It was an awkward first meeting for Abigail and Millard. She was almost 20, and the owner and teacher of a respected academy in New Hope, N.Y. He was 17, dirt poor, and barely literate. He was apprenticed to a cloth maker. When his master gave him three months off, when he had to travel, Millard rushed to enroll in her well-respected school.
Abigail asked the logical question: Her students were eight or 10 years old. Would he be able to fit in? Millard won her heart with his request: He had only three months "and I want to lean as much as possible."
For the next 35 years, Abigail Powers was teacher, wife, companion, confidant and advisor to Millard Fillmore, the thirteenth president of the United States.
The young couple talked after class. Millard shared his dreams with Abigail. Despite his poverty, he wanted to study law. They wrote each other regularly. She encouraged him to continue his education by reading and recommended certain titles to him. In coming years, when Millard had to leave her for a few days, he always returned with a gift. Not candy or flowers, but what she wanted most: A new book.
They announced their engagement when he was 21 and had just been given a chance of study law with Judge Walter Wood. There was no salary, so Abigail suggested he become a teacher to support himself while he read for the law. The engagement lasted five years. He still had to complete his studies and build a career. He was 26, she 28 when they were married. She was by his side as he developed a successful law practice and political career. In 1848, the Whig Party chose him as their Vice Presidential candidate. President Taylor died July 9, 1850, making Fillmore president.
The Fillmores made two long-lasting contributions to the White House. Up to 1850, all cooking was done in fireplaces. The president ordered a stove, but the cooks were baffled by the dampers used to control the heat. The Patent Office had to send an expert to train the White House cooks.
For her part, Abigail was shocked to discover that there was not one book, not even a Bible, in the mansion. She set up the first White House library on the second floor, using her own books and $250 from Congress to expand it.
President Fillmore served the remaining two years and eight months of Taylor's term. His wife shocked official Washington by her "independence of spirit." Tradition said that the First Lady should not leave the White House unless escorted by the President. When Jenny Lind "the Swedish Nightingale" came to Washington, Millard could not attend but she went anyway.
The Whig Party refused to re-nominate an incumbent president, choosing instead General Winfield Scott as their candidate. He lost to Democrat Franklin Pierce.
Abigail welcomed this development. For years she and Millard had planned to tour Europe, to visit the museums and libraries there. Now they would have the time, but she never realized this dream. She attended the inauguration of President Pierce on March 4, 1853. It was a cold, rainy day. She died of bronchial pneumonia a month later.
Abigail often served Baked Tomatoes in her White House.
INGREDIENTS:
6 large, firm tomatoes
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
2 tbs. melted butter
Salt and pepper to taste
PREPARATION: Cut around stem, remove centers of tomato but do not break the walls. Chop centers, add to crumbs and butter. Season to taste. Stuff tomatoes. Bake at 350 degrees until tender, about 30 minutes. Serve warm.
By Jeff Cheek
