Early Years
She was born to Johannes Dircksen Hoes (1753-1789), and Maria Quakenbush (1754-1852) who were of Dutch ancestry. She was taught in a local Kinderhook school by master Vrouw Lange. Like Martin, she was raised in a Dutch home and never did lose her distinct Dutch accent. Van Buren was devoted to his shy, blue-eyed bride, whom he always called "Jannetje", a Dutch petform of Johanna.
Their children were:
- Abraham Van Buren (1807-1873)
- John Van Buren (1810-1866)
- Martin "Matt" Van Buren, Jr. (1812-1855) - political aide to his father; later compiled his father's memoirs.
- Smith Thompson Van Buren (1817-1876) - political aide to his father; later edited the Van Buren papers. His second wife was a niece of Washington Irving.
After twelve years of marriage, Mrs. Van Buren contracted tuberculosis and died on February 5, 1819, at the age of thirty-five.
Even though she died before Martin became President, she is considered one of the American First Ladies. Martin Van Buren never remarried and was one of the few Presidents to be unmarried while in office. During his term, his daughter-in-law, Angelica Singleton Van Buren, performed as the host of the White House and unofficial first lady during her incumbency.
Read more about this topic: Hannah Van Buren
Famous quotes containing the words early and/or years:
“Although good early childhood programs can benefit all children, they are not a quick fix for all of society’s ills—from crime in the streets to adolescent pregnancy, from school failure to unemployment. We must emphasize that good quality early childhood programs can help change the social and educational outcomes for many children, but they are not a panacea; they cannot ameliorate the effects of all harmful social and psychological environments.”
—Barbara Bowman (20th century)
“Children of the middle years do not do their learning unaffected by attendant feelings of interest, boredom, success, failure, chagrin, joy, humiliation, pleasure, distress and delight. They are whole children responding in a total way, and what they feel is a constant factor that can be constructive or destructive in any learning situation.”
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