MARY PECK

Mary Allen Hulbert Peck was born May 26, 1862 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was raised in an affluent family who latter suffered financial difficulties. Her first marriage was to Thomas Harbach Hulbert, a mining engineer and prospector. They were wed in October of 1883. In September 1888, the couple had a son together named Allen. A year later, Thomas died unexpectedly, leaving Mary a widow. After his death, she garnered a position on the Ladies’ Commission of the World’s Fair. In December 1890, at the insistence of her family, she was married again. Her second husband was wealthy business man, Thomas Dowse Peck. She relocated to Pittsfield, Massachusetts to live with him. After developing an illness in 1892, Mary’s doctor advised that she should begin spending her winters in Bermuda. In 1907, it is here that she allegedly began an affair with Woodrow Wilson. Mary and Woodrow continued to exchanged letters for many years after this encounter. With Wilson’s support and encouragement, she separated from Peck in 1907. She officially filed for divorce in 1911. She then moved to New York City with her mother and son. Her romantic relationship with Wilson ended in 1915. Mary Peck died in 1939.