Again It Was a Pleasure Taling to You
History textbooks and primary school teachers paint a stoic picture of the Founding Fathers. They were brave, rebellious men with a duty to honor, justice and the American mode.
Only, America didn't exist still when the Founding Fathers took the helm, and they had no thought what they were doing most of the time. These legendary men were far more eccentric, interesting and baroque than the full general public is initially led to believe. Some of these true stories are sure to surprise you.
Benjamin Franklin Enjoyed Beingness Nude
If it had been socially acceptable to walk effectually in the nude during the Colonial Era, Benjamin Franklin would have been one of the first to go clothesless in the streets. The beloved inventor enjoyed what he chosen "air baths," during which he would strip down to his birthday suit and write, recollect and putter about his house.
His writing desk-bound was positioned before an open window, assuasive the breeze to caress Franklin'south blank trunk — something he profoundly enjoyed. If merely in that location were a wax recreation of the scene in U.S. history museums! What a sight that would exist.
Thomas Jefferson is partially responsible for penning the Declaration of Independence, a powerful and eloquent certificate. Based solely on his writing skills, it's easy to believe that the human had a mode with words. But, Thomas Jefferson was a terrible orator who often got tongue-tied.
Though it's hard to employ a late diagnosis to the long-gone Jefferson, he likely had a speech impediment. Fortunately, he constitute a different way to communicate his ideas to others: a feather quill pen and a sail of parchment. That'due south a skillful thing, too; without Jefferson, the Revolutionary War might have never happened.
Alexander Hamilton Was Ruthless
Alexander Hamilton would have easily been cast every bit Littlefinger from Game of Thrones. His life is unlike the lives of other Founding Fathers, beginning with his nascency. Hamilton was built-in in Charlestown, a settlement located on the tropical isles of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Only no ane knows exactly when he was born, considering he lied about his birth yr constantly.
He won a community scholarship that allowed him to travel to Boston. From there, he charmed his fashion into the upper echelon of colonial society. He so proceeded to go an officer, a congressman and an all-around know-information technology-all.
George Washington Was a Snappy Dresser
George Washington is known for many things, and it's a shame that his passion for way isn't oftentimes discussed. Beautiful clothing was one of Washington's greatest loves, and he frequently put himself in massive amounts of debt to have the newest coats, leggings, breeches and cravats. These were typically imported from England, funnily enough.
Washington's wardrobe wasn't merely extensive and expensive. It was more colorful than most people would imagine. He owned bright blue coats and light pinkish suits and had a particular soft spot for purple satin. In curt, Washington was a fashionisto.
John Hancock Was a Smuggler
John Hancock was a smuggler — and a thumping skilful one, at that. This lilliputian tidbit is notwithstanding hotly debated amidst historians, merely there's enough theorize about it to back up the possibility that it's true.
Hancock was a wealthy man, and he accumulated his wealth by smuggling goods — namely, Dutch tea — into and out of the colonies. When the English levied more tea taxes on the colonists, Hancock's livelihood was put at adventure. He wholeheartedly supported the Boston Tea Party, equally it aligned with his best business interests. Who knew that tea was such a powerful motivator?
John Adams Loved Satan
John Adams was a weird guy. He was also the first U.S. President to take up residence in the White Business firm. When he moved in, he fabricated sure to bring his two pups, Juno and Satan. That'south right — John Adams, the second President of the U.s., had a dog named afterwards the Devil himself.
This probably says more about Adams than it does nigh his dogs. He was a pretty strange person, after all. Notwithstanding, it's puzzling to call up of him sitting in the Oval Role, happily calling out for Satan and Juno.
George Washington Cursed Similar a Crewman
George Washington may have had refined tastes when information technology came to clothing, but his mouth was a cesspit. Non only did he endure from poor dental wellness, just he cursed wildly, making him foulmouthed in more i way. Washington was raised to be a proper gentleman, and in many ways, he did fit the bill.
Only when he lost his atmosphere, which was often, he'd forget himself completely and let loose a tirade of insults and curses. Full general Charles Scott said that Washington "swore…till the leaves shook on the trees…he swore like an angel from heaven."
