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  Johnson, Eliza McCardle
CANDIDATE DETAILS
AffiliationDemocratic  
 
NameEliza McCardle Johnson
Address
Greeneville, Tennessee , United States
EmailNone
WebsiteNone
Born October 04, 1810
DiedJanuary 15, 1876 (65 years)
ContributorThomas Walker
Last ModifedRBH
Apr 29, 2016 10:48pm
Tags
InfoEliza McCardle Johnson

BORN: October 4, 1810

DIED; January 15, 1876

BIRTHPLACE: Greeneville, Tennessee

FATHER: John McCardle ? shoemaker (died 1826)

MOTHER: Sarah Phillis McCardle (died 1854) (2nd husband: Moses L. Whitesides)

ANCESTRY: Scotch-Irish

SIBLINGS: None

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Very few images of Eliza Johnson have survived, but from them, she could be described as a handsome, rather than pretty, woman with a strong nose and a wide mouth. Her face became lined earlier in life than normal due to illness. She had brown hair, parted in the middle and blue eyes. She dressed well, but modestly, and in dark colors.

RELIGION: Methodist

EDUCATION: After her father?s death in 1826, Eliza?s mother worked as a weaver, and Eliza made crazy quilts and sandals. Eliza read all the books she could find. She also studied at the Rhea Academy in Greeneville.

HUSBAND: Andrew Johnson (1808 ? 1875)

COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE: In 1826, Eliza met Andrew Johnson, who was in search of a job as a tailor. They fell in love and were married in Warrenton, Tennessee on May 17, 1827. He was eighteen, and she was sixteen.

AGE AT MARRIAGE: 16 years, 225 days

PERSONALITY: Little is known about Eliza Johnson?s personality other than she was quiet and reserved. Few of her letters and photographs have survived. From a study of Andrew Johnson?s letters, there is no doubt of the importance of Eliza?s influence on her husband. From the start, she was a soothing, calming influence on his easily ruffled feathers. He had a deep inner sense of insecurity that Eliza fought to bolster. She also sought to strengthen his weaknesses. She had a soft voice that could reach Andrew in his darkest moments and bring him to a more reflective mood. Eliza Johnson was a thoroughly conventional mid-19th century woman who, though she showed strength and determination during the Civil War, did not question a woman?s role in the larger world.

CHILDREN:

1. Martha Johnson Patterson (October 25, 1828 ? July 10, 1901) ? she served as hostess for her mother who made only two public appearances as First Lady. Martha Patterson had a deep interest in history, and it was she who placed on public view at the White House the portraits of Van Buren, Adams, Tyler, Polk, Fillmore, and Pierce.

2. Charles Johnson (1830 ? 1863)

3. Mary Johnson Stover (1832 ? 1883) ? Mary aided her sister as a White House Hostess

4. Robert Johnson (1834 ? 1869)

5. Andrew Johnson, Jr. (1852 ? 1879)

YEARS BEFORE THE WHITE HOUSE: It is not true, as so often stated, that Eliza Johnson taught her husband how to read and write, but it is true that she helped him refine his rough edges. She proved to be a loyal wife who worked with her husband, furthering his education and, later, his career. It was Eliza who suggested that her husband join a local debating team to work on his oratorical skills. He became a good, though often emotional, public speaker. While maintaining his growing tailor?s business, Johnson was elected alderman and, later, mayor. After Johnson?s election to the state legislature, Eliza stayed home, taught the children and managed the finances. When he was elected to the House of Representatives, Eliza did not join him in Washington. As her children grew to adulthood, Eliza had great comfort in Martha and Mary, but Charles and Robert were both trying to Eliza as they suffered from acute alcoholism. After the birth of her youngest child Andrew Jr, (called Frank) in 1852, Eliza?s health began to fail. Her condition was called ?consumption? a general term used then to cover a number of various ailments. From 1860 to 1861, Eliza lived in Washington with her husband, who was then in the Senate. After the war started, however, Eliza returned to Greeneville. Johnson?s pro-union stand made him so unpopular that threats were made against his life, making Eliza fearful. In 1862, after General Kirby Smith demanded that she leave her home, Eliza, along with the Stovers, Frank and Charles, fled to Nashville. Eventually she would travel to Cincinnati and to Indiana to seek out a spa for her health. In 1863 her son Charles was killed when he fell from his horse in a drunken stupor. Eliza?s son-in-law Daniel Stover died of consumption in 1864. Later in 1864, Eliza traveled to Boston to get medical help for her son Robert, whose drinking was out of control. Andrew Johsnon was serving as Vice President at this time. Eliza was in Nashville when she heard the news of Lincoln?s assassination. She was devastrated with fear for her husband?s safety. Johnson, knowing the expectations of the public, asked his wife to join him as soon as possible.

