Ann Gerry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ann Gerry
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| Second Lady of the United States | |
| In role March 4, 1813 – November 23, 1814 |
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| Vice President | Elbridge Gerry |
| Preceded by | Abigail Adams (1797) |
| Succeeded by | Hannah Tompkins (1817) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ann Thompson
August 12, 1763 New York City, New York, British America |
| Died | March 17, 1849 (aged 85) New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Resting place | New Haven's Old Burying Ground (now under the New Haven Green, New Haven, Connecticut) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 10 |
Ann Thompson Gerry (born August 12, 1763 – died March 17, 1849) was an important figure in early American history. She was the wife of Vice President Elbridge Gerry. This made her the Second Lady of the United States from 1813 to 1814.
Contents
Ann Gerry's Early Life
Ann Thompson was born in New York City in 1763. Her father was James Thompson. He was a wealthy businessman from Ireland. He made his money through trade. Her mother was Catharine Walton. She came from a rich family in New York.
Ann received her education in Dublin, Ireland. Her older brothers studied in Scotland. They later joined the British Army. After finishing her schooling in the mid-1780s, Ann returned to New York. People at the time said she was very beautiful.
Meeting Elbridge Gerry
In New York, Ann met Elbridge Gerry. He was a politician from Marblehead, Massachusetts. He was twenty years older than her. At the time, he was serving in the Congress of the Confederation. This was an early form of the U.S. government.
Ann and Elbridge fell in love. They got married on January 12, 1786. Their wedding took place at Trinity Church in New York.
Family Life and Later Years
Ann and Elbridge Gerry had ten children together. They were born between 1787 and 1801. Sadly, three of their children died young.
Elbridge Gerry was often away from home. He worried about Ann's health. Later in his life, the family faced some money problems. Elbridge's salary as Vice President helped pay off these debts. He served as Vice President from 1812 until his death in 1814.
After her husband passed away, Ann was left with land but not much cash. A senator from Massachusetts, Christopher Gore, suggested that Ann should continue to receive her husband's Vice President salary for the rest of her life. However, Congress decided not to do this. They worried it would create a new rule for future cases.
Life After Her Husband's Death
Ann Gerry was then supported by her children. She lived with her son, James Thompson Gerry. He was a commander of a ship called the USS Albany. She also lived with at least two of her daughters. They lived at 17 Temple Court in New Haven.
Ann Gerry passed away in New Haven, Connecticut, on March 17, 1849. She was buried in New Haven's Grove Street Cemetery.