Alexander Hamilton Had a Scandalous Thing
Hamilton was never satisfied with his tumultuous, dangerous and exciting life. Merely his affair with Maria Reynolds, a married woman, was a clear example of entrapment. The bonny and alluring Reynolds approached Hamilton, claiming that her husband had driveling her and abandoned her. Hamilton brutal for her correct away.
Only, Reynolds wasn't entirely truthful. She eventually confessed to Hamilton that she and her husband had reconciled, and Hamilton concluded things. Reynolds demanded that Hamilton hire her husband in return for her silence. He refused, and the whole thing went public. Hamilton concluded up paying the husband several thousand dollars anyway.
James Madison Was a Tiny Man
James Madison was perhaps the tiniest president e'er to grace the White House. At simply 5 anxiety 4 inches tall, he was shorter than Elijah Woods, a man who famously played a tiny Hobbit. He too weighed virtually 100 lbs. A strong cakewalk could have easily carried him away.
Considering how powerful public image is nowadays, especially in politics, it's interesting to think that such a petite man was able to win the presidency. Possibly his personality was so massive, it was able to make upwardly for people's perceptions nearly his short stature. Madison was the smallest Founding Father.
Sam Adams Was a Prodigy
Sam Adams technically had 11 siblings, simply due to the high infant mortality rate of the time, only ii survived past toddlerhood. He was probably his parents' favorite kid, having been accustomed into Harvard University at age xiv. Sam Adams was also deeply religious, taking pride in his Puritan upbringing.
But his pacifistic ways were corrupted when the British attempted to seize his family's land and goods. Afterward that, his focus shifted from religion to politics. His childhood, studies, struggle with his family unit's avails and dramatic personality alter would make an excellent '80s-fashion moving-picture show montage.
Thomas Jefferson Kept Pet Bears
Thomas Jefferson might have been uncomfortable speaking with people, only he felt fine and dandy while shooting the breeze with his pets. However, unlike most people of the fourth dimension — or now, for that matter — Jefferson wasn't interested in merely having a few cats and dogs around. He was groovy to become a few bears involved. And so, he did.
At least, for a short while. A friend of Jefferson's gave him ii grizzly bear cubs in 1807. About a year later, they were re-gifted to Charles Willson Peale, a wild fauna enthusiast who was better equipped to treat the bears.
John Adams Wished to Exist Male monarch
John Adams exhibited some quirky behavior earlier, during and later on his "reign" as president. And a reign it was, as Adams demanded that his servants, fellows and citizens refer to him as "your Highness." He was pompous, decadent and annoyingly pretentious.
Still, his upper-class affectations had a sure appeal. Adams was a worthwhile diplomat, often able to negotiate with Europe'southward nigh influential and elite forces. Still, he was far from downwardly-to-Earth, something that irked his fellow Founding Fathers quite a bit at times. Hopefully, he didn't ask them to bow or osculation his ring. But knowing Adams, information technology's possible.
Benjamin Franklin Had Problems With Spelling
Of course, Benjamin Franklin is remembered as a vivid inventor, politico and thinker. While he was all of these things and more, he wasn't exactly a flawless pupil. For starters, he hated the way that some words were spelled and believed that the English language and alphabet needed a total upgrade.
In particular, words similar "thought," "dark" and "through" drove him crazy. He believed in the fluidity of language above all else and was a devoted essayist, writer and printer. He'd exist happy to run into how English has changed over time, though he'd probably still complain.
George Washington Had Fabulous Hair
George Washington'southward iconic white hairdo wasn't a wig. The man had too much way and brio to shave his head and wear some other man'due south hair — lice and fleas exist darned. Though information technology was more hygienic to utilise a wig in those times, Washington preferred to put himself through the daily ordeal of fixing his hair — a process that took hours.
His famous coif was thoroughly powdered, tied back and perfumed every unmarried twenty-four hour period. While he probably suffered from constant scalp itch, he also looked similar a dapper guy gear up to rock the town — or colony.
Alexander Hamilton Oversaw the First U.Southward. Murder Trial
Hamilton played many roles during his life, including that of a lawyer. He even participated in the commencement U.South. murder trial every bit a defense chaser. Twenty-three-twelvemonth-quondam Levi Weeks stood defendant of murdering his girlfriend, Gulielma "Elma" Sands. The young woman had vanished without a trace, leaving simply a few possessions backside near the Manhattan Well.
