Description
Sarah Angelica Singleton married Abraham Van Buren, the oldest son of Martin & Hannah Van Buren in 1838. She immediately assumed the role of White House Hostess, an unfilled position for the first year and eight months of Van Buren᾽s presidency, while her husband served as a private secretary to his father. Angelica Van Buren was educated at Columbia Female Academy in SC and then Madame Greland᾽s Seminary, an elite school in Philadelphia with a French-centered education. During their honeymoon in England & France, Angelica Van Buren met with royalty and embraced their formal style, which met with admiration and criticism on her return.
This Sarah Angelica Singleton Van Buren mug is part of our history mug series profiling the women who helped their husband, father, uncle or family friend while he served as president of the United States.
Most people assume that all US presidents were assisted in office by their spouse, but that was not always the case. Our series on the women who supported their husband, father, uncle, brother or family friend during his term as US president is filled with many unique individuals. Women who were not married to the president served in the position when the president was a bachelor or widower, or when the wife of the president was unable to perform in the role.
The origin of the phrase First Lady may have developed informally out of cordiality. In the case of Martha Washington, she was referred to as Lady Washington during her lifetime, but that did not mean it was a chosen or official title. A newspaper article published in 1838 using the term first lady of the nation when discussing Mrs. Washington, and maybe the first published use of the term.
Originally the women served as hostesses for the many official gatherings held at the White House. Over the years they have redefined their duties and activities. Edith Roosevelt was the first to hire her own social secretary, Eleanor Roosevelt was the first to have a personal secretary, and Jackie Kennedy decided a press secretary was needed to assist her in her role.
Starting with Rosalynn Carter, there has been an Office of the First Lady of the United States which is made up of four divisions: press and research, social and personal, projects and community liaison, and schedule and advance. She was also the first to have a Chief of Staff.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia-tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
