Tag Archives: First Lady History

The Death of Jack Custis

Martha’s Kids In 1750, eighteen year old Martha Dandridge married Daniel Parke Custis, twice her age, and one of the wealthiest planters in Virginia. They had sincerely liked each other, and the marriage was happy for seven years. Then Daniel … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, George Washington, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Grant’s Tomb: A NY Icon

The Civil War could have been fought 3x over in the time it took for Grant’s Tomb to be erected. We Love New York Choosing New York City to be the site of Grant’s final resting place was not difficult. … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, American Civil War, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

General Ike’s Last Mission

But The General’s Health… …was not very good. He had suffered a few aches and pains and illnesses during his first six decades. But they were nothing out of the ordinary for a man his age, and with the great … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Julia Grant’s Bad Hat Story

Julia, The Plain Child Julia Dent (1826-1902) was the fourth of eight children (one died in infancy) born to Frederick W. Dent and Ellen Bray Wrenshall. Four boys and four girls. In that order. Colonel Dent (an honorary title) was … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, American Civil War, Nifty History People, Ulysses S. Grant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dolley Madison: Decorating the White House

Dolley Madison was 41 years old when she became First Lady in 1809… But… For eight years prior to 1809, she served frequently as de facto FLOTUS for President Thomas Jefferson, a widower. Even prior to the Jefferson Administration, Dolley … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, James Madison, Nifty History People, Thomas Jefferson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The First Burial of Willie Lincoln

Willie Lincoln was 11 when he died in the White House. Willie. In December, 1850, ten months after his sickly four year old brother Edward Baker Lincoln died, William Wallace Lincoln was born. He was the third son born to … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nellie Taft and the Philippine Band

Helen Herron Taft’s happiest years were in the Philippines. The Manila Years In 1900 Helen Herron Taft (1861-1943), married and mother of three, traveled to Manila, where she spent the next few years. Her husband of 15 years had been … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Nifty History People, Rutherford Hayes, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FDR 1941: The Christmas Houseguest

On December 6, 1941, the US was an isolationist country. That changed on December 7. The Storm Clouds War had been looming throughout Europe for nearly a decade. Japan had been making belligerent noises in Asia for more than a … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Abraham Lincoln and the Christmas Turkey

All the Lincolns were very fond of animals. The Lincoln Family Pets In the mid-1850s, the Lincoln Family of Springfield, IL had a dog named Fido. He was likely what people would call a mutt, or a mixed breed, but … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, American Civil War, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Great White Jail

“The White House is the finest prison in the world.” Harry S Truman. The White House Paradox The White House, or the Executive Mansion, is undoubtedly the finest residence the country has to offer the President of the United States, … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, Calvin Coolidge, Chester Arthur, George Washington, Grover Cleveland, Harry S Truman, James Buchanan, James K. Polk, James Monroe, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Nifty History People, Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant, William Howard Taft | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment