John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States, was born on March 29, 1790 and died on January 18, 1862 in Virginia. Photo Credit: Library of Congress

President John Tyler had the most children of any president – 15 children with two wives. He also still has two living grandchildren! Born in 1790, Tyler was the 10th President of the United States, serving from 1841-1845. He took office after the sudden death of President William Henry Harrison and was nicknamed “His Accidency.”

Letitia Christian Tyler. Photo Credit: NPS

Tyler married Letitia Christian in 1813. She only made one public appearance when Tyler became president – it was said she was an invalid. In September 1842, Letitia died of a stroke in the White House. They had eight children:

• Mary Tyler (1815-1847)
• Robert Tyler (1816-1877
• Anne C. Tyler (died at birth)
• John Tyler (1819-1896)
• Letitia Christian Tyler (1821-1907)
• Elizabeth Tyler (1823-1850)
• Alice Tyler (1827-1854)
• Tazewell Tyler (1830-1874)

Julia Gardiner Tyler. Photo Credit: NPS

A few months after his wife’s death, Tyler began courting 23-year-old Julia Gardiner (30 years his junior). They married on June 26, 1844. The new First Lady enjoyed her new duties and took an active role in the house and community. They had seven children together:

• David Gardiner Tyler (1846-1927)
• John Alexander Tyler (1848-1883)
• Julia Gardiner Tyler (1849-1871)
• Lachlan Tyler (1851-1902)
• Lyon Gardiner Tyler (1853-1935)
• Robert Fitzwalter Tyler (1856-1927)
• Pearl Tyler (1860-1947)

If your wondering how this pre-Civil War president could still have two living grandchildren, you’re probably not alone! President Tyler was around 63-years-old when he and Julia welcomed Lyon Gardiner Tyler in 1853. Lyon was married twice. He first married Anne Baker Tucker, with whom he had three children. After Anne’s death in 1921, he married Sue Ruffin. They had three children, Lyon Gardiner Tyler, Jr. (b. 1924), Harrison Ruffin Tyler (b. 1928) and Henry Tyler (died at birth). Lyon was 72-years-old when Lyon Jr. was born. Both Lyon Jr. and Harrison are still alive. Harrison resides at the Sherwood Forest Plantation, the historical Tyler family home in Virginia. In an interview with New York Magazine in early 2012, Harrison was asked about his brother and responded that “he’s not doing good.”

John Tyler’s son and living grandsons. Photo Credits (left to right): Internet Archives; Franklin Lions Club; New York Magazine

Video of President John Tyler’s grandson – Lyon Tyler Jr.

Sources
Dan Amira, “President John Tyler’s Grandson, Harrison Tyler, on Still Being Alive,” New York Magazine, January 27, 2012.
National Park Service, “Biographical Sketches: John Tyler.”
Sherwood Forest