Category Archives: Founding Fathers

Favorite Founding Father

Posted on by October 22, 2015

Ben FranklinI have given many presentations about the Founding Fathers. I am the author of “Founding Fathers –Uncommon Heroes.” As I have spoken, many have asked “Who is your favorite Founding Father?”

That’s such a difficult question, I answer: “When I am speaking about George Washington, he’s my favorite. When I am talking about Thomas Jefferson, he’s my favorite. When I speak about Patrick Henry, he’s my favorite. When I am discussing John Adams, he’s my favorite. And when I speak about James Madison and Dolley Madison, they are my favorites.” read more

Thomas Jefferson’s Private Religious Projects

Posted on by October 21, 2015

ThomasJeffersonIn his later years, Thomas Jefferson decided to compile what he understood to be Jesus Christ’s own words from the New Testament. Here is what he actually said about this venture:

“I too have made a wee little book . . . which I call “The Philosophy of Jesus.” It is made by cutting the texts out of the book and arranging them on the pages of a blank book, in a certain order of time and subject. A more beautiful or precious morsel of ethics I have never seen. It is a document in proof that I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus, very different from the Platonists, who call me an infidel and themselves Christians and preachers of the gospel, while they draw all their characteristic dogmas from what its Author never said or saw. They have compounded from the heathen mysteries a system beyond the comprehension of man, of which . . .were He to return on earth would not recognize one feature.” read more

George Washington’s Portrait Saved by Dolley

Posted on by October 20, 2015

Landsdowne paintingJames and Dolley Madison were residents of the President’s Mansion in Washington, D.C., in 1812. James was President of the United States of America, and Dolley was his wife and hostess.

I once asked a high school class I was speaking to, when the War of 1812 took place. They didn’t know. But you know. It was in 1812! During the war, the British were marching toward Washington, D.C. President Madison decided he needed to go to the “front” to see what was transpiring with the fighting. He didn’t really trust his generals that much. read more

George Washington’s Character

Posted on by October 19, 2015

GeorgeWashingtonAs a youth, George Washington learned some rules that helped him all his life. He was taught penmanship by his tutor who used “The Rules of Civility and Descent Behaviour in Company and Conversation” as dictated material that George would have to rewrite time, and time again in order to improve his penmanship. Doing this George also learned some manners, life principles in dealing with others, and how to make good conversation.

One of the rules that helped him not only in his youth, but also in his later years, and throughout his life, would be good to learn today. read more

Always Be Thankful

Posted on by October 18, 2015

GW RulesYou really can find something everyday to be thankful for. My daughter taught a class of young kids at Sunday School today. She brought some small pebbles for each child and told the kids to take off one shoe and place the pebble inside the shoe and then walk around the small classroom.

They did. She asked how that felt. The children all told that it was a little bit uncomfortable. She then handed each a small candy bar and told them to walk around the room again. They did. This time they said it was still uncomfortable but the candy bar made it seem so much better. She reminded them that even though their walk with the pebble in their shoe was with discomfort, having the candy bar to eat on the 2nd path made it all much better. read more

Founding Fathers and Humility

Posted on by October 18, 2015

Scene_at_the_Signing_of_the_Constitution_of_the_United_StatesThis is a quote that reminds me of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and others of our Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes:

“Something Very Beautiful happens to a people when their world has fallen apart: A Humility. A Nobility. A Higher Intelligence Emerges at just the point when our knees hit the Floor.” –Marianne Williamson

The world had fallen apart for these men, and they came to the rescue with humility, nobility, and a belief in the support of a Higher Intelligence. Their knees often hit the floor. read more

Thomas Jefferson has Succeeded

Posted on by October 13, 2015

ThomasJefferson“To laugh often and love much, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to give one’s self, this it to have succeeded.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I believe that this is an accurate description of Thomas Jefferson. He did laugh at funny occurrences. I’ll give you an example:

One day while President Jefferson was out riding his horse as he did quite often. He came upon a man and stopped to talk with him. The man reviled the current President, not knowing he was current talking with the man himself. read more

John Adams defeats Thomas Jefferson, Then Visa Versa!

Posted on by October 13, 2015

JohnAdamsThomasJeffersonJohn Adams was a firm supporter of Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence in the Continental Congress of 1776. Tom then referred to Adams as the Colossus of the debates.

When George Washington declined to run for a third term as President of the United States, John Adams was elected as his replacement. Thomas Jefferson received the next highest number of electoral votes, and so became his Vice President.

John Adams revealed a bit of humorous jealousy when he wrote of what future historians would record about his time: read more

Christopher Columbus, George Washington, and Perseverance

Posted on by October 12, 2015

Christopher_Columbus_on_Santa_Maria_in_1492.Happy Columbus Day! Christopher Columbus and George Washington had many character traits in common. The most remarkable is Perseverance.

Columbus had an idea about reaching the East by sailing West. No one had successfully done that before. He was an expert sailor and mapmaker. He came up with his plan and presented it to the King of Portugal, the King and Queen of Spain—four times, the King of France, and he even sent his brother to England to present his plan.

He was on his way to present his plan once again to the King of France, when he was called back to the Majesties of Spain once again. They had just won their war in Grenada and now his plan sounded better to them. One more presentation and it was granted and approved. read more

Founding Fathers in the Right Place

Posted on by October 11, 2015

Speaking-2When I was in college, my girlfriend (now my wife) and I went to an open-air concert. It was presented by the late music composer and singer, John Hartford. It was a great concert!

One of his songs stuck with me and has had a real meaning in my life. The lyrics occasionally come into my mind with several experiences. I guess because I have been in the right place at the right time for special events in my life to occur.

It’s a fun song and the lyrics go like this:

“I would not be here if I hadn’t been there,
and I wouldn’t ‘a been there if I hadn’t just turned
on Wednesday the third in the late afternoon
got to talking with George who works out in the back
and only because he was getting off early
to go see a man at a Baker Street bookstore
with a rare first edition of Steamboats and Cotton
a book he would never have sought in the first place
had he not been inspired by a fifth grade replacement
school teacher in Kirkwood who was just picked at random . . . “ read more