Letitia Christian Tyler | First Wife of John Tyler

Summary

Letitia Christian Tyler was the first wife of John Tyler, the tenth Vice President of the United States, and the tenth president of America after the death of William Henry Harrison. She married John Tyler in 1813, and they were blessed with eight children.

Letitia Christian Tyler Facts

Born:	Letitia Christian, November 12, 1790
Death:	September 10, 1842 (aged 51) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Cause of Death:	natural death
Spouse:	John Tyler
Children:	Robert Tyler, Letitia Tyler Semple, John Tyler, jr., Tazewell Tyler, Alice Tyler, Letitia Semple, Mary Tyler, Elizabeth Tyler
Parents:	Mary Eaton Browne Christian, Robert Christian

Early Life

Letitia Christian was born to Robert and Mary Johnson Christian on November Twelfth, 1790, in New Kent County of Virginia. He was raised in a fine, well-connected family of Virginia gentry or planter aristocracy. Born to a prosperous family on the family plantation, Letitia, like most women of her generation, was educated by exceptional tutors. She was a well-behaved, kind, polite and intelligent lady who was popular amongst her friends and colleagues. Her family had always been involved in politics, and she knew some pretty influential people, as can be seen when she married John Tyler.

Letitia Tyler Marriage

Letitia Christian Tyler married John Tyler at twenty-two on March 29, 1813. They were good neighbors and had a loving relationship; the couple was blessed with eight children. It is important to note that Letitia was private, tame, and committed to being a wife and a mother who was entirely devoted to her husband’s political work. Despite their weak health, she ensured herself that she would perform political wife roles and responsibilities. This marriage was about three decades long, and she was always by Tyler’s side when he climbed the political ladder. Martha was not involved in official functions because of her health issues.

First Lady Letitia Christian Tyler

Letitia Christian Tyler was a First Lady from 1841 until 1842 when she died during the presidency of John Tyler. Letitia’s health was relatively poor; she had a stroke and died. This is the aspect whereby she performed the duty of being a devoted wife and a caring mother.

Letitia Tyler’s Cause of Death

John Tyler’s first wife, Letitia, passed on September 10, 1842, at the age of 51, nearly a year and a half of her husband’s presidency. She died a natural death after being crippled by the deadly stroke she had, which left her bedridden for some time. It became a significant loss to her family and President Tyler for her death.

Legacy

Letitia Tyler is infamous for being a loyal wife and a mother who was and is able to take care of her family and support her husband’s elections. Despite her brief tenure as first lady, she shaped her children well to be relevant in the American Political system.