FIRST LADY (April 15, 1865 ? March 4, 1869): Due to her ill health, Eliza Johnson did not arrive at the White House until August 6, 1865.She was accompanied by her two daughters, her son-in-law, David Patterson, five grandchildren and her sons Robert and Frank. Most of Eliza Johnson?s time was spent reading, knitting and visiting with family in the upstairs corner bedroom. The president?s office was directly across the hall from her room, and she always listened for his voice. Whenever it grew excited and angry, she would go across the hall and admonish him for losing his temper. Her calming influence proved to be beneficial. Aside from these visits to the President?s office and two public appearances ? one at a reception for Queen Emma of the Sandwich Islands and the other at a birthday party for her husband ? Eliza Johnson remained totally out of the public eye. Part of this was due to her health and part of it was due to the excessive amount of criticism the former First Lady, Mary Lincoln, had received from the public.

Leaving the majority of her duties in the hands of her elder daughter, Martha Johnson Patterson, Eliza Johnson could not have chosen a more capable hostess. Due to Mrs. Lincoln?s long seclusion after the assassination, the White House had been vandalized. The Johnson?s received an appropriation of $30,000 from Congress to repair the house. Mrs. Patterson took part in the restoration, bringing the long-forgotten portraits of former presidents out of storage and hanging them on the ground floor. By 1867, the White House was restored once again to its original splendor. Eliza Johnson traveled that year to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Louisville. In 1868, during the height of Andrew Johnson?s quarrel with Congress that led to his impeachment, Eliza read all the newspapers, clipping out articles that she thought he should read. No one was more surprised but more relieved than Eliza Johnson when her husband was acquitted at the impeachment trial. The Johnson?s departed from Washington before Grant?s inauguration and returned to Greeneville.

LAST YEARS: The last years of Eliza Johnson?s life were quiet. Her health never improved. Her son, Robert, committed suicide in 1869 due to problems caused by his drinking. Her widowed daughter, Mary, remarried that same year. In 1875, Andrew Johnson was elected to the Senate. He viewed the election as a vindication of his life and career. While visiting Eliza at the home of their daughter, Mary, Andrew Johnson suffered a stroke and died on July 31, 1875. His widow was too ill to attend his funeral.

DEATH: January 15, 1876

AGE AT DEATH: 65 years, 103 days

BURIAL: Andrew Johnson National Cemetery, Greeneville, Tennessee

LEGACY: Eliza Johnson?s life in the White House was only a continuation of the pattern she followed throughout her life ? home and family first and foremost. At no point did she involve herself in her husband?s career, not even at the start. She had a calming influence on her easily angered husband and in this way, exercised a real power. She showed no interest in expanding her role in his life and had no interest in the world of politics. Eliza Johnson was a very conventional woman, who turned over her duties as First Lady to her very capable daughters. Her refusal to fulfill her duties was due in part to due health, but also due to the public criticism of Mary Lincoln during her four years in the White House.




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FAMILY
Husband Andrew Johnson May 17, 1827-Jul 31, 1875
Daughter Martha Johnson Patterson 1828-1901
Son Charles Johnson 1830-1863
Daughter Mary Johnson Stover Brown 1832-1883
Son Robert Johnson 1834-1869
Son Andrew Johnson, Jr. 1852-1879

INFORMATION LINKS
RACES
  04/15/1865 US First Lady - Appointment Won 100.00% (+100.00%)
  11/08/1864 Second Spouse Won 90.99% (+81.97%)
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