Tag Archives: President Franklin Pierce

Archie Roosevelt’s Christmas Surprise

Christmas a la Roosevelt Few White House families were as robust and open for fun as Theodore Roosevelt, his wife, six children and a slew of pets. Nevertheless, very few stories, articles or even anecdotes are about how the TR’s … Continue reading

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Andrew Johnson and Jefferson Davis: The Feud

Two Southern legislators, poles apart, bitter enemies. Andrew Johnson: Mechanic Andrew Johnson (1808-1875) was arguably the poorest of our Presidents, measured in family position (low) and wealth (even lower). His father, a porter for a small tavern-hotel in Raleigh NC, … Continue reading

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The Tragic Death of Bennie Pierce

The Pierce Parents When Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) married Jane Means Appleton (1806-63) in 1834, he was nearly thirty, a fine age for a man to marry. Mature, and financially solid enough in trade or profession to provide for a wife. … Continue reading

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G.P.A. Healy and the Portraits of Presidents

The Young Artist George Peter Alexander (usually known as G.P.A.) Healy was definitely born poor in 1813 to Irish immigrants in Boston. A bit late to his calling, he was sixteen when he first picked up a brush, but the … Continue reading

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Harriet Lane’s Bracelet Story

Harriet Lane served as de facto First Lady for her bachelor Uncle, POTUS James Buchanan. Little Orphan Harriet James Buchanan was a brother among many sisters. Having received a solid education, he became a successful Pennsylvania attorney, elected to Congress … Continue reading

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The White House Conservatory: The Lost Treasure

 Arguably the largest of all lost White House treasures, is the Conservatory. The Greenhouse Concept Some three hundred years ago, the first greenhouse was built in Colonial America. The concept had been known in Europe for some time: to provide … Continue reading

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1861: A Year of Six Presidents

Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration in 1861 set many precedents. Presidential Precedents. Abraham Lincoln was a President of many firsts: The first POTUS born west of the Appalachian Mountains (KY); the elected first from Illinois; the first elected by popular plurality in … Continue reading

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Franklin Pierce: Moments of Grace

Franklin Pierce came to the Presidency following great personal tragedy. Franklin Pierce: The Tragedy Only weeks before Franklin Pierce (D-NH) was inaugurated in 1853, he took his wife and their eleven-year-old son to visit family in Massachusetts. En route, their … Continue reading

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The Deception of Franklin Pierce

Some marriages are mismatches. The Pierces Franklin Pierce was 30 years old when he married in 1834. Good looking, genial and personable, he waited until he was established in his law practice, and was a sitting New Hampshire Democratic Congressman. … Continue reading

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Jane Pierce: First Lady of Sorrows

Some people are born with a melancholy gene. Like Jane Appleton Pierce. A Solemn Girl There was nothing in Jane Appleton’s (1806-63) childhood that suggested merriment. She was a New Englander, her father a Congregational minister, and strict religious observance … Continue reading

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