Like Mother, Like Son
By Ben Kemp, Cottage Operations Manager

“Of his mother he [U.S. Grant] said that she was the best woman he had ever known; unselfish, devoted to her family, thoroughly good, conscientious, intelligent, of a quiet and amiable disposition, never meddling with other persons' affairs, genuinely pious without any cant, with a strong sense of right and justice; unobtrusive, kind-hearted, and attached to her Church and country. I said, ‘General, you have most of your mother's characteristics;’ to which he simply replied, ‘Yes, I think so.’" -Michael J. Cramer (Brother-in-Law of U.S Grant)

“He [Grant] loved to ride through woods and note the different trees, and he knew them all, and speak of their growth and habits. He loved the growing grain and the means and processes of quickening it. He loved horses and farm animals, and a quiet, contemplative life mixed with the activity of outdoor work." -General E. F. Beale

From an early age, trees would have represented a resource to Ulysses Grant, a means to a livelihood….

Are you interested in volunteering but want to know more about what it’s like first? In order to find out we asked our current volunteers a series of questions in order to understand what motivates them and what the volunteer experience at Grant Cottage is really like.

Everyone needs a good friend. Ulysses Grant had George Childs. Find out about their close friendship that spanned over 20 years.

By Grant Cottage Operations Manager, Ben Kemp

From an early age, Ulysses Grant had an awareness of politics. His father, Jesse, was involved in political discussions and debates during Grant’s childhood, even running for office and serving as Mayor of both Georgetown and Bethel, Ohio. Due to this, Grant would have had a natural aversion to political matters because of what it entailed. Contentious debating, public speaking, and self-promotional campaigning were distasteful to his reserved character. The only thing that would eventually serve to overcome his apprehensions was an overwhelming sense of duty.

The cigar is inextricably tied to the persona of Ulysses S. Grant. How much of Grant’s “legendary” smoking habit is myth and how much is reality? This article delves into the subject providing a more comprehensive perspective of the role tobacco played in U.S. Grant’s life and ultimately his death.

DEAREST  JULIA

      I have just been delighted by a long and interesting letter from my Dear Julia and although I wrote you but two or three days ago I answer this with my usual punctuality.  You say you write me letter for letter well I am satisfied that my love is returned and you know how anxious one is to hear often from the one I love and it may appear to me that you do not write as often as you really do. Your letter was one of the sweetest you have ever written me and your answer to the question I have so often asked was so much like yourself, it was just what I wanted you to say; boldness indeed: no my Dear Julia that is a charge that can be never laid to you -- There is a part of your letter that is entirely incomprehensible to me.  I dont know whether you are jesting or if you are serious. I first loved Julia I have loved no one els […].

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