Fillmore Millard Powers

Notes:

Millard Filmore became the 13th President of the United States of America in 1850-1853 and the second vice-president to finish the term of a deceased president. He succeeded Zachery Taylor at a critical moment in United States history. The Mexican War (1846-1848) had renewed the conflict between the Northern and Southern states over slavery, since it had added new territories to the United States. The debate over whether these territories should be admitted as free or slave states precipitated a crisis that threatened civil war. Much to the relief of Northeren and Southern politicians, Fillmore pursued a moderate and conciliatory policy. He signed into law the Compromise of 1850 , which admitted one territory as a free state and allowed slave owners to settle in othe others. This compromise did not solve the basic problem of the slavery but did preserve peace for nearly eleven years. During that time the North gained the industrial power that enabled it to defeat the South when civil war eventually came.

His first wife, Abigail became first lady. After her death, he remarried Caroline Carmichael McIntosh. Both wives are buried in the family plot in Buffalo, Erie County,NY.

The house of Abigail and Millard, The Millard Fillmore House, is located about 15 miles SSE of Buffalo, New York, at 24 Shearer Avenue, just off Main Street in East Aurora, New York. It is open to the public on Wed., Sat., and Sun., from 2 pm-4 pm. from June to mid October. Fillmore built this house in the early 1820s and lived in it with his wife, Abigail from 1826-1830.

In his early years, Millard was able to educate himself with the help of the village school teacher, Abigail Powers who would later become his wife. He later studied law with Judge Walter Wood of Cayuga County. In the early years of their marriage, Abigail continued to teach school and to help her husband with his law studies.

President married Powers Abigail on 05 Feb 1826 in Moravia, Cuyuga County, NY. Abigail (daughter of Powers Lemuel and Newland Abigail) was born on 13 Mar 1798 in Stillwater, Saratoga Co., NY; died on 30 Mar 1853 in Washington, District of Columbia; was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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.

Notes:

Eunice was the second wife of Nathaniel Fillemore, father of the 13th President of the United States.

Notes:

The First Baptist Church of Stillwater was started in 1762 near the place where Burgoyne was taken in the American War, a church that became unusually large and prosperous and branched out in many directions; but, on account of certain difficulties, it suffered a great calamity and became nearly extinct. Rev. Lemuel Powers was a minister there.

In 1779, two years after the Burgoyne battles, this home church had eighty-six members and eight branches.

In 1781, Beriah Kelly commenced preaching for this body, and in July he was ordained at a council regularly called. His labors terminated in 1788 or 1789. Meanwhile, in 1785 or 1786, an unfortunate division occurred. One section worshiped in a frame meeting-house about a mile east of the original congregation, with Lemuel Powers as their minister. The others met in a log meeting-house about a mile west , with Beriahl Kelly pastor. In 1790 a reunion took place under the united pastorate of Rev. Lemuel Powers and Rev. David Irish. This continued until 1793, when the latter retired from the work.

In 1800, Lemuel Powers was gathered to his fathers. His remains rest in the private burying-ground near Ezra Mungers, marked on by a common stone; but his record is high.

The above was taken from the Saratoga County, New York History, by Nathaniel Bartlett Sylvester, 1878. History of the Villages and Towns of Saratoga County. Stillwater (Part 2)
Vll. Churches.

His wife, Abigail became the administrator for his will along with his son, Cyrus Powers, being of age at the time of his father's death.

Lemuel married Newland Abigail on 16 Apr 1777 in Croydon, Cheshire County, NH. Abigail (daughter of Newland Joseph and Babbitt Abigail) was born on 22 Feb 1758 in Northbridge, Worcester County, MA; died on 21 Feb 1838 in Irving, Chautauqua County, NY; was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Abigail's daughter, Abigail Powers married Millard Fillmore who later became the 13th President of the United States. Abigail, the mother, is buried near her daughterand the President in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY.

Is this the Abigail Newland who was taken in to the home of Joseph Pond, the 3rd. He claimed she was about 9 years old when she came to live in his home on 16th of May, 1767. She was from Norton and he lived in Wrentham, MA.

Notes:

Is this the same Joseph Newland born 17 Aug. 1718 to Josiah and Joanna Harvey Newland? Or was he born in 1722? Joseph and his wife, Abigail Babbitt were married by Mr. Ebenezer White on April 9th, 1774 in Norton, Bristol County, MA according to the vital records for Norton.

In 1750, Abigail, David and Zephaniah transferred property at Easton, MA to Joseph Newland.

Marriage records shows Abiogail Bobbit to Joseph Nueland.

Joseph married Babbitt Abigail. Abigail (daughter of Babbitt Erasmas and Burt Abigail) was born on 25 Jan 1725 in Easton, Bristol County, MA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Acording to records in MA, it was David who married Abigail Boblit on the same date.

Died:
bet 1761-1800
bet 1761-1800