Tag Archives: First Ladies

Mary Lincoln’s Bad Hat Story

First the source. When she was a very old lady in 1931, Julia Taft Bayne published a slim volume called Tad Lincoln’s Father. It was her personal memoir of 1861-2, when, as a teenager, she spent a good deal of … Continue reading

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John Tyler’s Sherwood Forest

Nestled in the northern part of Virginia’s Tidewater Peninsula, midway between its original capital of Williamsburg, and Richmond, its capital since 1780, is the retirement house of John Tyler, 10th President of the United States. It has been in the … Continue reading

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Mary Lincoln and Julia Grant: The CW Divas Part 1

The similarities were apparent; the dissimilarities were intrinsic. Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1883) was seven years older than Julia Dent Grant. From Kentucky and Missouri respectively, they were both considered “westerners” in the early part of the 19th century. They both … Continue reading

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Dolley Madison: Little Payne, Little Pain

In many ways, Dolley Payne Todd Madison had a (1768-1849) charmed life. A loving childhood, her essential wants and needs met, and an exposure to the excitement of Philadelphia – the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the USA.   … Continue reading

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Nabby Adams and the Royall Tyler Affair

The Enigmatic Miss Nabby Abigail (Nabby) Adams (1765-1813), the only daughter of John and Abigail Adams was a hard one to figure. By her mid-teens (considered courtin’-age, if not actually marriageable), she was considered a fine looking young woman, well … Continue reading

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Eliza Monroe Hay, the Irony of Good Feelings

The Era of Good Feelings The Monroe years 1817-25, are commonly referred to as “The Era of Good Feelings,” with fair reason. The country was at peace, following a military and economic misery known as the War of 1812. The … Continue reading

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Dr. Charles Leale: Forgotten Hero of Ford’s Theater

Ford’s Theater: April 14, 1865 Enjoying a pleasant night out, Abraham and Mary Lincoln and their guests attended a comedy at Ford’s Theater. Around 10:30 p.m. a shot rang out in the Presidential Box, and a scream was heard. Within … Continue reading

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Lucy Hayes: Camp Mother

Lucy Hayes was born to be a mother. Lucy: Girl to Woman Lucy Ware Webb (1831-1889) was born and raised in Chillicothe OH, when the state was becoming a major industrial force in the country. In-home manufacturing was declining and … Continue reading

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GW: The Very First New Year’s Day Reception

George Washington held the first New Year’s Day Reception at the President’s House in New York. New York: 1790 The weather was unseasonably balmy January 1, 1790. The doors and windows were opened wide and throngs of well wishers and … Continue reading

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JQA: The First Trip to Russia

John Quincy Adams was fourteen years old and incredibly bright. First…Naming Rights It has been fashionable lately to name one’s offspring as if it came out of a Scrabble box. But for centuries many people considered it a time-honored tradition … Continue reading

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