Sarah Childress Polk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sarah Childress Polk
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Copy of Polk's Official Portrait, by George Dury
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| First Lady of the United States | |
| In role March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849 |
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| President | James K. Polk |
| Preceded by | Julia Tyler |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Taylor |
| First Lady of Tennessee | |
| In role October 14, 1839 – October 15, 1841 |
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| Governor | James K. Polk |
| Preceded by | Rachel Cannon |
| Succeeded by | Sarah Jones |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sarah Childress
September 4, 1803 Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | August 14, 1891 (aged 87) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Resting place | Tennessee State Capitol Nashville, Tennessee |
| Spouse | |
| Relations | Sarah Polk Fall (grandniece) |
| Education | Salem Academy |
| Signature |  |
Sarah Childress Polk (born September 4, 1803 – died August 14, 1891) was the First Lady of the United States from 1845 to 1849. She was married to James K. Polk, who was the 11th president of the United States.
Sarah came from a successful family and received a good education. She met her future husband when they were both young. Sarah and James never had children of their own. However, they did help raise some of their relatives.
Sarah was very good at hosting events and was well-informed about many topics. She often helped her husband's career with her social skills. She also gave him advice on political matters. After her husband passed away in 1849, Sarah lived as a widow for 42 years. This was the longest time any First Lady has lived after her husband's death.
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Early Life and Education
Sarah Childress was born in 1803. Her parents were Elizabeth Whitsitt and Joel Childress. Her father was a well-known farmer, merchant, and land investor. Sarah was the third of their six children.
She received a very good education for a girl of her time. In 1817, she went to the special Salem Academy in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This was one of the few places where women could get a higher education in the early 1800s.
Sarah Childress first met James K. Polk when they were both students. He was 19 years old, and she was 12. They were formally introduced again in the early 1820s. James Polk was involved in the State Legislature at that time.
They got engaged in 1823. On January 1, 1824, Sarah Childress, who was 20, married James Polk, who was 28. Their wedding took place at her parents' home near Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
They were married for 25 years but never had children. They were the only presidential couple who never had children together. They did raise a nephew, Marshall Tate Polk, for a few years. Later, Sarah also took care of her great-niece, Sarah Polk Fall, after her husband passed away.
Years of Political Life (1825–1849)
During James Polk's political career, Sarah helped him with his speeches. She used her good judgment to guide his ideas and offer support. She often went with her husband on his trips to Washington. Sarah made sure to be active in political life.
She even copied his letters and became very good at social events. Sarah was a humble woman who did not openly show her feelings. Her husband himself said that she was his most active supporter and critic. She also gave him advice on important issues and played a big part in his campaigns.
Mrs. Polk kept in touch with national leaders. This helped her learn about important global issues that were useful for her husband's campaign. She was one of the first wives of a president to be so involved in her husband's election. She even wrote for a local newspaper, supporting James Polk's plans.
As a congressman's wife in Washington, Sarah Polk enjoyed her social duties. She was a religious woman who chose not to dance or go to horse races or the theater. She was proud to be sociable but always kept her strong values. She made sure to serve many different foods and drinks at her dinners. She was known as a great hostess.
In 1845, Sarah Polk became the 11th First Lady of the United States. She was lively, charming, smart, and a good talker. President Polk often talked about important matters with her. She enjoyed politics but also warned her husband not to overwork himself. His health was never very strong.
As First Lady, she was a devoted Presbyterian. She set rules for official White House events. She did not allow dancing or card games. The Polk's events were calm and proper. This led some people to call her "Sahara Sarah."
Later Life
After attending the inauguration of Zachary Taylor on March 4, 1849, Sarah and her husband traveled to their new home, Polk Place, in Nashville, Tennessee. When they arrived, Polk Place was not fully ready. They then visited family before returning to Nashville.
Three months later, James Polk passed away from cholera. He was 53 years old and had the shortest retirement of any U.S. president. Sarah Polk stayed at Polk Place for the rest of her life. She rarely left her home and became quite private.
She started hosting guests again a few years after her husband's death. She welcomed many important people, including Presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and Grover Cleveland.
After becoming a widow, Sarah unofficially adopted her grandniece, Sarah Polk Jetton, who was called "Sallie." Sallie came to live with Sarah after her own mother passed away. They lived together in Nashville until Sarah's death in 1891 at age 87.
Sarah faced some money problems during her widowhood. Her main income came from a plantation she inherited from her husband. She had to sell the plantation before the American Civil War in 1861. Later, her younger brother John Childress helped her financially. Starting in 1884, the U.S. government gave Sarah a pension of $5,000 a year until she passed away.
During the Civil War, Sarah Polk remained officially neutral. However, she showed support for keeping the Union together. She had visits from several Union Army commanders, including Ulysses S. Grant. As a traditional Southern woman, she also showed some sympathy for the Confederacy when Confederate generals visited her in Nashville.
Sarah Polk lived at Polk Place for 42 years as a widow. This is the longest widowhood of any U.S. First Lady. She always wore black, as was common for widows at that time. She often visited her brother and her close friend Adelicia Acklen at Belmont.
Death
Sarah Polk passed away on August 14, 1891, at the age of 87. This was less than a month before her 88th birthday. She was first buried next to her husband at their home in Nashville. Later, they were both reburied at the Tennessee State Capitol when Polk Place was torn down in 1901. Sarah left the items from Polk Place to her grandniece, Sarah Polk Fall.
Images for kids
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Copy of Polk's Official Portrait, by George Dury
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Sarah Polk's signature
See also
In Spanish: Sarah Polk para niños
