Name/Title
Doll of Jane Means Appleton PeirceScope and Content
Jane Means Appleton Pierce
The wife of the 14th President of the United States
Born 1806 to the Mr. and Mrs. Means, when Mr. Means died, Janes mother remarried the Rev. Jesse Appleton president of Bowdoin College. They took Jane back to Amherst, New Hampshire. This is where she met a young lawyer, Franklin Pierce.
Jane became Mrs. Franklin Pierce when she was 28 years old, which was unusual in that day of early marriages. The marriage was strongly opposed by family, but she did her best to discourage Pierces political ambitions.
The death of their three-day-old son, the arrival of a new baby and Jane's dislike of politics, Pierce decided to leave Washington at the apparent height of his career, as a United States Senator, in 1842. Little Frank Robert, the second son, died the next year of typhus.
After Pierces return form the Mexican War, at a rank of brigadier, they lived peaceful and happy for four years in Concord, New Hampshire. During this time they had a third son, Benjamin.
In 1852, the Democratic party made Pierce candidate for President. Jane fainted when informed. But Pierce convinced Jane the move to Washington would be beneficial to their sons success in life.
In January 1853, while on a journey by train, there was a derailment and Benjamin was killed.
On March 4, the inauguration took place with no ball nor Mrs. Pierce. Jane never recovered fully from the loss. Due to other events the new administration remained in a somber mood.
Jane Pierce being a devout Christian, used prayer to help in the time of her sorrow. Her obligations as First Lady became extremely difficult and she was fortune to have her friend and aunt by marriage, Abigail Kent Means to help with the fulfillment of the obligation.
After the presidency the couple went abroad, with hope of Janes' health returning, but to their dismay it did not help. Jane carried Benjamins Bible with her during the entire trip. Returning to New Hampshire, they live peacefully until Janes death in 1863. She was buried next to her Benny.Acquisition
Accession
2008.0007Source or Donor
Amacher, Dorothy
