Lady of the Presidents House: 1838 to 1841

Daughter-in-law of President Martin Van Buren

Born: February 13, 1816 Died: December 29, 1877

Angelica Van Buren was President Van Buren's daughter-in-law. President Van Buren's wife, Hannah died in 1819, after twelve years of marriage. Upon her death she left four sons, however all four were unmarried when Van Buren became President. One of their sons, Abraham, on November 27, 1838, married a South Carolina girl named Angelica Singleton. Angelica was born and raised on her father's plantation in Sumter County, South Carolina, and finished her education in Philadelphia. She had met her husband, Abraham, through her friendship with Dolly Madison, on one of her many visits to Washington.

During her stay at the White House, as hostess, she brought a sense of style and etiquette back to the White House, and less public activity that was present during President Jackson's term. President Van Buren disliked the many social occasions, so he disbanded all of them except for the New Year's Day reception.

President Van Buren, along with his hostess Angelica, would give small dinner parties, however being mindful not to be extravagant as the nation was suffering hard economic depression. They did however, redecorate and refurbish the White House, providing new furniture that had been battered during the Jackson's eight years there.

After her reign as presidential hostess, Angelica retired to private life. She had four children, of which, her first child, died in infancy. Angelica died on December 29, 1877, having survived her husband, who died in 1873.

Copyright © 1990-2022 by John T. Marck. All Rights Reserved. This article and their accompanying pictures, photographs, and line art, may not be resold, reprinted, or redistributed for compensation of any kind without prior written permission from the author. From The First Ladies of the Unites States by John T. Marck.