President John Tyler - Confederate

Learned two very interesting facts about President John Tyler today (10th President of the United States 1841-1845) -

• Tyler essentially retired from electoral politics until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. He sided with the Confederate government, and won election to the Confederate House of Representatives shortly before his death.

• As a result of his opposition to the Union, his death was the only one in presidential history not to be officially mourned in Washington.

For every action one takes, one must accept the consequences of one's actions.

Tyler was also the first Vice President to assume the office of President following the death of his predecessor. Since the Constitution was somewhat vague, there was considerable debate as to whether Tyler should be considered President or "Acting President" which John Quincy Adams argued was more appropriate. Eventually the House and Senate confirmed his ascension to President, though some of his detractors forever referred to him as "His Accidency."

It could be argued that Tyler was the first of the do-nothing Presidents, the group of Presidents prior to Lincoln that people know little to nothing about. Tyler's greatest accomplishment took place at the end of his term in 1845 when the U.S. annexed Texas.

In February 1861, Tyler served as Chairman of the Virginia Peace Convention, which was convened to find a way to prevent war. Clearly, it was not a success

One more mildly interesting tidbit, Tyler's home in Charles City County, VA, Sherwood Forest, had been previously owned by William Henry Harrison, making it the only home in the country owned by two U.S. Presidents. Tyler's grandson and his wife (really nice people) live there today.


Chuck

I looked at this and thought there was no way that a grandson of John Tyler could be alive today, but apparently I was wrong.

According to Wikipedia, John Tyler holds the distinction of having fathered more children than any other US president, 15.

The 13th of those 15 children, Lyon Gardiner Tyler, was born in 1853, when John was 62 or 63 years old.

Lyon Gardiner Tyler's son, Harrison Ruffin Tyler, was born in 1928, when his father was 74 or 75. It is Harrison Tyler, now a spry young fellow of 83 or 84, who still lives in his grandfather's home, or at least lived there as of the time the Wikipedia article was written in August 2011.

I just saw this on Yahoo.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sidesho...-1790-1862-grandchildren-still-191230189.html

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/Tylera

I love throwing that bit of trivia out there when sharing the history of that part of Virginia. It never fails to be good conversation starter. I first met the Tyler's when I was about 16, and it took me a while to wrap my head around the fact that the man in front of me was the grandson of President John Tyler.

Mr. Tyler still lives with his wife at Sherwood Forest. The family still holds a strong presence in Charles City, so I have no doubt that the home will remain with the family for a long time.

Mr. Tyler's energy masks his age and he and his wife are active in the community. In fact, Mr. Tyler has been primarily responsible for the preservation of the Fort Pocahontas battlefield which is near his home. For almost a century the battlefield was considered lost both literally and figuratively. I am including a link to the Battlefield's website which includes a picture of Mr. Tyler and provides detailed information on the battle, the preservation of the fort, and the archeological work taking place there. Since the fort went undisturbed for so long, it is in remarkable condition. The link is worth checking out. Unfortunately, the fort is only open once a year to the general public on the anniversary of the battle. Tour groups of ten or more people can visit throughout the year, by appointment only.

http://www.fortpocahontas.org/index.html

Chuck

Sherwood Forrest is a beautiful estate. We toured it several years ago. I had purchased a book, "The James River Plantations Cookbook". The section on Sherwood Forrest was written by the grandson's wife. She includes several recipes that were favorites of President Tyler. One is Tyler's Mint Julep which President Tyler served to many men who were heads of state.

"Tyler's Mint Julep"

good bourbon
flavorful mint
sugar
silver beakers
one thirsty gentleman

"To each jigger of water, add 1 teaspoon sugar. Dissolve. Crush a good deal of mint in this. Add about 4 to 5 jiggers bourbon. Make a generous amount. Fill the beakers with crushed ice, pour in mixture, let ice subside. By this time the beakers should be covered with frost - the pride and joy of the julep - so never touch the beaker during preparation. Add more ice, place a sprig of mint in the side, and serve with pleasure to one happy, thirsty gentleman."

Most teachers probably NEED them by lunch time.

I was a 7th grader...

If Tyler's Mint Julep isn't to your fancy, try "Tyler Pudding". This was President Tyler's favorite dessert.

"Tyler Pudding" This pudding is a pie for it is baked on a pastry. One fourth of the recipe is sufficient for a smaller family. We have to remember that Tyler needed a large portion for his 15 children and other family members.

1 fresh coconut, grated
6 large eggs
3 cups of sugar
1 cup thick cream
1/2 cup butter
pie pastry, uncooked

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, well beaten, then add the cream and last the coconut. Pour into four pie pans (9 inch). Place in preheated 300 degree oven and bake for 15 or 20 minutes until done.

Was he really a do-nothing President though? I understand it was his goal to annex Texas into the Union. It did not just happen, he planned and worked for it.

I taught 'em for 33 years. I like to drink, but definitely not because of them. It was "not for knowledge that I came to college" as the old frat song goes.

Tyler was buried with honors at Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery near the grave of James Monroe on Jan. 22, 1862, just over 150 years ago.

Interesting that he would still have two grandchildren living.