her life. She died of a stroke in 1882, having just reconciled with Robert. Lincoln and Mary were buried together.
Appearance and Character: Mary was a petite woman with blue eyes and red hair.
Her character has been misrepresented at large by historians and the public. Mary was capable of great kindness, was a loyal wife and cared deeply for her children. She was extremely intelligent and actively political. Mary was also a spendthrift, extremely temperamental and snobby.
History remembers her as a possibly bipolar woman who was almost definitely mentally unwell. When remembering Mary, we must put the era in which she lived into perspective. Mental illness was not thoroughly understood and care for the mentally unwell was not up to standard. This was particularly true for women, who were often dismissed as hysterical. We see this when we think of how Mary was torn away from her husband’s deathbed. Mary Lincoln is easily the most misunderstood First Lady.
Advocacy: Injured servicemen
Eliza Johnson (née McCardle) – The Tutor
- October 4, 1810–January 15, 1876
- Tenure: 1865-1869
- Children: Martha, Charles, Mary, Robert, Andrew
- Relation to President: Wife
Early Life: Eliza McCardle was born to John and Sarah. The family lived in relative poverty and Eliza was one of the poorer First Ladies. Despite this, Eliza was well-educated in a number of subjects and was well read. Her father died when she was a teenager and the McCardle women were forced to make crafts to make ends meet.
Marriage: Eliza was 15 when she met Andrew Johnson, just after her father died. He was riding into town with his family as they were moving there. Popular legend suggests she saw him and told her friends that she’d marry him one day. Andrew moved away for six months for work but he and Eliza continued to correspond through letters. Once he’d established his business, he sent for Eliza and they wed. Eliza was only 16 when she married, the youngest of any First Lady.
Pre-Tenure: In the early years of his marriage, Eliza helped the semi-illiterate Andrew by reading aloud to him as he worked. Popular rumors that Andrew could not read or write before his marriage are generally held to be untrue. Eliza also taught him rhetoric, public speaking and formal speaking, things that helped with his political career. Andrew would credit his wife with this success. Eliza persuaded her husband to join a debating society soon after they wed.
Eliza managed the family finances, raised their four (later five) children, helped repair the house and grow produce. She remained in Greenville whilst her husband lived in Nashville after getting into state politics. Eliza enjoyed reading about politics and educating her children. She attended events her husband held. Eliza often visited DC when her husband became a congressman but did not live there. Her daughter Mary attended school there and became close to Sarah Polk. Eliza had her fifth child in 1852 but became severely weakened by it.
Despite Eliza’s illness, she still took an active role as a homemaker and wife. She organised daughter Martha’s wedding, visited her grandchildren and collected rent from the tenants of the land. Eliza remained in Greenville when her husband joined the Senate but did arrive in DC as the country collapsed. Her husband’s outspoken criticism of the Confederacy put them at risk. Their home was taken by the Confederate forces and they were forced to live with relatives. They were then evicted from the area and left homeless, having to live in an abandoned restaurant. Eliza and the children finally got safe passage to Nashville but were harassed by fellow passengers.
Eliza later headed to a health spa. She then headed back to Nashville as opposed to DC. Johnson and Eliza were briefly reunited in May 1863 before he had to go to Kentucky. They lost their son Charles a month before after being thrown from a horse.
When her husband was nominated for the vice presidency in 1864, Eliza unusually played no role in campaigning. Her health was poor and her son Robert was suffering from alcoholism. Eliza took him to rehab, all whilst she and son Andrew were suffering from TB. Her daughter Mary lost her husband in December of that year.
Eliza did not leave Nashville when her husband was inaugurated. She learned of Lincoln’s assassination a month later.
Tenure: Eliza arrived in DC in August of 1865. She came with her children, grandchildren, and Martha’s husband. Eliza served as hostess during official functions and when greeting foreign heads of state. Her daughter Martha took the role of informal hostess whilst Mary supervised the children.
Media at the time called her a recluse, but Eliza did have a fairly active role in the White House. She would join events later in the evening but an existing invitation shows her to be the official hostess. Letters sent to her were handled by her daughters.
