Persons
Happy Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday! And Happy Women's History Month.
Empire of Sin by Gary Krist has got a lot going on, as you would expect from a city like New Orleans. New Orleans has done its own thing for over three hundred years, a boiling cauldron of ethnicities, races, classes, crimes, religions, political corruption, and sex, with heaping helpings of voodoo and jazz thrown in for seasoning. Empire of Sin is packed with all those stories set in Storyville, the notorious red light district of the city, in the late 1800s and early 1900s. And there's more, including a campaign to rid the city of sin, a serial ax murderer terrorizing the populace, and lynchings of Italian immigrants.
Three women, the first ladies of Storyville and its most prominent brothel madams, figure prominently in the book: Josie Arlington, who ran the most exclusive brothels, and lived in a four-story mansion; Lulu White, mixed race herself, her brothel specialized in interracial sex and featured jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton playing piano in the lounge; and Willie V. Piazza, also mixed race, who called herself a countess and wore a monocle and lots of diamonds.
Empire of Sin by Gary Krist has got a lot going on, as you would expect from a city like New Orleans. New Orleans has done its own thing for over three hundred years, a boiling cauldron of ethnicities, races, classes, crimes, religions, political corruption, and sex, with heaping helpings of voodoo and jazz thrown in for seasoning. Empire of Sin is packed with all those stories set in Storyville, the notorious red light district of the city, in the late 1800s and early 1900s. And there's more, including a campaign to rid the city of sin, a serial ax murderer terrorizing the populace, and lynchings of Italian immigrants.
Three women, the first ladies of Storyville and its most prominent brothel madams, figure prominently in the book: Josie Arlington, who ran the most exclusive brothels, and lived in a four-story mansion; Lulu White, mixed race herself, her brothel specialized in interracial sex and featured jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton playing piano in the lounge; and Willie V. Piazza, also mixed race, who called herself a countess and wore a monocle and lots of diamonds.
Place.
Storyville is the name given to the red-light district of New Orleans from 1897-1917 where prostitution was essentially legal. It was named, unofficially and, much to his chagrin, for Sidney Story, the New Orleans alderman who proposed controls in prostitution which included limiting it to one district. There were some 200 brothels in the district when, in 1917, Secretary of War Newton Baker decided that troops destined to fight in WWI should not be distracted on home bases that were too close to Storyville. Prostitution was made illegal in the city, and, after 1940, most of Storyville's buildings were razed to make way for public housing.
Storyville is the name given to the red-light district of New Orleans from 1897-1917 where prostitution was essentially legal. It was named, unofficially and, much to his chagrin, for Sidney Story, the New Orleans alderman who proposed controls in prostitution which included limiting it to one district. There were some 200 brothels in the district when, in 1917, Secretary of War Newton Baker decided that troops destined to fight in WWI should not be distracted on home bases that were too close to Storyville. Prostitution was made illegal in the city, and, after 1940, most of Storyville's buildings were razed to make way for public housing.
Thing
Storyville is the name given to the red-light district of New Orleans from 1897-1917 where prostitution was essentially legal. It was named, unofficially and, much to his chagrin, for Sidney Story, the New Orleans alderman who proposed controls in prostitution which included limiting it to one district. There were some 200 brothels in the district when, in 1917, Secretary of War Newton Baker decided that troops destined to fight in WWI should not be distracted on home bases that were too close to Storyville. Prostitution was made illegal in the city, and, after 1940, most of Storyville's buildings were razed to make way for public housing.
The unofficial "Mayor of Storyville" regularly published The Blue Book, a guide to the bawdy houses of the district and to the individual sex workers, directories including their names, addresses, phone numbers, descriptions, and races, always using flowery and euphemistic language, avoiding graphic sexual descriptions. The Blue Book also contained ads for local products and businesses.
Storyville is the name given to the red-light district of New Orleans from 1897-1917 where prostitution was essentially legal. It was named, unofficially and, much to his chagrin, for Sidney Story, the New Orleans alderman who proposed controls in prostitution which included limiting it to one district. There were some 200 brothels in the district when, in 1917, Secretary of War Newton Baker decided that troops destined to fight in WWI should not be distracted on home bases that were too close to Storyville. Prostitution was made illegal in the city, and, after 1940, most of Storyville's buildings were razed to make way for public housing.
