Sarah Knox Taylor is the daughter of the 12th President of the United States, Zachary Taylor, whose life was marked by tragedy and historical significance. A short-lived marriage to Jefferson Davis, the future president of the Confederate States of America, and her untimely death at the age of 21 have made her a subject of fascination for both historians and the public.
Early Life
Sarah Knox Taylor was the second child of Zachary Taylor and Margaret Mackall Smith, born March on 6, 1814, in Vincennes, Indiana.
Her father was a career military officer stationed at Fort Knox when she was born – hence her middle name. As her father’s career developed, Sarah spent her early years at several military posts in different states. The nomadic lifestyle aside, she had a solid education – largely from her mother and private tutors.
Educational Background
While Sarah received less formal schooling than her peers, she was a voracious reader and smart woman. Her intelligence, wit, and charm made her popular among her peers.
Career/Interests
As a young girl, Sarah focused on social activities and family life. Her social life included dancing, partying, and other social activities. Her life was however impacted by her marriage in 1835 to Jefferson Davis.
Personal Life
Sarah first met Jefferson Davis at her father’s post at Fort Crawford, Wisconsin, in 1832. Their courtship was brief but passionate and they later got married in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 17, 1835.
Illness ended Sarah’s marriage. She contracted malaria 3 months after her wedding and died on September 15, 1835, at the age of 21. Her death touched her husband deeply, who called it “a great calamity” that changed his life forever.
Public Appearances
As the daughter of a high military officer and future president, Sarah Knox Taylor was often in the public eye. She attended social events and functions related to her father’s career but made relatively few appearances due to the nomadic lifestyle of military families.
Controversies
Sarah’s life was relatively trouble free. But her marriage to Jefferson Davis, the controversial Confederacy president, has sometimes put her in a difficult historical position. Some historians believe she married Davis in error because of his later role in the Civil War.
Her Father, Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was a good dad and his military career often shaped influenced their family’s lifestyle. With Taylor’s election as President of the United States in 1848, Sarah was nationally known but did not live to see him take office.
Conclusion
The short life of Sarah Knox Taylor was one of love, loss, and historical importance. Her marriage to Jefferson Davis and untimely death have made her an important figure in American history. Even though her life was short, her legacy continues to live on through her connection to two of the biggest names of her time.
