'...president Johnson once told a United States Senator—still living in Washington—that Mrs. Patterson 'was the only child he had who had been a comfort to him, or taken pride in his career.

Her mother, First Lady Eliza McCardle Johnson, suffered from ill health and had little interest in social functions, so Patterson took over hostess responsibilities.

[9] The cows pastured on the lawn and Patterson milked them daily, "don[ning] a calico dress and a spotless apron.

"[9] Just before the execution of Mary Surratt, her daughter Anna came to the White House, hoping to persuade Johnson to spare her mother's life.

Much of the furniture was dirty and broken, the walls and floors were stained with tobacco juice, and the entire house was infested with insects.

[10] During her remodel of the White House, Patterson discovered a series of George P. A. Healy presidential portraits that were originally commissioned by Congress in 1857.

Martha was a refined, thoughtful woman, and in the eyes of her father was almost the only faithful and devoted ally whom calumny could not change nor misfortune alienate.

She loved him with a flaming devotion that must have been balm to his wounded spirit as he breasted the storm of hate that rose in opposition to his heroic efforts to save America for Americans.

[17] After Belle died of "a throat trouble" in California, her widower and their daughter were living in Patterson's house in Greeneville circa 1893.

[29] In the 1982 Siena College Research Institute asking historians to assess American first ladies, Patterson and several other non-spousal White House hostesses were included.