- Joined
- May 12, 2010
- Location
- Now Florida but always a Kentuckian
When John Tyler, our 10th President succeeded to the presidency on the death of William Henry Harrison, his first wife, Letitia Christian Tyler was still suffering from the effects of a paralytic attack. As she was unable to act as mistress of the White House, Priscilla Cooper Tyler, the wife of their eldest son, acted in that capacity.
During the 17 months that Letitia Tyler was the First Lady, she appeared in public at the White House only once. This was on Jan. 31, 1842, when she attended the marriage of her daughter, Elizabeth to William Nevinson Waller. Less then eight months later, on Sept. 10, 1842, Mrs. Tyler died.
Tyler's daughter-in-law, Priscilla continued to act as hostess until Tyler married Julia Gardiner Tyler on June 26, 1844. Tyler's second wife, Julia was in the White House only a little more than eight months. However, she had been a famous belle and was known as the "Lady Presidentress". She was known for her entertainments, which mimicked those of the Court of Louis Philippe of France, and for the dancing the polka in public in the White House.
The Tyler White House was known for the different foods and beverages served.
A favorite beverage was Tyler's Mint Julep
The main ingredients:
good bourbon
flavorful mint
sugar
silver beakers
one thirsty gentleman
"To each jigger of water, add 1 teaspoon sugar. Dissolve. Crush a good deal of mint in this. Add about 4 to 5 jiggers of bourbon. Make a generous amount. Fill the beakers with crushed ice, pour in mixture, let ice subside. By this time the beakers should be covered with frost---the pride and joy of the julep----so never touch the beaker during the preparation. Add more ice, place a sprig of mint in the side, and serve with pleasure to one happy, thirsty gentleman."
Recipe from: "The James River Plantations Cookbook".
Another favorite recipe was "Tyler's" Pudding. This was Tyler's favorite and carried his name. This pudding is a pie for it is baked on a pastry. We have to remember Tyler had a large family to feed and this dessert was sufficient for all of them.
Tyler Pudding
1 fresh coconut, grated
6 large eggs
5 cups of sugar
1 cup thick cream
1/2 cup butter
pie pastry, uncooked
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, well-beaten, then add the cream and last the coconut. Pour into four pie pans (9 inch). Place in preheated 300 degrees oven and bake for 15 or 20 minutes until done.
Note: One fourth of the recipe is sufficient for a smaller family.
Recipe from: "The James River Plantations Cookbook".
As to the Civil War, there is much on John Tyler and his family.
John Tyler served as a member of the Confederate States Congress. On August 1, 1861, he was a delegate to the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States. He was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the permanent Confederate Congress on November 7, 1861, but never took his seat. He died on January 18, 1862 at Richmond, Va., before the Congress assembled.
When he died, the government in Washington made no announcement or proclamation of his death and no official notice of his demise was taken.
Five of John Tyler's sons served during the Civil War. They all served in the Confederacy.
They were:
John Tyler, Jr (1819-1896) who was a Colonel in CSA and then served as Confederate Assistant Secretary of war.
Robert Tyler (1816-1877) who served as Confederate Registrar of the Treasury. As registrar, his signature appeared on many Confederate dollar bills.
Tazewell Taylor (1830-1874) became a doctor and served as a surgeon in the Confederate Army. It is written he suffered from what today we call PTSD due to the carnage he witnessed as CW surgeon.
David Gardner Tyler (1846-1927) served as a private in Rockbridge Artillery. He served from 1863 to the surrender at Appomattox in 1865.
John Alexander Tyler (1848-1883). After the death of his father, John Tyler at the age of 14 ran away from home to join the Confederate Army. He was rejected as being too young. However, his mother, Julia Gardiner Tyler, allowed him to join the Confederate Navy. Tyler sent most of his time on a ship quarantined due to yellow fever and left Navy in 1864. He then joined the First Virginia Artillery and was there until surrender at Appomattox in 1865.
Biographical information from "Facts About the Presidents" and Memorials on each son on Find a Grave.
During the 17 months that Letitia Tyler was the First Lady, she appeared in public at the White House only once. This was on Jan. 31, 1842, when she attended the marriage of her daughter, Elizabeth to William Nevinson Waller. Less then eight months later, on Sept. 10, 1842, Mrs. Tyler died.
Tyler's daughter-in-law, Priscilla continued to act as hostess until Tyler married Julia Gardiner Tyler on June 26, 1844. Tyler's second wife, Julia was in the White House only a little more than eight months. However, she had been a famous belle and was known as the "Lady Presidentress". She was known for her entertainments, which mimicked those of the Court of Louis Philippe of France, and for the dancing the polka in public in the White House.
The Tyler White House was known for the different foods and beverages served.
A favorite beverage was Tyler's Mint Julep
The main ingredients:
good bourbon
flavorful mint
sugar
silver beakers
one thirsty gentleman
"To each jigger of water, add 1 teaspoon sugar. Dissolve. Crush a good deal of mint in this. Add about 4 to 5 jiggers of bourbon. Make a generous amount. Fill the beakers with crushed ice, pour in mixture, let ice subside. By this time the beakers should be covered with frost---the pride and joy of the julep----so never touch the beaker during the preparation. Add more ice, place a sprig of mint in the side, and serve with pleasure to one happy, thirsty gentleman."
Recipe from: "The James River Plantations Cookbook".
Another favorite recipe was "Tyler's" Pudding. This was Tyler's favorite and carried his name. This pudding is a pie for it is baked on a pastry. We have to remember Tyler had a large family to feed and this dessert was sufficient for all of them.
Tyler Pudding
1 fresh coconut, grated
6 large eggs
5 cups of sugar
1 cup thick cream
1/2 cup butter
pie pastry, uncooked
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, well-beaten, then add the cream and last the coconut. Pour into four pie pans (9 inch). Place in preheated 300 degrees oven and bake for 15 or 20 minutes until done.
Note: One fourth of the recipe is sufficient for a smaller family.
Recipe from: "The James River Plantations Cookbook".
As to the Civil War, there is much on John Tyler and his family.
John Tyler served as a member of the Confederate States Congress. On August 1, 1861, he was a delegate to the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States. He was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the permanent Confederate Congress on November 7, 1861, but never took his seat. He died on January 18, 1862 at Richmond, Va., before the Congress assembled.
When he died, the government in Washington made no announcement or proclamation of his death and no official notice of his demise was taken.
Five of John Tyler's sons served during the Civil War. They all served in the Confederacy.
They were:
John Tyler, Jr (1819-1896) who was a Colonel in CSA and then served as Confederate Assistant Secretary of war.
Robert Tyler (1816-1877) who served as Confederate Registrar of the Treasury. As registrar, his signature appeared on many Confederate dollar bills.
Tazewell Taylor (1830-1874) became a doctor and served as a surgeon in the Confederate Army. It is written he suffered from what today we call PTSD due to the carnage he witnessed as CW surgeon.
David Gardner Tyler (1846-1927) served as a private in Rockbridge Artillery. He served from 1863 to the surrender at Appomattox in 1865.
John Alexander Tyler (1848-1883). After the death of his father, John Tyler at the age of 14 ran away from home to join the Confederate Army. He was rejected as being too young. However, his mother, Julia Gardiner Tyler, allowed him to join the Confederate Navy. Tyler sent most of his time on a ship quarantined due to yellow fever and left Navy in 1864. He then joined the First Virginia Artillery and was there until surrender at Appomattox in 1865.
Biographical information from "Facts About the Presidents" and Memorials on each son on Find a Grave.