January 7
Millard Fillmore Born in New York
Summary
Millard Fillmore was born on January 7, 1800, in Locke Township, now Summerhill, in Cayuga County, New York. Raised in a family of limited means, he received little formal schooling and was apprenticed to the cloth trade before studying law. Fillmore entered New York politics and served in the state assembly and U.S. House of Representatives before becoming state comptroller. The Whig Party nominated him for vice president in 1848 alongside Zachary Taylor. When Taylor died in July 1850, Fillmore became the thirteenth president of the United States. His administration supported the Compromise of 1850, including the controversial Fugitive Slave Act, which required stronger federal assistance in returning escaped enslaved people. Fillmore also authorized the expedition that helped open formal relations between the United States and Japan. The Whigs did not nominate him for another term in 1852, though he later ran for president in 1856.
Why It Matters
Fillmore's presidency came during an escalating national dispute over slavery and western expansion. His support for the Compromise of 1850 temporarily reduced sectional confrontation but enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act increased resistance in the North and imposed severe consequences on freedom seekers and free Black communities. His administration's diplomatic initiatives toward Japan also contributed to a major expansion of U.S. relations in the Pacific.
Related Sites
- America 250 Atlas: A presidential profile placing Millard Fillmore within United States history.
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Sources
- FILLMORE, Millard, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed 2026-08-25.
- Millard Fillmore Presidential $1 Coin, United States Mint. Accessed 2026-08-25.