First Ladies: Anna Tuthill Symmes Harrison
Anna Harrison became the first wife of a sitting President, to become his widow. She was also the grandmother of a future president, Benjamin Harrison. Anna Elizabeth Symmes was born on July 25, 1775 in Morristown, New Jersey. She was … Continued
Presidents: William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the last President to be born as a British subject. He was also our first President to die while in office. William Henry Harrison was born on February 9, 1773 at his family’s plantation, Berkeley Plantation, … Continued
History of the Shamrock
On this St. Patrick’s Day, I thought we would take a look at one of the popular symbols of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day, the Shamrock. A shamrock is a young sprig of clover. The word shamrock derives from the … Continued
Genealogy Friday: What is SSDI?
The Social Security Death Index is most commonly known as the SSDI. This is a great resource to use in genealogy research, to determine when an individual died or if an individual is deceased. Please beware that this is not … Continued
Presidential Daughters: Angelica Sinclair Van Buren
When Martin Van Buren became the eighth President of the United States, he needed someone to serve as hostess for him. His wife, Hannah, had died from tuberculosis in 1819. President Van Buren turned to his daughter-in-law, Angelica, to serve … Continued
First Ladies: Hannah Hoes Van Buren
Hannah Van Buren would have been first lady during her husband’s Presidency. However, she died almost two decades before he took office. Hannah Hoes was born on March 8, 1783 to Johannes and Maria Quakenbush Hoes. She was the … Continued
Presidents: Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren was the first President that was not born a British subject, but under the newly formed United States of America. He was born of Dutch decent on December 5, 1782 in Kinderhook, New York. His father, Abraham … Continued
Discovering An Old Family Bible
I had a cousin that provided me with the family Bible of my great-great grandparents. This was a huge, but pleasant surprise at the time. The Bible was a large Bible dating back to the 19th Century. Tenderly I cradled … Continued
Presidential Hostess: Sarah Yorke Jackson
Sarah York Jackson also served as hostess for President Andrew Jackson, whose wife Rachel Jackson died before he took office. She served after Emily Donelson either became unable to serve or refused to continue serving. Eventually the two women would … Continued
Presidential Hostess: Emily Donelson
Emily Donelson was the niece of Rachel Donelson Jackson. Upon her aunt’s death, Emily stepped up to serve as hostess for her uncle, President Andrew Jackson. Emily’s father, John, was the brother of Rachel Jackson. Emily Tennessee Donelson was born … Continued