Abigail Fillmore was our First Lady from 1850 to 1853. She was a former school teacher, having met her husband when he was her student. They were engaged for eight years and married for twenty-seven years. During that eight year engagement Millard Fillmore was away serving his apprenticeship as a lawyer and passing the Bar. At one point, it was three years between their meetings. Courting by mail is hard to believe now, what with texting and email, but apparently, for the Fillmores, it was a romantic task. On top of that it was only a few weeks before their wedding that Millard was bold enough to kiss Abigail on the hand - lightly - before parting. I find this so refreshing in this age of instant intimacy and exposed bodies. Imagine the mystery between these two. Their minds had met and courted successfully. Millard even gave Abigail credit for having encouraged his studies. But what today is known before the couple has hardly exchanged phone numbers, the Fillmores had the delight of discovering as good and close friends who just happened to be married. I guess my old age is showing. I find this kind of relationship refreshing. Abigail must have missed her Millard terribly during those years apart. There must have been many lonely nights for him too. But they stuck it out and eventually reap the benefits of their delay. Today it is instant gratification or nothing.
Abigail's family objected to the marriage. They felt Millard was beneath Abigail socially. But that long distance courtship prevailed and they were married in 1826. Later they had two children. Millard became President upon the death of Zachary Taylor in 1850.
Abigail was a scholary lady, who upon seeing the amount of books in the White House, got her husband to persuade Congress to vote money for a library to be established in the White House. She assembled all the books there, as well as maps and reference books, and a piano where she held musical evenings. She played and her daughter sang. She studied French. She held salons where the outstanding minds of the time were invited to discuss the topics of the day. It was said Millard never took a step without Abigails advice and counsel. Well, we have heard that before and it is a common thread that flows through many of these First Lady/President relationships. And we think we don't elect the First Lady. She is and has always been a strong influence on our President.
