Extra Credit Questions

[Anita]

John Quincy Adams ?

[L Verge]

Absolutely right! And, I'm going to quit trying to stump you general Lincoln scholars.

If I would not get arrested, Anita, I would send you some of our glorious cherry blossoms that are starting to strut their stuff!

[Anita]

Absolutely right! And, I'm going to quit trying to stump you general Lincoln scholars.

If I would not get arrested, Anita, I would send you some of our glorious cherry blossoms that are starting to strut their stuff!

Perhaps a photo might be better. Don't want you to end up in the New Old Capitol prison!

[L Verge]

Dr. D. Willard Bliss was Dr. Charles Leale's immediate military supervisor. What was Dr. Bliss' first name?

[RJNorton]

Doctor? (I cheated)

[L Verge]

Well, at least your source gave you the correct answer! Yes, he was Dr. Doctor Willard Bliss - or Doctor Willard Bliss, MD. Do you think his parents were predicting (or dictating) his future?

[RJNorton]

I found this explanation in the New York Times (July 9, 1881).

[Eva Elisabeth]

Just curious - would that first name be possible nowadays since "doctor" is an academic title - isn't it protected by law in the US? Is there any naming law at all?

[RJNorton]

Good question, Eva. Personally, I am not familiar with any federal naming laws, and I think it's left up to the individual states to pass legislation in this area. Thus, it would vary from state to state. My best guess is that it would be legal in most states to give a baby the name of "Doctor."

[Eva Elisabeth]

Thanks, Roger - here, a first name must clearly determine the gender, not be absurd or degrading in any way in order to protect the child (thus, "Adolf" is not allowed...), and such as product names or names of objects (or titles) are not permitted as first names either. The law is federal.

[RJNorton]

Thank you to Blaine for sending these images regarding whether Abraham Lincoln was a pallbearer at John Quincy Adams' funeral.

Blaine writes, "I've seen several articles, books and on the forum claiming Lincoln was a pallbearer at the funeral for John Quincy Adams. Not true. He did serve on the Committee of Arrangements for the funeral, but was not a pallbearer. There were two different sets of pallbearers, one to "escort the remains to the place designated by his friends for interment" and another where a different set of pall-bearers "attended the mortal remains" to the Congressional Burying Ground.

My reference is "Token of a Nation's Sorrow. Addresses of the Congress of the United States, and Funeral Solemnities on the Death of John Quincy Adams." Washington: J. and G.S. Gideon, 1848."

[L Verge]

I can't remember where I saw the incorrect information about Lincoln being a pall bearer for Adams. However, I am now withdrawing from the general Lincoln field. I really don't want to spread bad history, and I am too poor a scholar about the alive Lincoln.

[Anita]

Thanks for the information Blaine. I found that Lincoln was a pallbearer on the US Capitol website. I think they need to read your post!
https://www.capitol.gov/html/VGN_2010061424948.html

[RJNorton]

Laurie, the incorrect information is on lots of web pages.

Here is just one example.

On that page it says, "Representative and later president Abraham Lincoln served as a pallbearer at his (Adams') funeral."

[Eva Elisabeth]

I would rather have experienced William Seward there as he (if I remember correctly) admired Adams. (However, I also seem to recall that a visit at Adam's home had diminished Seward's admiration a bit.)