Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-07-28
PRESIDENT rYLER'S TWO WIVES.
His First Courtship and Marrisse-Whers
He NJ ct His Second Wife,

He Met His Second Wife.
4 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 presi-
dent who was married while in the White
House Shortly before President Tyler
died lac said TO his son:
My son, ] have in many respects been
a fortunate man; but in respect 10 no one
particular have | greater cause to con
gratulate myself than in that since
reached mans estate | have passed only
two years ont of the marriage relation;
for it has protected and preserved my
moral life"
Gen Tyler describes his mother, the
presidents first wife, as n dark haired,
fair skinned lady, with a 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 nouglasses of Nir
ginia, and fell in love at once. He was
then about 10 years old, and il was per
haps year before he became engaged to
her.
His courtship," says Gen. Tyler, "was
much more formal than that Of to day.
He was seldom alone with her before
their marriage, and he has told me that
he never 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 propos-
ing TO her, and when he visited her at the
home of Col. Christian, her father, on his
plantation, he was entertained in the par
lors, where the whole family were assem-
bled together. As was the custom then
among the better class of Nirginian fami-
lies, the lover never thought of going out
riding in the same carriage with his affi-
anCed, but rode along on horseback at the
side of the carriage, which always con-
tained 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 being
only eight months her senior. Their wed
ding took place on his % birthday, and
their married life of twenty nine years
was IA 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 gentleman of New
York. Gen. Tyler says that in the second
winter after his mothers death Mr.. Gar
liner and his two daughters came tC
Washington on their return from Europe.
They visited the White House one Thurs
day evening. and he, as private secretary,
took their cards, they being unknown 10
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 attentions
to the president and his family. After a
time President Tyler began to look with
eyes Of love at one of the Misses Gardiner,
and finally proposed marriage with her
TO her father and mother. His proposal
was well received, and, the young lady
being willing, the marriage was deter
mined upon. 1t took place in New York
Gen. Tyler thinks il would have been an
indelicate thing to have had it celebrated
at the White House President Tyler
lived seventeen years with his second
wife, and had a number of children by
her She nows lives at Richmond, and
receives pension of 5000 year from
the government-Frsnk G. Carpenter in
Lippincott's Magazine.