Frances Folsom Cleveland was only 21 when she became First Lady.

The Young FLOTUS-To-Be

Frances Folsom (1864-1947) was the total antithesis of her husband, sitting President Grover Cleveland. She was young (he was 49), slim and trim (he weighed in around 300 lbs.), and pretty-with-dimples. His face was usually grouchy – with a walrus-like mustache. 

In addition to those obvious conditions, the one most likely to raise eyebrows, was that Grover Cleveland was Frances’ legal guardian. He had known her since birth (or before), since he had been the close friend and law partner of her father, Oscar Folsom. When Folsom died, GC, as executor of his very modest estate, became guardian to 11-year-old Frances and her mother. He managed their funds wisely, enabling them to live comfortably. Always engaged in Frances’ upbringing as a devoted “Uncle Cleve,” he arranged for her education at Wells College. 

Once her hems were lowered and her hair pinned up, his attention shifted – although he always joked (if he was capable of joking), that “he was waiting for his wife to grow up.” It was no secret that now-NY Governor Cleveland was Frances’ guardian, so if letters and bouquets were sent to her, or she and her mother were invited to occasional social galas in Albany, no one batted an eye. They were considered “family.” 

But by the time Frances graduated, and GC had been elected President in 1884, he had already proposed to his ward, and she had accepted. But they agreed to keep it a secret for a while. Frances and her mother spent several months in Europe before the nuptials were held – in the White House.

This placed the pretty, young First Lady on a merry-go-round of fame and paparazzi, 1880’s style.

FLOTUS Receptions

From the very beginning, when Martha Washington joined President George Washington in NYC, her major responsibilities were a) managing and overseeing their home and personal needs, and b) entertaining the new President’s many guests. And their wives, daughters, mothers, sisters and assorted female guests. 

Martha’s “levees”, as they were called, were formal social occasions, not to be confused with smaller dinner parties, usually stag affairs, for GW’s political/governmental associates. Some of the levees were “for ladies only,” but many were “mixed.”

Some quarter century later, FLOTUS Dolley Madison, now ensconced in the White House, upped the ante. Her Wednesday evenings were legendary. Anyone, regardless of social position, so long as they were “properly dressed” and behaved, was welcome.

For the next half-century or more, “receptions,” his/hers/or both were a major social function of the Presidency. While many Presidents found them to be time consuming and even irritating, none dared to cancel the event, other than for illness. FLOTUSES, of course, were expected to  enjoy them. In the instance of a POTUS being widowed, or with an “invalid” spouse, a young daughter/niece or other female relative was recruited to stand-in. The young gals usually were delighted by the high-level recognition. 

The President and “Notions”

After the Civil War, women in the workforce quadrupled (not counting farm work or servants). Hundreds of thousands were widows or orphaned daughters. Many suffered the loss of their sweethearts. Many had menfolk who were so badly wounded they no longer could ply their usual trades. Many “marriageable” women remained single because of a shortage of available men.

Meanwhile, there was an industrial sea change: inventions and industry opened doors for women as clerks, secretaries, typists, telephone operators, etc. They had also learned to be vocal and active. They taught on high academic levels. They wrote books and gave lectures. They actually liked it. And they wanted to vote.

For year, while Frances and her mother were in Europe, the bachelor President had his unmarried sister Rose Elizabeth Cleveland serve as his “hostess.” She did so reluctantly, mainly to help her brother. She, after all, had emancipated-female “notions,” which GC claimed “gave him a headache.” 

Grover Cleveland was receptive enough to a woman’s education, but his lines were clearly drawn. He was a conservative, traditional man. A married woman’s place was in the home. Husband and family came first. Women did not work – unless the financial need was dire. And the idea that a wife, HIS wife, might support the nascent-but-growing woman’s suffrage movement was unthinkable! 

GC was a lucky man. His bride did not have “notions”.

Mrs. Cleveland’s Receptions

As might be expected, anyone in or around Washington flocked to the White House to meet and shake hands with the pretty new First Lady. It is said that thousands of people, dressed in their best clothes, lined up outside on her “at home” days, happy to stand in line waiting to be presented. 

The young FLOTUS had the energy of youth, and did not mind standing for two or three hours with a perpetual smile on her face. It is reported, however, that sometimes her aching arms and hands needed to be massaged after 2 or 3,000 greetings. 

She held her own receptions twice a week. One of those days was on Saturday afternoon. Perhaps in an effort to minimize her strenuous activities, a White House aide suggested she might give up her Saturday afternoon receptions. 

According to lore, Frances Cleveland replied that Saturday afternoons was the only day that shop girls, office clerks and other gainfully employed women were available to attend.

Her Saturday receptions were not cancelled. Young women continued to attend in droves. Frances continued to have her arms massaged.

It is unknown whether or not she ever had a notion that had it not been for “Uncle Cleve’s” fiscal management and guardianship, she might be one of those “gainfully employed” women herself.

Sources:

Boller, Paul F., Jr. – Presidential Anecdotes, Oxford University Press, 1981

Carpenter, Frank G. – Carp’s Washington – McGraw Hill, 1960

Dunlap, Annette – FRANK: The Story of Frances Folsom Cleveland, America’s Youngest First Lady – Excelsior Editions, 2009

Foster, Feather Schwartz – Mary Lincoln’s Flannel Pajamas and Other Stories From the First Ladies Closet – Koehler Publishing, 2014

https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-ladies/frances-folsom-cleveland/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Grover-Cleveland