Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation:

John Tyler to Benjamin Ogle Tayloe letter, May 30, 1835, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Biographical Information:

John Tyler was the 10th president of the United States. John Tyler was born the son of John Tyler, Sr. (1747-1813) and Mary Armistead (1761-1797), in Charles City County, Virginia, as the second of eight children. He was the 10th President of the United States. Other offices held include Governor of Virginia, U.S. Senator, member of the House of Representatives, member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Captain of a military company, and other offices.

He was educated at the College of William and Mary and went on to study law with his father. John Tyler was married twice. His first wife was Letitia Christian Tyler with whom he had 8 children; she died in the White House in September 1842. His second wife was Julia Gardiner Tyler (July 23, 1820 - July 10, 1889), with whom he had 7 children.

Scope and Contents

Letter from United States Senator John Tyler (1790- 1862) to Benjamin Ogle Tayloe dated May 30, 1835.  In it he discussed horses and horse racing.  He also comments on the recent Democratic Party convention of 1835.  As a newly emerged Whig party leader, Tyler was nonplussed by the nomination of Martin Van Buren and voiced support that Virginia voters would go for Judge White (Hugh Lawson White) one of four Whig Presidential candidates in 1836.

Related Material

Tyler Family Papers, Group A, 1716- 1946: Mss. 65 T 97 Group A

John Tyler Papers, 1840- 1931: Mss. 39.2 T 975

John Tyler to Robert S. Standard Letter, 1819: Mss. Acc. 2005.66

John Tyler Letters, 1853- 1855: Mss. Acc. 2005.20

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Democratic Party (Va.)
• Horse racing--Virginia
• Horses--Breeding--Virginia
• Whig Party (U.S.)