In 1867, Eliza took part in a fundraiser for orphaned children in the South. This was done along with other prominent ladies of the South, such as Varina Davis and Mary Lee. Eliza continued to counsel and guide her husband, though she was not remembered for her political policy. She did read the papers and kept abreast of what was happening in Congress. Eliza stayed loyal during her husband’s impeachment hearings.
Post-Tenure: Eliza returned to Tennessee seven weeks after the presidency finished. Tragically, however, her son Charles killed himself as a result of alcoholism and business failings. Eliza was heartbroken.
Johnson was elected to the Senate in 1875 by a single vote. He felt himself and his politics to be vindicated. Unfortunately, Johnson suddenly died of a stroke only five months into his term. Eliza was too ill to attend the funeral and died five months later.
Appearance and Character: Eliza was a tall woman with brown hair and hazel eyes. She was a patient, intelligent woman who suffered bravely through many hardships. Eliza worked hard to stop her sons from falling into alcoholism. She also ensured that her daughters received a thorough education despite meaning that they would be separated. Eliza had a knack for and interest in history.
She was not a fan of slavery, though the family did own them- whether or not she had any say in the matter is lost to history.
Advocacy: Orphans
Martha Patterson (née Johnson) – The Country Girl
- October 25, 1828—July 10, 1901
- Tenure: 1865-1869
- Children: Andrew, Mary
- Relation to President: Daughter
Early Life and Marriage: Martha was the eldest daughter and child of Andrew and Eliza Johnson. From an early age, Martha assisted her mother with raising the younger children and keeping house. She was educated at a local school then one in DC. Martha was known for her serious and unpretentious nature, never playing with the other kids at school. She remained in DC during the school holidays as a guest of the Polks, to whom she became close.
Martha met a law clerk named David Patterson when she was 23. She was serious about marrying well and half-joked that she wouldn’t marry him until he proved himself. They wed after he became a Tennessee Circuit Court Judge. Despite the ten year age gap, they seemed happy. She married at 27, late for the time period and eleven years after her mother did.
Martha lived in Greenville until 1862 when she headed to Nashville. She did return home briefly after her home was damaged by troops to survey the damage. Martha lived in safety in Nashville until the war ended. She rode with Sarah Polk in a mourning procession for Lincoln.
Tenure: Martha, her husband and their children joined the rest of the family at the White House. She took a large amount of responsibility for social events when her mother wasn’t available. Martha personally cleaned the White House, took care of its poor state, and ensured no guests saw it. When visitors came, she used various means to distract them. Martha refused to buy expensive new furniture and sorted everything herself.
She also did manual labour, most notably caring for the cows that lived on the lawn and producing dairy products. Martha also created a small gallery of portraits of former residents, including Julia Tyler who personally gave her own picture. Despite her austere character, her banquets were widely praised.
Martha provided counsel to her father in the same way her mother did, but refused to help office seekers and those who wanted something political. Her husband was part of the body that started the impeachment trials of her father. Martha was cautious the entire time, never letting on what she thought or giving any indication of fear.
She joined her father on a Western trip and was appalled by the very poor reception he received.
Post-Tenure and Death: Martha ensured that they only took personal gifts and things they bought with their own money back with them. The servants requested a picture of her as a gift and she sat for a photographer, ensuring her family did the same. In Tennessee, Martha oversaw the renovations of the house and became a caretaker for her mother.
After the death of her parents, Martha became a dedicated defender of their legacy. She was widowed in 1891 and left with only her son, as her daughter died the same year. Martha became a recluse, granting few interviews.
Martha died in 1901.
Appearance and Character: Martha was a mannish, serious woman with dark hair. She was an unpretentious, natural person who was always calm and dignified. In some ways, she was a typical Southern charmer. Martha never put on any airs and graces and was revered for her plainness. Though sometimes mocked as being unfashionable, she was beloved by common folk. She ensured that they had access to her father and politely refused gifts, endearing her even further to the common person.
Martha was known for her intelligence, particularly in mathematics, and could easily do sums in her head. She had no use for waste and hated useless expenses. Martha was compared favourably to Harriet Lane and was praised as being better than Mary Lincoln.
Julia Grant (née Dent) – The Greeter
- January 26, 1826–December 14, 1902
- Tenure: 1869-1877
- Children: Frederick, Ulysses, Nellie, Jesse
- Relation to President: Wife
Early Life: Julia Dent was born to Frederick and Ellen. Her father was a wealthy slave holder and her mother had grown up in a well-to-do household. Ellen had once been sheltered by Aaron Burr when she was travelling from school. The family lived in a large house with new technologies and inventions. Julia would describe her childhood with the utmost happiness. Her parents spoiled her and her brothers included her in all of the activists. Julia also believed that her slaves were happy and wanted to be there. Her father refused to free them until emancipation forced him to.
Julia received her first part of formal schooling in a one room log schoolhouse. She then boarded at a private school for girls during the week. Julia had a great love for literature, especially Shakespeare and poetry. She was below average in other subjects.
Marriage: Julia’s brother Fred was at West Point when he met fellow cadet Ulysses S. Grant. He became impressed with Fred and wrote to Julia with such observations. Grant began visiting the family regularly and gave Julia his class ring, a sign of them being exclusive. He soon proposed after returning from the Mexican War. Julia’s father liked Grant as a person but did not feel as though he could give Julia a good life. Grant proposed spending two years in the army making a living before they wed. This turned into four years. Grant and Julia married in 1848. Grant’s deeply religious and abolitionist parents refused to attend- they had no quarrel with Julia, but with her slave owning family.
Pre-Tenure: Grant and Julia had a loving marriage. Nevertheless, she was forced to bow to his army obligations and the two frequently moved around the country with their family. Julia enjoyed peacetime, as it allowed her to run her own home and spend time with her husband. Grant allowed Julia an allowance and she prided herself on keeping their accounts.
The family spent years living relatively poorly. Julia admitted that this caused her depression and her husband had to keep her spirits up. They then lived with Grant’s parents. His father Jesse saw Julia as too extravagant and lavish. He refused to help the family beyond the bare minimum.
The outbreak of the Civil War provided tests for Julia. She was unsure of what to do with herself, wanting to help in any way she could but finding no way that she could. Julia and the children were safely based in Philadelphia, where wealthy citizens provided them with a nice home. Grant was provided with counsel and help from Julia, who kept abreast of the political situation.
There was also tension between the families. Julia’s family were ardent Confederates, especially her father. Julia managed to keep their close relationship, though he never forgave his son-in-law. Other relations never spoke to Grant and Julia ever again. Julia also received vitriol from the Union side due to her Confederate family.
She did, however, join Confederate women as a volunteer nurse. Julia proved popular in this endeavour, both with patients and the military. She did take a great interest in politics, though this did not sit well with her husband’s inferiors. Julia actively promoted her husband’s rising profile and strenuously denied his reported alcoholism.
One relationship often noted is the one between Julia and Mary Todd Lincoln. The two disliked one another- Julia thought Mary rude and crass, whilst Mary had a prickly temperament. Julia was horrified by Mary making a general’s wife cry with rudeness and swore to never be close to her. This may have saved her and her husband’s life- Julia refused the invitation to join the Lincolns at Ford’s Theatre due to Mary’s rudeness and security fears.
Julia was in Virginia when the news came of Lee’s surrender and was told by her husband in person. She immediately continued to promote her publicity shy husband. Whilst Julia did not attend Lincoln’s funeral, she did lead mourning outside the White House.
With the Civil War over, Julia enjoyed a life of comfort and splendour. Her status as the wife of a war hero allowed her splendid parties, celebrations and even a house given by locals. She even allowed news reporters to intrude on their private moments. Julia supported President Johnson’s policies of reconciliation with the South and became good friends with him and his daughter. As the Grants had moved to DC, Julia became a key social hostess.
Grant was a reluctant office seeker but Julia pushed him all the way. She was happier with his election and inauguration than he was.
Tenure: It had been years since a First Lady had remained in post for eight consecutive years- not since Dolley Madison left in 1817. Julia believed that the role meant she herself should be treated with a high level of respect and prestige. This contrasted with her shy husband. Observers found her to be a little naive when it came to life in the White House.
Julia opened up entertaining so that more working class people would attend. She struggled with some aspects of the role, such as remembering names and contributing recipes. Julia enjoyed small talk and conversation. She was a big believer in fine entertainment and held large dinners. Julia also took a large role in redecorating the White House, something enjoyed by First Ladies before and after.
The First Lady was a keen traveller and took many trips outside of Washington DC. She was a political animal though not partisan, she simply did what she thought was right for people. Julia also ensured that she had direct access to the press, though coverage was not always popular.
During the administration’s many scandals, Julia sought to get rid of those she thought were disloyal to her husband or were causing him issues. Julia wished for her husband to run for a third term but was dismayed when he chose not to.
In 1874, Julia organised the wedding of First Daughter Nellie.
Post-Tenure: Grant and Julia enjoyed a whirlwind tour of the world for two and a half years. They travelled around Europe and Asia, visiting countries such as Japan, India and Greece. They met with many world leaders such as Queen Victoria and Otto Van Bismarck, the latter of whom she discussed military strategy with. The two returned to the US in 1877, where they immediately embarked on a tour of the western USA.
When the Grants arrived back in DC in late 1880, they enjoyed a spirited welcome from the residents and outgoing President Hayes. The Grants then set up residence in New York, where Julia enjoyed life as a social queen during the Gilded Age. Unfortunately, a bad investment in 1884 hit them. Cornelius Vanderbilt offered to pay off their debt, so the Grants essentially repaid him with his Civil War mementos. Julia was heartbroken and the couple were reduced to poverty.
President Grant authorised magazine articles and other press events in order to regain his family’s finances. He was then diagnosed with throat cancer. Grant immediately started writing his memoirs. Julia stayed by his side during his illness, which they spent at a friend’s house. She remained calm during the final weeks but maintained a bedside vigil throughout.
Grant finished his memoir on the 19th July 1885. He died four days later and was given an elaborate funeral.
Julia remained a prominent figure during her twenty year widowhood. She constantly made public appearances and ensured that her husband’s legacy was remembered well. Julia received a large amount of money from her husband’s book sales as well as a pension from Congress. She was smart enough to make some good business decisions. Julia oversaw her husband’s tomb being built and its 1901 dedication.
In her later years, Julia was close friends with Frances Cleveland, Caroline Harrison, Mary Harrison McKee, Ida McKinley and Varina Davis. She wrote her memoirs and became an impassioned supporter of womens’ voting. Julia remained well-travelled and well-connected to the end.
Julia died aged 74 at her daughter’s home. Her funeral was attended by President Theodore Roosevelt, a first for a First Lady. She was buried alongside her husband.
Appearance and Character: Julia was a short, squat woman often regarded as plain. She suffered from strabismus- being cross eyed. Julia rejected surgery for it. As a person, Julia was a warm, gracious and extremely charitable person. She was well-liked by many across society, even those who sided with the Confederates. Julia proved a capable First Lady who enjoyed the task. She was a strong advocate of women’s rights, such as suffrage and being against polygamy. Unfortunately, she did seem to share disparaging views about African-Americans as was sadly common for the time, though she disavowed white supremacy.
Advocacy: Julia was an extremely charitable woman who gave help whenever she could. She did not have a particular favourite issue, but assisted as a nurse during the Civil War and a leading philanthropist during the Spanish-American War. Julia was well remembered and regarded for this.
Lucy Hayes (née Webb) – The Teetotaler Activist
- August 28, 1831–June 25, 1889
- Tenure: 1877-1881
- Children: Birchard, Webb, Rutherford, Joseph, George, Fanny, Scott, Manning
- Relation to President: Wife
Early Life: Lucy Webb was born to Dr. James and Maria. Her father died of cholera when she was not yet two years old, leaving her mother to raise Lucy and her two brothers. Maria Webb was a devout abolitionist and temperance advocate, influenced by her father Isaac, a politician. These ideals were passed on to Lucy, who swore to abstain from alcohol and who abhorred slavery.
