The Loves of the Early American Presidents Quiz

Answer: Mourned for years

Jefferson and his wife were a devoted couple during their short marriage. On her death, following the birth of their sixth child, Jefferson was inconsolable and collapsed. After her funeral he refused to leave his room for three weeks, after which he spent weeks riding alone on his estate, a solitary, grieving figure.

It would be some twenty years before he fully recovered from her loss. Martha was described as a short, slim and vivacious auburn-haired woman, accomplished in many skills, and with somewhat of a sharp tongue with others, but never with Jefferson, whom she adored.

Answer: John Quincy Adams

Louisa Johnson, who was the daughter of an American merchant and an Englishwoman, was born in London. After their marriage, she was invaluable in her role as the wife of Adams, and with her grace and charm, more than made up for his complete lack of same.

As First Lady, she was known as an outstanding hostess, but she didn't enjoy life in the White House, and was prone to migraines and frequent fainting attacks. Though she still performed her duties with her notable charm, she far preferred quiet evenings at home.

She had several miscarriages during her marriage to Adams, and in time became reclusive and depressed. The marriage, though not unhappy, couldn't be described as idyllically happy either. At one time she deeply regretted marrying into the Adams family, finding the men cold and insensitive, and Adams noted in his diary that "Our union has not been without its trials...with many differences of sentiments, of tastes, and of opinions in regard to domestic economy and to the education of children between us".

He hastened to add however that "She has always been a faithful and affectionate wife, and a careful, tender, indulgent and watchful mother to our children".

Answer: Insults made about his wife

Jackson was President from 1829 to 1837. He was given the nickname "Old Hickory" because he was noted for his toughness. He met his future wife, Rachel Donelson Robards, while she was still married to another man, but because of his brutal behaviour, the two were separated, pending divorce. Believing the divorce was final, Jackson and Rachel lived as man and wife, only to hastily re-marry when it was discovered the divorce hadn't been finalised at the time of their initial union.

This was the basis of the slurs made against her by Jackson's opponents and the resulting duels he fought to defend her honour.

They absolutely adored each other those two. She said that without him the world was full of empty shadows for her. On her death in 1828, he was distraught with sorrow, refusing to accept she was actually gone and insisting that extra blankets be placed on her in case she awoke and felt cold.

When he finally accepted she was gone, he then visited her grave every night at sunset and had her portrait hung at the foot of his bed, so that hers "would be the first face he saw in the morning and the last he saw at night". Perhaps in the most touching remark of all, he also said "Heaven will be no heaven for me if she is not there". That's so lovely. Sniff.

Answer: William Henry Harrison

Harrison was President for a tragically short time in 1841 before his unexpected death on his thirty-second day in office from pneumonia. As a young man, he met his future wife, Anna Symes, who was the daughter of a very influential judge. Papa refused Harrision when he asked for Anna's hand in marriage, so Harrison calmly waited until the judge was away on business and then he and Anna eloped.

They had ten children. On his death, and because Harrison died virtually penniless, Congress decided to give Anna, who lived another 23 years, a pension which was the equivalent of one year of Harrison's salary.

She was also given the right to send out all her letters free of charge, which seems a somewhat incongruous bonus. Harrison was the last President to be born before the Declaration of Independence was drawn up and was also the first President to have his photo taken - by daguerreotype.

It seems sad he died after only such a short time in office, but at least this particular romantic knight in shining armour died with his boots still on.

Answer: James Polk

James Polk was the 11th President of the United States from 1845 to 1849. He married his wife Sarah Childress in 1824 when she was 20 and he was 28 and, though the marriage produced no children, they remained completely devoted to each other until his death in 1849. For him, Sarah was a combination of wife, lover, friend, speech writer, adviser on political matters and campaign assistant. Exhausted by his time in office, Polk died only three months after leaving it, leaving his wife with those heart-breaking but beautiful last words to cherish. Sniff again.

Answer: Cirrhosis

Pierce, who was President from 1853 to 1857, was considered very handsome, possessed an amiable personality and had many friends, but as a President he has been described as one of the worst Presidents in history. He married Jane Appleton in 1834. She was shy, frequently ill, very religious and very anti-alcohol. Pierce on the other hand was a very heavy drinker - but at first they were happy and in love.

They had three children, all of whom died young, with the last surviving one killed in a train accident in which he and his parents were passengers.

They both saw the boy crushed to death in front of them. She became deeply depressed following this, said his death was Pierce's punishment for pursuing a political career, the marriage completely broke down, and she distanced herself as far as possible from him during his time as President, earning herself that sad nickname.

She spent her time in the White House secluded in the upstairs living quarters, during which period she passed her time writing sad letters to her dead child.

She died of tuberculosis in 1863, six years before Pierce. They are buried side by side, yoked together for eternity.

Answer: "To hell, I suppose"

Lincoln and his wife Mary were happy enough in their marriage, and Mary, from a wealthy family by birth, worked hard to make the marriage a success for the anything but wealthy young couple, taking on household tasks which had hitherto always been performed for her.

The couple soon had a family, and were known as indulgent and loving parents, but tragedy plagued their lives with the deaths of two of their sons while Lincoln was still alive, and the death of another, aged only 18, after his death. Mary's mental health, which had never been robust, subsequently completely collapsed with the death of three of her four children and the murder of her husband.

Her remaining son reluctantly had to have her committed to an asylum from which she managed to escape.

She spent the rest of her life, until she died at the age of 63, in the custody of her sister. Doctors today believe she may have had a form of bipolar illness during her lifetime which deteriorated further with the deep depression she fell into after the death of Lincoln.

Answer: Arithmetic and how to write

Poor Andrew Johnson had never been to school. His father died when Johnson was three and left the family poverty stricken, with his mother taking in spinning weaving to survive. She found him work as an apprentice tailor when he was very young and in that profession, he tried to teach himself how to read and write.

Then he met Eliza, and, with her help, rose to become a leader of a great nation. Johnson died in July 1875 and Eliza quietly followed him to the grave just six months later. See, fellas, all you need to do to succeed is listen to the little woman.

Answer: She was somewhat cross-eyed

It's true Julia was no beauty and she had been described as rather plain in appearance and squinted through her crossed eyes. Yet beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Grant referred to her as his "Dearest Julia" right throughout their 37 year marriage, and to her, he was always "Ulys".

She said in her memoirs that her time in the White House from 1869 to 1877 as wife of the eighteenth President of the United States was "the happiest period of her life". She was a gracious and accomplished hostess and entertained extensively. So fond of her was the President that when it was suggested during this period that she have an operation to correct her crossed eyes, he refused because he said he "liked her that way". Now if that doesn't put a happy smile on your face, then nothing will.

Answer: "Lemonade Lucy"

Lucy first met Hayes in 1847. When she graduated from college in 1850 (making her the first First Lady to do so until that time) she and Hayes, who was by then a lawyer, began dating. They were married in 1852. She was known for zealously promoting temperance, and on moving into the White House, banned all alcohol from the premises, except for one state visit from a Grand Duke of Russia in 1877, where she did allow wine to be served.

She also was prone to conducting hymn singing sessions with members of Congress and the Cabinet on Sunday evenings, something which is inclined to make me laugh. Imagine that happening now! Though her detractors gave her that mocking nickname, she was extremely popular with the people. Hayes adored her. On his retirement the family moved to their home "Spielgel Grove" in Ohio, and on her death in 1889, he wrote sorrowfully, "The soul left Spielgel Grove when she died". On his own death in 1893, his last words were, "I know that I am going to where Lucy is".