Eliza McCardle Johnson — Born October 4, 1810 (There are Tennessee three locations given for her birth. According to the family Bible, she was born in Greeneville. There is a historical marker in Leesburg claiming it as her birthplace, and Telford is given in other biographies). Died January 15, 1876 (Greeneville, TN).
White House Years: 1865-1869
Eliza Johnson taught her husband and future president writing and arithmetic shortly after their marriage in 1827.
Eliza Johnson’s impeccable skills as a mother of five and efficient home organizer contributed to her husband’s success.
During the Civil War, East Tennessee remained loyal to the Union and Lincoln appointed Andrew Military Governor in Nashville. While Andrew Johnson was away, Eliza Johnson and a few of her children were caught by Confederate forces who had raided their home, leaving a son and son-in-law dead. Eliza had contracted tuberculosis by this time.
Because she was unable to carry out many of the duties of first lady, Eliza Johnson’s daughter, Martha Johnson, assumed the role of lady of the house.
After Andrew Johnson’s presidency, Eliza Johnson was relieved to return home to Tennessee and find her home restored after it had been ransacked by war. She remained in Tennessee until her death in 1876.
Quote:
“I knew he would be acquitted. I knew it. Thank you for coming to tell me,” said Eliza Johnson upon hearing of the results of the impeachment trial of her husband. She said this calmly, while sitting, knitting, and shedding a few tears.