Summer 2006 volume 102 issue 3 : letters
Re: "Hall of Presidents"
I love the historical issue about presidents and especially the photographs and commentary about Frances Fergusson [Spring 2006], a stellar college executive, and Sarah Blanding who was a “freshman” with me.
But I do have one observation, a sort of glaring omission. In order to give the very first president, Milo P. Jewett, who originated the idea of a women’s college to make Matthew Vassar’s name more famous than the “pyramids” and who served before the college was built, a more important status, the second paragraph starts, “Jewett’s mother was a descendent of John Adams.” And therein lies the error.
Certainly Jewett’s mother was also a descendent of Abigail Adams, and how much more pride, originality, and celebrity might come Jewett’s way via his antecedent mother rather than just his antecedent father. Abigail Adams was a splendid manager of the home, family, and farm while John was away at constitutional business. She was capable, highly intelligent, literate, and had wit and charm. She preserved his fortune, probably supported him in the style in which he was accustomed, and did everything else he needed done. The statement and omission were obviously an oversight. Perhaps someday when I retire a second time—from The Center for First Amendment Rights, Inc.—I’ll work on the subject of “Founding Mothers,” perhaps with Vassar.
Thanks anyway for an otherwise faultless issue and a most enjoyable one.
Ethel Silver Sorokin ’50
West Hartford, Connecticut