Tag Archives: history

George Washington and the Purloined Packet

Delivering the Mail Written communication i.e. letters, documents, newspapers, etc., was not nearly as common in early colonial times as it would become in later generations. First of all, literacy. A large percentage of people could not read or write. … Continue reading

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Ike & Mamie ‘52: The Bathrobe Story

In 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower was the most famous man in the country – maybe the world. Ike: Non-War Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969) was called Ike from boyhood. Growing up in Abilene, Kansas, he did farm chores, household chores, schoolwork, … Continue reading

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Admiral George Dewey: The Boom and the Bust

The Admirable Admiral George Dewey (1837-1917) was a Vermont man, from a prominent family. He was sent to Norwich University when he was fifteen, and expelled two years later for disciplinary matters, perhaps not uncommon for 15-year-olds. He then was … Continue reading

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Joseph Jones, James Monroe and General Washington

The Hon. Joseph Jones Joseph Jones (1727-1805) practiced the triple professions of many well-to-do Colonial men: planter, attorney, and political office-holder. One can easily list Jefferson, Madison, Jackson, Tyler, and a slew of others in that category. Born in Westmoreland … Continue reading

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Four Presidents and the Fourth of July

July 4 has been celebrated as our national birthday since 1776. The Declaration During a brutally hot summer in 1776, representatives from all thirteen American colonies gathered in Philadelphia to bemoan the critical impasse between their individual colonies and the … Continue reading

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Lucretia Garfield: The 6-Month FLOTUS

Crete Lucretia “Crete” Rudolph Garfield (1832-1918) was a well educated young woman. She was sent first to the Geauga Eclectic (similar to a prep school), followed by attending Hiram College, today part of Case-Western Reserve in Ohio. She had known … Continue reading

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Presidential Friendships: How They Changed History 

A Book Review Political beings, as a whole, are generally outgoing souls, with a long retinue of friends, ranging from pleasant how-ya-doin’ acquaintances to long-standing trusted companions. Presidents, at the top of the political pecking order, are no exception. Author … Continue reading

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Grant, Buckner and the Pillow Flight

Gideon Pillow was first and foremost a “political” general of massive pretensions. The Stuffed Pillow Gideon Pillow (1806-78) was born and raised to a prosperous and well-connected Tennessee family. He attended the University of Nashville, became an attorney, and went … Continue reading

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Edward Porter Alexander. Soldier. Engineer. Gettysburg.

EPA: The Young and Handsome Edward Porter Alexander wanted to be a soldier from early youth. His well-to-do father, a successful Georgia planter, wanted him to be an engineer. When a family friend advised the senior Alexander that a West … Continue reading

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The Lincolns: A Tale of Two Stepmothers

Among the many commonalities between Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd was the sad memory of being motherless at an early age. Abraham Lincoln: Semi-orphaned at Nine Nancy Hanks Lincoln died of the milk sickness, said to be from poisonous grasses … Continue reading

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