Hannah Simpson Grant

Hannah Grant (née Simpson) was born on November 23, 1798, on her parents' farm in Horsham, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Her grandfather, John Simpson, was born in Ballygawley, County Tyrone, Ireland, and emigrated to Ohio in 1760. He established a farm near Philadelphia and participated in the American Revolutionary War alongside George Washington. Hannah was the second daughter and third child of John Simpson Jr. and Rebecca Simpson, members of the Scots-Irish Protestant family.

Her family moved to Ohio in 1817, with her father purchasing land near the Ohio River close to Point Pleasant. Hannah was described by friends as a slender, above-average height, and handsome woman with a serious and reserved personality.

On June 25, 1821, Hannah Simpson married Jesse Root Grant in Point Pleasant, Ohio. They settled in a modest but attractive house near the Ohio River. The marriage produced six children, three boys and three girls. Their first child, Ulysses S. Grant, was born on April 27, 1822, approximately ten months after their marriage. The naming process for Ulysses involved family voting, with various suggestions including Albert Gallatin, and Ulysses was ultimately chosen after ballots were drawn from a hat. Jesse officially named him Hiram Ulysses, though he always referred to him as Ulysses.

In 1823, the Grant family moved to Georgetown, Ohio, where Hannah gave birth to additional children: Simpson, Clara, Orvil, Virginia (Jennie), and Mary. Ulysses was said to have resembled his mother more than his father, inheriting her good nature and calm demeanor. Hannah was a devout Protestant, sharing her family's religious commitment by helping to establish the Georgetown Methodist Church in 1827, and she insisted her family attend church regularly.

Throughout her life, Hannah maintained a reserved and unpretentious character, avoiding gossip and arguments. Her husband Jesse often publicly defended her character. During the Civil War, her son Ulysses's military tactics drew criticism; however, Hannah remained calm and believed her son was protected by divine support in his efforts to save the Union.

When Ulysses S. Grant was elected president in 1868, Hannah did not participate in the public festivities and was absent from his inauguration. She also declined to visit the White House during his administration. She rarely spoke about her family or her son publicly, with only one known interview occurring after Ulysses Grant's presidency, in which she remarked that newspapers knew more about her family than she did.

Her husband Jesse died on June 29, 1873. After his death, Hannah resided with her daughter Virginia, wife of Abel Corbin. She continued her quiet lifestyle until her passing on May 11, 1883, at the age of 84, at her home in Jersey City, New Jersey. Her death was unexpected; she had been in good health earlier that day. Her daughter called medical help after she became weak and incoherent, but she soon stopped breathing. Ulysses S. Grant arranged her funeral, which was conducted with a focus solely on her religious character at her request.