TIPPECANOE AND TYLER TOO

 Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

John Tyler was the 10th president of the United States, serving from 1841 to 1845. So how can it be that his last living grandchild died only a couple of weeks ago?

The answer lies in one of the peculiarities that make Tyler a first, a most, and an only among presidents. 

At age 68, William Henry Harrison was the oldest person elected president until Ronald Reagan was elected at 69 (these days I think Reagan was practically a teenager). Harrison gave the longest inaugural address in history (two hours) on a rainy, cold day. He didn't wear a hat or coat. Then he rode through the streets in the inaugural parade, stood in a receiving line for three hours at the White House, and attended three inaugural balls, one of which had 1,000 attendees. He continued to push himself to unhealthy limits until he exhibited cold-like symptoms that became pneumonia. Doctors treated President Harrison with bloodletting, heated cups applied to his skin, and medications that induced vomiting. Mrs. Harrison wasn't with him when he died April 4, 1841. She was still packing to move to Washington. He had the shortest presidency in history––30 days. 

Vice President John Tyler heard the news April 5th. At age 51, he became the youngest president to date. He then established the precedent for handling the transfer of power. The Cabinet thought Tyler was a putz and decided he would be vice president acting president. Tyler decided he would be president. He had himself sworn in and moved into the White House. Tyler kept Harrison's Cabinet in place but informed then he would be responsible for his own administration.

Tyler was a member of the Whig party, but when he vetoed some of his party's bills, the Whigs kicked him out and gave him the nickname "His Accidency." He was the first president to have his veto overturned by Congress. Later, Tyler formed a third party. It had the ingenious name The Tyler Party and didn't last long.

Tyler came from a well-known Virginia slaveholding family, was an ardent supporter of states' rights, and owned numerous slaves himself. Tyler supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. The flag of the United States did not fly at his funeral––the first and only time such a thing occurred. Instead, a Confederate flag was draped over his coffin.

The Supreme Court had two vacancies during Tyler's presidency. The president submitted four choices. All were rejected––the most of any president. At the end of his term, one of his nominees was confirmed. The other seat remained empty until it was filled by the next president, James Polk. Did that inspire you, Mitchie-poo? Hey, did you know Mitch's first name is Addison? And he was in Tyler's Cabinet? tee-hee


Post-presidency, Tyler retired to the Virginia plantation he named Sherwood Forest. At 301 feet, it's the longest frame house in the U.S. The Tyler family still owns Sherwood Forest. It's open for tours. According to one of my sources, the family avoids the subject of slavery.

And now, the pièce de ré·sis·tance: The most recent owner of Sherwood Forest was Tyler's last living grandchild, Harrison Ruffin Tyler, who died May 25th, age 96. Yes, a man who died in 2025 had a grandfather who was born in 1790. As Carol said, John Tyler was a breeder. He had more children than any other U.S. president.

Wife #1: Letitia Christian –– They married in 1813. While John Tyler grew his political career, Letitia Tyler grew their plantation and their eight babies. 

Mary (1815–1847) 

Robert (1816–1877)

John (1819–1896) 

Letitia (1821–1907) 

Elizabeth (1823–1850) 

Anne (1825–1825) 

Alice (1827–1854) 

Tazewell (1830–1874)

Mrs. Tyler had a stroke and died in the White House in 1842. 

Wife #2: Julia Gardiner   –– John Tyler became the first president to marry while in office when he wed Julia in 1844. The marriage was problematic. The president's critcs argued he shouldn't have remarried so quickly and while in office. Futhermore, the two married in secret. And age was an issue. He was 54, and she was 24. Ain't that the way it always goes? 

 Julia Tyler was first lady for the final eight months of the Tyler presidency. Then the Tylers headed to their Sherwood Forest home to make babies. Seven of them.

David (1846–1927)

John Alexander (1848–1883)

Julia (1849–1871)

Lachlan (1851–1902)

Lyon (1853–1935) 

Robert Fitzwalter (1856–1927)

Margaret Pearl (1860–1947) John Tyler was 70 years old when Pearl was born. 

Harrison Tyler's father was Lyon, who followed in his father's footsteps by marrying a second time late in life, following the death of his first wife. Harrison was born to Lyon's second wife in 1928 when his father was 75.

Anybaby, that's how the 10th president of the United States had a grandchild who died recently. At least it was something in the news that didn't make me want to tear my hair out and run down the street screaming. 

 

Julia

Letitia

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug