Presidential Biographies | Taylor Administration - Family Life

Family Life

Margaret Mackall Smith married Zachary Taylor on June 21, 1810, at the age of 21. Although raised as a lady by well-to-do parents, she, like her husband, was considered unpretentious. Peggy Taylor, as her husband affectionately called her, proved to be a highly competent partner for her soldier husband. She was devoted to her children, and sought a good education for them. She was more deeply religious than her husband who, though attending the Episcopalian Church, never formally joined. Illness limited her activities as first lady so that her daughter Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Bliss performed many of the functions that otherwise would have been hers. The Taylors were a devoted couple, which made for a very successful marriage. Margaret Taylor died on August 18, 1852.