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Jessie Benton Frémont

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992: 105: 428: 44: 1011: 255:. Jessie, intensely interested in the details of his expedition, became his recorder, making notes as he described his experiences. Adding human-interest touches to these printed reports, she wrote and edited best-selling stories of the adventures Frémont had while exploring the West with his scout, 241:
A reconciliation occurred between Jessie and her father when he promoted Frémont's famous explorations of the West. Senator Benton had been persuaded by his ailing wife to accept the marriage, and the couple moved into the Benton home. Frémont left his pregnant wife behind in the spring of 1842 to
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Jessie was raised in Washington, D.C., in a manner more typical of a 19th-century son than a daughter. Her father, renowned as the "Great Expansionist," oversaw her early education and introduced her to the prominent politicians of the era, an uncommon practice for the time. Jessie formed a strong
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of $ 2,000 a year. In 1891, she moved into a home at the corner of 28th and Hoover Streets in Los Angeles that was presented to her by a committee of ladies of the city as a token of their great regard. She remained in good health until about two and a half years before her death when an accident
234: 321:. While the couple was visiting Paris, France, their fourth child, Anne Beverly Frémont, was born on February 1, 1853. Anne died five months later, on July 11, in Washington, D.C. Their fifth and final child, Francis Preston Frémont, was born on May 17, 1855, in Washington. 201:
and the northern frontier of the United States. They became engaged, but her parents objected to a marriage at that time because of her age. Probably through the influence of Col. Benton, Frémont then received an order from the War Department to make an examination of the
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lead his first expedition to mark the trails West. He returned, however, days before the birth of their eldest child, Elizabeth Benton "Lily" Frémont, who was born November 15, 1842, in Washington D.C. He then headed off again, and Jessie and the baby remained behind.
134:. She authored numerous stories that appeared in popular magazines of the time, as well as several historically significant books. Her writings, which helped sustain her family during times of financial hardship, primarily focused on memoirs of her experiences in the 301:, the Frémonts established a home and settled into San Francisco society. As a politically informed woman, Jessie was known to get involved in city politics and discuss with the men any issues that were of importance at the time. She became a member of the 606:
offering insights into the mind and heart of the author, across the span of her life, including her husband's presidential campaign, her role in the Civil War, her time as First Lady of the Territory of Arizona, and her impressions of the late 1800s in
162:(1782–1858) and Elizabeth McDowell (1794–1854). Her birth took place in the home of her maternal grandfather, James McDowell. Despite her father, Senator Benton, desiring a son, he named her in honor of his own father, Jesse Benton. 343:, refused to endorse her husband's bid for the presidency. This did not stop the supporters of Frémont from continuing to refer to her as the "first lady in the land," a title her admirers continued to use throughout her life. 259:. Thus, she involved herself in her most happy life's work, interpreting her husband and his actions for a public eager for information about the opening of the West. Written during a time when the concept of 392:
Jessie Frémont served as her husband's unofficial aide and closest adviser. The two shared the belief that St. Louis was unprepared for war and needed reinforcements and supplies, and both pressured
908:, December 28, 1902, "Pathfinder's Widow Crosses The Divide --- Death Last Evening of Mrs. Jessie Benton Frémont, the Most Famous Woman in Los Angeles—Story of Romantic and Helpful Life," p. 7 920:, December 29, 1902, from Los Angeles, Dec 28, "Gen. Frémont's Widow Dead --- Had Been an Invalid for Two and a Half Years—Eloped with Lieut. Frémont at the Age of Fifteen ," p. 7 282:, Jessie gave birth to a son, Benton Frémont, on July 24, 1848, in Washington, D.C. The baby's death, within the year in St. Louis, she blamed on her husband's accuser, General 1155: 396:
to send more supplies and troops. She threw herself into the war effort, helping to organize a Soldier's Relief Society in St. Louis and becoming very active in the Western
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bond with her father and remained by his side. He shared with her the numerous books and maps from the valise that accompanied him on their journeys between
1130: 302: 670: 1060: 693: 351: 447:, lost everything and declared bankruptcy. Undaunted by their financial situation, Jessie began writing books to help support the family, namely 289:
In 1849, Jessie and Lily made a harrowing and treacherous journey aboard ship to join Frémont in California. After disembarking and crossing the
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Jessie Benton Frémont died at age 78 at her home in Los Angeles. A huge box of fragrant and beautiful roses was sent on December 29, 1902, by
1115: 1085: 1080: 1025: 862: 104: 982: 146:, she was outspoken on political matters and a determined opponent of slavery, an institution excluded from the formation of California. 1160: 1140: 1090: 1070: 1135: 830: 735: 412: 397: 251: 967: 751: 340: 325: 1145: 1105: 1075: 123: 138:. A staunch supporter of her husband, who served as one of the first two senators of the new U.S. state of California and as 679:
is a 1982 historical novel by David Nevin about Charles and Jessie Frémont, which was adapted into a 1986 miniseries of the
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Passion and Principle: John and Jessie Frémont, the Couple Whose Power, Politics, and Love Shaped Nineteenth-century America
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Her husband was involved tangentially in the conquest of California, the annexation of which occurred as a result of the
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were conducted at 10:30 a.m. on December 30, at Christ Church, on the corner of Pico and Flower Streets. She was
64: 498: 466:. Three months after being allowed to resign from the Army with pension, he died in 1890 in a hotel in New York. 416: 403:
One of the most impressive feats of her political career came shortly after Frémont lost his position during the
373:, and New York. She played an active role in the anti-Secession movement in California in 1861 and enlisted both 648:
Imperfect Union: How Jessie and John Fremont Mapped the West, Invented Celebrity and Helped Cause the Civil War,
267: 785: 116:(May 31, 1824 – December 27, 1902) was an American writer and political activist. She was the daughter of 419:. Jessie actually traveled to Washington and pleaded with Lincoln on behalf of her husband, but to no avail. 408: 227: 509: 470: 374: 347: 127: 884:, July 14, "Mrs. Frémont's New Home --- She Occupies The House Given To Her By California Ladies," p. 15 246: 223: 135: 932:, December 30, 1902, "Thrilling Episodes in the Career of Mrs. Fremont --- A Woman's Influence," p. A 1 427: 389:
appointed Frémont as the Commander of the Department of the West in 1861, they returned to St. Louis.
