Summary
Highlights
Bailey Sarian introduces her podcast 'Dark History' and challenges common misconceptions about the Founding Fathers, like George Washington's wooden teeth, Thomas Jefferson's stance on slavery, and Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment. She aims to explore the hidden truths about these historical figures, marking the beginning of Season 3.
Sarian debunks popular myths about George Washington, including his wig, the cherry tree story, and the composition of his dentures. She reveals he was a redhead and that his teeth were made from human (often enslaved) and animal teeth, not wood. The cherry tree tale was fabricated by an early biographer, Mason Weems, to promote honesty.
George Washington was born in 1732, the eldest of his mother's children. After his father's death at age 11, he missed a prestigious education abroad. He grew up learning farming and later dropped out of school due to family responsibilities. His older half-brother, Lawrence, became a mentor, eventually leaving George his estate, Mount Vernon. George's early military career in the British Army was marked by a blunder that inadvertently sparked the French and Indian War, but he later redeemed himself as a military strategist.
George Washington fell in love with a married woman, Sarah Fairfax, before marrying the wealthy widow Martha Custis (Martha Washington). They had no biological children, possibly due to George's smallpox, but he was a loving stepfather. He was obsessed with dogs, owning around 30, and even named one 'Sweet Lips.' Washington was a spy master during the War of Independence and survived multiple battles. He died in 1799 from a cold, exacerbated by bloodletting by his doctors.
Despite common belief, George Washington's will only freed his enslaved people upon Martha's death, and even then, Martha released only a few out of fear, with the majority eventually being separated among her heirs. Throughout his life, he only freed one man, Billy Lee. The disturbing truth about his dentures being made from the teeth of enslaved people is also highlighted.
Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, was a polymath with interests ranging from architecture to music. He introduced foods like ice cream and mac and cheese to America. Born in 1743 on a plantation, he experienced an identity crisis between his rich and farmer lineage. He was shy and had a speech impediment but excelled academically. After his father's death, at age 14, he was left with responsibilities but no direct control of the family estate until he turned 21, fostering resentment towards his mother.
Jefferson married Martha Skelton, a wealthy widow, and they had six children, though only two survived. Martha's dying wish was for Thomas not to remarry, a promise he made. After Martha's death, Thomas inherited many enslaved people, bringing his total to over 600. Despite advocating for the abolition of slavery as an attorney (even offering financial help to escapees), he was the Founding Father who owned the most enslaved people.
Sarian delves into Thomas Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemmings, an enslaved woman who was also his late wife's half-sister. Thomas took James, Sally's brother, to France and promised him freedom if he learned French cooking. Later, Sally, then 14, joined them in France as a nanny. Their sexual relationship began, which Sarian clarifies was not consensual due to the power dynamics of slavery. Sally became pregnant with Thomas' child and negotiated freedom for their children upon their return to America. This relationship, which produced six children, became a presidential scandal during his election campaign, but was largely dismissed by the public.
Thomas Jefferson went on to win the presidency twice. He and Sally's relationship lasted almost 40 years. He died on July 4, 1826, the same day as his political rival, John Adams. Despite his contributions to the country and education, Sarian emphasizes the lack of proper acknowledgment regarding his relationship with the Hemmings family.
Benjamin Franklin was a much older statesman, 70 when the Declaration of Independence was written. Sarian debunks the myth of his kite experiment, stating electricity was already known and the experiment, as popularly told, would have been fatal. Franklin was a prolific writer, businessman, scientist, inventor, diplomat, and politician. Born in 1706, the 15th of 17 children, he started working at his brother's newspaper print shop at age 12. He secretly wrote satirical letters under the pseudonym 'Miss Silence Dogood,' gaining popularity and eventually revealing his identity, which angered his brother and established his rebellious reputation.
Franklin moved to Philadelphia and became the city's official printer, buying and publishing the widely-read 'Pennsylvania Gazette.' He became wealthy through his 'Poor Richard's Almanac.' His personal life was complex: he married his landlord's daughter but had an illegitimate son, William, whose mother remains unknown. This father-son relationship later soured dramatically when William remained loyal to Britain during the Revolutionary War, while Benjamin sided with America. Benjamin, despite his influence, refused to help his imprisoned son.
Benjamin Franklin, as Pennsylvania's representative to Parliament in England, leaked letters from the Massachusetts governor that fueled colonial resentment towards the British, leading to events like the Boston Tea Party. This incident solidified his anti-establishment stance. After the Revolutionary War, he became America's first ambassador to France, where he was a celebrity and fashion icon, known for his rustic image and large fur hat. He died rich in 1790, leaving his estate to his daughter, largely disinheriting William. Franklin famously took 'air baths,' believing naked exposure to air was healthy.
Sarian concludes by asserting that while the Founding Fathers had good ideas and were trailblazers, they also had significant flaws and engaged in 'shady ass things,' highlighting the importance of acknowledging their complete history rather than idolizing them. She notes the irony of George and Thomas being on Mount Rushmore while Benjamin, on the hundred-dollar bill, is not. The episode sets up a discussion for next week about the complex and intentionally complicated nature of the U.S. government established by these figures.