Authorities checked the well, and sure enough, they institute her trunk. The public was against Weeks, but thanks — in part, at to the lowest degree — to Hamilton'due south cunning tactics and resourceful methods, the jury found Weeks innocent of the offense.
Sam Adams Didn't Care About Beer
When someone says "Sam Adams," 9 times out of x, they're talking nigh beer. Funnily enough, the colonial human being featured on the labels of Samuel Adams beer is a cartoon version of Paul Revere. How's that for wires crossed? Notwithstanding, Sam Adams himself wasn't too addicted of beer.
Adams was interested in just two things: politics and Puritanism. However, his father owned a brewery, and when he died, he left his son the deed. Out of respect for his father's legacy, Adams kept the brewery and ensured that it continued to produce tasty beer. Only he likely didn't partake very ofttimes.
Thomas Jefferson Owned Mastodon Bones
Dinosaurs became a craze during the 1990s thanks to Jurassic Park, just extinct creatures were popular more than 2 centuries before that. At least, Thomas Jefferson liked them. In particular, Jefferson had a fascination with mammoths. Over the course of his life, he read every volume nearly mammoths he could get his hands on.
He also collected mammoth teeth and bones whenever the opportunity presented itself, and because how lax archaeology-related rules were at the time, he probably had hundreds of chances to buy mammoth remains. The scientific-minded politician spent days, if not weeks, poring over the massive basic.
Benjamin Franklin Didn't Hate Eagles
One of the most mutual urban legends surrounding Benjamin Franklin involves birds — namely, bald eagles and turkeys. The story goes that Franklin was unhappy with the government's selection to utilise the bald eagle as the national bird. His recommended option was a turkey. But, this isn't exactly right.
Franklin did criticize the design for the Groovy Seal — an hawkeye — and wrote that it resembled a turkey. He as well expressed his feelings about eagles, writing that they possessed "bad morals," while the humble turkey was a "bird of backbone." Peradventure he was very hungry when he wrote all of this.
George Washington Retired to Make Whiskey
Retirement tin can be the beginning of an exciting new chapter in anyone's life. For George Washington, retirement meant that he could finally practice what he had always dreamed of doing: making a ton of whiskey, selling most of it and consuming the rest. After winning the Revolutionary War and birthing a new nation, who could blame him?
He was a fantastic whiskey manufacturer and quickly became one of the largest producers in the country. Finally able to take some balance and relish the idyllic Mount Vernon countryside, Washington savored every last drop of his retirement. A (reconstructed) distillery at his former home nevertheless produces spirits today.
Alexander Hamilton Founded a Paper
Hamilton founded i of the oldest and most beloved newspapers in the United States: the New York Postal service. Just, at the time of its cosmos, it was chosen the New York Evening Postal service. Hamilton had his fingers in a lot of pies — and a lot of pockets — and began the at present-infamous paper with a meager $10,000.
That'southward several hundred thousand dollars in today's currency. It makes sense that Hamilton would go into publishing, especially when it meant that he had command over the press. He was a political player who e'er knew the right moves to make.
Thomas Jefferson Had an Matter With His Slave
Pretty much all of the Founding Fathers endemic slaves. Still, not all of them had scandalous affairs with their slaves similar Thomas Jefferson did. While it's unknown how many mistresses Jefferson took, it's an undeniable fact that he had sexual relations, and possibly half-dozen children, with Sally Hemings, a slave in his possession.
Jefferson lost his wife when he was just 39 and went on to develop stronger relationships with the single women in his life. Unfortunately, he never publicly acknowledged Hemings or their children.
Everyone Got Wasted Before Signing the Constitution
Before George Washington was making his own whiskey, he was ownership massive quantities of it to share with his friends and compatriots. Two days before signing the Constitution, Washington took himself and nearly 50 guys out for a night on the town. Though it isn't likely that many of them remembered it, history does.
In total, the grouping drank nearly $17,000 worth of alcohol. They kicked dorsum over 100 bottles of wine, eight bottles of whiskey and 12 enormous jugs of beer — and that'due south just for starters. Somehow, Washington survived tonight.
