Maria Hester Monroe Gouverneur

Maria Hester Monroe Gouverneur (April 8, 1802 – June 20, 1850) was the daughter of James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States, and Elizabeth Kortright Monroe. She was born in Virginia on April 8, 1802, during her father's tenure as Governor of Virginia. In 1803, her family moved to France when James Monroe was involved in negotiations related to the Louisiana Purchase, and Maria resided there with her family during her childhood. During this period, she acquired knowledge of the French language and developed an interest in the pianoforte. From 1816 to 1819, she attended Madame Grelaud's French School in Pennsylvania. She was 14 years old when her father assumed the presidency.

In 1820, at the age of 17, Maria Monroe married Samuel Lawrence Gouverneur, who was 21 years old and the son of Nicholas Gouverneur, and served as the private secretary to her father. The marriage took place in the White House on March 9, 1820, in a ceremony officiated by Reverend William Hawley. The event was attended by 42 guests and was reportedly held in the Blue Room, which at the time was called the Elliptical Salon. The wedding was notable as the first marriage of a president's child to occur within the White House. The wedding arrangements were overseen by her older sister, Eliza Monroe Hay, who also served in an unofficial capacity as First Lady during Monroe's presidency. The event and the guest list, which was limited and exclusive, caused some social controversy in Washington, D.C.

Following her marriage, Maria Monroe Gouverneur became part of the Washington social scene. In 1822, the couple relocated to New York City, where Samuel Gouverneur held several political appointments. They established their residence at 63 Prince Street. The Gouverneurs hosted social gatherings characterized by lavish parties and abundant champagne. After the death of Maria's mother in 1830, her father, James Monroe, moved into their residence in Prince Street with them. James Monroe remained with his daughter and son-in-law until his death on July 4, 1831.

In 1840, Maria and Samuel Gouverneur returned to Washington, D.C. Maria Hester Monroe Gouverneur passed away on June 20, 1850, at Oak Hill, the Monroe family plantation in Virginia. She was buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

Maria and Samuel Gouverneur had four children. Their daughter, who died in infancy on September 4, 1821, was the first child. Their son, James Monroe Gouverneur (1822–1885), was born deaf and mute and died at Spring Grove Asylum in Catonsville, Maryland. Their daughter Elizabeth Kortright Gouverneur (1826–1868) was married three times. Their son, Samuel Laurence Gouverneur (1820–1880), served as a United States diplomat.