Mays Family Tree - Person Sheet
NameMaria Hester MONROE 
5390
5390Birth Date1803
Death Date1850
FatherU.S. President James MONROE (1758-1831)
MotherElizabeth KORTRIGHT (1768-1830)
Misc. Notes
Maria was still a child when her father was elected president. Maria finished school in Philadelphia before moving into the White House in 1819.
Spouses
Birth Date1799
Birth PlaceNew York, NY, USA
Death Date1867
FatherNicholas GOUVERNEUR
MotherHester KORTRIGHT
Misc. Notes
Samuel was a New York State Legislator; Private Secretary to father-in-law President Monroe; and appointed New York City Postmaster, by President John Quincy Adams, 1828-1836.5398
Family ID10971
Marr Date8 Mar 18205399
Misc. Notes
Theirs was the first wedding ever performed in the White House. Samuel and Maria were second [sic] cousins.5392
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Samuel and Maria were first cousins. Theirs is often called the first wedding held in the White House. However, according to the official White House History web site, the first wedding ceremony held in the White House was when Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison, arranged the wedding of her youngest sister, Lucy Payne Washington (widow of Major George Steptoe Washington, a nephew of President Washington,) to Supreme Court Justice Thomas Todd in 1812.5400
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Many in Washington criticized the Monroes for keeping Samuel and Maria’s wedding private; just 42 members of the family and close friends were invited. Friction between Maria's husband and her outspoken sister strained family relations thereafter. The Gouverneurs moved to New York City. Former President Monroe, upon losing his wife in 1830, moved in with them.5394
____________
Samuel and Maria were first cousins. Theirs is often called the first wedding held in the White House. However, according to the official White House History web site, the first wedding ceremony held in the White House was when Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison, arranged the wedding of her youngest sister, Lucy Payne Washington (widow of Major George Steptoe Washington, a nephew of President Washington,) to Supreme Court Justice Thomas Todd in 1812.5400
____________
Many in Washington criticized the Monroes for keeping Samuel and Maria’s wedding private; just 42 members of the family and close friends were invited. Friction between Maria's husband and her outspoken sister strained family relations thereafter. The Gouverneurs moved to New York City. Former President Monroe, upon losing his wife in 1830, moved in with them.5394