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246 receiving the news of his election, General Taylor resigned as an officer of the army and it was with much regret that he and his family severed their connection with the service, in which they had spent nearly their whole lives. Mrs. Taylor had no taste for the gayeties of Washington and after the inauguration of President Taylor she withdrew from all participation in social functions and resigned the duties of the mistress of the White House to her youngest daughter, Elizabeth, the wife of Major Bliss, who had served as General Taylor's Adjutant General during the campaign. "Miss Betty," as she was called, was young, vivacious, accomplished) and eminently fitted to discharge the duties of mistress of the White House. Mrs. Taylor selected such rooms as suited her simple tastes, and as far as possible resumed the routine that characterized her simple life at Baton Rouge. General Taylor insisted that she should be indulged in exercising her own wishes in these matters, since Mrs. Bliss was thoroughly competent to relieve her mother of distasteful duties. During President Taylor's residency in the White House there were many illustrious men in the Senate and holding other high positions. The rivalries and jealousies in politics reached an alarming height, and as General Taylor was the victim upon whom was visited many attacks and much vituperation, his brave spirit finally succumbed, and he died July 9, 1850, surrounded by his deeply afflicted family. Accompanied by her daughter Mrs. Taylor obtained a home among her relations in Kentucky, but soon became very unhappy, because of the continued manifestations of sympathy.

She removed to the residence of her son near Pascagoula, Louisiana. Major Bliss' death soon followed that of Mrs. Taylor which occurred in 1852, and Mrs. Bliss, childless and alone, sought the seclusion of private life among friends in Virginia.