The unofficial "Mayor of Storyville" regularly published The Blue Book, a guide to the bawdy houses of the district and to the individual sex workers, directories including their names, addresses, phone numbers, descriptions, and races, always using flowery and euphemistic language, avoiding graphic sexual descriptions. The Blue Book also contained ads for local products and businesses.
Person
March is Women's History Month, and it also marks the beginning of the Salem witch trial craze in Massachusetts in 1692. Contrary to public misconception, no Americans accused of witchcraft were burned at the stake, but 19 were hanged and one pressed to death. Hundreds were accused and jailed, from age four or five up, over the course of a year.
The first to be accused was Tituba, an enslaved woman in the household of Reverend Samuel Parris. Again, contrary to public misconception, most historians believe Tituba was not African, but a Native American from the Caribbean or Central or South American who has been brought to Barbados. While living in Barbados briefly, Parris had inherited her and then brought her and her husband, John Indian, to Salem.
When Parris' daughter and niece started showing unexplainable symptoms of possession by witchcraft, they accused Tituba. Tituba had probably entertained the girls with stories of voodoo and witchcraft culled from her own background and from her time in Barbados. She was then beaten and threatened into making the confession that she was bewitching the girls of Salem and that she participated in evil rituals with other colonists whom she named. The hysteria began.
Tituba was jailed in Boston, and she remained there for 13 months after the trials because Parris refused to pay her jail fees. In April 1693, a person unknown paid the fees, and she was released. There is no historical record of her after that.
March is Women's History Month, and it also marks the beginning of the Salem witch trial craze in Massachusetts in 1692. Contrary to public misconception, no Americans accused of witchcraft were burned at the stake, but 19 were hanged and one pressed to death. Hundreds were accused and jailed, from age four or five up, over the course of a year.
The first to be accused was Tituba, an enslaved woman in the household of Reverend Samuel Parris. Again, contrary to public misconception, most historians believe Tituba was not African, but a Native American from the Caribbean or Central or South American who has been brought to Barbados. While living in Barbados briefly, Parris had inherited her and then brought her and her husband, John Indian, to Salem.
When Parris' daughter and niece started showing unexplainable symptoms of possession by witchcraft, they accused Tituba. Tituba had probably entertained the girls with stories of voodoo and witchcraft culled from her own background and from her time in Barbados. She was then beaten and threatened into making the confession that she was bewitching the girls of Salem and that she participated in evil rituals with other colonists whom she named. The hysteria began.
Tituba was jailed in Boston, and she remained there for 13 months after the trials because Parris refused to pay her jail fees. In April 1693, a person unknown paid the fees, and she was released. There is no historical record of her after that.
Place
If you ever visit Salem Massachusetts, you'll see right away that there is a dichotomy in how Salem-ites present their history. You'll see some things called tacky or cheesy by some, like the statue of Samantha from Bewitched, and you'll see the Witch House, the home of the trials judge Jonathan Corwin. And you might see the Salem Witch Museum which kind of combines the two, telling the history through the use of outdated and creepy looking pre-animatronic figures .
However, one of the most important sites, the site of the 20 executions was only authenticated in 2016, an empty lot (owned by the city since 1936) called "Proctor's Ledge" between some houses and within sight of a Walgreens. An earlier historian named Sidney Perley had proposed the location in 1900, but it was only recently confirmed. Up until 2016, tourists were directed to nearby Gallows Hill. The ledge was a prominent place from which the executions could be seen, but far enough out of the village, at the time, to not be seen.
In 2017, a new memorial, consisting of a curved granite wall and a memorial plaque for each victim, was dedicated on the site. It surrounds a single oak tree, since the hangings were likely done from an oak.
If you ever visit Salem Massachusetts, you'll see right away that there is a dichotomy in how Salem-ites present their history. You'll see some things called tacky or cheesy by some, like the statue of Samantha from Bewitched, and you'll see the Witch House, the home of the trials judge Jonathan Corwin. And you might see the Salem Witch Museum which kind of combines the two, telling the history through the use of outdated and creepy looking pre-animatronic figures .
However, one of the most important sites, the site of the 20 executions was only authenticated in 2016, an empty lot (owned by the city since 1936) called "Proctor's Ledge" between some houses and within sight of a Walgreens. An earlier historian named Sidney Perley had proposed the location in 1900, but it was only recently confirmed. Up until 2016, tourists were directed to nearby Gallows Hill. The ledge was a prominent place from which the executions could be seen, but far enough out of the village, at the time, to not be seen.
