Powers Abigail^[1]

1798 - 1853  (55 years)

• Name	Powers Abigail
  Birth	13 Mar 1798	Stillwater, Saratoga Co., NY   [1]
  Gender	Female
  Death	30 Mar 1853	Washington, District of Columbia   [1]
  Burial	Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, Erie County, NY   [1]
  Notes	Abigail Powers Fillmore is perhaps best remembered for starting the first White House library on the second floor. Apparently, this former school teacher considered the absence of books in the Executive Mansion to be a grave omission. She preferred reading to almost any other activity. Due to an old ankle injury, Abigail Fillmore had difficulty standing for extended periods but she fulfilled her obligations as White House hostess. Fillmore did not receive the Whig nomination in 1852, partly because he had signed the Fugitive Slave Act. The Fillmore presidency came to an end in 1853. Abigail attended the inauguration of her husband's successor, Franklin Pierce, which took place during a spell of cold winter weather. Abigail developed pneumonia and died just several weeks after leaving the White House. Her widower remarried five years later. President Taylor's sudden death brought a fairy-tale quality to the lives of a red-haired young schoolteacher and her pupil, a cloth-maker's apprentice. From this most humble background, Vice-President Millard and his wife became the nation's first family. Abigail Powers (1789-1853) had started teaching when she was 16 to pay for her education and help support her widowed mother. She became interested in young Millard Fillmore when he came to her little school in upstate New York. She devoted all her free time to helping him with his books. For 7 years she worked and waited while he struggled to become a lawyer. After their marriage she continued teaching while he became established in his profession. He consulted her on important matters throughout his life. When the Fillmores went to the White House, Mrs. Fillmore's poor health kept her from doing as much, as first lady, as she would have wished. However, she was present at all official dinners and receptions. Her daughter, Mary Abigail (1832-1854) helped with her other duties. Mrs. Fillmore created the first White House library in a large room on the second floor.
  Person ID	I52431	Freeman-Smith
  Last Modified	27 Jan 2026

  
  

  Father	Powers Lemuel,   b. 15 Jun 1756, Littleton, Middlesex County, MA d. 18 May 1800, Stillwater, Saratoga Co., NY (Age 43 years)
  Relationship	natural
  Mother	Newland Abigail,   b. 22 Feb 1758, Northbridge, Worcester County, MA d. 21 Feb 1838, Irving, Chautauqua County, NY (Age 79 years)
  Relationship	natural
  Marriage	16 Apr 1777	Croydon, Cheshire County, NH   [1, 2]
  Family ID	F23933	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Fillmore President Millard,   b. 07 Jan 1800, Locke, Cayuga County, NY d. 08 Mar 1874, Buffalo, Erie County, NY (Age 74 years)
  Marriage	05 Feb 1826	Moravia, Cuyuga County, NY   [1]
  Children	1. Fillmore Millard Powers,   b. 25 Apr 1828   d. 15 Nov 1889 (Age 61 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]   2. Fillmore Mary Abigail,   b. 27 Mar 1832   d. 20 Jul 1854 (Age 22 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
  Family ID	F23869	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	27 Jan 2026

  
  

• Sources

  [S1257] Merged from BrianFreeman on 01-Jan-13 at 20:12. [S1294] Early Vital Records of Worcester County, MAssachusetts to about 1850., VR of Northbridge, p. 145.