Category Archives: words

Jefferson’s Good Name

Posted on by March 28, 2017

There are those who deem it necessary to besmirch the characters of GREAT men in the history of the Unites States. Much that is untrue has been said or written about Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and yes, even George Washington.

I do not know why some have chosen this path. I do know that it is tasteless, unseemly and unacceptable. We should have our heroes to look up to and fashion our own character about. By tearing them down, we do NOT lift ourselves up.

I have created a chapter in my book “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes” to “debunking the rumors” and Myths about our heroes of history. read more

A Republic—If You Can Keep It!

Posted on by March 27, 2017

Benjamin Franklin was asked one question as he left the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia after the meeting had adjourned on September 17, 1787. He was asked by a widow as Ben walked slowly down the steps: “Well, Doctor Franklin, what have we got, a Monarchy or a Republic?”

His response was quick, full of meaning, and authoritative: “You have a Republic—if you can keep it!”

A part of keeping such a Republic depends on the character of those who govern themselves. That’s because the people are the source of all lawful authority. Americans are free and inherently independent of all but THE MORAL LAW. America does not have a unified religion or a common theology, but we do have something we have to depend on for our freedom. That is a common morality shared by all citizens and that morality is rooted in faith and reason. read more

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Posted on by March 27, 2017

Then again I’ve gotta add the story about Benjamin Franklin. I read his Autobiography when I was in 8th of 9th grade. I liked it. I didn’t really realize that I had actually learned some lessons in character by just reading this wonderful, easy to read book.

I think for a while it was actually required reading in some high schools. Or at least by some teachers. I guess that’s when I really started having some innate or subdued feelings for the Founding Fathers of our nation.

I do remember that I didn’t much like our high school government class. It was taught by a self-important and proud new teacher to our faculty. He would sit in class sometimes and read the “Wall Street Journal.” That stuck with me and I have never liked to read the Wall Street Journal. read more

The Founding Fathers and the Constitution

Posted on by March 22, 2017

James Madison, known as “The Father of the Constitution”, explained that those prominent men at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, wanted the Constitution to be understood by the American population..

Gouverneur Morris (yes, that was his name) was named as the scrivener, or the man to put the concepts that were agreed upon in the meetings, into final form. In plain English. It was his intention to write the new document so it could be easily understood by a person with an eighth grade, or similar, education. read more

George Washington and Thomas Paine

Posted on by March 20, 2017

George Washington, of course, was elected unanimously to be the new General to lead the now United Colonial Army to fight the British in what was becoming the Revolutionary War.

He had some interesting help along the way. Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe, General von Steuben, Nathan Hale, and even Thomas Paine. Paine was there when Washington crossed the Delaware for that famous battle of Trenton (and Princeton).

By night Paine sat by the campfire and used a drum head for a desk to write his 8 page pamphlet “The American Crisis.” Thomas Paine then walked 35 miles to Philadelphia where the editor of the Pennsylvania Journal, a newspaper, read his thesis written from his notes. The editor found it all worthy of printing. He published it immediately, printing 18,000 copies. read more

Benjamin Franklin’s Parents

Posted on by March 19, 2017

The parents of Benjamin Franklin don’t receive much fanfare, notoriety, or acclaim about the lives they lived. Ben talks a little about them in his Autobiography. One of the things they taught Ben was to obey the commandments of God. As a result, he did honor them. After all, Honor thy Father and Mother is the first commandment with a promise—that your life may be long in the land.

Here’s what Ben wrote in honor of his parents after their death:

“Josiah Franklin
and Abiah, His Wife
Lie here interred
They lived together loving in Wedlock
Fifty-five years
Without an estate of any gainful employment
By constant labour and industry
With God’s blessing
They maintained a large family
Comfortably
And brought up thirteen children
And seven grandchildren
Reputably
From this Instance, Reader
Be encouraged to Diligence in thy Calling
And distrust not Providence
He was a pious and prudent man
She a discreet and virtuous woman
Their youngest son
In filial regard to their Memory
Places this Stone
J.F. born 1655 Died 1744 Aetat (age) 89
A.F. born 1667 Died 1752 Aetat (age) 85 read more

Patrick Henry and Dolley Madison

Posted on by March 18, 2017

We’ve had so much fun discovering fascinating incidents in the life of Dolley Madison, I went on longer than I had originally intended.

Just a few more items of interest. Molly Payne, Dolley’s mother, had a cousin named Patrick Henry. Patrick was a valiant Founding Father in his own right. Patrick had purchased a two story house which he, and the land title, referred to as Scotchtown. Probably because many of the immigrant workers on the nearby tin mines were from Scotland.

This home is where the Henry’s lived when Sallie Henry, Patrick’s first wife, became ill and eventually died. She died about 5 weeks before Patrick gave his immortal speech “Give Me Liberty.” Patrick had to ride horse-back from Scotchtown to Richmond, Virginia, a distance of about 28 miles, (just over a half hour by car—but Patrick went on his horse!) to attend the meeting where this speech was given. read more

Benjamin Franklin and Time

Posted on by March 15, 2017

It’s time to move on Ben! Franklin had so many great ideas. He put many of them to work. He was considered a scientist who was ahead of his time. Speaking of which, time. That created his worst idea.

Well, maybe not the worst. It made sense at the TIME. Ben’s father was a candle maker. Candles were a lot of work, they were relatively epensive, and they were needed everywhere. Ben knew early in his life that he didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps and be a candle maker. But he did think about candles. read more

Thomas Jefferson and Martha

Posted on by March 11, 2017

The love story between Tom and Martha is so beautiful and enduring that it will be difficult to put any feeling into it in these few words. Jefferson was a young lawyer in Virginia, having earned his degree after 5 studious years. He graduated from William and Mary College in Williamsburg. His mentor was William Wythe, one of the signers of Tom’s Declaration of Independence.

Tom was good friends with Patrick Henry and they sometimes socialized together at dances and parties in Williamsburg. They both played the violin—sometimes at these get-togethers. And both were members of the House of Burgesses. read more

Patrick Henry and His Wives

Posted on by March 10, 2017

Did I say wives? Yes. But not at the same time.

At 18 years of age, Patrick married Sarah Shelton in 1754. This was 4 or 5 years earlier than was the custom of the time. He nicknamed her “Sallie.” She was 2 years younger than Patrick. They had kind of grown up together in the same small community. Sallie was a pretty young thing with a beautiful complexion and dark brown eyes.

In talking both sets of parents into consenting to the marriage, Patrick admitted with some embarrassment, that “the passion had raced ahead of the parson!” read more