Knickerbocker Tours

Today starts the Knickerbocker Tours Presidential Father’s Top 10 Countdown. Over the course of the next couple of weeks, we will countdown the top 10 Presidential fathers (as determined by this writer), along with some fun facts. Today we start with #10 (on our list, as well as the 10th President) John Tyler was our most prolific president in one way having children. Over the course of his lifetime, he would sire 15 children. His first wife, Letitia, had 7 child...ren, dying in 1842 of a stroke in the White House. It did not take President Tyler much time to find a new and much younger wife. He first proposed to Julia Gardiner, in February of 1843 (just 5 months after Letitia’s death). She would refuse to accept, until June 26th, 1844, when they were married in a very private ceremony at the Church of the Ascension in New York City. Julia, a young woman of 22, would bear him 8 children. The last child, Pearl, was born in 1860, when Tyler was 70 years old. Tyler had a few other firsts (1) He was the first President to assume the office upon the death of the President, (2) He was the only former President to serve in the Confederate Congress during the Civil War, and (3) He was the only President to leave his political party in the middle of his term, and (4) He was the first President to have articles of impeachment proposed in the House of Representatives (they failed). Due to the fact that he was the first Vice President to assume the Presidency, he was given many mocking nicknames, the most popular being His Accidency by both political opponents and the press. His most significant contribution to American history (according to this writer) would be the firm establishment of the right of a Vice President to assume the office and full powers of the Presidency when the former President dies, or leaves office. You can read more about our 10th President, or plan a visit to his home, by visiting http://www.sherwoodforest.org/

Come join us TOMORROW - SATURDAY, November 2nd for a walking tour of New York City's Financial District to benefit The Statewide Parents Advocacy Network (www.spannj.org). The tour starts at 11am. See attachment for all the details. 50% of all tour proceeds will be donated to SPAN. If you plan on attending, please email me at "[email protected]". No advance payment is required.

Come join us THIS SATURDAY, November 2nd for a walking tour of New York City's Financial District to benefit The Statewide Parents Advocacy Network (www.spannj.org ). The tour starts at 11am. See attachment for all the details. 50% of all tour proceeds will be donated to SPAN. If you plan on attending, please email me at "[email protected]". No advance payment is required.

Generally, I lead my historic NYC walking tours on weekend mornings. Would there be any interest in a weekday, or weekend "twilight" walking tour. I was thinking about Central Park as a good candidate for an evening tour. Comment, or "like" this post if you have any interest. If there is enough interest, I will start planning a date before the weather gets too cold.

Today in NYC History.....1785......The cornerstone is laid for St. Peter's Church at Barclay and Church Streets.