Abraham Van Buren II (November 27, 1807 – March 15, 1873) was an American soldier and the eldest son of

Martin Van Buren Martin Van Buren ( ; ; December 5, 1782 – July 24, 1862) was the eighth president of the United States, serving from 1837 to 1841. A primary founder of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, he served as Attorney General o ...

, the eighth

President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal government of t ...

and his wife, Hannah Hoes Van Buren. A career soldier and veteran of the

Second Seminole War The Second Seminole War, also known as the Florida War, was a conflict from 1835 to 1842 in Florida between the United States and groups of people collectively known as Seminoles, consisting of Muscogee, Creek and Black Seminoles as well as oth ...

and

Mexican–American War The Mexican–American War (Spanish language, Spanish: ''guerra de Estados Unidos-México, guerra mexicano-estadounidense''), also known in the United States as the Mexican War, and in Mexico as the United States intervention in Mexico, ...

, Van Buren was named in honor of his paternal grandfather

Abraham Van Buren Abraham Van Buren (February 17, 1737 – April 8, 1817) was an American businessman and local public official from Kinderhook, New York. A Patriot and militia veteran of the American Revolutionary War, he was the father of Martin Van Buren, t ...

, an officer in the

Albany County militia The Albany County militia was the colonial militia of Albany County, New York. Drawn from the general male population, by law all male inhabitants from 15 to 55 had to be enrolled in militia companies, the later known by the name of their commander ...

during the Revolutionary War. Van Buren served as his father's private secretary during his father's presidential term. In his later years, he helped oversee management of his wife's South Carolina plantation and traveled extensively in Europe.

Early life

Abraham Van Buren II was born in

Kinderhook, New York Kinderhook is a town in the northern part of Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 8,330 at the 2020 census,U.S. Census, 2020, 'Kinderhook town, Columbia County, New York' making it the most populous municipality in Columb ...

on November 27, 1807, the eldest son of

(1782–1862) and Hannah Hoes (1783–1819). Van Buren was educated in Kinderhook and attended Greenville Academy. At age 15, Van Buren began attendance at the

United States Military Academy The United States Military Academy (USMA), commonly known as West Point, is a United States service academies, United States service academy in West Point, New York that educates cadets for service as Officer_(armed_forces)#United_States, comm ...

. He graduated in 1827, ranked 37th of 38. Van Buren received his commission as a second lieutenant of

Infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

Career

Early career

After receiving his commission, Van Buren served with the 2nd Infantry Regiment at

Jefferson Barracks The Jefferson Barracks Military Post is located on the Mississippi River at Lemay, Missouri, south of St. Louis. It was an important and active U.S. Army installation from 1826 through 1946. It is the oldest operating U.S. military installatio ...

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

and

Fort Dearborn Fort Dearborn was a United States fort, first built in 1803 beside the Chicago River, in what is now Chicago, Illinois. It was constructed by U.S. troops under Captain John Whistler and named in honor of Henry Dearborn, then United States Secre ...

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...

from 1827 to 1829. From 1829 to 1836 he served as aide-de-camp to Alexander Macomb,

Commanding General of the United States Army Commanding General of the United States Army was the title given to the service chief and highest-ranking officer of the United States Army (and its predecessor the Continental Army), prior to the establishment of the Chief of Staff of the Unit ...

. In 1833, Van Buren received promotion to

first lieutenant First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment. The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a se ...

. In July 1836, Van Buren was promoted to

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

in the 1st Dragoon Regiment. He served with his regiment in

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

during the

White House

On March 3, 1837, Van Buren resigned his commission so he could become the president's private secretary after his father was inaugurated on March 4. He remained in this position until the end of his father's term in March 1841. Van Buren's time in the

White House The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest (Washington, D.C.), NW in Washington, D.C., it has served as the residence of every U.S. president ...

ended after his father was defeated by Whig candidate

William Henry Harrison William Henry Harrison (February 9, 1773April 4, 1841) was the ninth president of the United States, serving from March 4 to April 4, 1841, the shortest presidency in U.S. history. He was also the first U.S. president to die in office, causin ...

in the 1840 election. Van Buren and his wife Angelica left Washington in March 1841 and visited with Angelica's family in

Sumter, South Carolina Sumter ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Sumter County, South Carolina, United States. The city makes up the Sumter, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. Sumter County, along with Clarendon and Lee counties, form the core of Sumter–Lee ...

