Fred was Fanny’s second oldest brother, and he was often gone in Washington with her father. Fred followed in his father’s footsteps, attended Union College, and received a degree in law at age 19. Seward offered his son a position as his secretary in Washington when he was elected into the Senate. Fred agreed, much to his mother’s chagrin. He married a sociable woman from Albany named Anna Wharton, and they all moved into a home next to the White House. Anna became Seward’s official hostess in Washington and did a splendid job throughout the 1850s and 60s. Society thought highly of her and she received international gifts for her hospitality. As a professional hostess, Anna was quite fashionable and a fun sister-in-law to Fanny. Fanny once spoke of the lovely accessories and gifts that Anna purchased for her, which were always exactly what she wanted. Anna took Fanny dress shopping and helped prepare her to enter society in Washington. Fanny was a bit shy and awkward at times, so she relied heavily on Anna in social situations. She learned how to start and continue difficult conversations from her. If Fanny had lived longer, she may have become her father's official hostess.
Fred and Anna playing chess.
Fanny’s brother became the Assistant Secretary of State for three presidents: Lincoln, Johnson, and Hayes. He was present for the Deal Done in the Dark, where the purchase of Alaska was settled. He was also present during the assassination attempt on Seward and was badly hurt. Fred initially tried to stop Powell from entering Seward’s bedroom and was beaten unconscious over the head with a pistol. His skull cracked in two places and he had to undergo brain surgery to recover. This worked out remarkably well and he made a full recovery, unlike his father and mother. As his father’s mini-me, Fred helped publish and curate his father’s writings and objects. He was responsible for organizing and preserving a lot of information we have on the family’s history. He and Anna never had any children and lived out their final years in their Montrose mansion on the Hudson River.
Fred and Powell fighting c. 1865