Eliza McCardle Johnson
1865-1869

Eliza McCarle was born in Leesburg, Tennessee on October 4, 1810.

Her father was a shoe maker.

She married Andrew Johnson on May 17, 1827.

When they were married, Andrew didn't know how to read. Eliza tutored him in reading and taught him how to read and write.

She encouraged her husband to become involved in politics and he went from being Mayor of Greeneville, to U.S. Senator, Vice President, and President.

Eliza and Andrew had five children:

• Martha
• Charles
• Mary
• Robert
• Andrew

She became ill with tuberculosis and by the time Andrew became President, she was an invalid. She lived and stayed on the second floor of the White House most of the time.

Her daughter, Martha Johnson Patterson, fulfilled most of the obligations of the First Lady.

Her husband was impeached. Eliza stayed by his side and when he was acquitted, she said "I knew it!"

After he left the Presidentcy, he became a Senator in 1874. In 1875, he died of a stroke.

Six months later, Eliza Johnson died of tuberculosis.

She and her husband are buried in Greeneville, Tennessee.

Visit our site on U.S. Presidents

Books and Websites

Books

Smithsonian Presidents and First Ladiesby James Barber and Amy Pastan.
First Ladies: Women Who Called The White House Home (First Ladies) by Beatrice Gormeley.

Websites

http://www.firstladies.org/ National First Ladies Library
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/list/058_flal.htmlLibrary of Congress, Images of the First Ladies

Comments and/or corrections should be sent to Jim at jim@anewadventure.org.