(13) Abigail Powers Fillmore

 

Abigail Powers Fillmore

Birthdate

03/13/1798

Death date

03/30/1853

President

Millard Fillmore

Dates of service

07/09/1850-03/04/1853

Relationship to president

Spouse

Other marriages 

N/A

 

Websites 

First Ladies National Library Biography of Abigail Fillmore

The White House: Abigail Powers Fillmore

Constitutional Law Reporter: Abigail Powers Fillmore

Papers/letters collections

Manuscripts for: Abigail Fillmore

Library of Congress: Millard Fillmore Papers

Historical sites

Abigail Fillmore Birthplace

Abigail Powers Fillmore Gravesite

Fascinating details

  • Abigail Fillmore supported literacy and created the permanent White House reference library.
  • Abigail was a schoolteacher and was the first ‘first lady’ to work outside the home after she was married.
  • Abigail, like her predecessor Margaret Taylor, did not enjoy participating in social functions, turning to her daughter, Mary Abigail, to fulfill the hostess role of first lady.
  • Convinced President Fillmore to put an end to flogging in the US Navy.
  • She attempted to influence the president’s decision to veto the Fugitive Slave Act, although President Fillmore did sign the act into law in 1850.

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