When Martin Van Buren (1782-1862; see entry in volume 1) became president in 1837, he had been a widower for eighteen years and had four bachelor sons. No one was available to serve in the official capacities of first lady. The situation changed when eldest son Abraham Van Buren married Angelica Singleton. At the end of 1838, Angelica Singleton Van Buren took on the responsibilities of first lady for the Van Buren administration. She had just returned from honeymooning in Europe with her new husband, who served as his father's secretary.

With former first lady Dolley Madison (1768-1849; see entry in volume 1) as an advisor, Angelica became the hostess at White House gatherings and brought a feminine sensibility to the Van Buren White House. Angelica was the daughter of a Madison in-law and had journeyed to Washington, D.C., to visit her famous relative. Dolley Madison took...