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Abigail Fillmore's health had taken a turn for the worse when her husband took over the presidency after the death of Zachary Taylor. He was the second vice president to assume the presidency because of the death of a sitting president. President Fillmore’s daughter, Mary Abigail Fillmore, took over the First Lady’s White House hostess duties including all duties associated with the White House Christmas celebrations. The President’s daughter was an accomplished musician and would perform at several White House functions. Since the first Christmas cards were believed to be designed and printed in London, England just 10 years prior to the end of Millard Fillmore’s tenure as president, it is doubtful that the Fillmores ever sent White House Christmas cards.
Fillmore did not receive a consecutive nomination for a second term as president. Abigail Fillmore would not live to see another Christmas after leaving the White House. Mrs. Fillmore had chronic health issues but insisted on standing by her husband’s side as his successor, Franklin Pierce, was sworn in. There was a raw northeast wind in the air and it snowed over the crowd. She returned to the Willard Hotel – chilled – and developed pneumonia. She died there on March 30, 1853. To show respect for the former First Lady and her family, The House of Representatives and the Senate adjourned as her body was taken home to Buffalo for burial.
President Fillmore’s daughter, Mary Abigail Fillmore, died of cholera a little over a year after her mother’s death. President Fillmore decided to go abroad and tour Europe, spending at least one Christmas season overseas. He was offered an honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree by the University of Oxford, but Fillmore turned down the honor. To his credit he felt that he didn’t have enough formal education to justify the degree. He also didn’t understand the Latin text of the diploma and is quoted as saying “No man should accept a degree he cannot read.”
After returning to the United States, Fillmore was unable to bring his political career back to life. He met and later wed Caroline McIntosh, a wealthy widow. It was said that the years the former president spent with Caroline were happy and content. Millard Fillmore and Caroline McIntosh remained married until his death in 1874.
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