|
|
Sarah Childress Polk
|
|
|
|
Birthdate
|
09/04/1803
|
|
Death date
|
08/14/1891
|
|
President
|
James Polk
|
|
Dates of service
|
03/04/1845-03/04/1849
|
|
Relationship to president
|
Spouse
|
|
Other marriages
|
N/A
|
|
|
Websites
|
First Ladies National Library Biography of Sarah Polk
The White House: Sarah Polk
|
|
Papers/letters collections
|
Manuscripts for: Sarah Polk
Letter from Anderson Childress to Sarah Childress Polk About a Runaway Slave Woman
|
|
Historical sites
|
James K. Polk Historical Museum
Sarah Childress Polk Gravesite
|
|
Fascinating details
|
- Sarah wanted to assume more than a social hostess role, turning much of her attention to catering to voters.
- Aided the president when he experienced health issues by reading papers meant for him and marking important portions for his review.
- She did not attend the Seneca Falls Convention but encouraged her husband to address the group.
- Sarah Polk, a strongly religious woman, was adamant about restricting business conducted in the White House on Sundays.
- She disagreed with her husband’s implementation of a federal banking system.
- She referred to herself by the name “Mrs. James K. Polk” and restricted the use of the name Sarah Polk to legal documents only.
|
Return to First Lady Main Page.