In 2017, a new memorial, consisting of a curved granite wall and a memorial plaque for each victim, was dedicated on the site. It surrounds a single oak tree, since the hangings were likely done from an oak.
Thing
Reverend John Hale of Beverly Massachusetts had witnessed the first execution of an accused witch in Massachusetts as a child in 1648. As an adult, he became a respected minister, the first minister that Rev. Parris consulted when the girls in his house began exhibiting symptoms of bewitchment. Hale was one of the leading voices urging an witch hunt be undertaken. That is, until there were whispers accusing his own wife. Fortunately, the governor had finally come to his senses by then and had forbidden any new trials, so Mrs. Hale was never officially charged
In 1702, two years after Hale's death, his book was published, critiquing the trials. In it, he never disputed the existence of witches and witchcraft, but he said that witches might have clouded judgement of judges and citizens during the hysteria, skewing the trials, and perhaps causing innocents to be prosecuted and executed.
Tituba by Elaine Breslaw is a good read on the trials.
Reverend John Hale of Beverly Massachusetts had witnessed the first execution of an accused witch in Massachusetts as a child in 1648. As an adult, he became a respected minister, the first minister that Rev. Parris consulted when the girls in his house began exhibiting symptoms of bewitchment. Hale was one of the leading voices urging an witch hunt be undertaken. That is, until there were whispers accusing his own wife. Fortunately, the governor had finally come to his senses by then and had forbidden any new trials, so Mrs. Hale was never officially charged
In 1702, two years after Hale's death, his book was published, critiquing the trials. In it, he never disputed the existence of witches and witchcraft, but he said that witches might have clouded judgement of judges and citizens during the hysteria, skewing the trials, and perhaps causing innocents to be prosecuted and executed.
Tituba by Elaine Breslaw is a good read on the trials.
Person
Many people assume that cotton was immediately the cash crop grown in the South, but cotton was never really profitable or important until after Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. In North Carolina and Virginia in the 1600s and 1700s, it was tobacco. On the sea islands and coast of Georgia and South Carolina, the cash crops were rice and indigo.
Indigo is a plant from which a very desirable dark blue (think dark denim) dye was extracted, and if not for a teenaged girl named Eliza Lucas, it might not have become a major export. Natasha Boyd wrote a fictionalized version of her story.
Eliza (1722-1793) was born on the British island of Antigua in the Caribbean, a very intelligent girl who was given more education than her peers. She developed a great love of botany. In 1738, her father inherited three South Carolina plantations, and the family moved. Her father was not a planter; he was a glory seeker, and he thought his road to wealth and titles lay in the military. In 1739, he returned to Antigua as lieutenant governor during England's participation in the War of Austrian Succession.
There were two Lucas boys, but they were in school in England, and Eliza's mother had no head for business. Eliza's father had no choice but to leave the plantations, and the family's fortune, in the hands of 16-year old Eliza
While in Antigua, Colonel Lucas sent back seeds of lots of plants for Eliza to experiment with. The plantations were not making money, and all seemed lost until he sent indigo seeds. Eliza began to experiment, with the advice, skills, and labor of several enslaved Africans who had had grown indigo in West Africa and the West Indies. Three lean years later, the work paid off. She had proven that indigo was viable in South Carolina. In 1748, South Carolina exported 130,000 pounds, second only to rice. By 1776, indigo accounted for more than one-third of the value of exports from the American colonies.
Many people assume that cotton was immediately the cash crop grown in the South, but cotton was never really profitable or important until after Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. In North Carolina and Virginia in the 1600s and 1700s, it was tobacco. On the sea islands and coast of Georgia and South Carolina, the cash crops were rice and indigo.
Indigo is a plant from which a very desirable dark blue (think dark denim) dye was extracted, and if not for a teenaged girl named Eliza Lucas, it might not have become a major export. Natasha Boyd wrote a fictionalized version of her story.
Eliza (1722-1793) was born on the British island of Antigua in the Caribbean, a very intelligent girl who was given more education than her peers. She developed a great love of botany. In 1738, her father inherited three South Carolina plantations, and the family moved. Her father was not a planter; he was a glory seeker, and he thought his road to wealth and titles lay in the military. In 1739, he returned to Antigua as lieutenant governor during England's participation in the War of Austrian Succession.
