10 - John Tyler

John Tyler was born on March 29, 1790, at Greenway, his family's plantation along the James River near Charles City.  I visited this site in 2014:



Note: this home is privately owned and not open to the public.


From 1802-07, Tyler attended the College of William & Mary.  While there, he boarded at the James Semple House, which is now part of Colonial Williamsburg.  I have not visited this site.


In 1815, Tyler built Woodburn and lived there until 1831.  I have not visited this site because the location along Virginia Route 618 is unmarked and the home is privately owned and not visible from the road.


From 1841 to 1845, Tyler served as president of the United States, and thus, lived in the White House.  I have visited this site many times - this photo was taken in 1978:




 
After retiring from the presidency in 1845, Tyler moved to Sherwood Forest in Charles City, Virginia, where he lived for the remainder of his life.  Although it is still privately owned by Tyler descendants, the grounds are open daily and private tours can be arranged.  I have visited this site twice, as a teenager in 1981 and then again in 2014:







Tyler was elected to a seat in the Confederate House of Representatives.  In 1862, while preparing for this role, he died in the Exchange Hotel in Richmond, Virginia.  This building no longer exists.



Tyler died on January 18, 1862, and was buried in the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.  I have visited this site twice.  The first photo, with my father Harold, was taken shortly before my 8th birthday in 1976...
... and the second in 2014

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