First Ladies of the USA 1/6: American Queens (1789–1825)

When the United States elects a new president, they are often also voting for their spouse. But 11 first ladies were not the wives but the daughters, sisters, or other relatives of the commander in chief. The unelected, unpaid white house hostesses have the considerable duty of smoothing the way for diplomacy, preserving white house history, and influencing the nation as fashion icons, social activists and arbitrates of change. Some have had major influence on policy in a nation where women are still underrepresented in government. In this 6 part series we'll meet the 53 fascinating women who have served as first lady of the United States of America and see how the role has evolved over the past 250 years.
First Ladies of the USA Part 1/6: American Queens (1789–1825)
Martha Washington
Abigail Adams
Martha Jefferson Randolph
Dolly Madison
Elizabeth Monroe

I make mini documentaries about women's history and royal history:
Sources:

Music: Butterflies in Love by Sir Cubworth

[adinace]

Even though Sally Hemmings was a child not an adult woman, thank you for not sugar coating the truth about her and Jefferson's "relationship".

[Collsy]

Thank you for not saying that Jefferson had an “affair” or “relationship” with Sally Hemings. It was coercion at best with the monumental imbalance of power there.

[loveyaback]

Great video! Would like to add tho that Sally Hemings was not a woman, she was a child/teen which I feel is an important distinction since she was only 14 when the assault began

[Itzduhhistorygirl]

Martha Jefferson : the rumors about my father are not true.

DNA : I'm about to ruin this whole girl's career 😈😈😈

[danielclaeys]

Somewhat recently, renovations in Monticello took a dark turn. While revamping the men's room in the basement, a floor under the floor was discovered. This was the room where Sally Hemmings was kept. This discovery removed any doubts about the relationship between Jefferson and Hemmings.

[lucypreece]

I have always found the role of The First Lady really interesting. Here in the UK the spouse of the Prime Minister is not that much of a prominent figure. They are quite simply just the spouse of the Prime Minister. They may sometimes be patrons of charities and stuff and some Prime Ministers do marry others within the political sphere but most of the time the spouse and family of the Prime Minister stay in the background. They are not a political figure in their own right.

[royaltyfandomx]

I like the fact that George Washington was heavily devoted to his country and his wife- Sike guy owned slaves and didn’t do anything about tht 😌

[Kerriangel]

“She was expelled from the Quaker Society of Friends for marrying outside of her faith.”
Well that doesn’t sound very… friendly.

I’ll see myself out

[kokonana]

Refusing to hold an office for life and to be King of this new nation really sets up a wheel of democracy. What a way to go!

[areiaaphrodite]

Oh yay! I always did want a good series about all American First Ladies! Thanks Lindsey ❤️

[de.cadence]

Dolley Madison has always been my favourite first lady - invented the job, quite literally helped to building Washington DC by fundraising and campaigning, understood the importance of establishing symbols and the tools for doing so, helped set the overall "style" and aesthetics of the nation, survivor. Don't get me wrong, I get the love for Abigail Adams and she deserves it. But my heart belongs to Dolley.

[My_mid-victorian_crisis]

I'm of the age to have swallowed the UDC's narrative of Jefferson and Sally, "an illegal love match". Now, I'm intelligent and well-read enough to realize that no matter what the emotional story is, at best, the relationship was like having a favorite "marital aid". At worst, it was exactly as you described, coerced, long-term, and nonconsensual.

[Lucifurge]

1:28 to 1:35 was the sickest burn I've heard yet for my country, and I cannot be mad at all. It was so eloquently spoken and polite.
Love you're channel please keep it coming.

[mbgal]

John Parke Custis' widow, Eleanor, is my 8th great-grandmother. (I'm a descendant of a son & a daughter from her 2nd marriage to Dr. David Stuart.)

I'm currently delving into family records to look up more about her life, because she is, for me, a representation of so many young people in early America: you are British subjects for your whole life, and suddenly caught up in the Revolutionary War. Eleanor was also Chief Mourner at Washington's funeral in 1799.

I also wanted to thank you for clearing up some myths about the Washingtons, especially with regards to enslaved people, and the laws of Pennsylvania regarding residency & enslavement.
Ona Judge's story is one of great courage, resilence, and bravery in the face of a slave society, and Washington's obsession with "returning her" is nothing short of appallingly disgusting.

[CherieH]

The way you tell these stories just brings the past bursting back to life! I’m so happy I found this channel.

[lindacoolbaugh]

Dolley Madison was the best!! I saw one of her gown at the Smithsonian and fell in love with it. And Abigail Adams must be rolling her grave to what's going on now..

[joy]

This was so interesting, I love hearing about our American history! Can't wait for the next one!

[phantomlover]

I'm so excited for this series!! I especially can't wait until you talk about Eleanor Roosevelt! She's my favorite First Lady

[TheAnneGwish]

Im very happy that this channel does not sugarcoat nor hides the fact the presidents historical use of slaves.

[jencookie]

These women worked so hard and hostessed the White House so gracefully, love the light being shed on them!