There were two Lucas boys, but they were in school in England, and Eliza's mother had no head for business. Eliza's father had no choice but to leave the plantations, and the family's fortune, in the hands of 16-year old Eliza
While in Antigua, Colonel Lucas sent back seeds of lots of plants for Eliza to experiment with. The plantations were not making money, and all seemed lost until he sent indigo seeds. Eliza began to experiment, with the advice, skills, and labor of several enslaved Africans who had had grown indigo in West Africa and the West Indies. Three lean years later, the work paid off. She had proven that indigo was viable in South Carolina. In 1748, South Carolina exported 130,000 pounds, second only to rice. By 1776, indigo accounted for more than one-third of the value of exports from the American colonies.
Place
Many people assume that cotton was immediately the cash crop grown in the South, but cotton was never really profitable or important until after Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. In North Carolina and Virginia in the 1600s and 1700s, it was tobacco. On the sea islands and coast of Georgia and South Carolina, the cash crops were rice and indigo.
The main reason that rice and indigo flourished on the Georgia and South Carolina coast is that many of the enslaved Africans brought to the region had extensive knowledge and experience growing rice and indigo either in West Africa or the West Indies. These Africans developed a unique culture that has been passed down to their descendants, many of whom continue to live on the sea islands of Georgia and South Carolina. Although they are very similar, two terms for the culture have developed. The South Carolina culture is known as Gullah, either a corruption of Angola or Gola, a tribe on the border of modern Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Georgia culture is known as Geechee, from the Ogeechee (a Muskogee Indian word) River.
You can experience and learn more about that culture by traveling along the Gullah-Geechee Corridor.
Many people assume that cotton was immediately the cash crop grown in the South, but cotton was never really profitable or important until after Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. In North Carolina and Virginia in the 1600s and 1700s, it was tobacco. On the sea islands and coast of Georgia and South Carolina, the cash crops were rice and indigo.
The main reason that rice and indigo flourished on the Georgia and South Carolina coast is that many of the enslaved Africans brought to the region had extensive knowledge and experience growing rice and indigo either in West Africa or the West Indies. These Africans developed a unique culture that has been passed down to their descendants, many of whom continue to live on the sea islands of Georgia and South Carolina. Although they are very similar, two terms for the culture have developed. The South Carolina culture is known as Gullah, either a corruption of Angola or Gola, a tribe on the border of modern Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Georgia culture is known as Geechee, from the Ogeechee (a Muskogee Indian word) River.
You can experience and learn more about that culture by traveling along the Gullah-Geechee Corridor.
Thing
Many people assume that cotton was immediately the cash crop grown in the South, but cotton was never really profitable or important until after Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. In North Carolina and Virginia in the 1600s and 1700s, it was tobacco. On the sea islands and coast of Georgia and South Carolina, the cash crops were rice and indigo.
Indigo dye is derived from the leaves of some plants of the Indigofera genus, grown around the world. The oldest known fabric dyed indigo, dating back to 6,000 years ago, was discovered in Peru. It was used in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome and throughout Asia.
Although known and used in Europe during through the Middle Ages, it was rare and expensive. Vasco da Gama's successful voyage to India opened up trade in indigo as well as in spices, bringing more indigo to Europe.
Indigo was known in West Africa for centuries, and clothes dyed with indigo indicated wealth. Among the peoples noted for their use of indigo were the Yoruba, Mandinka, Hausa, and Tuareg. Today, some of the same methods and pits used for extracting the dye centuries ago are still used today.
Many people assume that cotton was immediately the cash crop grown in the South, but cotton was never really profitable or important until after Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. In North Carolina and Virginia in the 1600s and 1700s, it was tobacco. On the sea islands and coast of Georgia and South Carolina, the cash crops were rice and indigo.
Indigo dye is derived from the leaves of some plants of the Indigofera genus, grown around the world. The oldest known fabric dyed indigo, dating back to 6,000 years ago, was discovered in Peru. It was used in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome and throughout Asia.
Although known and used in Europe during through the Middle Ages, it was rare and expensive. Vasco da Gama's successful voyage to India opened up trade in indigo as well as in spices, bringing more indigo to Europe.
Indigo was known in West Africa for centuries, and clothes dyed with indigo indicated wealth. Among the peoples noted for their use of indigo were the Yoruba, Mandinka, Hausa, and Tuareg. Today, some of the same methods and pits used for extracting the dye centuries ago are still used today.
