Hannah Hoes Van Buren, wife of Martin Van Buren, 8th president of the United States, died February 5, 1819. She was 35.

Mrs. Van Buren was born March 8, 1783 in Kinderhook, New York. Information on the life of Hannah Hoes is sketchy, but it is known she grew up in a Dutch community. She also was a childhood friend and distant cousin of her future husband, Martin Van Buren.

They became sweethearts, and decided to delay their marriage until he had established a law practice. They wed in 1807 when they both were 24.

The Van Burens had five children---Abraham, John, Martin Jr. and Smith Thompson, and one who died as an infant.

From correspondence and letters, it can be ascertained that the Van Buren household was a happy and busy one. They show that Mrs. Van Buren was a very social person, entertaining relatives and business acquaintances of her husband.

After giving birth to her last son, Smith Thompson, in 1817, Mrs. Van Buren began having respiratory problems, probably tuberculosis, and died on February 5, 1819. The obituary in the Albany Argus newspaper described her as “an ornament of the Christian faith.”

Hannah Van Buren did not get to experience the life of a First Lady since she died 19 years before her husband became president. Mr. Van Buren never remarried, and when he moved into the White House, his four bachelor sons accompanied him.

Angelica Van Buren, wife of the president’s oldest son, Abraham, performed the duties of the First Lady during Van Buren’s one term presidency.