This drawing of Margaret Taylor is from 1903, nearly 50 years after her death. No certain likeness of "Peggy" Smith Taylor survives. While her husband President Zachary Taylor was in office from March 4, 1849 until July 9, 1850, she made no formal public appearances. Her social activities were confined to meetings with family, special groups with her husband, and attendance at church services. In her place Mrs. Taylor sent her youngest daughter, Mary Elizabeth Taylor Bliss, to act as official White House hostess. The sudden death of her husband was devastating, and she never spoke of the White House again.