September 29th Rare Autograph & Document Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2022
"I have been thinking of my precious child much today, and he was in my dreams last night...it is desolate to be without him, and my heart will go after him"
"Shadow in the White House" Pierce, Jane (b. Means Appleton)(1806-63) First Lady; born in Hampton, N.H. She married Franklin Pierce in 1834. Tubercular and melancholic from the loss of three sons in childhood, the last to die, "Bennie" Pierce was decapitated by a run-away train just prior to his father's inauguration as President. She played little role in her husband's political career and became a virtual recluse during her husband's single term. She was known as the "Shadow in the White House."
ALS appears to have been written between 1836, the year of the death of Franklin Pierce, Jr, and 1839, as it mentions "Frances", who was almost certainly her sister Frances Appleton Packard, who died in that year. Letter was written on the Sabbath on small 8vo, mentioning various members of her family, with particularly poignant content on her deceased son. In part, "My husband has gone out to afternoon service..I have been thinking of my precious child much today, and he was in my dreams last night...it is desolate to be without him, and my heart will go after him... signed J M Pierce. "
Some toning to the last page, still Very Good and extremely scarce
Rare Jane Pierce ALS (First Lady)
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