Jane Irwin Harrison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jane Irwin Harrison
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| Acting First Lady of the United States | |
| In role March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841 Serving with Anna Harrison
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| President | William Henry Harrison |
| Preceded by | Angelica Van Buren (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Letitia Christian Tyler |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jane Irwin
July 23, 1804 Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 11, 1847 (aged 42) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Spouses |
William Henry Harrison Jr.
(m. 1821; died 1838)Lewis Whiteman
(m. 1842) |
Jane Harrison (born Jane Irwin; July 23, 1804 – May 11, 1845 or 1847) was a special person in U.S. history. She briefly served as the acting First Lady of the United States. This means she helped host events for her father-in-law, William Henry Harrison. He was the ninth president of the United States. Jane Harrison was also related to another president, Benjamin Harrison. He was the 23rd president of the United States.
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Jane Harrison's Early Life
Jane Irwin was born on July 23, 1804. Her birthplace was Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. Her grandfather, James Ramsey, owned a farm called Millmont Farm.
Her parents were Archibald Irwin II and Mary (Ramsey) Irwin. They got married in 1798. Sadly, Jane's mother passed away in 1813. After that, her father married Sidney (Grubb) Irwin. Sidney became Jane and her siblings' stepmother.
Marriage and Children
Jane Irwin married William Henry Harrison, Jr. He was a son of General William Henry Harrison. Jane and William Jr. had two children together. Their names were James Findlay Harrison and William Henry Harrison III.
Family Ties to a President
Jane Harrison had a sister named Elizabeth Ramsey Irwin. Elizabeth married John Scott Harrison. John was another son of William Henry Harrison. They married in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1831.
Elizabeth and John had a son named Benjamin Harrison. Benjamin later became the 23rd president of the United States. This made Jane Harrison both an aunt and an aunt-in-law to a future president!
Serving as Acting First Lady
In 1840, William Henry Harrison was elected president. His wife, Anna Harrison, was too sick to travel. She could not join her husband for his inauguration in Washington D.C.
So, Jane Irwin Harrison stepped in to help. She acted as the official hostess for President Harrison. She was also helped by her aunt, Jane Irwin Findlay. President Harrison's time in office was very short. He passed away on April 4, 1841, just one month after becoming president. He died from pneumonia.
Later Life and Passing
Jane Irwin Harrison died in Cincinnati when she was in her early 40s. She passed away from tuberculosis. Cemetery records show her death date as May 6, 1847. However, some historians believe she died in 1845.
