Hannah Van Buren was the wife of President Martin Van Buren. She never served as First Lady, dying 18 years before her husband was elected as the eighth president of the United States in 1836.
Early Life
Hannah Hoes Van Buren was born on March 8, 1783. She grew up on a farm in Kinderhook, New York, which was a tight-knit community of former Dutch immigrants. While born in the United States, she spoke with a Dutch accent.
Martin Van Buren, Hannah’s first cousin once removed, also grew up in Kinderhook. While they were childhood sweethearts, they did not marry until they were in their twenties, as Martin Van Buren first wanted to establish his legal practice.
Marriage to Martin Van Buren
Hannah and Martin Van Buren married on February 21, 1807. The couple had five sons, one of whom died in infancy.
In 1808, the family moved to Hudson, New York where Van Buren served as surrogate of Columbia County. Four year later, they moved to Albany upon Martin’s election to state senator.
Little is known about Hannah, as her husband did not discuss her in his autobiography. As highlighted in her White House biography, “a gentleman of that day would not shame a lady by public references.” However, Hannah Van Buren was said to be happy and social, serving as good hostess as her husband’s political stature rose. Her husband’s niece remembered “her loving, gentle disposition” and noted “her modest, even timid manner.”
Later Life
Hannah Van Buren contracted tuberculosis while living in Albany. She later became pregnant and delivered a healthy son. However, the pregnancy exacerbated her health issues. She died on February 5, 1819, at the age of 35.
Martin Van Buren never remarried and entered the White House as a widower. If Hannah had survived, she would have become the first U.S. citizen to serve as First Lady.
In 1838, Van Buren’s oldest son Abraham married Angelica Singleton, a relative of Dolley Madison. While Abraham served as a private secretary to his father, Angelica assumed the role of the lady of the White House.
