Jane Means Appleton Pierce
(1806-1863)
| Occupation |
U.S. First Lady (March 4, 1853 - March 4, 1857) |
| Date of Birth | March 12, 1806 |
| Date of Death | December 2, 1863 |
| Place of Birth | Hampton, NH |
| Place of Death | Andover, MA |
| Parents |
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| Spouses | Franklin Pierce |
| Number of Children | Three |
Jane Pierce was born on March 12, 1806, in Hampton, New Hampshire. She married Franklin Pierce in 1834 and became first lady of the United States in 1853, when Pierce was sworn in as president. Her 11-year-old son, Benjamin, died in a train accident two months before her husband took office, following the early deaths of the couple's other two sons. During her husband's presidency, Jane Pierce started the tradition of having a Christmas tree at the White House. She died in Massachusetts on December 2, 1863, at age 57.
The First Ladies of the United States of America by