Harrison, Anna Symmes

Harrison, Anna Symmes (1775-1864), was the wife of William Henry Harrison, who served as president of the United States for only 30 days. William Henry Harrison was elected president in November 1840. In February 1841, he went to Washington, D.C., for his inauguration. Mrs. Harrison was too ill to travel. She stayed home, planning to go to Washington in the spring. Harrison was inaugurated on March 4, 1841. He caught cold that day and died on April 4. Anna Harrison never saw Washington.

Anna Symmes Harrison
Anna Symmes Harrison

Mrs. Harrison, whose maiden name was Anna Tuthill Symmes, was born near Morristown, New Jersey, on July 25, 1775. Her father was a wealthy land investor who also served as a New Jersey supreme court justice. Anna’s mother died on the child’s first birthday. When Anna was 4 years old, her father put her in custody of her grandparents on her mother’s side. Anna received good schooling for a girl of her time, and she was the earliest first lady to receive a formal education. She attended Clinton Academy in Long Island and Mrs. Isabella Marshall Graham’s School in New York City.

Anna Symmes and William Henry Harrison married in late November 1795. Anna Harrison bore 10 children—the largest number of children by a first lady. They were, in order of birth, Elizabeth Bassett, John Cleves Symmes, Lucy Singleton, William Henry, Jr., John Scott, Benjamin, Mary Symmes, Carter Bassett, Anna Tuthill, and James Findlay. John Scott became the father of President Benjamin Harrison. Jane Irwin Harrison, the widow of William Henry, Jr., served as White House hostess for William Henry Harrison during his brief presidency.

Mrs. Harrison became first lady at the age of 65. She was the oldest person ever to become first lady. She also was the first person to be widowed while her husband was president. In addition, she is the only first lady to have a grandson, as well as a husband, who served as president of the United States. The grandson was Benjamin Harrison, president from 1889 to 1893. Anna Harrison died on Feb. 25, 1864.

See also Harrison, William Henry .