Anna Symmes Harrison was born in Morristown, New Jersey on July 25, 1775. Her life was almost immediately and profoundly impacted by the death of her mother on July 25, 1776. For the first three years following her mother’s passing, Anna was raised by her father. However, there came a point where he began to be unable to fully care for her and her sister. Being a Continental Officer in the Army, duty called and required her father to take the then four year old to her maternal grandparents, Henry and Phoebe Tuthill on Long Island.
Without batting an eye, Anna’s grandparents raised her and ensured her excellent education. During this time she attended the Clinton Academy at East Hampton in Long Island and then went to private school of Isabella Graham in New York City. Did you know Anna Harrison was the first First Lady to receive a formal education? In 1794, Anna rejoined her father and her second step mother, Susan Livingston Symmes at a temporary home on his extensive land along the Ohio River.
Anna’s life would never be the same from that moment forward. Soon after arriving in Lexington, Kentucky with her step mother, all of Anna’s dreams came true. She met and fell in love with Army Officer, Acting Captain William Henry Harrison, who would go on to be the 9th President of the United States. By November 22, 1795 they were married and she had ten children throughout their relationship. Anna preferred a traditional role and enjoyed being a devoted wife and mother most of all. She was an active and vibrant member within the church community. The couple had a happy marriage despite the inconceivable challenges the untimely death of their 5 grown children presented. When William was inaugurated in 1841, Anna was detained due to health issues and stayed behind at their home in North Bend. On April 4th, exactly one month after his inauguration, Anna’s husband, President Harrison died, which led Anna to flee to her son, John Scott. Anna spent the remainder of her life surrounded by her only surviving child, John and grandchild, Benjamin Harrison, who later went on to become the 23rd president of the United States. Anna Harrison passed away on February 25, 1864 and was laid to rest next to her husband at the William Henry Harrison Tomb State Memorial in North Bend.
Without batting an eye, Anna’s grandparents raised her and ensured her excellent education. During this time she attended the Clinton Academy at East Hampton in Long Island and then went to private school of Isabella Graham in New York City. Did you know Anna Harrison was the first First Lady to receive a formal education? In 1794, Anna rejoined her father and her second step mother, Susan Livingston Symmes at a temporary home on his extensive land along the Ohio River.
Anna’s life would never be the same from that moment forward. Soon after arriving in Lexington, Kentucky with her step mother, all of Anna’s dreams came true. She met and fell in love with Army Officer, Acting Captain William Henry Harrison, who would go on to be the 9th President of the United States. By November 22, 1795 they were married and she had ten children throughout their relationship. Anna preferred a traditional role and enjoyed being a devoted wife and mother most of all. She was an active and vibrant member within the church community. The couple had a happy marriage despite the inconceivable challenges the untimely death of their 5 grown children presented. When William was inaugurated in 1841, Anna was detained due to health issues and stayed behind at their home in North Bend. On April 4th, exactly one month after his inauguration, Anna’s husband, President Harrison died, which led Anna to flee to her son, John Scott. Anna spent the remainder of her life surrounded by her only surviving child, John and grandchild, Benjamin Harrison, who later went on to become the 23rd president of the United States. Anna Harrison passed away on February 25, 1864 and was laid to rest next to her husband at the William Henry Harrison Tomb State Memorial in North Bend.
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