When was sarah childress polk born

Becoming acquainted with the Washington social scene and hosting parties to cement political bonds served her well when she became first lady.

She had already attained a reputation for graciousness, and the Polks made it their policy never to speak ill publicly of even their bitterest of political enemies.

Consequently, Sarah Polk moved easily among Whig and Democratic men and women. She fulfilled all of the tenets of mid-nineteenth-century white, upper-class womanhood. Twice weekly the White House doors were thrown open to visitors and Sarah Polk greeted her guests with dignity and charm.

On those occasions she became the eyes and ears of her husband, who often declined to attend owing to pressing political matters. She steadfastly held to her religious upbringing, barring dancing from the White House and attempting to bar, unsuccessfully, visitors on the Sabbath.

Although both Polks suffered from illness during their four years in Washington, they rarely missed church services. Upon completion of his term as president in , the Polks undertook a long journey from Washington to Nashville, where well-wishers greeted them enthusiastically en route.

When they arrived at New Orleans, word of a cholera outbreak reached them. They concluded their journey from Kentucky by land in the face of shipboard cases of the dreaded disease. A debilitated James K. Polk spoke before a gathering in his honor at Nashville on April 1, Although his health improved initially, he died on June Hayes and Grover Cleveland. During the Civil War, Sarah Polk remained neutral. While she sympathized with her the Confederate cause, she hoped the Union would be preserved.

Last week, the U. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in person for the first time in more than The U. Supreme Court recently granted certiorari in FEC v. Ted Cruz for Senate. The closely-watch Supreme Court will return to the bench on October 4, , and conduct oral arguments in p Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

The newlyweds then moved to Columbia where James practiced law and launched his campaign for U. During James K. A strict Presbyterian, she did not allow the dancing and heavy drinking that were common at Washington parties. While in Washington, Sarah planned the renovation of the Nashville mansion that she and her husband had purchased for their retirement. But James K.

When he died just three months after leaving the Presidency, year-old Sarah donned the black mourning clothes that she would wear for the rest of her life: more than four decades. As a widow, Sarah assumed responsibility for an orphaned great-niece. Sarah stayed involved in Nashville society, and maintained neutrality during the Civil War.