Hannah Hoes Van Buren, Angelica Singleton Van Buren; 1837-1841

Hannah, Born: 1783, Died: 1819
Angelica, Born: 1816, Died: 1877

Hannah Hoes and Martin Van Buren were distant cousins who grew up in the small and insular Dutch community of Kinderhook, New York. They married when both were 24, but had only a decade together before Hannah died of tuberculosis. Gentle in manner with auburn curls and doe-like eyes, Hannah had five sons, four of whom survived her, and was active in charity work for the Presbyterian church. Little else is known about her life. Martin never remarried.

When Martin went to the White House 18 years after Hannah's death, he brought his four bachelor sons with him. Dolley Madison introduced the oldest, Abraham, to her 21-year-old cousin from South Carolina, Angelica Singleton, the daughter of a wealthy planter. The two wed in 1838 and toured the courts of Europe on their honeymoon. Angelica thereafter served as Martin's White House hostess, adopting some of the social customs of European royalty. Such practices contributed to the Van Buren family's image as "aristocrats" -- a political liability at a time of national depression. After Martin lost reelection, he returned to Lindenwald, his Hudson River estate, where Angelica and Abraham visited frequently from their home in New York City. A society figure, Angelica raised three sons, none of whom married.

Eighth President
Martin Van Buren