Tag Archives: George Washington

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

The Madisons: His Hat and Her Cushion

The War of 1812 was seminal for James and Dolley Madison. The Unlikely Commander-in-Chief James Madison (1751-1836) was one of the most unwarlike men to serve as President of the United States, and thus Commander-in-Chief of the military. Following in … Continue reading

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