Lucy was the best-educated First Lady America had seen. She attended preparatory school and a girls’ school connected to Wesleyan University. The academics were rigorous but Lucy proved to be an extremely able, intelligent woman. Lucy was the first presidential spouse with a college education, getting a BA from Wesleyan. During her college years, Lucy wrote many debate papers on a variety of subjects and even promoted female suffrage.
Marriage: Lucy first met Rutherford B. Hayes in about 1845. He dismissed her as too young to think about marrying. The two met again five years later at a wedding. Hayes was attracted to Lucy’s beauty, charm and intellectualism. They courted for around a year before marrying in late 1852.
Pre-Tenure: Lucy became close with her suffragist sister-in-law Fanny and became influenced by her views. She was devastated when Fanny died in childbirth and later named her only daughter after her. Lucy maintained the role of mother and homemaker for their eight children as Hayes continued in his career. She had strong views on race- she continued to be an abolitionist, taught her black housekeeper to read and write and attended an integrated church.
Lucy encouraged her husband to volunteer for the Civil War. The era was very hard on her- she lost two sons, her mother and her mother-in-law. Lucy visited her husband on the front and became a beloved member of his regiment through her kindness. She became an active philanthropist after the war, including building an orphanage for war orphans, visiting schools and assisting disabled children.
Lucy described herself as a ‘Radical Republican’ and opposed President Johnson’s conciliatory stance towards the South. She became a little more opposed to suffrage though was not strong in her rejection. Lucy did not join any formal organisations in case it reflected poorly on her husband.
Whilst Lucy did not initially support Hayes’ campaign, she came to help him. Her quiet domesticity proved popular with voters and it was thought women would encourage their husbands to vote for Hayes based on Lucy. She was upset when it seemed that Samuel J. Tilden would win. Due to her husband’s dubious victory, there was no inaugural ball.
Tenure: Lucy maintained her domestic lifestyle in the White House, especially since her two youngest children were still school age. She was deeply civic minded and believed in religious responsibility. Lucy was a very popular First Lady and actively courted by organisations, though she never joined any advocacy groups.
People today often remember Lucy for her teetotaler receptions, hence the nickname ‘Lemonade Lucy.’ The nickname came after her administration, and she in fact often served water at receptions. She was mocked relentlessly in the press but was also widely admired for her morality.
Lucy’s level of higher education meant that often promoted education for women. She toured schools across the nation and addressed students. She also remained devoted to charity and was known for assisting her very own White House workers. Lucy invited African-American musicians to perform and took an interest in Native affairs. Her keenest interest seemed to be in slum housing. Residents of DC slums were often visited by Lucy and she seemed to care about their welfare.
She often toured with her husband, their travels taking them all around the nation. Lucy also re-established the Easter Egg Roll at the White House; it became a yearly event.
Post-Tenure: Lucy lived a more private life after the White House. Previously favourable views on Civil Rights seemed to have disappeared, as Lucy spoke disparagingly against African-Americans. Confusingly, she also spoke out in favour of helping Southern blacks and the urban poor. She also developed a love of animals and became President of the Methodist Missionary Society.
Lucy suffered a stroke and died in 1889. Hayes sadly stated that ‘the soul has left Spiegel Grove [their residence].’ When he died four years later, his last words were ‘I know that I’m going where Lucy is.’ They are buried together.’
Appearance and Character: Lucy was a woman of medium height with brown hair and black eyes. She was a deeply intelligent woman with a good education behind her. Lucy showed interest in many topics but avoided too much controversy. She was a deeply charitable woman who helped out anyone she could personally and through foundations. Her views on civil rights were generally positive, though she may have held personally racist views.
Advocacy: The urban poor, slum dwellers, soldiers, children, African-Americans, Native-Americans, education and animals.
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