Why are the families of early Presidents NOT more celebrated or distinguished in American culture?
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Anonymous
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I’m sure there has to be a way to maintain ancestry records in the same way people do for DAR.
Why are the families not considered American Royalty. It seems the Kennedy family may be the longest revered but what about the direct descendants or for presidents that did not have children, their cousins, or other kin? Someone has to still be alive with some sort of connection no matter how distant that could be recognized. This isn’t just today but why over the course of American history, we’re descendants not celebrated or more well known? Did they opt not to be? President Number of Children Notable Facts George Washington 0 (2 stepchildren) Adopted Martha’s children from her previous marriage John Adams 6 One son, John Quincy Adams, also became president Thomas Jefferson 6 (legitimately acknowledged) 2 daughters survived to adulthood James Madison 0 (1 stepson) Raised Dolley Madison’s son from her first marriage James Monroe 3 His daughter Maria married in the White House John Quincy Adams 4 His son Charles Francis Adams was a notable diplomat Andrew Jackson 0 (adopted 3) Adopted Native American and other children Martin Van Buren 4 All sons, one served as his secretary William Henry Harrison 10 One son, John Scott Harrison, was father to President Benjamin Harrison John Tyler 15 Most children of any president James K. Polk 0 Had no biological or adopted children Zachary Taylor 6 His daughter was married to Jefferson Davis briefly Millard Fillmore 2 One son became a soldier and politician Franklin Pierce 3 All died young James Buchanan 0 Only bachelor president Abraham Lincoln 4 Only one son (Robert) survived to adulthood Andrew Johnson 5 All children survived to adulthood Ulysses S. Grant 4 His sons served in business and the military Rutherford B. Hayes 8 Very devoted father James A. Garfield 7 One son became Interior Secretary Chester A. Arthur 3 One son died as a child Grover Cleveland 5 First president to marry in the White House Benjamin Harrison 3 Grandson of William Henry Harrison William McKinley 2 Both daughters died young Theodore Roosevelt 6 His son, Theodore Jr., was a decorated WWII hero William Howard Taft 3 One son, Robert, became a U.S. Senator Woodrow Wilson 3 One daughter married in the White House Warren G. Harding 0 (1 illegitimate) A daughter from an extramarital relationship confirmed later Calvin Coolidge 2 One son died during presidency Herbert Hoover 2 Both sons had professional careers Franklin D. Roosevelt 6 Five survived to adulthood Harry S. Truman 1 His daughter Margaret was a writer and singer Dwight D. Eisenhower 2 One son died in infancy; the other was a historian John F. Kennedy 4 Two died in infancy; Caroline and John Jr. survived Lyndon B. Johnson 2 (adopted) Adopted daughters Richard Nixon 2 Both daughters became public figures Gerald Ford 4 (3 sons, 1 daughter) Close-knit family Jimmy Carter 4 Son Jack Carter ran for U.S. Senate Ronald Reagan 4 Two children with Nancy Davis, two with Jane Wyman George H. W. Bush 6 One son, George W. Bush, became president Bill Clinton 1 Daughter Chelsea George W. Bush 2 Twin daughters Barack Obama 2 Malia and Sasha Donald Trump 5 Children from three marriages Joe Biden 4 I’m not sure why ChatGPT’s love is for Rutherford Hayes but.. here’s the list |
Anonymous
| We should have special political positions for these relatives. It stands to reason that they must have some innate genetic capability for leadership. |
Anonymous
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America doesn't have royalty. It doesn't have inherited political power. You get elected to office, then you leave office and go on with your life. Your kids were not elected so they are not special unless/until they do something themselves. Nobody is interested in the "bloodline" of elected officials.
I used to think posts like this were from trolls and bots, but it's become apparent that a lot of actual citizens have no idea how our country works or why it's different. So, maybe you're real. Although, if a real person writes a post that is mostly a chatgpt list of presidents, that's essentially a bot. |
Anonymous
| Tad Lincoln is my favorite presidential family member because he was very funny. Poor kid died at 18, though. |
Anonymous
| Many of them were slave owners. Not exactly life models. |
Anonymous
| Because we don't have royalty. That's kind of why the country exists. Presidents themselves are the main public servant, not royalty. |
Anonymous
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Most people that lived in the 1700s and reproduced have a lot of descendants. The "magic"' is diffused.
I'm a descendant of the father of John Quincy Adams. It hasn't been an important fact in my life. |
Anonymous
Sorry, descendant of the father of John Adams, lol...that's how important it's been. |
Anonymous
Don't you get urges to write pamphlets? |
Anonymous
Yep, President is a federal employee. |
Anonymous
| A fact I find interesting: Teddy Roosevelt was actually Theodore Roosevelt Jr, but never went by that, so his son was legally Theodore Roosevelt III, but went by Jr. This has continued to the present day where Theodore Roosevelt V is actually VI. |
Anonymous
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That’s what the founding fathers were rebelling against. We were (theoretically) a nation of equals as opposed to a country with a class of nobility and a ruling family. That’s why we call our head of state “Mr. President” instead of the following options which were considered at the time:
His Elective Majesty His Mightiness His Highness, the President of the United States of America and the Protector of their Liberties https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-first-president/a-president-by-any-other-name |
Anonymous
That's called a monarchy. No thanks. |
Anonymous
+1 It’s gross to treat some people like they’re more special than others just because of blood relation. Judge people based on who they are and what they do. |
Anonymous
| The info on LBJ is incorrect, his two daughters are not adopted. |