Category Archives: Franklin Pierce

The Presidents and the Exes: Part I

Ex-Presidents in General: The Early Fellows It’s lonely at the top. Just about every President has said so. Most come with their own agendas and plans, and all will quickly learn that they can go awry quickly. Some wonderful intentions can … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Franklin Pierce, George Washington, James Buchanan, James K. Polk, James Madison, James Monroe, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John Tyler, Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Archie Roosevelt’s Christmas Surprise

Christmas a la Roosevelt Few White House families were as robust and open for fun as Theodore Roosevelt, his wife, six children and a slew of pets. Nevertheless, very few stories, articles or even anecdotes are about how the TR’s … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Benjamin Harrison, Franklin Pierce, Nifty History People, Theodore Roosevelt | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dusting Off Franklin Pierce

The Basic Pierce Facts Franklin Pierce (1804-69), Democrat from New Hampshire, was a dark horse nominee, elected President in 1852. It took 49 Ballots to put him on the ballot, which was an exhausting exercise for the convention attendees. Few … Continue reading

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James Buchanan: The Successful Failure

The Stellar Resume James Buchanan (1791-1867), a Pennsylvanian from mid-state, was the last President born in the 18th century. His family was large, but he was essentially a brother among a slew of sisters.  Blessed with above average academic gifts, … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Andrew Jackson, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, James K. Polk, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Andrew Johnson and Jefferson Davis: The Feud

Two Southern legislators, poles apart, bitter enemies. Andrew Johnson: Mechanic Andrew Johnson (1808-1875) was arguably the poorest of our Presidents, measured in family position (low) and wealth (even lower). His father, a porter for a small tavern-hotel in Raleigh NC, … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, American Civil War, Andrew Johnson, Franklin Pierce, Nifty History People, Zachary Taylor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Tragic Death of Bennie Pierce

The Pierce Parents When Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) married Jane Means Appleton (1806-63) in 1834, he was nearly thirty, a fine age for a man to marry. Mature, and financially solid enough in trade or profession to provide for a wife. … Continue reading

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G.P.A. Healy and the Portraits of Presidents

The Young Artist George Peter Alexander (usually known as G.P.A.) Healy was definitely born poor in 1813 to Irish immigrants in Boston. A bit late to his calling, he was sixteen when he first picked up a brush, but the … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, Chester Arthur, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, James K. Polk, John Quincy Adams, John Tyler, Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Ulysses S. Grant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Three Forgotten FIRST LADIES

Following Dolley Madison, there was a big gap in the role of the First Lady Elizabeth Monroe was a reclusive woman by nature, and her grown daughter was a snobbish substitute. Louisa Adams was in chronic poor health; her husband … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Franklin Pierce, James K. Polk, James Monroe, John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Zachary Taylor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Harriet Lane’s Bracelet Story

Harriet Lane served as de facto First Lady for her bachelor Uncle, POTUS James Buchanan. Little Orphan Harriet James Buchanan was a brother among many sisters. Having received a solid education, he became a successful Pennsylvania attorney, elected to Congress … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The White House Conservatory: The Lost Treasure

 Arguably the largest of all lost White House treasures, is the Conservatory. The Greenhouse Concept Some three hundred years ago, the first greenhouse was built in Colonial America. The concept had been known in Europe for some time: to provide … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Presidential Sites, Rutherford Hayes, Theodore Roosevelt, Ulysses S. Grant, William McKinley | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment