Jane Pierce was born today in 1806. She was married to our 14th President: Franklin Pierce.

“I have known many of the ladies of the White House, none more truly excellent than the afflicted wife of President Pierce. Her health was a bar to any great effort on her part to meet the expectations of the public in her high position but she was a refined, extremely religious and well educated lady.” – Mrs Robert E. Lee (the portrait is Mrs Pierce with her only surviving child, Benny, who tragically died in a train accident directly before his fathers inauguration)