Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-12-23
President Tyler's Two Wives.

am indebted to Gen. Tyler. the son
of President Tyler. for Information
about his fathers marriage, President
Tyler was married twice, and he was
the only president who was married
while in the white house Shortly be-
fore President Tyler died he said to his
son: ......... f.r.y.Ir I.r.
"My son, have in many respects
been fortunate man; but in respect to
no one particular have greater cause
to congratulate myself than in that since
reached mans estate have passed
only two years ont of the marriage re-
lation; forit has protected and preserved
my moral life" ..-..- rdI -r.l'
Gen. Tyler describes his mother, the
presidents first wife, as dark-haired,
fair-skinned lady. with person which
was perfect mould of beauty. She was
of medium size, and looked much like
the Empress Josephine. save that her
skin was fairer. Tyler met her at a ball
given by one of the wealthy Douglasses
of Virginia, and fell in love at once.
He was then about 10 years old, and it
was perhaps year before he became
engaged to her. ...,.. .-.if',,- .,8t
His courtship," says Gen. Tyler,
twas much more formal than that of
to-day He was seldom alone with her
before their marriage, and he has told
me that he meyer mustered up courage
enough to kiss his sweetheart's hand
until three weeks before their wedding,
though he was engaged for nearly five
years. He asked her parents consent
before proposing to her. and when he
visited her at the home of Col Christian,
her father, on his plantation, he was
entertained in the parlors where the
whole family we're assembled together.
As was the custom then among the bet
ter class of Virginiau families, the lover
never thought Of going ont riding in the
same carriage with his affianced. but
rode along on horseback at the side of
the carriage, which always contained
one or more ladies in. addition to his
sweetheart to add decorum to the oc-
casion.' President Tyler and his first
wife were of nearly the same age, he be-
ing only eight months her senior. Their
wedding took place on his 2Sd birth
day, and their married life Of twenty
nine years was a most happy one. ~
President Tyler's second marriage
took place two years after the death of
his first wife. Tyler was 81, The bride
was girl hardly out Of her teens. Her
name was Miss Julia Gardiner, and she
was the daughter of wealthy. gentle
man Of New York. Gen. Tyler, says
that in the second winter after bis
mothers death Mr.. Gardiner and his
two daughters came to Washington on
their return from Europe. They visited
the white house one Thursday evening.
and he, as private secretary. took their
cards, they being unknown to him. and
introduced them to the family. They
repeated their visits to the white house
during the season, returning to New
York at its close At the opening of
the following season they were back in
Washington and renewed their atten-
tions to the president and his family: Aft
er time President Tyler began to look
with eyes of love at one of the Misses
Gardiner and finally proposed mar
riage with her to her father and mother,
His proposal was well received. and the
young lady being willing, the marriage
was determined upon. 1t took place In
New York. Gen. Tyler thinks it would
have been AN indelicate thing to have
had it celebrated at the white house.
President Tyler lived sseyenteen years
with his second wife and had mum Der
of children by her. She now lives at
RiohpnonI' n =, n raoaiUac n ,lhpein,, "a
$1,000 a year from the government. =
Frank q. Carpenter, III Lipptncons
Magazine. u ','i'ifl.'''. a,'''7''l Y, /