Monday, August 4, 2008

Reeves!

My brother's name, Tatum REEVES, leads all the way back February 25, 1832, even though he was born in March of 1998. Tatum was named after my father, Daniel REEVES. My dad was named after his dad, Alma REEVES Taylor, III. Who was named after his dad, Alma REEVES, Jr. Who was named after his dad Alma REEVES Taylor, Sr. Alma's father was Hyrum Henry Taylor. Hyrum married Eliza Jane Bird who's father's name was Taylor REEVES Bird who was born on February 25, 1832. That is why I enjoy working on my family history, because you can realize that your name or family member's name actually has a whole story to it.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Nathaniel Gorham


Nathaniel Gorham was born on May 27, 1738 and died June 11, 1796.

Gorham was the eighth President of the United States in Congress assembled. This means he was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress. The Continental congress was responsible for making the Declaration and Resolves, Continental Association, the first Petition to the King, Olive Branch Petition, Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation. When Gorham was in office they created the Articles of Confederation [later replaced by the US Constitution].

In 1771 he became a member of the Massachusetts General Court. In 1787 he represented Massachusetts in the constitutional convention.



Thursday, July 31, 2008

Nicholas Gilman


Nicholas Gilman and John Langdon signed the US Constitution for New Hampshire. They both served as US Senators. Gilman even fought as a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War! Gilman and his brother John Gilman both were active in New Hampshire politics. His bother served as the Governor of New Hampshire for 14 years!

Gilman was born during the French and Indian War as the second of eight children. Gilman started working as the clerk in his father's trading house the economical struggle between the colonies and Great Britain made him realize the importance of independence.

In November of 1776 he was asked to serve as an administrative officer for the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment under the command of Colonel Alexander Scammel. In spring, 1777, Gilman and the rest of the men in the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment marched to Fort Ticonderoga to help stop the advancing British army who at the time were under the command of General John Burgoyne. Unfortunately the British troops outflanked the fort and the American troops barely made an escape during the night.

Time as Senator:
March 4th, 1805-May 2, 1814

Born: August 3, 1755 in Exeter, New Hampshire
Died: May 2, 1814 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Note- Nicholas Gilman died in office on May 2, 1814. If you look at his death date and the end of his time as a Senator, they are the same!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

John Langdon


John Langdon represented New Hampshire when he signed the Constitution of the United States of America. Langdon was born on June 26, 1741 and died on September 18, 1819. Langdon was one of the first two United States Senators from New Hampshire and even served as the President pro tempore during is twelve years in Congress. Afterwards her served as the governor of New Hampshire.

Time as the President pro tempore:
April 6th, 1789-August 9th, 1789
November 5th, 1792-December 2nd, 1793


Time as US Senator:
April 6th, 1789-March 4th, 1801

Fun facts!

The town of Langdon, New Hampshire is named after John Langdon, as well as Langdon Street in Madison, Wisconsin, town with several streets named after founding fathers.



Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Executive Power

"The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. he shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress; but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector..." [US Constitution Article II section 1]

Even though the United States became an independent nation on July 4th, 1776 we didn't have a President until after the Constitution was written on September 17, 1787.

It basically says that the President and the Vice President can only serve for a four year term. Also it states how many electors can serve for each state. For example, there are two senators and eight representatives in the the state of Arizona. So there are ten members of Congress in Arizona. The number of electors in every state must match the number of senators and representatives so there are ten electors in Arizona. Article II Section 1 also states that no senator, representative, or other government official can serve as an elector.

Fun facts!
First President: George Washington
First Vice President: John Adams

Monday, July 28, 2008

The Senate


"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, [chosen by the Legislature thereof,]* for six Years; and each Senator shall have one vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; [and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which will then fill such Vacancies.]*

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of the State in which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of the President of the President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgement in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to the removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust, or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted will nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgement, and Punishment according to Law. [US Constitution Article I Section 3]

*Changed by the Seventeenth Amendment

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Sleeping Over!

My cousin Austin has spent the last four days at my house while his mother is at the hospital having their first baby girl. [She's already had six boys] It's been really fun. We gone swimming played video games, board games, etc. It was really fun. Unfortunately he has to go home today.