Person
Yesterday's person, Eliza Lucas Pinckney, is one of the many Founding Mothers featured in Cokie Roberts' book about important women in the American Revolutionary period. Mostly, they are the wives of (some might say long-suffering for some as in the case of Deborah Read Franklin, Benjamin's wife) founding fathers whose contributions were made behind the scenes. However, one of my favorite subjects in the book to talk about in class was Deborah Sampson (1760-1827)..
Sampson was born in Plympton, Massachusetts, at the family home that still stands today. Her mother was the great-granddaughter of William Bradford, and her father's ancestors also arrived on the Mayflower. Already having led an eventful life by 18, she enlisted as Timothy Thayer in the Continental Army, but was discovered and kicked out (kicked out of her Baptist church as well). A couple of months later she enlisted under her brother-in-law's name, Robert Shirtleff or Shurtleff.
This time it worked. She was 5'9" when the avg woman was 5', and the avg man 5'7", skinny, with small breasts, and "a person of plain features," aiding her deception.
She fought in several skirmishes, once hit by two musket balls in the thigh. Rather than go to the surgeon, she went into the woods, used a knife to dig one out. The other was too deep and stayed with her the rest of her life. She served a year without discovery and was granted a pension for her service.
Yesterday's person, Eliza Lucas Pinckney, is one of the many Founding Mothers featured in Cokie Roberts' book about important women in the American Revolutionary period. Mostly, they are the wives of (some might say long-suffering for some as in the case of Deborah Read Franklin, Benjamin's wife) founding fathers whose contributions were made behind the scenes. However, one of my favorite subjects in the book to talk about in class was Deborah Sampson (1760-1827)..
Sampson was born in Plympton, Massachusetts, at the family home that still stands today. Her mother was the great-granddaughter of William Bradford, and her father's ancestors also arrived on the Mayflower. Already having led an eventful life by 18, she enlisted as Timothy Thayer in the Continental Army, but was discovered and kicked out (kicked out of her Baptist church as well). A couple of months later she enlisted under her brother-in-law's name, Robert Shirtleff or Shurtleff.
This time it worked. She was 5'9" when the avg woman was 5', and the avg man 5'7", skinny, with small breasts, and "a person of plain features," aiding her deception.
She fought in several skirmishes, once hit by two musket balls in the thigh. Rather than go to the surgeon, she went into the woods, used a knife to dig one out. The other was too deep and stayed with her the rest of her life. She served a year without discovery and was granted a pension for her service.
Place
One of the most well known Founding Mothers is, of course, Betsy Ross, and the Betsy Ross House is one of the most popular tourist traps, er I mean stops, and field trip destinations in Philadelphia. We all remember learning in elementary school that General George Washington personally beseeched Ross to make the first national flag.
In fact, there is absolutely no evidence that any of that is true. In fact, Ross did sew flags, including flags for US naval ships, but there was no mention of her association with the first flag or a meeting with George Washington until 1870, when her grandson told the story in public for the first time, offering no evidence to prove it. Historians generally dismiss the story.
Many scholars believe the true designer was Francis Hopkinson, a member of the Continental Congress who also designed the Great Seal of the US. However, Betsy Ross may have changed the original six-pointed stars into easier five-pointed stars.
One of the most well known Founding Mothers is, of course, Betsy Ross, and the Betsy Ross House is one of the most popular tourist traps, er I mean stops, and field trip destinations in Philadelphia. We all remember learning in elementary school that General George Washington personally beseeched Ross to make the first national flag.
In fact, there is absolutely no evidence that any of that is true. In fact, Ross did sew flags, including flags for US naval ships, but there was no mention of her association with the first flag or a meeting with George Washington until 1870, when her grandson told the story in public for the first time, offering no evidence to prove it. Historians generally dismiss the story.
Many scholars believe the true designer was Francis Hopkinson, a member of the Continental Congress who also designed the Great Seal of the US. However, Betsy Ross may have changed the original six-pointed stars into easier five-pointed stars.
Thing
This ring was given by Abigail Adams (1744-1818) to Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814) in 1812 and contains the hair of John and Abigail Adams.
In the years before the Revolutionary War began, John and Abigail Adams became close friends with James and Mercy (Otis) Warren. All were deeply committed to the patriot cause, serving with their individual talents. As John became, first, a domestic statesman and, later, a diplomat for the new republic, Mercy turned her literary skills to composing the first history of the unprecedented events taking place.
