Jane Pierce

 

Jane Pierce was the wife of Franklin Pierce and the first lady of the United States from 1853-1857. Pierce acquired the Democratic nomination for President without the knowledge of his wife, who hated Washington, D.C. After having to live there when her husband was a Congressman. With the loss of their only son, Benjamin just before Franklin's inauguration, Jane went into a deep depression for the next two years. During those years, Jane's Aunt Abby Kent-Means took over as social hostess at the White House for the President. 

Jane hated politics and political life and totally disliked being First Lady. Although she hated politics, she wasn't willing to sway her influence over her husband on issues, especially Abolitionism. While Franklin was outgoing and personable, Jane was a recluse and shy. 

Jane was of the mind that all three of her sons died as punishment for her husband's political affairs/decisions. Many who met her over the years while First Lady claimed she was not of this world based on her demeanor and continual depression. She was a teetotaler and was disliked due to never receiving visitors or attending public receptions. She was very interested in the spiritualism movement believing she could contact her sons. Accordingly, those around her thought she was off her rocker. She continually held bible studies in the White House and always canceled the weekly Saturday evening Marine Band concerts claiming they shouldn't be held on the Sabbath. 

Jane Pierce retired to Andover, Massachusetts after her husband left the White House. In 1863 she died at the age of 57 of tuberculosis. She is buried in Concord Massachusetts. Franklin Pierce died six years later and is buried with her and their sons. 

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Graduating with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, onto Walden University for her Masters in Criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft, and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 various blogs from art to life coaching, to food, to writing opinion or history pieces each week.