Letitia Christian Tyler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Letitia Christian Tyler
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Tyler's White House Portrait (1842)
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| First Lady of the United States | |
| In role April 4, 1841 – September 10, 1842 |
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| President | John Tyler |
| Preceded by | Anna Harrison Jane Harrison (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Priscilla Tyler (acting) |
| Second Lady of the United States | |
| In role March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841 |
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| Vice President | John Tyler |
| Preceded by | Floride Calhoun |
| Succeeded by | Sophia Dallas |
| First Lady of Virginia | |
| In role December 10, 1825 – March 4, 1827 |
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| Governor | John Tyler |
| Preceded by | Susanna Lawson Pleasants |
| Succeeded by | Frances Ann Gwynn Giles |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Letitia Christian
November 12, 1790 Cedar Grove, Providence Forge, New Kent County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | September 10, 1842 (aged 51) White House, Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Cause of death | Stroke |
| Resting place | Cedar Grove Plantation Cemetery, New Kent County, Virginia, USA |
| Spouse | |
| Children |
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Letitia Tyler (born Letitia Christian; November 12, 1790 – September 10, 1842) was the First Lady of the United States from 1841 to 1842. She was the wife of President John Tyler. They met in 1808 and married in 1813. Letitia managed their large farm in Virginia while her husband worked in politics. She only joined him when he was Governor of Virginia. In 1839, she had a stroke that left her unable to move easily.
When her husband became Vice President of the United States in 1841, she became the second lady. A month later, President William Henry Harrison died. John Tyler became president, and Letitia became the first lady. Because of her health, she could not do the duties of the first lady. Her daughter-in-law, Priscilla Cooper Tyler, helped her. Letitia Tyler died from a second stroke on September 10, 1842. She was the first person to die while serving as first lady. Even though she played a small public role, people liked her.
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Early Life and Family
Letitia Christian was born on November 12, 1790. Her birthplace was the Cedar Grove farm in New Kent County, Virginia. Her parents were Mary and Robert Christian. Her father was a wealthy farm owner who knew important political figures like President George Washington. Letitia was the seventh of twelve children. People described her as quiet, very religious, and devoted to her family. She came from an Episcopalian Christian family. She learned how to manage a large southern farm, but she did not go to a formal school.
The Christian and Tyler families knew each other well. Letitia met John Tyler in 1808 when he visited her home. They began a courtship that lasted five years. John Tyler would often visit her when he traveled to the state capital. Her father did not like John Tyler's political views. This was because Tyler supported Thomas Jefferson.
Marriage and Home Life
Letitia Christian and John Tyler married at Cedar Grove on March 29, 1813. After their wedding, they lived in a home called Mons-Sacer. This house was built on Tyler family land using money Letitia inherited. John Tyler's parents had died shortly after the wedding, leaving her a large inheritance. Letitia was often alone after the wedding. Her husband was called to serve in the War of 1812.
Two years later, they sold Mons-Sacer. They built another house nearby called Woodburn. In 1821, they bought the entire Greenway property. The Tylers had nine children, but only seven lived past infancy. Their children were Mary, Robert, John Jr., Letitia, Elizabeth, Alice, and Tazewell.
The Tylers often had money problems. Raising many children and being involved in politics cost a lot. Letitia preferred to stay home and manage the farm. She did not like public attention. Her management of the farm was very important. It allowed her husband to be away for long periods. This helped his political career grow. She oversaw the farm's finances and daily tasks.
Letitia did join her husband when he was Governor of Virginia. As the governor's wife, she hosted events in the state capital. However, she did not go with him to Washington, D.C. when he was elected to Congress. She stayed in Virginia because the farm needed her. She also did not like the living conditions in Washington at that time. She only visited Washington once, in the winter of 1828–1829. Letitia usually let her husband make decisions. But she strongly disagreed when he wanted to send their oldest daughter to a Catholic school.
Letitia's health was often poor. Her oldest child, Mary, helped take care of her when John was away. Her health worsened after many pregnancies. Her husband left politics twice to be closer to her. This was in 1821 and 1836. In 1837, the Tylers moved to Williamsburg, Virginia. In 1839, she had a stroke. This left her unable to move easily. After her stroke, she spent most of her time reading her Bible and prayer book. She still managed the farm's affairs. When her son Robert married, Letitia became very close with her daughter-in-law, Priscilla Cooper Tyler.
First Lady of the United States
President William Henry Harrison died suddenly. This meant John Tyler became president. Letitia Tyler's health made it impossible for her to manage the White House. She did not travel to Washington right away with her family. When she arrived, she stayed in a wheelchair in the upstairs living area of the White House. She came downstairs only once. This was to attend her daughter Elizabeth's wedding in January 1842. She may have also gone to the theater once. While upstairs, she continued to read her Bible and prayer book.
Letitia Tyler made only one public appearance as first lady. She was still in charge of how the first lady's duties were done. But she asked her daughter Letitia to manage the White House. She asked her daughter-in-law, Priscilla Cooper Tyler, to host events. Letitia also advised her husband. He often talked about difficult issues with her. She knew enough about politics to discuss them with visitors. Important guests sometimes went upstairs to meet her. Famous writers like Charles Dickens and Washington Irving visited her.
Letitia's health got worse in 1842. She had a second stroke on September 9, 1842. She died the next day, on September 10. She was the first woman to die while serving as first lady. She was also the shortest-lived American first lady, dying at age 51. Her funeral was a big event. Her coffin was placed in the East Room of the White House. Then, a procession carried her coffin away. Letitia Tyler was buried at her father's estate in Cedar Grove. The White House was decorated in black for a time of mourning.
Legacy and Recognition
Letitia Tyler had little impact on her husband's presidency. She stayed mostly in the White House living quarters. She also played no public role. However, she was well-liked, even though her husband faced political challenges. Priscilla Cooper Tyler said she was "the most entirely unselfish person you can imagine." She also said Letitia managed all household affairs quietly, despite her delicate health.
Not many original writings about Letitia Tyler exist. Most information comes from letters between her family members. None of her own letters have survived. Because she could not serve actively as first lady, she is often less remembered. Her daughter-in-law, Priscilla Cooper Tyler, and her husband's second wife, Julia Gardiner Tyler, are more often studied.
Letitia Tyler has been honored on a postage stamp. The Isle of Man Post Office issued a 28p stamp on May 23, 2006. This was part of a series honoring Manx-Americans. She also appears on a gold coin and a bronze medal. The United States Mint issued these on July 2, 2009. They are part of a series of first spouse coins.
Since 1982, the Siena College Research Institute has surveyed historians. They ask historians to rate American first ladies. Historians have said they know "almost nothing about" Letitia Tyler. She has consistently been ranked in the bottom group of first ladies in these surveys.
See also
- Caroline Harrison – wife of Benjamin Harrison who also died while serving as first lady
- Ellen Axson Wilson – wife of Woodrow Wilson who also died while serving as first lady
