John Tyler’s Children: A Look at His Extensive Family

John Tyler, the tenth President of the United States, is notable not only for his presidency but also for fathering the largest presidential family in American history. With fifteen children from two marriages, his descendants are numerous and have contributed to various aspects of American life. This article delves into the genealogy of John Tyler and his children, exploring the lineage that stemmed from his two wives, Letitia Christian and Julia Gardiner.

John Tyler’s first marriage was to Letitia Christian. They married in 1813 and had eight children together. Letitia Christian Tyler was known to be a woman of delicate health, especially during her time as First Lady. She made very few public appearances and passed away in the White House in 1842. Their children formed the first branch of Tyler’s extensive family tree.

The Children of John Tyler and Letitia Christian

1. Mary Tyler (April 15, 1815 – June 17, 1847) married Henry Lightfoot Jones. Their descendants include:

   • John Jones (unmarried)
   • Henry L. Jones (died ca. 1890, unmarried)
   • Robert Tyler Jones (1843 – 1895) married Sally Breeden Gresham (1868 – 1951)

2. Robert Tyler (September 9, 1816 – December 3, 1877) married Elizabeth Priscilla Cooper. They had a large family:

   • Mary Fairlie Tyler (1840 – 1845)
   • Letitia Christian Tyler (1842 – 1927)
   • John Tyler (1844 – 1845)
   • Grace R. Tyler (1846 – 1919) married John Baytop Scott (1831 – 1894)
   • Priscilla Cooper Tyler (1849 – 1936) married Albert Taylor Goodwyn (1842 – 1931)
   • Elizabeth Tyler (1852 – 1928) married Thomas Gardner Foster (1845 – 1915)
   • Julia Campbell Tyler (1854 – 1884) married Henry Hewlings Tyson (1845 – 1887)
   • Robert Tyler, Jr. (1857 – 1937)

3. Anne C. Tyler (died at birth, unmarried)

4. John Tyler (April 17, 1819 – January 26, 1896) married Martha Rochelle. Their children were:

   • James Rochelle Tyler (born 1839, unmarried)
   • Letitia Christian Tyler (1844 – 1863) married William Briggs Shands (1820 – 1906)
   • Martha Rochelle Tyler (1846 – 1928, unmarried)

5. Letitia Christian Tyler (May 11, 1821 – December 28, 1907) married James Allen Semple (died late 1870s).

6. Elizabeth Tyler (July 11, 1823 – June 1, 1850) married William Nevison Waller. Their children included:

   • William Griffin Waller (1842 – 1894) married Jennie Kent Howell; married Elizabeth Hale Austin
   • John Tyler Waller (killed in action, Confederate)
   • Letitia Waller
   • Mary Stuart Waller married General Louis G. Young
   • Robert Waller married Emily Johnstone

7. Alice Tyler (March 23, 1827 – June 8, 1854) married Reverend Henry Mandeville Denison. Their daughter was:

   • Elizabeth Russell Denison (1852 – 1928) married William Gaston Allen (1849 – 1891); married Reverend Williamson

8. Tazewell Tyler (December 6, 1830 – January 8, 1874) married Nannie Bridges. They had:

   • Martha Tyler (died 1943)
   • James Tyler (married May ?)

Following the passing of his first wife, John Tyler remarried to Julia Gardiner in 1844, while still serving as President. This marriage caused quite a stir as Julia Gardiner was much younger than Tyler. Despite the age difference, their marriage was significant, and they had seven children, further expanding the Tyler family. Julia Gardiner Tyler is remembered for her vivacious personality and for bringing a new energy to the White House social scene.

The Children of John Tyler and Julia Gardiner

1. David Gardiner Tyler (July 12, 1846 – September 5, 1927) married Mary Morris Jones. Their children and descendants include:

   • Mary Lyon Tyler (1895 – 1975) married George Peterkin Gamble (born 1899)
   • Margaret Gardiner Tyler (February 3, 1897 – ?) married Stephen Fowler Chadwick (1894 – 1975)
   • David Gardiner Tyler (born 1899) married Anne Morton Shelton (1900 – 1977); married Marion Field McWhorter Webb
   • James Alfred Jones Tyler (1902 – 1971) married Katherine Thomason (1909 – 1967)

2. John Alexander Tyler (April 7, 1848 – September 1, 1883) married Sarah Griswold Gardiner. They had:

   • ? Tyler (1876 – 1876) born Christmas at Sherwood Forest
   • Samuel Gardiner Tyler (1879 – 1892)
   • Lillian Gardiner Tyler (1879 – 1989) married Alben N. Margraf; married -?- Farlow

3. Julia Gardiner Tyler (December 25, 1849 – May 8, 1871) married William H. Spencer. Their daughter was:

   • Julia Tyler Spencer (1871 – 1955) married George Fleurot; married W. (or H.) Durant Cheever

4. Lachlan Tyler (December 2, 1851 – January 26, 1902) married Georgia Webb Powell.

5. Lyon Gardiner Tyler (August 24, 1853 – February 12, 1935). He married twice:

   • (1) Anne Baker Tucker. Their children were:
     • Julia Gardiner Tyler (1881 – 1965) married James Southall Wilson (1880 – 1963)
     • Elizabeth Gilmer Tyler (1885 – 1976) married Captain Alfred Hart Miles (1883 – 1956)
     • John Tyler (1887 – 1969) married Elizabeth Parker (born 1894)
   • (2) Sue Ruffin. Their children were:
     • Lyon Gardiner Tyler, Jr. (born 1924) married Lucy Jane Pope (born 1924)
     • Harrison Ruffin Tyler (born 1928) married Frances Payne Bouknight (born 1933)
     • Henry Tyler (1931 – 1931)

6. Robert Fitzwalter Tyler (March 12, 1856 – December 31, 1927) married Fannie Glenn.

7. Pearl Tyler (June 20, 1860 – June 30, 1947) married William Munford Ellis. Their children included:

   • Pearl Tyler Ellis (1885 – 1979)
   • John Tyler Ellis (born 1887) married Helen Rogers Watson (died 1983)
   • Leila MacLachlan Ellis (born 1888) married Ambrose Madison Marye (born 1887)
   • Cornelia Horsford Ellis (born 1891) married Yolverton Evans Booker, Jr.
   • Gardiner Tyler Ellis (born 1893)
   • William Munford Ellis (1891 – ca. 1922) married Ruth Woods
   • Julia Fleurot Ellis (1898 – 1988) married William K. Robinson (died 1962)
   • Lyon Alexander Ellis (1900 – 1954) married Margaret Northcross

John Tyler’s extensive family and numerous descendants reflect a significant chapter in American history. His children went on to have families of their own, contributing to a lasting legacy across generations. For those interested in presidential genealogy, the Tyler family provides a fascinating case study in American lineage.

For further research on presidential families, Presidents of the United States – POTUS is another valuable resource.