With much to do being made about women and how they should be treated equally, I though not much has been written or said about the wives of our Founding Fathers. Some of us may not even know who these women were, no not even their names. So here goes.
Benjamin Franklin married Deborah Read in 1730. Deborah was with child, and some historians think Ben may have married her to save her reputation. She bore a son, William, who Ben claimed as his own—even though they had a major falling out when William remained a loyalist against Ben’s preaching. Deborah died in 1774 at the age of 66. She never saw the greatest achievements of Ben’s career. They were good partners in business as well as in marriage.
On this Woman’s Day, or Take the Day Off for Women, or whatever they called it today, allowing women to take the day off from work and everything else. Darn, I missed what they named it. Anyway it seemed like a good day to see what John Adams said about his wife, Abigail, to his family.
James Madison, yes, the Father of the Constitution was filled with zeal for the patriot cause. He became so supportive of the Revolution that he was suspicious of anyone who sounded like, or gave outward signs that they were against this cause in America.
Thomas Jefferson grew to be nearly as tall as his fellow Virginian, George Washington. Washington’s physician left his records listing the height of Washington as 6’ 3 ½ s” inches exact! Tom’s height was listed as 6’ 2 ½”.
While still in his youth, Benjamin Franklin became convinced that a person’s character was inextricably intertwined with one’s happiness. For that reason, Ben designed a plan to help him to become as perfect in character as he possibly could. He called the plan his “Project for Moral Perfection” and he worked at it his whole life through.
About all that anyone knows about Patrick Henry is that some time in history he gave a great speech which included the words: “Give me liberty, or give me death!” And that he did. But he did much more.
John Adams as you know, was elected to succeed George Washington as the President of the United States of America. He had had a great deal to do with the creation of this new nation. He doesn’t get remembered too much for his contributions. He knew it would be that way.
I just read a nice complimentary comment from a reader about my books. It made me feel so good, I thought I’d pass it along. One reader said about reading my book “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes” that it was very interesting reading and it “is filling me with gladness!”