Julia Tyler

As a young woman, Julia Gardiner shocked New York High Society when she posed as a model for a department store advertisement. Many notable men of Washington sought her hand; however, she literally swooned into President Tyler’s arms after witnessing her father's death in an explosion. The thirty-year age difference between the president and his bride made for juicy gossip, but the union successfully produced seven children. Julia reigned supreme on the family's southern plantation. She was outspokenly pro-slavery and encouraged her sons to fight for the Confederacy. Financially strapped after the war and the death of her husband, Julia lobbied Congress for a presidential widow’s pension until it was granted in 1880.

Born: 4 May 1820, Gardiner’s Island, Long Island, New York

Died: 10 July 1889, Richmond, Virginia

Early Life and Family Background

Julia Gardiner Tyler was born on 4 May 1820, on Gardiner’s Island, Long Island, New York. Some family records suggest the date might have been 23 July. She was the third of four children born to David Gardiner and Juliana McLachlan Gardiner. Her father, David Gardiner, born in 1784, was a lawyer, state senator, and real estate manager. He tragically died on 28 February 1844, in the explosion of the naval cannon “The Peacemaker” during an excursion on the naval cutter Princeton.

David Gardiner was a descendant of Lion Gardiner, an English immigrant who purchased Gardiner’s Island from the Montauk Tribe in 1639. Julia’s mother, Juliana McLachlan Gardiner, was born on 8 February 1799. She was one of the wealthiest women in New York, inheriting substantial real estate from her father, Michael McLachlan, a successful brewer and real estate owner.

Julia’s ancestry was a blend of English, Dutch, and Scottish heritage. Her paternal grandmother, Rachel Schellinger, was of Dutch parentage, and her maternal grandfather, Michael McLachlan, was born on the island of Jamaica, West Indies, to a Scottish family.

Education and Early Life

Julia Gardiner attended Madame N.D. Chagaray Institute for Young Ladies in New York City from April 1835 to December 1837 and possibly again in 1848. This finishing school for elite young women offered a curriculum of music, French literature, ancient history, arithmetic, and composition. Julia likely received private tutoring at her family home in East Hampton before attending the institute.

After finishing her formal education, Julia returned to East Hampton, where she developed a lifelong interest in singing and playing the guitar. In 1839, she secretly posed for an advertisement for Bogert & Mecamly’s dry-goods store, which caused a scandal within her social class and led her parents to take her on an extended tour of Europe.

During their travels, the Gardiners visited England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Ireland, and Scotland. Julia was presented at the court of Louis Philippe in France and had brief romances with European nobility. The family returned to the United States in September 1841.

Marriage to John Tyler

Julia Gardiner met President John Tyler during the Washington social season of 1842-1843. Despite the nearly 30-year age difference, Tyler proposed to her on 22 February 1843. Julia initially refused but later accepted his proposal after her father’s tragic death in the Princeton explosion.

Julia and John Tyler married on 26 June 1844 at the Church of the Ascension in New York City. The ceremony was private, followed by a brief reception and a honeymoon in Virginia. The couple then returned to the White House in early August 1844.

First Lady of the United States

Julia Tyler served as First Lady from 26 June 1844 to 4 March 1845, the second youngest First Lady in history. Despite her brief tenure, she sought to elevate the role beyond that of a mere hostess. Influenced by former First Lady Dolley Madison, Julia cultivated a public persona and sought media coverage for her social events and personal activities.

She befriended New York Herald reporter F.W. Thomas, who dubbed her the “Presidentress,” and allowed her portrait to be mass-produced and sold. Julia Tyler was the first First Lady to be photographed, and she even endorsed sheet music titled “The Julia Waltzes.”

Julia changed the format of public receptions, directing the President to stand against the wall to avoid being engulfed by guests. She also promoted the playing of “Hail to the Chief” at public events. Despite some criticism, Julia’s charm and efforts were instrumental in gaining support for her husband’s policies, including the annexation of Texas.

Life After the White House

After leaving the White House, Julia and John Tyler retired to Sherwood Forest, their Virginia plantation. She continued to support her husband, who became a member of the Confederate Congress during the Civil War. Following his death in 1862, Julia faced financial difficulties but remained active in public life.

Julia converted to Catholicism in 1872, which brought her emotional support and public attention. 

Julia Tyler had an impressive ability to adapt to various circumstances and environments. After the Civil War, she faced significant financial challenges but continued to visit and stay involved in Washington’s social and political life. She used her status and connections to lobby for a pension, successfully receiving $5,000 annually in 1882.

Public Engagement and Influence

Julia Tyler was actively engaged in public and political life, even after her tenure as First Lady. She frequently traveled to Northern summer colonies and maintained a high public profile. Her conversion to Catholicism and subsequent zeal for promoting the faith to friends and associates also highlighted her influence.

Julia’s efforts in public engagement included a published response to a British appeal against slavery, in which she defended the institution and emphasized the autonomy of American policies from British interference. This was reflective of her upbringing in a society where slavery was normalized.

Final Years and Legacy

Julia Tyler spent her final years in Richmond, Virginia, moving there in 1882. She continued to visit Washington occasionally until 1887. She died on 10 July 1889 in Richmond and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery.

Julia Gardiner Tyler’s life was marked by her adaptability, public engagement, and efforts to shape the role of the First Lady. Her tenure may have been short, but her influence extended far beyond her time in the White House, leaving a lasting impact on the perception and responsibilities of the First Lady in American politics.