Sarah Strother Taylor

Sarah Strother Taylor was the wife of Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States, and served as the First Lady of the United States from 1849 until her husband's death in 1850. She was a member of the prominent Strother family of Virginia and was related to several notable figures, including James Madison and James Monroe. Taylor was also a cousin of Robert E. Lee and Richard Taylor, a Confederate general. Her family connections included ties to the Washington family and the Lee family of Virginia.

● Early Life

Sarah Strother Taylor was born in Virginia to William Strother and Sarah Littlepage Strother. She grew up on the family's plantation, Spring Forest, near Germantown, Virginia, and was educated at home by private tutors, including Martha Washington's niece. Taylor's family was connected to several prominent families, including the Custis family and the Randolph family of Virginia. Her relatives included George Washington Parke Custis and Mary Anna Randolph Custis, the wife of Robert E. Lee. Taylor's early life was also influenced by her connections to the Madison family and the Monroe family of Virginia.

● Career

As the wife of Zachary Taylor, Sarah Strother Taylor played an important role in supporting her husband's military career, which included service in the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War, and the Mexican-American War. She managed the family's plantation, Spring Forest, and raised their children, including Ann Mackall Taylor, who married Lloyd Tilghman, a Confederate general. Taylor's husband was also a close friend and colleague of Winfield Scott and Ulysses S. Grant, and she often entertained these and other notable figures at their home. Her social circle included Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, and Louisa Catherine Adams, the wives of James Madison, James Monroe, and John Quincy Adams, respectively.

● Personal Life

Sarah Strother Taylor was known for her strong personality and her commitment to her family. She was a devout Episcopalian and was active in her church, St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.. Taylor was also a supporter of the American Colonization Society and the American Bible Society, and she worked to promote the interests of these organizations. Her personal life was influenced by her connections to the Tyler family and the Polk family of Tennessee, and she was a friend of Julia Gardiner Tyler and Sarah Childress Polk, the wives of John Tyler and James K. Polk, respectively. Taylor's family also had ties to the Clay family of Kentucky and the Webster family of Massachusetts.

● Legacy

Sarah Strother Taylor's legacy is closely tied to that of her husband, Zachary Taylor, and she is remembered as a supportive and devoted wife. She played an important role in promoting the interests of her family and her community, and she was a respected figure in Washington, D.C. society. Taylor's connections to other notable families, including the Washington family, the Lee family, and the Madison family, have also helped to ensure her place in American history. Her life and legacy are often studied alongside those of other First Ladies of the United States, including Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, and Louisa Catherine Adams. Taylor's family is also remembered for their connections to the University of Virginia and the College of William & Mary, and her relatives have included several notable figures, including Woodrow Wilson and Edith Wilson.

Category:First Ladies of the United States