Sarah Angelica Van Buren (née Singleton; February 13, 1818 – December 29, 1877) was an American heiress and a daughter-in-law of the eighth president of the United States, Martin Van Buren.

Angelica Singleton Van Buren wasn’t just a figure of history—she was a young woman navigating a life that blended privilege, responsibility, and public scrutiny.

Because Martin Van Buren never remarried after his wife, Hannah, died on February 5, 1819, Angelica filled the role of first lady in Van Buren’s White House. She presided over the annual New Year’s Day reception and many other social gatherings at the Executive Mansion during her father-in-law’s presidency.

Sarah Angelica Singleton was born in Wedgefield, South Carolina in 1818, the daughter of prominent South Carolina plantation owner, Richard Singleton, and his wife Rebecca Travis Coles. In 1838, Angelica would marry Abraham Van Buren, son of the 8th President of the United States, Martin Van Buren.

Van Buren, Angelica (1816–1878) White House hostess. Name variations: Mrs. Abraham Van Buren; Angelica Singleton. Born Angelica Singleton in 1816; died in 1878; cousin of Dolley Madison (1768–1849); married Abraham Van Buren (son of Martin Van Buren, eighth president of the United States, and Hannah Hoes Van Buren ), in 1838.

Angelica Singleton Van Buren (February 13, 1818 – December 29, 1877) acted as the First Lady of the United States. She was the daughter-in-law of Martin Van Buren, the 8th president of the USA.

Angelica Van Buren became first lady to Martin Van Buren 11/27/1838 after marrying Martin Van Buren’s son, Abraham Van Buren II. She implemented some royal manners and practices …

Oct 23, 2024 · Angelica Singleton became first lady to a president whom she had not even known when he had won the election in 1836. Yet she played a major role during his term at the White House—the “Executive Mansion”—and set numerous …

Poised, confident, well-educated, and beautiful, Angelica grew up on a plantation in South Carolina. Her cousin, Dolley Madison, thought she would make a most beguiling White House Hostess for the somber presidency of long-widowed Martin Van Buren.

But during Van Buren’s tenure, his eldest son Abraham met, and eventually married, Angelica Singleton. Angelica moved into the White House in 1839 with her husband and fulfilled many of the first lady’s duties during the second half of the Van Buren presidency.