Jane Irwin Harrison

Jane Harrison (née Irwin; July 23, 1804 – 1845–1847) was the acting first lady of the United States from March 4 to April 4, 1841, during the presidency of her father-in-law William Henry Harrison. She took the position as a substitute for the president's wife, Anna Harrison who was unable to travel to the White House. Harrison was only acting first lady for thirty days, as the president died in office after this time. In addition to being the daughter-in-law of President William Henry Harrison, she was both the maternal aunt and the paternal aunt-by-marriage of President Benjamin Harrison. Early life Jane Irwin was born in her family's limestone mansion in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, on July 23, 1804. She was a granddaughter of James Ramsey, the owner of Millmont Farm in Montgomery Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Her father was Archibald Irwin Jr, a miller, and her mother was Mary Ramsey Irwin, the daughter of a miller. She had a sister, Elizabeth, and three brothers: James, John, and Archibald. Her father later married Sidney Grubb. From this marriage, Jane received seven more siblings: Joseph, William, Mary, Nancy, Louisa, Sarah, and Sydney. While Irwin and her sister were visiting their aunt in North Bend, Ohio, they met the Harrison family. Irwin married William Henry Harrison Jr on February 18, 1824. Jane Harrison had two sons: James and William. The marriage was a difficult one, as her husband suffered from alcoholism and severe problem gambling. She was widowed upon the death of her husband in 1838. In 1840, her father-in-law was elected president of the United States. White House hostess When William Henry Harrison became president, it was decided that his wife Anna Harrison would not travel to Washington, D.C. until the weather was more suitable for travel given her poor health. Jane Harrison was chosen to serve as the White House hostess, the traditional role of the first lady of the United States, in her stead, and she made the journey to Washington with the incoming president. Also accompanying them was her paternal aunt Jane Findlay. Harrison had asked her aunt to join them as a social adviser, as she had previously lived in Washington, D.C as the wife of a congressman.