George Washington Suffered From Poor Wellness
Though Washington was a human of exemplary tastes and fashions, he was a slave to his creature comforts, including hard liquor. He too had rotten luck when it came to communicable disease. Throughout his life, he suffered from measles, seasickness, smallpox, dysentery, malaria, anthrax poisoning, influenza and possibly even cancer.
He may have been prone to sickness, but his condition often improved after a little rest, which is amazing. Still, he followed ancient and classic medical practices, including bloodletting, which ended up causing his untimely decease at the age of 67.
Thomas Jefferson Was Prissy to Libraries
Thomas Jefferson was a collector. Not just did he collect mammoth bones, but he also was an enormous fan of books and libraries. When the British gear up burn to the Library of Congress, Jefferson heaved a heavy sigh, held his chin upwardly straight and vowed to donate his library to supersede information technology.
In full, Jefferson owned about x,000 books throughout his life. He donated nigh vii,000 of those volumes to the Library of Congress out of pure love for learning and sharing cognition. He is every librarian'south hero.
Benjamin Franklin Was a Playboy
Benjamin Franklin was a closeted nudist, a practiced mathematician and a thespian. Though he maybe wasn't the nearly physically attractive guy, he made up for his round gut and balding head with pure wit, amuse and abundance. Franklin exuded confidence wherever he went, and ladies couldn't resist.
He may have been one of the first American men to pursue "cougars" — women older than he was. In a letter, he one time remarked that older women tend to be cleaner and kinder than younger women. Who can tell someone'south age in the night?
Alexander Hamilton Hated James Madison
While most of the Founding Fathers got along well or were even adept friends, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison hated each other'southward guts. This resentment had everything to do with politics, and even more to do with personal feelings. Each had his own idea as to how the country should exist run, and their ideas clashed heavily.
They argued, they threatened ane another and they came dangerously close to dueling one another over their quarrels. Fortunately, things betwixt them cooled off. Merely it would become a deep-seated resentment that would final for the rest of their lives.
George Washington Was Bad at Returning Books
Thomas Jefferson dutifully donated to libraries while building his own personal collection. And his compatriot, George Washington, somehow managed to rack upwards a $300,000 late book fee. If that sounds too ridiculous to be true, it's not.
On October v, 1789, Washington borrowed a copy of The Law of Nations by Emer de Vattel. He never returned information technology. More than than 2 centuries later, librarians in New York realized it was missing. It hadn't been besides missed, as it took more than 200 years to discover it was gone. No one knows where the forgotten copy is today.
Thomas Jefferson Wrote a Lot of Messages
Throughout his life, Jefferson composed most 20,000 messages. That'southward a lot of ink, paper and finger calluses. Simply, considering his hobbies and interests, information technology's an unsurprising number. Jefferson considered himself to be an amateur scientist, historian and all-effectually Renaissance man.
As such, he produced books' worth of musings, notes, essays, records and anything and everything else that possessed his heed for a moment. His prolific writing may be related to his disability to speak well, as ink and paper were his primary forms of communication with others. Jefferson was more of a texter, less of a caller.
Alexander Hamilton Was a Dueler
Hamilton'south life began dramatically, stayed that way and also ended that style. The man wanted to rule the world — just without having to have the title and responsibility associated with doing such a affair. So, he mostly worked from the shadows. He pulled a lot of strings as a lawyer, also.
But some people hated his boastful, controlling attitude. Hamilton's son, Philip, died at the young historic period of nineteen in a duel while defending his father's name and honor. Three years later, Hamilton was likewise gunned down during a duel while defending his reputation.
Benjamin Franklin Published an Essay Most…Flatulence
"Fart Proudly" (yes, that's its real championship) might be Benjamin Franklin's most entertaining essay. Written in 1781, it'south a satirical, open-handed slap across the face of every European scientist and physician. Franklin had had enough of European scientific research, feeling that it had become a pointless, pretentious practise.
With a passive-aggressive wrist, he composed a biting paper most how European intellectuals should spend their time trying to make farts smell better because they weren't using their power or fourth dimension to piece of work on meaningful pursuits. At the time of its writing, Franklin was living in France.
Source: https://www.faqtoids.com/history/intriguing-tales-founding-fathers?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740006%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex
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