Jane Means Appleton Pierce

Jane Means Appleton Pierce was the wife of Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, and served as the First Lady of the United States from 1853 until her death in 1852, although she died before her husband's inauguration. She was a member of the Congregational Church and was known for her strong Christian faith, which was influenced by her upbringing in New England. Her life was marked by tragedy, including the loss of her children, Franklin Jr. and Frank Robert, who died at a young age, and her own struggles with tuberculosis. She was also a supporter of the American Colonization Society and the American Bible Society.

● Early Life

Jane Means Appleton Pierce was born on March 12, 1806, in Hampton, New Hampshire, to Jesse Appleton, a Congregational Church minister, and Elizabeth Means Appleton. She was raised in a devout Christian household and was educated at home, where she developed a strong interest in literature and music. Her father was a graduate of Dartmouth College and later became the president of Bowdoin College, where he was a colleague of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Jane's family was known for their strong connections to New England and its institutions, including Harvard University and the Boston Athenaeum.

● Marriage and Family

In 1834, Jane Means Appleton married Franklin Pierce, a young lawyer and politician from Hillsborough, New Hampshire. The couple had three children, Franklin Jr., Frank Robert, and Benjamin Pierce, although only Benjamin survived to adulthood. The family was close to the Webster family, including Daniel Webster, who was a prominent United States Senator and Secretary of State. Jane's husband, Franklin Pierce, was a member of the United States House of Representatives and later served as a United States Senator from New Hampshire. He was also a close friend of Nathaniel Hawthorne, who later wrote a biography of Franklin Pierce.

● First Lady of

the United States Although Jane Means Appleton Pierce died before her husband's inauguration as President of the United States, she is still considered to have served as the First Lady of the United States. During her lifetime, she was known for her strong support of her husband's career and her involvement in Washington, D.C. society, including her attendance at events at the White House and the United States Capitol. She was also a supporter of the American Red Cross and the United States Sanitary Commission, which were founded during the American Civil War. Her husband, Franklin Pierce, was a member of the Democratic Party and served as the 14th President of the United States from 1853 to 1857.

● Later Life and Death

Jane Means Appleton Pierce died on December 2, 1852, in Andover, Massachusetts, due to complications from tuberculosis. Her death was a significant blow to her husband, Franklin Pierce, who was deeply affected by her passing. She was buried in the Old North Cemetery in Concord, New Hampshire, where many other notable New England figures are also buried, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa May Alcott. After her death, her husband, Franklin Pierce, was comforted by his friends and family, including Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who were both prominent figures in American literature.

● Legacy

Jane Means Appleton Pierce's legacy is largely tied to her husband's career and her role as the First Lady of the United States. She is remembered for her strong Christian faith and her support of her husband's political career, including his time in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. She is also remembered for her involvement in Washington, D.C. society and her attendance at events at the White House and the United States Capitol. Her life and legacy are often compared to those of other First Ladies of the United States, including Dolley Madison and Abigail Adams, who were both known for their strong personalities and their support of their husbands' careers. Jane Means Appleton Pierce's story is also often told in conjunction with that of her husband, Franklin Pierce, who is remembered for his role in the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Gadsden Purchase.