47 Facts About Jane Pierce

Jane Means Pierce was the wife of Franklin Pierce and the first lady of the United States from 1853 to 1857.

Jane Pierce married Franklin Pierce, then a Congressman, in 1834 despite her family's misgivings.

Jane Pierce refused to live in Washington, DC, and in 1842, she convinced her husband to retire from politics.

Jane Pierce sought the Democratic presidential nomination without her knowledge in 1852 and was elected president later that year.

Jane Pierce was reclusive in her role as first lady, spending the first two years of her husband's presidency in a period of mourning for her son.

Jane Pierce disliked political life and was unhappy in the role of first lady.

Jane Pierce took interest in the issue of abolitionism, and she attempted to influence her husband's decisions on the subject during her time as first lady.

Jane Pierce is described as an opposite of her husband, who was outgoing, political, and a heavy drinker in contrast to her reclusive nature, aversion to politics, and teetotalism.

Jane Pierce Appleton was born in Hampton, New Hampshire on March 12,1806, to Congregationalist minister Jesse Appleton and his wife Elizabeth Means Appleton.

The Appleton family grew to a total of six children: three elder daughters, of which Jane Pierce was the third, and three younger sons.

Jane Pierce's education was of a high quality, consisting of both public schooling and homeschooling.

Jane Pierce attended the prestigious Miss Catherine Fiske's Young Ladies Seminary in Keene, New Hampshire, where she received an education that was a higher quality than typically accessible to women.

Jane Pierce was naturally talented in music and enthusiastic about literature, but she declined to pursue these further in favor of Bible study.

Franklin and Jane Pierce married in a small ceremony on November 19,1834, by which time Franklin was a member of the House of Representatives.

The Pierces went together to Washington, DC after their marriage, but Jane found the city unpleasant.

Jane Pierce decided to leave the city later that year, returning to her mother's home in Amherst while her husband remained in Washington.

The Pierces later purchased a home in Hillsborough where Jane chose to live while Franklin was away.

Jane Pierce abhorred politics, and her distaste for the subject created a tension that would continue throughout her husband's political ascent.

Franklin and Jane Pierce had three sons, all of whom died in childhood.

Jane Pierce wholly dedicated herself to Benjamin and avoided any obligations beyond her family and her religion.

In 1852, Jane Pierce's husband received the Democratic Party nomination for president.

Jane Pierce is said to have fainted upon hearing the news.

Jane Pierce had deceived her regarding his presidential aspirations, denying the extent to which he was actively seeking the office.

Jane Pierce sought to persuade her that if he became president, their son Benjamin would be more likely to become successful.

Jane Pierce's prayers went unanswered, as he was elected president by a large margin on November 2,1852.

Jane Pierce went into a deeper depression after witnessing her final son's death, believing that God took their sons as a punishment for her husband's political aspirations.

Jane Pierce did not attend his presidential inauguration, instead staying in Baltimore for two weeks.

Jane Pierce did not host social events or supervise the White House in the traditional role of first lady, leaving these responsibilities to her aunt and close friend Abby Kent-Means.

Jane Pierce avoided the company of others, regularly engaging in private Bible study.

Jane Pierce developed a friendship with Varina Davis, wife of Secretary of War Jefferson Davis.

Jane Pierce took an interest in the Davis's infant son, though he became ill and died in 1854.

Jane Pierce gradually acclimated to life as First Lady, attending the New Year's reception two years into her husband's term and the Friday evening receptions thereafter.

Jane Pierce attempted to communicate with her late son while she was first lady, sometimes writing letters to him as an exercise in grief.

Jane Pierce attempted to contact him through a seance with the assistance of the Fox sisters, major figures in the Spiritualism movement.

Jane Pierce avoided Concord as it reminded her of her late son, and she often stayed with relatives in Massachusetts for the remainder of her life.

Jane Pierce was buried at Old North Cemetery in Concord; her husband was interred beside her following his death on October 8,1869, aged 64.

The general public's first impression of Jane Pierce was in a biography of her husband written by family friend Nathaniel Hawthorne at the beginning of Franklin's campaign.

Jane Pierce did receive backlash from the public after canceling Saturday evening Marine Band concerts in view of the Sabbath.

Jane Pierce is ranked poorly among historians, with polling showing that she is considered one of the least effectual first ladies.

Jane Pierce is one of the most obscure of the first ladies, having served in the role prior its having national prominence and during a presidency that has itself become obscure.

Jane Pierce is considered to have had little influence on the position of first lady and did not set precedent for her successors.

Jane Pierce was a Puritan, and this formed the basis of her worldview.

Jane Pierce strongly opposed the political and social culture of Washington, lamenting the regular parties and alcohol consumption.

Jane Pierce was raised as a Whig, which caused conflict with her family when she married her husband, who served in office as a Democrat.

Jane Pierce supported the temperance movement and opposed the consumption of alcohol.

Jane Pierce was a supporter of the abolitionist movement in opposition to her husband's tolerance of slavery in the name of states' rights, and she wished for a Union victory during the American Civil War.

Jane Pierce disliked Representative Davy Crockett, believing him to be "conceited, stupid, [and] silly".