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Thursday, March 29, 2018

A RATHER PROLIFIC PRESIDENT

JOHN TYLER HAD 15 CHILDREN, LAST ONE BORN WHEN HE WAS 70

Charles City County, Virginia (JFK+50) On March 29, 1790 the future tenth President of the United States John Tyler*was born.

Although condemned by some as "His Accidency," according to the Miller Center, "by claiming the right to a fully functioning and empowered presidency instead of relinquishing the office or accepting limits to his power, Tyler set a hugely important precedent."

William Henry Harrison passed away only one month after being sworn in. Ironically, on the day of Harrison's inauguration, Vice-President Tyler spent a couple of hours at the Capitol and then returned to his home at Williamsburg.  

It has been said that "had William Henry Harrison lived, John Tyler would...have been as obscure as any vice-president in American history."

President Tyler served the remainder of his predecessor's term (1841-1845). Although he chaired a Virginia Peace Commission held in Washington, D.C. in February 1861, when his state seceded he joined the Confederacy.  A former POTUS then was elected as a delegate to the Confederate Congress.

The former president died of a stroke before he could attend any of the legislative sessions.  Tyler's coffin was draped in a Confederate flag, making him the only former POTUS to be buried under a non-U.S. flag.

John Tyler was married twice.  His first wife was Letitia Christian and his second Julia Gardiner.  Mr. Tyler was father to 15 children.  His last was born when the former POTUS was 70 years old.  Rather amazingly, two of his grandchildren are still living.

*John Tyler (1790-1862) was born in Charles City County, Virginia.  He attended William & Mary and was admitted to the bar in 1819.  JT served in the Virginia House of Delegates, the U.S. House of Representatives & the U.S. Senate.  He also served as Governor of Virginia.

SOURCE

"John Tyler:  Impact and Legacy,"  The Miller Center, www.millercenter.org/


John Tyler
1945
Library of Congress Image