Letitia Christian Tyler was the first wife of 10th President John Tyler. Suffering a debilitating stroke prior her husband taking office, Letitia’s health prevented her from exercising the traditional duties of First Lady. In 1842, she became the first Presidential spouse to die in the White House.
Early Life
Letitia Christian Tyler was born on November 12, 1790. Her father was a wealthy planter and prominent Federalist. She grew up on the Cedar Grove plantation outside of Richmond, Virginia. Although Letitia did not receive formal schooling, she learned to sew, read and manage a household.
Marriage to John Tyler
When Letitia met John Tyler, he was a law student. After a five-year courtship, she married him on March 29, 1813, which was her new husband’s 23rd birthday. In their only remaining love letter, Tyler promised, “Whether I float or sink in the stream of fortune, you may be assured of this, that I shall never cease to love you.”
The couple went on to have four daughters and three sons live to maturity. While John pursued his political career, serving in Congress and as Governor of Virginia, Letitia managed the domestic duties, largely remaining home in Virginia.
In 1839, Leticia suffered a paralytic stroke, which left her crippled. However, she continued to care for her family. Her daughter-in-law, Priscilla Cooper Tyler, described her as “the most entirely unselfish person you can imagine…Notwithstanding her very delicate health, mother attends to and regulates all the household affairs and all so quietly that you can’t tell when she does it.”
First Lady of the United States
John Tyler assumed the presidency following the death of William Henry Harrison in April 1841. Several weeks later, Letitia joined him in Washington, D.C.
Due to her frail health, Letitia Tyler did not participate in the social affairs of the administration. Rather, Priscilla Cooper Tyler served as the White House’s social hostess. One of Letitia’s few social appearances was the wedding of her daughter Elizabeth, who wed William N. Waller in 1842.
Letitia suffered a second stroke later in the year and died on September 10, 1842. She was buried at Cedar Grove Plantation.
