Category Archives: Patrick Henry

Music and the Founding Fathers

Posted on by September 26, 2015
Benjamin_Franklin's_glass_harmonica_(LoC)_edited

Benjamin Franklin’s Glass Armonica

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson was also a musical devotee. That’s why he and Martha Wayles Skelton were so enamored with each other at first. Martha would play the harpsichord and Tom his violin. They loved to sing and dance. Tom ordered a beautiful harpsichord from his agent in Europe, and had it shipped to Virginia as a wedding gift for Martha. So among all the other talents Tom is credited with, music must be counted.

George Washington also loved to dance and loved music. That’s why he and Martha Custis originally hit it off so well together. George loved to have young people come to dances at his home at Mount Vernon. When George walked into the dance parlor, music and dancing would stop, and the youth would stare at George. So George, instead of entering the dance hall, would sometimes stand at the door and look through a crack between the doors to enjoy the dance. read more

“I Cannot Live Without Books!”

Posted on by July 20, 2012

It is interesting and even fascinating to me how much respect and reverence our Founding Fathers had for books. Of course books were then very expensive and dear. And there was no modern technology to compete: no computers, iPads, internet, telephones, cars, refrigerators, radio or television. Still, they knew how important books were to their education, knowledge, getting ahead, and even sometime their very existence.

With apologies to Nancy Sinatra, the Founders of this nation knew “these books were made for reading, and that’s just what you’ll do. One of these days these books will make a scholar out of you!” read more

Independence Day – How It Happened – Part 4

Posted on by July 2, 2012

Thomas Jefferson explained that the object of the Declaration of Independence was:

“Not to find out new principles of new arguments never before thought of, not merely to say things which had never been said before; but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we [are] compelled to take.”

The Declaration was intended to be an expression of the American mind. Jefferson wrote of his completed project:  “Whether I had gathered my ideas from reading or reflection I do not know. I know only that I turned to neither book nor pamphlet while writing it.” read more

Indepence Day – How It Happened – Part 3

Posted on by June 28, 2012

The draft of Jefferson’s declaration was submitted to the committee. Benjamin Franklin made a few suggestions and improvements agreed to by Jefferson. They were incorporated into the draft which was submitted to Congress on Friday, June 28, 1776.

It too, was tabled until a vote could be taken on Richard Henry Lee’s resolution to break with Great Britain. That resolution was adopted by Congress on July 2. John Adams thought that day would become the day of celebration. The next day he wrote to his wife, Abigail: read more

Independence Day – How It Happened – Part 2

Posted on by June 26, 2012

The committee for the preparation of a draft of a declaration of independence was made up of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston. They met together to decide which of them would write the intial document for consideration. It was proposed that Benjamin Franklin, the oldest, wisest, most experienced of the team should be the scrivener. He declined, arguing that it wouldn’t be proper or smart for him to write the original document, as his son, William, had remained a loyalist, and was then the Governor of New Jersey. read more

Independence Day – How It Happened – Part 1

Posted on by June 24, 2012

One of our great National Holidays is coming up soon–Independence Day! This year it falls on the 4th of July. Oh yeah, every year it falls on the 4th of July–that’s the day we celebrate.

Most of us remember that we celebrate this Holiday to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That magnificent inspired document by which our Founding Fathers declared that the 13 colonies of Great Britain are now free and independent states.

A new country was created!

However, it seems to me, that many of us Americans have forgotten some interesting and significant details that transpired in connection with this historic event. Some that we learned in 8th grade, and some that our teachers never got around to explaining to us. So I’m going to remind you of just a few. read more

Constitution Day

Posted on by September 24, 2015

I realize we don’t celebrate this day like we do the 4th of July, but nonetheless I am surprised at how little people seem to know about it.

On September 17, I asked 7 or 8 of my friends and acquaintences a few simple questions. (Notice they weren’t all ‘friends’ or you would have expected them to be as patriotic as I am.)

The people I asked were young or old, white or black, educated or not so educated, as a sampling of our population. One of those was even an ex-Congressman. read more

Patrick Henry’s Red Hill

Posted on by September 29, 2010

He didn’t become a player on the national stage like George Washington or Thomas Jefferson. But he did serve in the House of Burgesses with both of them. And one of them, Thomas Jefferson, said that the speech given by this Founding Father, on his fifth day of membership in that House lit the flame in him that let him know that the colonies were on their way to Independence. His name is Patrick Henry. His last resting place is at Red Hill in Virginia.

Labor Day Quotes from Founding Fathers

Posted on by September 3, 2010

With Labor Day quickly approaching, I thought maybe you’d enjoy some favorite quotes from some of the Founding Fathers (and a few others) relating to labor.

“Well done is better than well said.” Benjamin Franklin

“Success has ruined many a good man.” Benjamin Franklin

“The best investment is in the tools of one’s own trade.” Benjamin Franklin

“Commerce and industry are the best mines of a nation.” George Washington

“The private virtues of economy, prudence, and industry are not less amiable, in civil life, than the more splendid qualities of valor, perseverance, and enterprise, in public life.” George Washington read more