Abraham Van Buren

Abraham Van Buren II was born on November 27, 1807, in Kinderhook, New York. He was the eldest son of Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States, and his wife, Hannah Hoes Van Buren. Van Buren received early education in Kinderhook and attended Greenville Academy. At age 15, he entered the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1827 ranked 37th of 38 cadets. Following graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Infantry.

Van Buren served from 1827 to 1829 with the 2nd Infantry Regiment at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and Fort Dearborn, Illinois. Between 1829 and 1836, he served as aide-de-camp to Alexander Macomb, then Commanding General of the U.S. Army. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1833 and to captain in the 1st Dragoon Regiment in July 1836. During the Second Seminole War, he served in Florida with his regiment.

On March 3, 1837, Van Buren resigned his military commission to become private secretary to his father, who had been inaugurated as President of the United States the day prior. He held this position until March 1841, coinciding with the end of his father’s term. Following the presidential administration, Van Buren and his wife Angelica traveled to South Carolina, where Angelica gave birth to their son, Singleton.

In June 1846, with the outbreak of the Mexican–American War, Van Buren was reappointed as a major paymaster in the army. He served as aide to Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, participating in key battles including Contreras, Monterrey, Veracruz, Cerro Gordo, and Churubusco. In August 1847, he was promoted to brevet lieutenant colonel for his conduct during battles at Contreras and Churubusco. He was also an original member of the Aztec Club of 1847. After Mexico's surrender, Van Buren was appointed as a military representative to discuss peace terms with Mexican authorities and participated in negotiations that led to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. He provided testimony in support of General Scott during a court of inquiry regarding Scott’s conduct in the war, which resulted in Scott's exoneration.

Following his military service, Van Buren settled in New York City. He suffered two strokes that impaired his ability to walk and speak but continued serving as an army paymaster until his resignation in 1854. In retirement, he managed his wife’s South Carolina plantation and traveled extensively in Europe. In 1859, he sold the plantation, which had involved the ownership of approximately 210 slaves, for $147,000.

Van Buren maintained close ties with his family, often visiting his father at the Lindenwald estate and spending winters in South Carolina.

In 1838, Van Buren was introduced to Angelica Singleton by Dolley Madison. Angelica was the daughter of a wealthy South Carolina planter and was well-educated, having studied at Madame Grelaud’s French School in Philadelphia. They married at Colonel Richard Singleton's plantation "Home Place" in South Carolina. The President did not attend the wedding but approved of the match. The couple honeymooned in London and, upon returning to the U.S., Angelica assumed duties as White House hostess due to the death of Martin Van Buren’s first wife, Hannah.

The couple had four children: Rebecca Van Buren (who died young in 1840), Singleton Van Buren (1841–1885), Martin Van Buren II (1844–1885), and Travis Coles Van Buren (1848–1889).

Abraham Van Buren II died in New York City on March 15, 1873. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx alongside his wife. His rank dates include second lieutenant brevet (July 1, 1827), first lieutenant (March 4, 1833), captain (July 4, 1836), major (June 26, 1846), and brevet lieutenant colonel (August 20, 1847). He resigned from the army on June 1, 1854.