Van Buren, Angelica (1816–1878)

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Van Buren, Angelica (1816–1878)

White House hostess. Name variations: Mrs. Abraham Van Buren; Angelica Singleton. Born Angelica Singleton in 1816; died in 1878; cousin of Dolley Madison (1768–1849); married Abraham Van Buren (son of Martin Van Buren, eighth president of the United States, and Hannah Hoes Van Buren ), in 1838.

When the widower and newly elected U.S. president Martin Van Buren moved into the White House in 1837 with his four young sons, Dolley Madison was convinced the country needed a hostess. So she married off her beautiful young cousin Angelica Singleton to Abraham, the eldest of the young Van Burens, the following year. While Abraham served as his father's secretary, Angelica was a gracious host. Her portrait, painted by Henry Inman in 1842, still hangs in the White House.

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Van Buren, Angelica (1816–1878)

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