The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-02-08
MRS. MARTHA J. PATTERSON.
Andrew Johnson's Eldest Daughter
Lying at the Point OF Death at the
Old Homestead I'm GrccnveilIe, Tenn

Lying at tho Point of Death at the
Old Homestead I'm Grccnveilie. Tenn
Mrs. Martha Patterson, the oldest
chlld of President Andrew johnson,
is lying at the point Of death at the
family homestead in Greenrcilic u quiet
old town in East tennessee. She is now
in her seventy-second year. Her health
has heen failing for some time, and her
death has been expected mOmcntariiy
for two or three weeks.
Mrs. Patterson WAS the mistress OF
the White House during her fathers
administration and was therefore THE
first lady of the land at that time
The following is biographical sketch
Of this interesting old lady, which has
been approved by member OF the
family
Mrs. Martha j. Patterson, wife Of
Senator David II. Patterson, and eldest
child of President Andrew johnson,
was born October rs, 1925 in q build
ing on Main street near Snaps opera
house, known as the Russell property
about 100 yards from the Tow famous
tailor shop where President johnson
pursued the humble calling OF making
clothes. There she vas nurtured and
taught by her gifted father and
devoted mother, and In the schools Of
the town she received the rudimcnts
Of an education which she finished at
a college In Georgetown, ID. &. In her
childhood she was thoughtful and
studious, helpful to her parents and
seemed to care little for the sport and
romp Of school children. Thus dis
posed to voluntarily assume responsi-
billtics, she was developing an intelle CT
and character which would be capable
Of meeting with the heavy demands
that were to made upon her in after
life. She attended school in George
town during the administration Of
President Polk, and being an intimate
acquaintance Of the Presidents family,
she was privileged to visit the execu.
tive household frequently. She often
spoke OF how, on the occasion OF those
visits, she would be oppressed by the
dignity OF the surroundings but being
Of observant habits and possessed OF q
retcntive memory, she was building
better than she knew, by watching
closely the customs and manner of en-
tertainment, down to the smallest de.
tail
After returning to her home from
school she was married. December l3,
1856, to Hon. David II. Patterson, then
promising young attorney and cir
cult Judge. and afterwards United
i L.
Patterson was elected Judge in the
sane election in which Mr., johnson
was elected D.mocratic Governor o!
tho State
The nomination OF Mr.. johnson on
the ticket with Mr.. Lincoln and his
subst Qucnt election, is familiar to all
Upon Mr.. Lincoln's death Mr.. johnson
by constitutional provision assumed
the responsibilities of the chief execu
tive Of the United States. Upon his
elevation to the presidency, Mrs. John.
son being an invalid, the responsible
ties Of the executive household natu-
rally fell upon Mrs. Patterson, whose
husb band was then United States Sena
tor
When she entered the White House
she remarked THAT they were but
plain people from the mountains Of
Tennessee, and she hoped that not
too much would b, expected OF them.
Thus she showed that the sudden
elevation had not disturbed her modest
ideas and imbued her with arrogance.
No lady Of the White House ever en-.
tered upon her duties with the dome site
affairs OF the executive mansion in a
| more diiapidatcd condition than did
Mrs. Patterson. And this conditi ,r
was no reflection upon her Immediate
|
exigencies Of the disastrous wal
through which the country had jus
passed. Congress Immediately appro
priated $40, 900 for repairing and re
furnishing the White House, and Mrs
Patterson, knowing the depleted con
>dition OF the public treasury, and how
I the government was continually plum
dered by agents, assumed the care anC
direction OF this work herself, thus
| making this money do almost double
what ould have been accomplishe ed
by an INSCRIPTIONS agent. This work
was SO successfully done that Mrs.
House." speaks Of it thus "Through.
out the White House there existed
| not single evidence Of tawdry gaudi
| ness or cOarseness In color or quality,
and from cellar to garrett IT, WAS over
hauled and adorned by the unaffected
host IS who called herself q plain per.
son from East Tennessee
| While Mrs. Patterson displayed such
efficiency in the management of the
economic aifairs OF the household, she
was equally at homo in the reception
and dining rooms. The newspapers
Of that period were emphatic in their
praises Of her receptions and dinners
| The public receptions were always
| aIGcuuCu Uy CFOWuS ant
/ the state dinners were conducted with
that quiet elegance which always char
acterlZes the entertainments OF the ar
tstc and resourccful. "Simple bu
I elegant in her apparel, never descend
ing to disregard OF place, yet no
carried away by the follics Of fashion
Mrs. Patterson pleased the eye ant
gratified the pride OF all who felt o.
interest in her success. Golden 0pin
ions OF her taste we're won by the rici
simplicity OF her toilet on every public
occasion, and "the beauty OF her dress
consisted always in the arllcas unas
suming mann1r OF the wearer," say:
Mrs. Holloway in "Ladies Of the Waite
House"
Mrs Patterson always modest!y bu
respectfully declined to discuss the i'm
peachment trial Of her father, stating
that her private opinion WAS not worth
much, and ell sho could do was tt
wait. Through the long weeks OF the
trial she listened to every request, saw
every caller and served every peti
tioaor, hiding from all the ~nxt0a
weight of care expressing hur. HeI
fSgit3I. in-h es, father Newer WayarO1. ka