Margaret Taylor

 

Picture of President Zachary Taylor

Summary of Margaret Taylor - First Lady of America
Our summary and fast facts about Margaret Taylor provides an interesting and easy way to learn about the life of the First Lady of President Zachary Taylor. Margaret (Peggy) Taylor was totally against her husband entering the political arena and when he became President she delegated the duties of First Lady to her daughter, Betty Bliss. Margaret suffered many tragedies in her life due to the deaths of five of her six children. The final tragedy occured on
July 9, 1850 when her husband died whilst he was still in office. 

Facts about Margaret Taylor - First Lady "Miss Betty"
Margaret (Peggy) Taylor undertook the role of First Lady to Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States who served in office from March 4, 1849 to July 9, 1850.  What was the life of Margaret Taylor like? The Facts about Margaret Taylor covers important information, dates and interesting facts about her birth, her early life, her family, her personality with a biography and the accomplishments of Margaret Taylor as the First Lady of the United States of America.

Facts about Margaret Taylor: Fact Sheet of Margaret Taylor
Facts and Info: This fast fact sheet provides important information about Margaret Taylor, First Lady of the United States of America.

 
Margaret Taylor Fact Sheet - The First Lady of President Zachary Taylor
Relationship to President Zachary Taylor: Wife
Date Margaret Taylor entered White House as First Lady: March 4, 1849
Term of Presidency: 1849-1850
When and where was Margaret Taylor born?  

Picture of Margaret Taylor

Picture of Margaret Taylor

 She was born on September 21, 1788 in Calvert County, Maryland. She was named Margaret Mackall Smith
What was the name of her father and mother?
 The name of her parents: Walter Smith & Ann Mackall Smith
What was her relationship to President Zachary Taylor?
 She was his wife
When did she marry?
 She married Zachary on June 21, 1810
What are the names of her children?
 The names of the children of Margaret Taylor were Anne Margaret Mackall (1811 – 1875), Sarah Knox (1814 – 1835), Octavia Pannel (1816 – 1820), Margaret Smith (1819 – 1820), Mary Elizabeth “Betty” (1824 – 1909), Richard (1826 – 1879)
When and where did Margaret Taylor die?
 Margaret Taylor died on August 18, 1852 in Pascagoula, Mississippi
Margaret Taylor Fact Sheet - The First Lady of President Zachary Taylor

Facts about Margaret Taylor: Fast Overview of Events in the White House
Facts and Info: Margaret Taylor assumed the position of First Lady to President Zachary Taylor. She witnessed the important events of his presidency that included
the California Gold Rush and her husband taking a moderate stance on the issue of slavery, despite owning many slaves himself. The President died of heat stroke after dressing in a black high-collar suit for the July 4, 1850 dedication of the Washington Monument. He was the second President to die whilst still in office.

Personality and Character: Margaret Taylor Quotes
Facts and Info: An insight into the personal views, character and personality of this First Lady may be obtained from the following Margaret Taylor quotes:

"In the upstairs quarters of the White House, Margaret Taylor ran a congenial and welcoming establishment, and since relatives abounded, guests were almost always present. Margaret, however, remained true to her resolve to shun public life, a decision that caused the pampered members of Washington society to begin circulating rumors about her."

Facts about Margaret Taylor: Her Nickname "Miss Betty" or Pet Name "Peggy"
Facts and Info: This First Lady
's full name was Margaret Mackall Smith but she was called by the pet name "Peggy" by her family, friends and husband. Margaret Taylor was given the nickname "Miss Betty" by the media and the general public.

Facts about Margaret Taylor: First Events
Facts and Info: Margaret Taylor was the 1st First Lady to
choose not to take on the social duties associated with the role of the First Lady and transferred her responsibilities to her daughter, Elizabeth "Betty" Taylor Bliss.

Facts about the Causes and Accomplishments of Margaret Taylor
Facts and Info: First Ladies are not elected so have no official role. Their accomplishments are therefore based on their own particular wishes that ranged from political interests, humanitarian and charitable causes or duties relating to their family or social responsibilities. Margaret Taylor preferred a very private life, intensely disliking her husband's political life, but she did become an honorary member and supporter of the Sunday School Union, a church run initiative to educate children in religious subjects every Sunday morning.

Facts about Margaret Taylor: The Life of Margaret Taylor
Facts and Info:
Margaret Smith was the daughter of wealthy plantation owners Ann Mackall and Walter Smith and was born on on September 21, 1788 in Calvert County, Maryland. Margaret had a privileged upbringing and was accustomed to a wealthy lifestyle and gracious, elegant living. She had a basic education, suitable for girls of the era, and received her education at home. Margaret married Zachary Taylor on June 21, 1810, following a brief courtship. Her husband, Zachary, was following a military career and Margaret had to live in a variety of outposts and forts in unsettled areas of the Midwest, a far cry from the comforts she had known in her upbringing. Margaret gave birth to six children between 1811 and 1826 but by the time of his presidency their only surviving child was Elizabeth "Betty". General Zachary Taylor became a national hero in the Mexican War and was known by the affectionate nickname "Old Rough and Ready". His popularity as a war hero led to his presidential nomination by the Whig Party. Margaret was horrified. She was so opposed to his political career as President that Zachary Taylor admitted  that "she was actively praying for his opponent's victory". Her prayers were to no avail and Zachary Taylor became President on March 4, 1849.  Margaret moved with him to Washington, D.C., but she delegated her duties as hostess at the White House to her daughter Betty Bliss. The genteel Margaret avoided public appearances that led to untrue rumours, started by Zachary's political enemies, that she was a simple frontier woman who smoked a pipe. Her grandson leapt to her defence pointing out that Margaret could not stand the smell of smoke and was "intolerant of the slightest breach of good manners". Her difficult life as First Lady ended abruptly when Zachary Taylor contracted heat stroke after dressing himself in a black high-collar suit for the July 4, 1850 dedication of the Washington Monument. Her husband died a few days later on July 9, 1850 and was buried in Louisville, Kentucky, in what is now known as Zachary Taylor National Cemetery. Margaret Taylor  died on August 14, 1852 in East Pascagoula, Mississippi and was buried alongside her husband.

 

Presidential Seal

 

Video of Zachary Taylor
The Facts about Margaret Taylor provides a fast overview of the key facts and events in the biography about her life and accomplishments as the First Lady of Zachary Taylor. The following video enables you to sit back and listen to the history of the personal and political life of Zachary Taylor, the man she supported. A useful biography and educational resource for kids, children and schools learning about the life and family of Margaret Taylor.

 

 

 

Facts about Margaret Taylor for kids
 
Interesting facts and history about the First Lady for kids and schools
Short Biography with key facts and dates about the First Lady for kids
Family, quotes and accomplishments of Margaret Taylor
Firstlady short biography about her life, education and family
Fast interesting facts about her place and date of birth
The life, quotes and short biography of Margaret Taylor

Facts, summary, quotes, short biography, life and accomplishments of Margaret Taylor for schools, homework, kids and children

 

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