In 1805, however, when Mercy published her three-volume history of the Revolution, she presented an unflattering picture of John, who had finished his term as president of the country in 1801. The ensuing dialog between the former friends resulted in a rift that set John and Abigail bitterly apart from Mercy (James died in 1808). The estrangement lasted until 1812, when a mutual acquaintance was able to effect a rapprochment.
Later that year, Abigail had a ring and brooch made to celebrate the renewal of their close friendship. "With this letter I forward to you a token of love and friendship," Abigail wrote to Mercy. "I hope it will not be the less valuable to you for combining, with a lock of my own hair, that of your ancient friend's, at his request. The lock of hair with which you favored me from a head which I shall ever respect, I have placed in a handkerchief pin, set with pearl, in the same manner with the ring. I shall hold it precious." In January, Mercy replied, "A token of love and friendship. What can be more acceptable to a mind of susceptibility?"
The above description is from In Death Lamented: The Tradition of Anglo-American Mourning Jewelry. By Sarah Nehama. Prefaces by Sarah Nehama and Anne E. Bentley. University of Virginia Press. 2012. Taken from the Massachusetts Historical Society website.
This ring was given by Abigail Adams (1744-1818) to Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814) in 1812 and contains the hair of John and Abigail Adams.
In the years before the Revolutionary War began, John and Abigail Adams became close friends with James and Mercy (Otis) Warren. All were deeply committed to the patriot cause, serving with their individual talents. As John became, first, a domestic statesman and, later, a diplomat for the new republic, Mercy turned her literary skills to composing the first history of the unprecedented events taking place.
In 1805, however, when Mercy published her three-volume history of the Revolution, she presented an unflattering picture of John, who had finished his term as president of the country in 1801. The ensuing dialog between the former friends resulted in a rift that set John and Abigail bitterly apart from Mercy (James died in 1808). The estrangement lasted until 1812, when a mutual acquaintance was able to effect a rapprochment.
Later that year, Abigail had a ring and brooch made to celebrate the renewal of their close friendship. "With this letter I forward to you a token of love and friendship," Abigail wrote to Mercy. "I hope it will not be the less valuable to you for combining, with a lock of my own hair, that of your ancient friend's, at his request. The lock of hair with which you favored me from a head which I shall ever respect, I have placed in a handkerchief pin, set with pearl, in the same manner with the ring. I shall hold it precious." In January, Mercy replied, "A token of love and friendship. What can be more acceptable to a mind of susceptibility?"
The above description is from In Death Lamented: The Tradition of Anglo-American Mourning Jewelry. By Sarah Nehama. Prefaces by Sarah Nehama and Anne E. Bentley. University of Virginia Press. 2012. Taken from the Massachusetts Historical Society website.
Person
Cokie Roberts followed Founding Mothers with Ladies of Liberty, which introduces readers to the prominent women of the early republic years.
One of these women is Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams (1775-1852), the wife of John Quincy Adams and daughter-in-law of John and Abigail Adams. She was the first of two First Ladies born outside the US (Melania Trump second).
Her marriage to John Quincy Adams and her position as First Lady didn't seem to bring her much happiness. She detested Massachusetts and referred to the Adams family home as "something out of Noah's Ark." She did develop an affection for John Adams and a respect for Abigail, whom she described as "the guiding planet round which we all revolved." She was troubled physically with migraines, illness, and several miscarriages. She also suffered from depression. The intensely vicious and polarizing political atmosphere of the 1820s didn't help much; she became reclusive and more depressed as First Lady. In a letter, John Quincy Adams once referred to her occupying her time "winding the silk from the silkworms she kept" --- in the White House.
Cokie Roberts followed Founding Mothers with Ladies of Liberty, which introduces readers to the prominent women of the early republic years.
One of these women is Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams (1775-1852), the wife of John Quincy Adams and daughter-in-law of John and Abigail Adams. She was the first of two First Ladies born outside the US (Melania Trump second).
Her marriage to John Quincy Adams and her position as First Lady didn't seem to bring her much happiness. She detested Massachusetts and referred to the Adams family home as "something out of Noah's Ark." She did develop an affection for John Adams and a respect for Abigail, whom she described as "the guiding planet round which we all revolved." She was troubled physically with migraines, illness, and several miscarriages. She also suffered from depression. The intensely vicious and polarizing political atmosphere of the 1820s didn't help much; she became reclusive and more depressed as First Lady. In a letter, John Quincy Adams once referred to her occupying her time "winding the silk from the silkworms she kept" --- in the White House.
