Angelica Singleton Van Buren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Angelica Singleton Van Buren
|
|
|---|---|
_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg)
Van Buren's White House Portrait (1840)
|
|
| Acting First Lady of the United States | |
| In role November 27, 1838 – March 4, 1841 |
|
| President | Martin Van Buren |
| Preceded by | Sarah Jackson |
| Succeeded by |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sarah Angelica Singleton
February 13, 1818 Wedgefield, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | December 29, 1877 (aged 59) New York City, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Abraham Van Buren II (1807–1873) |
| Children | Rebecca Van Buren Singleton Abraham Van Buren Martin Van Buren II Travis Coles Van Buren |
| Alma mater | Madame Grelaud's French School |
| Signature |  |
Angelica Singleton Van Buren (born Sarah Angelica Singleton on February 13, 1818 – died December 29, 1877) was an important woman in American history. She was the daughter-in-law of Martin Van Buren, who was the eighth president of the United States. Angelica married the President's son, Abraham Van Buren II.
Because President Van Buren's wife, Hannah Van Buren, had passed away and he never remarried, Angelica stepped in to help. She became the official hostess of the White House, a role often called the 'acting First Lady.' She was very young when she took on this big job, only 18 years old!
Contents
Early Life of Angelica Singleton
Sarah Angelica Singleton was born in Wedgefield, South Carolina, on February 13, 1818. She was one of six children born to Richard Singleton and Rebecca Travis Coles.
Angelica went to school at the Columbia Female Academy in South Carolina. She also spent five years studying at Madame Grelaud's French School in Philadelphia. This school helped her meet many different kinds of people.
Her Marriage and White House Role
In 1838, Angelica visited Washington, D.C., with her sister. Dolley Madison, a former First Lady and a cousin of Angelica's mother, decided to help them find partners. She introduced the Singleton sisters to President Martin Van Buren's sons.
Eight months later, on November 27, 1838, Angelica Singleton married Abraham Van Buren. He was 31 years old. Their wedding took place in Wedgefield, South Carolina. This marriage helped President Van Buren connect more with the Southern states.
After her wedding, Angelica took on the important job of hostess at the White House. She did very well in this role.
European Trip and White House Style
In early 1839, Angelica and her husband took a long trip. They visited England and other countries in Europe. Angelica's aunt and uncle, Sally Coles Stevenson and Andrew Stevenson, lived in England. Her uncle was the U.S. Minister to the U.K.
The trip was a big success. When Angelica returned to Washington, she wanted to bring some European style to the White House. She tried a new way of greeting guests. Angelica and other important female guests stood on a raised platform, called a dais, in the Blue Room. They greeted guests at the start of White House events.
The French Ambassador liked this new way of greeting. However, many Americans did not. So, the dais was soon removed.
Angelica's Children
In March 1840, Angelica gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Rebecca. Sadly, the baby died a few months later.
After leaving the White House, Angelica and Abraham had four sons. The sons who lived were:
- Singleton Van Buren (1841–1885)
- Martin Van Buren II (1844–1885)
- Travis Coles Van Buren (1848–1889)
Angelica as Acting First Lady
Angelica Van Buren served as the White House hostess after her mother-in-law, Hannah Van Buren, passed away. This made her the acting First Lady of the United States. She helped the President with his social duties and welcomed guests to the White House.
Historians have sometimes looked at the roles of acting First Ladies like Angelica. They consider how these women contributed to the country and supported the President.
Life After the White House
After Martin Van Buren lost his re-election in 1840, Angelica and her husband moved. They lived at the Van Buren family home, Lindenwald, in Kinderhook, New York. During the winters, they would stay at her family's home, Melrose House, in South Carolina.
From 1848 until her death, Angelica lived in New York City. Martin Van Buren, her father-in-law, passed away on July 24, 1862. He was 79 years old. Angelica Van Buren died on December 29, 1877.
See Also
In Spanish: Angélica Van Buren para niños
- Singleton's Graveyard, her family's plantation cemetery near Wedgefield, South Carolina