, where Angelica gave birth to their son Singleton.

Return to Army

At the outbreak of the

in June 1846, Van Buren was reappointed in the army as a paymaster with the rank of

major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

. Van Buren served as an aide to Generals

Zachary Taylor Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850) was an American military officer and politician who was the 12th president of the United States, serving from 1849 until his death in 1850. Taylor was a career officer in the United States ...

and

Winfield Scott Winfield Scott (June 13, 1786May 29, 1866) was an American military commander and political candidate. He served as Commanding General of the United States Army from 1841 to 1861, and was a veteran of the War of 1812, American Indian Wars, Mexica ...

and took part in the

Battle of Contreras The Battle of Contreras, also known as the Battle of Padierna, took place on 19–20 August 1847, in one of the final encounters of the Mexican–American War, as invading U.S. forces under Winfield Scott approached the Mexican capital. Ameri ...

Battle of Monterrey In the Battle of Monterrey (September 21–24, 1846) during the Mexican–American War, General Pedro de Ampudia and the Mexican Army of the North was defeated by the Army of Occupation, a force of United States Regulars, Volunteers, an ...

Siege of Veracruz On 9 March 1847, during the Mexican–American War, the United States military made an amphibious landing and besieged the key Mexican seaport of Veracruz. The port surrendered twenty days later. The U.S. forces then marched inland to Mexico ...

Battle of Cerro Gordo The Battle of Cerro Gordo, or Battle of Sierra Gordo, was an engagement in the Mexican–American War on April 18, 1847. The battle saw Winfield Scott's United States troops outflank Antonio López de Santa Anna's larger Mexican army, driving ...

, and

Battle of Churubusco The Battle of Churubusco took place on August 20, 1847, while Santa Anna's army was in retreat from the Battle of Contreras or Battle of Padierna during the Mexican–American War. It was the battle where the San Patricio Battalion, made u ...

. In August 1847, Van Buren was promoted to lieutenant colonel by brevet to recognize his gallant and meritorious conduct during the battles of Contreras and

Churubusco Churubusco is a neighbourhood of Mexico City. Under the current territorial division of the Mexican Federal District, it is a part of the borough () of Coyoacán. It is centred on the former Franciscan monastery ''(ex convento de Churubusco)'' a ...

. Van Buren was an original member of the

Aztec Club of 1847 The Aztec Club of 1847 is a military society founded in 1847 by United States Army officers of the Mexican–American War. It is a male-only hereditary organization with membership of those who can trace a direct ancestral connection "based on ma ...

. After Mexico's surrender, Scott appointed Van Buren as the military representative empowered to discuss peace terms with Mexican authorities. Van Buren joined American diplomat

Nicholas Trist Nicholas Philip Trist (June 2, 1800 – February 11, 1874) was an American lawyer, diplomat, planter, and businessman. Even though he had been dismissed by President James K. Polk as the negotiator with the Mexican government, he negotiated the T ...

in the subsequent talks, which ended when Trist obtained Mexico's agreement to the settlement that was later ratified as the

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo officially ended the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). It was signed on 2 February 1848 in the town of Villa de Guadalupe, Mexico City, Guadalupe Hidalgo. After the defeat of its army and the fall of the cap ...

. Following his return to the United States, Van Buren aided Scott to prepare a defense of Scott's wartime conduct for a court of inquiry. He also gave testimony on Scott's behalf and the inquiry resulted in Scott's exoneration.

