Author Archives: Feather Schwartz Foster

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About Feather Schwartz Foster

Feather Schwartz Foster is an author-historian who has made more than 500 appearances discussing presidential history. She teaches adult education at the Christopher Wren Association (affiliated with William and; Mary College), and adult Education programs at Christopher Newport University. She has been a guest on the C-SPAN "First Ladies" program. She has written five books.

Abraham Lincoln’s Grandson: “Jack”

Abraham Lincoln never lived to see any of his grandchildren. Robert Todd Lincoln & Family Abraham Lincoln’s eldest son Robert was twenty-one when his father was assassinated. He had completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard, and planned to re-enroll in … Continue reading

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Abe, Steve, Breck and Bell: A Multi-Colored Map

If one “back-lit” the now traditional red-blue election map, one would find FIVE colors in the 1860s elections. The Unionists and Secessionists were about to collide in the irrepressible conflict. The Black States: In this case, the “black” colored states … Continue reading

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Mrs. Keckley, “Contraband” and The Lincolns

The Civil War brought out great bitterness. It also brought out great generosity. “Contraband” Fortress Monroe, near Norfolk, VA, was a crucial center for the Union, since it commanded the Chesapeake Bay, its trade, commerce and defensive position. General Benjamin … Continue reading

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The President and the Apprentice: A Book Review

The President and the Apprentice by Irvin F. Gellman is a massive and masterful book. It runs nearly 600 pages, not counting another 200 small print notes and citations. A remarkable effort. One could write pages of comments of course … Continue reading

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Nabby Adams: The Mastectomy

John and Abigail Adams’ daughter underwent a mastectomy when she was forty-four. The Oldest Adams Offspring The eldest of the four surviving children of John and Abigail Adams was a daughter, named Abigail (1765-1813) and forever nicknamed “Nabby.”   Somewhat withdrawn … Continue reading

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Jane Pierce: First Lady of Sorrows

Some people are born with a melancholy gene. Like Jane Appleton Pierce. A Solemn Girl There was nothing in Jane Appleton’s (1806-63) childhood that suggested merriment. She was a New Englander, her father a Congregational minister, and strict religious observance … Continue reading

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Martha Washington’s “Disposition”

Martha Washington had very few memorable “quotes” – but one of them bears repeating. Often. Martha Washington: Correspondent When George Washington died in 1799, his distraught widow of more than 40 years systematically burned most of their correspondence. George Washington … Continue reading

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Frances Cleveland: The FLOTUS As Celebrity

When 49-year-old sitting president Grover Cleveland took a 21-year old bride, the country was enchanted.   Frances Folsom: White House Bride New First Lady Frances Cleveland was not only young, but she was pretty.  She had a nice figure, a peaches-and-cream … Continue reading

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Lucy Hayes and the Spectacular Dinner Service,

The White House, then and now, requires a huge amount of china place settings. The Precedents of China Formal Presidential dinner services have always been needed for formal occasions since the time of George Washington’s terms of office in New … Continue reading

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The Plot to Assassinate General Grant

General Grant was one of John Wilkes Booth’s targets on April 14, 1865. This is Julia Grant’s story, penned some 35 years after it occurred, and not known to the general public for more than a century. April 14, 1865 … Continue reading

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