Mary Elizabeth Taylor Bliss, also known as Betty Dandridge, was born 10 Apr 1824 in Kentucky and died 25 July 1909 in Winchester, Franklin County, Virginia. She is buried in Mount Hebron Cemetery, Winchester City, Virginia.

Parents: Daughter of General Zachary Taylor "Old Rough and Ready", President of the United States and Margaret Mackall Smith.

Married:

1. On December 8, 1848, Mary married William Wallace Smith Bliss, the future president's secretary. Bliss died in 1853.
2. On February 11, 1858, she married Philip Pendelton Dandridge.

Notes

"Betty" assumed the role of official hostess for her father due to her mother being a semi-invalid. She received high praise for the manner in which she preformed the required duties. She was only 25 at the time.

She became widely acquainted with noted men and women during her brief but brilliant regime in the White House and she was known far and wide as a young woman of rare fascination and beautiful character. It was regarded as a high honor to be asked to one of her entertainments.

A southern sympathizer during the civil war she saw fit to save a young scout, John E. Boyd who was captured by Federal officials and sentenced to death. He lived and served as one of the pallbearers that carried Betty to her final rest place.

Links

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Bliss
• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19066269

-------------------- served as White House hostess for her father