Biography

Abigail Powers Fillmore was the wife of President Millard Fillmore. She was born in Saratoga County, NY while it was still considered to be "the country." Her father was a Baptist preacher who died when she was very young. Her mother moved west, hoping to be able to live there on less money, educating her children with her husbands library. When she was 21 Abigail Powers met 19 year old Millard Fillmore, bonding over their interest in education. He was a student at the school she taught at, an new academy in New Hope. They married in 1826, waiting due to Fillmore's illness and struggle to become a lawyer. After their marriage she continued teaching in order to make more money for the family, making her the first First Lady to hold a job after marrying. Their son, Millard Powers Fillmore was born in 1828. By 1832, the year their daughter, Mary Abigail Fillmore was born, the family had obtained prosperity, living in a six room house in Buffalo. Abigail learned how to be a society wife while her husband was a Congressman, but spent much of her time reading. In 1847 they moved to Albany when Millard Fillmore was elected state comptroller. In 1849 Fillmore was Vice President and the family moved to Washington, D.C. 16 months later they moved into the White House after Zachary Taylor's death. Abagail entrusted many of her routine social duties to her daughter, known as Abby, due to delicate health and an injured ankle, though she presided at state dinners and receptions. She preferred to spend her hours reading or doing music in private. Mrs. Fillmore developed pneumonia after attending President Pierce's inauguration in the snow, dying on March 30 in the Willard Hotel. Her body was returned to Buffalo for burial.