Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-25
MRS. LETITIA TEMPLE.
PRESIDENT 1YLER'S DAUGHTER STILL
LIVING IN WASHINGTON.
,..,or.s,i,,. sl..,,b i'm the Series of Face
We seldom see" in the Ladies
Home journal.

prise TO many people 10 learn That the
daughter Of an administration as many
years distant in time as Is that OF
President John Tyler is living at this late
day . resident OF the city in which her
father found his official home, and in
which she once dispensed hospitality as
mistress of the White House.
Letitia Tyler was the second daughter
and fourth child Of John Tyler. and his
first wife, Lettia Christian. and was born
at her fathers estate Of "Greenway," in
Charles city county. Va, in 1871. She was
educated al home under the tuition Of her
mother and governesses, until she was
II years of age when she was sent 10 a
school at some distance from her home.
from which. however. she was recalled by
the marriage Of her eldest sister, Mary.
10 Mr.. Henry Lightfoot Jones. Soon after
this her father removed mis- family 10 VIII
liamsburg. from which place Lettia was
married in February. 1889, 10 Mr.. Semplc,
OF the United States navy. the nephew and
adopted son of Judge Semple, Of that
city. After her marriage Mrs. Semple
went with her husband 10 his estate
In New Kent county, from which place
she was able 10 make many visits 10 her
family home at Williamsburg. on the
death Of President Harrison. In April. 1911.
Mr.. Tyler. accompanied by his son,
Robert, and his wife, his son John Tyler.
Jr.. and his daughter Elizabeth, proceeded
To Washington. where he was at once
inaugurated President. Mrs. Semple has
tened from her home at Cedar Hill 70 as
sist In the preparations attendant upon
the sudden and unexpected removal Of the
family from Williamsburg 10 the national
capital. Having finished all the necessary
transactions she proceeded with her in
valid mother and her younger brother
and sister by steamer from Acquia creek.
to Washington. advising the President OF
the place and hour of arrival On reach
ing the wharf the nonappearance Of either
relatives or conveyance to meet them was
proof 10 Mrs. Sempia OF the miscarriage
Of her letters, and she arranged at once
for the transportation OF her charges 10
the Executive Mansion.
AFTER HOURS.
Arriving there during tn. late after
noon tney were informed by the porter
that it was after the hours for admitting
visitors. Mrs. Semple replied quietly: DO
you think the President would object 10
seeing his wife and children" greatly To
the discOmforture OF the attendant, who
lost no time in bidding them welcome
I and notifying the household OF their ar
rival
Mrs. Semple was forced by her domestic
duties 70 return 10 Cedar Hill almost i'm
medlateiy' and during the year and a half
a. Ifft IL
House. her visits there being purely of A
domestic nature. as on the occasion OF
her sister EliZabeth's wedding, some ban
usmal ceremonies. and those required bv
hef mothers falling health. On Septem-
Der 10, 1872. Mrs. Tyler died. and from
That time Mrs Semple whose husband
was absent at sea as purser in the
United states navy, made her home at
the White House. The following spring
she became al her fathers request. the
actual mistress OF the White House a
position which she held until June. 1874.
when she welcomed her fathers bride.
Formerly Miss Julia Gardiner. of New
York, as her successor.
During Mrs. Sempla's reign AZ the
White House the demands upon the time
Oh the First Lady OF the Land were
even more eXacting than at present.
ihree days IN the week. from morning !
p
signed to the reception OF visitors. the |
same hours of the other three days being
devoted to the returning of calls ON
pleasant afternoons II was the custom OF
the President TO drive, after O'clock.
MS favorite companion being his dauph
ter Letitia. While driving through the |
heavily wooded districts which then /
marked the present suburbs OF the capitaI
city, Mrs. Sempe would often sing IN /
her father his fayorite ballads and songs |
The PREV lent's family was also infor- |
many AT nome every evening until 10 |
O'Clock, when any one and every one was
privileged to pay their respects in the |
drawing-room.
Mrs. Semple presided among other fes. !
uvities, over the dinner and ball given by !
the President in honor OF the Prince de !
JoinVilie ana his suite. She was present /
also at the stretching OF the first telegram
wire between Washington and baltimore
by Morse. the inventor from whom she
later received portion OF the first At
lantic cable. She witnessed also the first
submarine explosion In American waters.
and the application OF the first electric /
light to the dome OF the Capitol. She was
also given the honor OF christening the
first iron ship which was propelled by
steam In the American navy. the ALLIE
ghany.
TRAVELLED
After resigning her position as mistress
OF the White House Mrs. sempIe travelled
with her husband through most of the
countries OF the Old World. Her extern
sive journeyings but made her the better
patriot, and the story " told that while |