Place
Quincy, Massachusetts is home to the Adams National Historical Park, preserving 11 buildings covering two hundred years and telling the story of five generations of the Adams family (1720-1927). It includes the birthplaces of both John Adams and John Quincy Adams and Peacefield, the final home of John and Abigail Adams, the home that Louisa Adams called "something out of Noah's Ark."
One of the most striking features for me was the Stone Library, containing over 14,000 books belonging to John, John Quincy, Charles Francis, Henry and Brooks Adams. Begun by John Quincy, its books are in multiple languages because he was a polyglot, speaking and reading 8 languages in addition to English.
A short walk away is the United First Parish Church, but it is maintained by the congregation, not the national Park Service. It contains the Adams Crypt, the burial place of both presidents and first ladies.
Quincy, Massachusetts is home to the Adams National Historical Park, preserving 11 buildings covering two hundred years and telling the story of five generations of the Adams family (1720-1927). It includes the birthplaces of both John Adams and John Quincy Adams and Peacefield, the final home of John and Abigail Adams, the home that Louisa Adams called "something out of Noah's Ark."
One of the most striking features for me was the Stone Library, containing over 14,000 books belonging to John, John Quincy, Charles Francis, Henry and Brooks Adams. Begun by John Quincy, its books are in multiple languages because he was a polyglot, speaking and reading 8 languages in addition to English.
A short walk away is the United First Parish Church, but it is maintained by the congregation, not the national Park Service. It contains the Adams Crypt, the burial place of both presidents and first ladies.
Thing
Another First Lady discussed in Ladies of Liberty is Dolley Madison. It seems that Dolley was the first presidential wife to really take to the position of First Lady. She was extremely social by nature, something that her husband James was not. She made it her business to decorate the executive mansion and to entertain as a head of state should.
As British troops threatened Washington, DC, President Madison was in the field with troops outside the city. Dolley and the White House servants kept track of British movements. When it became clear that the enemy was headed to the White House, she directed servants to pack up important papers and objects, including the famous full length portrait of Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart, leaving the Madisons' personal belongings behind. The objects of state were safely hidden in various places as British soldiers arrived, sat down to enjoy dinner in the White House, and then torched the place.
Another First Lady discussed in Ladies of Liberty is Dolley Madison. It seems that Dolley was the first presidential wife to really take to the position of First Lady. She was extremely social by nature, something that her husband James was not. She made it her business to decorate the executive mansion and to entertain as a head of state should.
As British troops threatened Washington, DC, President Madison was in the field with troops outside the city. Dolley and the White House servants kept track of British movements. When it became clear that the enemy was headed to the White House, she directed servants to pack up important papers and objects, including the famous full length portrait of Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart, leaving the Madisons' personal belongings behind. The objects of state were safely hidden in various places as British soldiers arrived, sat down to enjoy dinner in the White House, and then torched the place.
Person
The Astronaut Wives Club tells the story of the wives of the first astronauts in the NASA space program. While their husbands trained and prepared to be among the first men in space, the wives found themselves thrust into a world they had never imagined or wanted, tea with the First Lady, reporters camping in their yards and following them around, and appearing on magazine covers.
Betty Grissom's life became tragic when Gus Grissom, Roger Chaffee, and Ed White died in 1967 when there Apollo 1 command module was engulfed by an electrical fire during testing. They couldn't escape because of an engineering flaw in a plug hatch.
Betty Grissom filed a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit against North American Rockwell in 1971, the chief contractor of the Apollo mission. In 1972, she settled out of court, receiving payment for herself and for the other two widows. Her actions set a precedent that guaranteed that astronauts and their families had the same death benefits as military personnel, and she encouraged the families of the 1986 Challenger explosion to file suit against Morton Thiokol, the maker of the faulty solid rocket booster.
The Astronaut Wives Club tells the story of the wives of the first astronauts in the NASA space program. While their husbands trained and prepared to be among the first men in space, the wives found themselves thrust into a world they had never imagined or wanted, tea with the First Lady, reporters camping in their yards and following them around, and appearing on magazine covers.
Betty Grissom's life became tragic when Gus Grissom, Roger Chaffee, and Ed White died in 1967 when there Apollo 1 command module was engulfed by an electrical fire during testing. They couldn't escape because of an engineering flaw in a plug hatch.
