Tag Archives: George Washington

The Disastrous Inaugural Ball of 1873

President Grant had just won his second term. Inaugural Balls in General When George Washington took his first oath of office in New York City, in 1789, it was a solemn occasion. His wife Martha did not arrive for another … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, American Civil War, Andrew Johnson, George Washington, James Madison, John Adams, Nifty History People, Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

James Madison and the Next Generation

The Great Little Madison Many historians include numerous worthies in the category of “Founding Fathers,” i.e. those men in mid-eighteenth century America who rose to prominence as the country established itself as a sovereign nation. Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, George … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Andrew Jackson, George Washington, James Madison, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Nifty History People, Thomas Jefferson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Washington, Lafayette and the Bastille Key

Gentry George The Father of our Country was born into a prosperous Colonial Virginia family in 1732. His father owned substantial acreage plus successful business enterprises, but it paled compared to the thousands of acres of the much wealthier planters. … Continue reading

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

James Madison: Quarantined by a Hat

Hats Circa 1776 James Madison is seldom connected to a amusing (somewhat) story, so here is one to treasure! Head coverings for both men and women have always held an important place throughout history. Some religions demand them inside a … Continue reading

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

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

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, George Washington, John Adams, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Miracle of Dorchester Heights 1775-6

It was pivotal. It was bold. It was a colonial victory. It was never a battle. Boston, Massachusetts There is little doubt that Boston was the cradle of the American Revolution. In the 1760s, when Great Britain began imposing various … Continue reading

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

Martha Washington’s Secretary

A Lady’s Secretary In the 18th century, a “secretary” was also a synonym for a writing desk. Also, in the 18th century, communication between individuals (if not spoken) was via pen and paper. Specifically quill pen, ink and handcrafted paper. … Continue reading

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

George Washington: The Trouble With Mama

Prof. Emeritus Peter Henriques says it perfectly: Complicated, Very Complicated GW: The Humiliation In 1781, General George Washington received a confidential letter from his old friend Benjamin Harrison V, then-Governor of Virginia. The Governor had quietly advised Washington, who at … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, George Washington, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

George Washington and Lafayette: The Gifts

The orphaned boy and a childless father. The Orphaned Boy Gilbert de Motier, with a long string of additional names, but primarily the Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), was orphaned as a toddler, and inherited a huge estate in Auvergne, France. … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, George Washington, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Martha Washington, Lucy Knox and Kitty Greene: Revolutionary Pals

In late fall, 1775, Martha Washington joined her husband in Cambridge, MA. The Continental Army General It was never a secret that the bonds of affection between the American Colonies and Great Britain, the mother country, had been fraying for … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, George Washington, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments