History, Natural History & the Arts
A new biography of the 8th president of the United States, the first chief executive not born a British citizen and the first to use the party system to chart his way from tavern-keeper’s son in Columbia County, NY, to the pinnacle of power.
Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) was one of the most remarkable politicians not only of his time but in American presidential history. [Read more…] about America’s First Politician: A New Martin Van Buren Biography
When the call went out for volunteers in the winter of 1846 to fight in the Mexican War (1846–1848) one of the first from Ballston Spa in Saratoga County to respond was 20-year-old Ransom Pettit.
Enlisting in Colonel Burnett’s 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers, and was sent to Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn to begin their military service. [Read more…] about A Mexican War Monument in Saratoga County
In a cemetery overlooking the Hudson River just south of the Tappan Zee Bridge, lies John C. Fremont, who’s contribution to the end of slavery and the United States victory in the Civil War was tremendous, though he is little-remembered today.
Most generally associate Fremont with the State of California. He is the namesake of Fremont, California, and in 1846 was court-martialed for leading a revolt of American settlers there against the Mexican government. He lived most of the latter part of his life in New York State however, in the city of New York, and Westchester and Rockland counties. He also played a critical role in shifting the focus of Abraham Lincoln’s efforts in the Civil War from a sectional constitutional conflict to a crusade to abolish slavery. [Read more…] about John C. Fremont: Rockland County’s Forgotten Hero
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