Betty Grissom filed a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit against North American Rockwell in 1971, the chief contractor of the Apollo mission. In 1972, she settled out of court, receiving payment for herself and for the other two widows. Her actions set a precedent that guaranteed that astronauts and their families had the same death benefits as military personnel, and she encouraged the families of the 1986 Challenger explosion to file suit against Morton Thiokol, the maker of the faulty solid rocket booster.
Place
Up until the 1950s, Florida's Space Coast, including Cape Canaveral, Titusville, and Cocoa Beach was a pretty sleepy place, so why was it chosen to be the home of America's space program? Two simple reasons. One, it's close to the equator, cutting fuel demands and making it easier to launch. Two, it's close to the Atlantic Ocean, meaning that, since rockets would fly east, there would be less chance of debris or accidents having impact or doing damage.
Once the space program and the facilities construction got under way, the astronauts and their families moved to the area. Cocoa Beach was even the home of Major Anthony Nelson and Jeannie! (Actually, although Barbara Eden made a publicity visit to Cocoa Beach, "I Dream of Jeannie" was filmed entirely on California soundstages and sets - except for the Hawaii episodes. Even the houses pictured in exterior shots were California houses.)
Once the space program and the facilities construction got under way, the astronauts and their families moved to the area. Cocoa Beach was even the home of Major Anthony Nelson and Jeannie! (Actually, although Barbara Eden made a publicity visit to Cocoa Beach, "I Dream of Jeannie" was filmed entirely on California soundstages and sets - except for the Hawaii episodes. Even the houses pictured in exterior shots were California houses.)
Thing
Interior and exterior photos of the Apollo missions command module, the living space for three men at a time. It's incredible to see one of these in person and imagine how they could possibly function in such a cramped space, and then you look at the control panels and marvel that that technology took men to the moon.
Person
Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880) was an American abolitionist, women's rights activist, Native American rights activist, journalist, novelist, short story writer, and poet. In 1829, she first published, under the name Mrs. Child (no relation to Julia), The American Frugal Housewife, a book of recipes and domestic advice meant for the women who didn't have servants and, as the subtitle says, "who are not ashamed of economy."
Even though she was only in her twenties, she presented herself as an older, more experienced woman. She discussed practically everything. Recipes, cleaning tips, and there's a section on common remedies. The book was a huge success, going through 33 editions. It became a staple, found in the majority of literate homes. Even if a family owned few books, it was likely that they owned a Bible, an Almanac, and Frugal Housewife.
Even though she was only in her twenties, she presented herself as an older, more experienced woman. She discussed practically everything. Recipes, cleaning tips, and there's a section on common remedies. The book was a huge success, going through 33 editions. It became a staple, found in the majority of literate homes. Even if a family owned few books, it was likely that they owned a Bible, an Almanac, and Frugal Housewife.
Place
Grandfather's House, also known as the Paul Curtis House in Medford, Massachusetts, is a historic house said to be the inspiration for Lydia Child's most famous work, other than The Frugal Housewife, a poem called "Over the River and Through the Wood." Sound familiar?
Child was inspired by her childhood visits to her grandfather's house in Medford. It's unclear who her grandfather was; it was not Curtis, and she never really visited this house. The original structure was a very small farmhouse, which would have been the house she remembered forty years later when she wrote the poem. In 1839, Curtis greatly enlarged the original home, building around it and adding the Greek Revival columns and other elements. The house went on the market in late 2020 for $1.4 million.
Child was inspired by her childhood visits to her grandfather's house in Medford. It's unclear who her grandfather was; it was not Curtis, and she never really visited this house. The original structure was a very small farmhouse, which would have been the house she remembered forty years later when she wrote the poem. In 1839, Curtis greatly enlarged the original home, building around it and adding the Greek Revival columns and other elements. The house went on the market in late 2020 for $1.4 million.
Thing
This is Lydia Child's most popular poem, "Over the River and Through the Woods." The words are very similar to "Jingle Bells" (original title "One Horse Open Sleigh") lyrics written about 15 years later by James Lord Pierpont. No one knows if Pierpont had read the poem, but both Child and Pierpont said that their works were inspired by childhood trips to Medford Massachusetts.
Interesting facts, though:
1. Child was a devoted abolitionist. Pierpont was proslavery, and his song was first performed by white musicians in blackface.
2. Both works are about Thanksgiving, not Christmas.
Interesting facts, though:
1. Child was a devoted abolitionist. Pierpont was proslavery, and his song was first performed by white musicians in blackface.
2. Both works are about Thanksgiving, not Christmas.
No comments:
Post a Comment