Later career

After his Mexican War service, Van Buren and his family settled in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

. He had two strokes soon after relocating, and never completely regained his abilities to walk and speak. He continued to serve as an army paymaster until resigning in 1854. In retirement, he oversaw management of his wife's South Carolina plantation prior to the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...

and traveled extensively in Europe. In 1859, Van Buren sold his wife's plantation on her behalf, receiving $147,000 (nearly $5.5 million in 2021) for the 210 slaves purchased by a plantation owner from

Arkansas Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the West South Central region of the Southern United States. It borders Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, Texas to the southwest, and Oklahoma ...

. In spite of his absence while serving in the military, Van Buren was still close to his father. His wife and he enjoyed extended stays at the former president's

Lindenwald Martin Van Buren National Historic Site is a unit of the United States National Park Service in Columbia County, New York, south of the village of Kinderhook, north of New York City and south of Albany. The National Historic Site preser ...

estate and spent winters in South Carolina.

Personal life

Family

In 1838,

Dolley Madison Dolley Todd Madison (née Payne; May 20, 1768 – July 12, 1849) was the wife of James Madison, the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. She was noted for holding Washington social functions in which she invited members of b ...

, widow of former President

James Madison James Madison (June 28, 1836) was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. Madison was popularly acclaimed as the ...

, introduced Van Buren to her cousin,

Angelica Singleton 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. She was married to the President's son, Abraham ...

(1818–1877), at a

dinner hosted by his father. Singleton was a daughter of a wealthy

South Carolina South Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia (U.S. state), Georg ...

planter, and a refined lady who had been schooled in the fine arts at Madame Grelaud's French School in Philadelphia. Van Buren fell in love with her and the two were married at Colonel Richard Singleton's

Wedgefield, South Carolina Wedgefield is an unincorporated community and census designated place (CDP) in the High Hills of Santee area in western Sumter County, South Carolina, United States. Wedgefield is also a Census Designated Place (CDP). Wedgefield was so named bec ...

plantation named "Home Place". The President was unable to attend the couple's wedding; however, he was delighted with the match. The newlyweds honeymooned in London. Upon returning to the United States, Angelica assumed the duties of "White House Hostess" because her mother-in-law had died in 1819 and Martin Van Buren had not remarried. The couple had four children. * Rebecca Van Buren (1840–1840), died young * Singleton Van Buren (1841–1885) * Martin Van Buren II (1844–1885) * Travis Coles Van Buren (1848–1889)

Death and burial

Van Buren died in New York City on March 15, 1873. He was buried alongside his wife at

Woodlawn Cemetery Woodlawn Cemetery is the name of several cemeteries, including: Canada * Woodlawn Cemetery (Saskatoon) * Woodlawn Cemetery (Nova Scotia) United States ''(by state then city or town)'' * Woodlawn Cemetery (Ocala, Florida), where Isaac Rice and fa ...

the Bronx The Bronx ( ) is the northernmost of the five Boroughs of New York City, boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. It shares a land border with Westchester County, New York, West ...

Dates of rank

Van Buren's effective dates of rank were: * Second Lieutenant of Infantry (Brevet) – July 1, 1827 * Second Lieutenant, 2nd Infantry – July 1, 1827 * First Lieutenant, 1st Dragoons – March 4, 1833 * Captain, 1st Dragoons – July 4, 1836 * Resigned – March 3, 1837 * Major, Pay Department – June 26, 1846 * Lieutenant Colonel (Brevet) – August 20, 1847 * Resigned – June 1, 1854

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Van Buren, Abraham 1807 births 1873 deaths American military personnel of the Mexican–American War United States Army personnel of the Indian Wars 19th-century American planters Burials at Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx, New York) Children of presidents of the United States Children of vice presidents of the United States Martin Van Buren Members of the Aztec Club of 1847 People from Kinderhook, New York Personal secretaries to the president of the United States Secretaries United States Army paymasters United States Military Academy alumni Abraham 1807