Sarah Childress Polk was the wife of President James Polk, who served as the 11th President of the United States. She was First Lady from 1845 to 1849.
Early Life
Sarah Childress Polk was born on September 4, 1803, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The daughter of Captain Joel and Elizabeth Childress, Sarah was wealthy and well-educated. She attended the Moravians’ Salem Academy in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, one of the few institutions of higher learning available to women at the time.
Marriage to James Polk
James Polk had just begun his political career in the Tennessee Legislature when he met Sarah. According to legend, Andrew Jackson encouraged James Polk to court Sarah, believing her good looks and intellect would serve him well as a politician. The couple married on January 1, 1824. James was 28, while Sarah was 20.
Sarah and James did not have any children. According to records, James Polk underwent surgery to remove a urinary bladder stone that left him sterile.
Sarah put her intellect to good use by helping her husband advance his career, assisting with his speeches, copying his correspondence, and offering advice during his tenure as Governor of Tennessee and his many years in Congress. While Sarah supported her husband, she cautioned him against overworking. As detailed in her White House biography, James would hand her a newspaper–“Sarah, here is something I wish you to read…”–and she would set to work as well.
First Lady of the United States
With her husband’s election as President in 1845, Sarah Polk became the 11th First Lady of the United States. Compared to her predecessor Julia Tyler, Sarah Polk’s White House social events were more sedate. A devout Presbyterian, Sarah Polk reportedly banned dancing, card games, and hard liquor at official receptions. Nonetheless, she was said to be a lively and charming host.
During his tenure as President, Sarah served as his personal secretary. She also continued to advise her husband on political matters and regularly met with member of the cabinet and Congress on his behalf.
Later Life
When John Tyler left office, he and Julia retired to their home at Sherwood Forest in Virginia. Julia presided over the plantAfter James Polk left office in 1849, the couple retired to their new home in Nashville, Tennessee, which became known as “Polk Place.” James Polk was not able to enjoy it for long, passing away of cholera several months later.
Sarah Polk lived at Polk Place for 42 years. Always wearing black, she welcomed many distinguished guests into her home, including as Abram Hewitt, Edward Cooper, John C. Calhoun II, John Catron, George Bancroft, and Presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and Grover Cleveland. During the Civil War, Sarah Polk remained neutral. While she sympathized with her the Confederate cause, she hoped the Union would be preserved.
Sarah Polk died on August 14, 1891, at the age of 88. She was buried beside her husband.
