Letitia Christian Tyler

Letitia Christian Tyler (November 12, 1790 – September 10, 1842) was the first wife of President John Tyler of the United States, serving as First Lady from 1841 until her death in 1842. She was born at Cedar Grove plantation in New Kent County, Virginia, as the seventh child of Mary (née Browne) and Robert Christian. Her family was well-connected within Virginia's social and political elite, and her father was a wealthy planter with ties to President George Washington. Tyler was raised as a devout Episcopalian and received no formal education but was instructed in managing a Southern plantation. She met John Tyler in 1808, and they married on March 29, 1813, at Cedar Grove. Following their marriage, the Tylers resided on their plantation, initially at Mons-Sacer, built on Tyler family land with funds from Letitia's inheritance after the deaths of her parents. They later built the Woodburn house and purchased the Greenway Plantation in Virginia in 1821.

The couple had nine children, seven of whom survived infancy: Mary (b. 1815), Robert (b. 1816), John III (b. 1819), Letitia (b. 1821), Elizabeth (b. 1823), Alice (b. 1827), and Tazewell (b. 1830). Two children died in infancy: Anne in 1825 and an unnamed child at birth in 1832. Throughout their marriage, the Tylers experienced financial difficulties, compounded by the costs of raising a large family and participating in Virginia's social and political life. Letitia managed the plantation in her husband's absence, overseeing daily operations, including the responsibilities tied to slavery, although no records specify her personal views on slavery. She accompanied her husband during his tenure as Governor of Virginia and generally managed domestic affairs, including hosting duties when she did reside in Richmond. The Tylers avoided extensive residence in Washington, D.C., during her lifetime, with Letitia making only one visit as First Lady in the winter of 1828–1829.

Letitia's health was poor throughout her life, worsened by multiple pregnancies and the stress of her husband's political pursuits. By 1827, she suffered from persistent headaches and sought treatment at the Greenbrier springs. Her health declined further when she suffered a stroke in 1839, resulting in permanent disability. After her stroke, she spent much of her time reading the Bible and prayer books and overseeing plantation affairs.

John Tyler became Vice President in 1841, and following President William Henry Harrison's death in April 1841, Tyler assumed the presidency. Due to her health, Letitia was unable to perform the duties of First Lady and delegated those responsibilities to her daughter-in-law, Priscilla Cooper Tyler. She remained upstairs in the White House, attending only special events, such as her daughter Elizabeth's wedding in January 1842. Her physical condition continued to deteriorate, and she died of a second stroke on September 10, 1842, at the age of 51. Her death was the first of an incumbent First Lady, and her funeral was held in the White House, with her coffin lying in state in the East Room. She was buried at Cedar Grove estate.

Her legacy includes maintaining a positive reputation for her role as a private individual and as a caretaker of her family and household. Due to her health limitations, her influence on her husband's presidency was minimal, and her role was largely overshadowed in historical records by her daughter-in-law Priscilla Cooper Tyler and her husband's subsequent wife, Julia Gardiner Tyler. She is commemorated on a postage stamp issued by the Isle of Man Post Office in 2006, reflecting her heritage as a descendant of Manx settlers.