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The Frémonts would not live in St. Louis again, moving to New York and then California. In the
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In 1856, Frémont's antislavery position was instrumental in his being chosen as the first-ever
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on the western frontier. Shortly after their return they were married on October 19, 1841.
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The Bohemians: Mark Twain and the San Francisco Writers Who Reinvented American Literature
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was becoming increasingly popular, these narratives were received with great enthusiasm.
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from California. Their third child, John C. Frémont Jr., was born on April 19, 1851, at
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In 1840 at age 16, while studying and living at Georgetown Seminary, she met Lieutenant
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made her an invalid, but she was able to use a wheelchair and enjoy the outdoors.
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In the years following, the couple moved several times, living in California,
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Territorial Women's Memorial Rose Garden: Elizabeth Benton (Lily) Fremont
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The New York Times: David Nevin, Author of Historical Novels, Dies at 83.
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expansion. It was this assignment that began the couple's rise to fame.
297:, they boarded another vessel to San Francisco. With income from their 290: 400:, which provided medicine and nursing to soldiers injured in the war. 313:
John C. Frémont served from September 9, 1850, to March 3, 1851, as a
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was cast as Jessie Frémont in the episode, "The Gentle Sword" of the
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Territorial Women's Memorial Rose Garden: Jessie Ann Benton Fremont
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of Frémont, during which he attempted to defend his actions in the
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and various disciplines such as politics, history, literature, and
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For a while after their marriage, Jessie and her husband lived on
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The Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister: On the Trail of the Truth
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read, "Frémont and Jessie too." Her father, however, a lifelong
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who was in Washington preparing a report on explorations (with
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Immortal Wife: The Biographical Novel of Jessie Benton Frémont
451:(1878), a story about her journey to California in 1849, and 331:
for President. Jessie played an extremely active role in the
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Frémont became known as the "Pathfinder to the West", after
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A Year of American Travel: Narrative of Personal Experience
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A Year of American Travel: Narrative of Personal Experience
473:, in recognition of his valued services, granted Jessie a 811:"The Late Jessie Benton Frémont". Chronicle and Comment. 366:. Frémont was unable to carry the state of California. 335:, rallying support for her husband. One particular 97: 87: 71: 53: 34: 850:In her place: a guide to St. Louis women's history 589:(1993) edited by Pamela Herr and Mary Lee Spence, 752:"Jessie Benton Frémont: Missouri's Trailblazer" 630:Jessie Benton Frémont: A Woman who Made History 620:(1974) by Lois Rather, Rather Press, Oakland CA 531:The Story of the Guard: A Chronicle of the War 218:posts, until Frémont was assigned the task of 636:Jessie Benton Frémont: Missouri's Trailblazer 458:From 1878 to 1881, John C. Frémont served as 8: 797:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography 638:(2005) by Ilene Stone and Suzanna M. Grenz 42: 31: 988:The Frémonts and Emancipation in Missouri 694:1856 United States presidential election 485:, a former first lady. The rites of the 27:American politician activist (1824–1902) 1156:Pacific Coast Women's Press Association 1126:People from Rockbridge County, Virginia 1121:People from Mariposa County, California 993:Works by or about Jessie Benton Frémont 705: 303:Pacific Coast Women's Press Association 983:1839 Portrait of Jessie Benton Frémont 650:(2020) by Steve Inskeep, Penguin Press 561:The Origin of the Frémont Explorations 431:Frémont sitting at home in Los Angeles 197:as commander) he had made between the 7: 1101:Burials at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery 721: 719: 717: 715: 713: 711: 709: 669:Phillips, Michael and Judith Pella. 587:The letters of Jessie Benton Frémont 469:After the death of her husband, the 1066:19th-century American women writers 1056:19th-century American Episcopalians 853:. Missouri History Museum. p.  632:(1995) by Catherine Coffin Phillips 572:(1887) by John C. Frémont includes 624:Jessie Benton Frémont: A Biography 25: 1131:Spouses of California politicians 730:. Penguin Books. pp. 29–30. 1061:19th-century American memoirists 1009: 103: 1002:Works by Jessie Benton Frémont 847:Corbett, Katharine T. (1999). 828:Whitewashing Civil War History 350:votes but ultimately lost the 274:, in 1847. At the time of the 1: 1151:Writers from Washington, D.C. 791:"Frémont, John Charles"  618:Jessie Fremont at Black Point 226:and scouting land for future 1116:New York (state) Republicans 1086:American political activists 1081:American non-fiction writers 595:University of Illinois Press 555:The Will and the Way Stories 358:, though he did surpass the 1008:(public domain audiobooks) 439:, John C. Frémont, who had 130:, explorer, and politician 65:Rockbridge County, Virginia 1177: 1161:Memoirists from California 1141:Writers from San Francisco 949:. Internet Movie Data Base 880:, July 26, 1891, from the 1091:American women memoirists 1071:Activists from California 833:February 9, 2012, at the 673:Bethany House Pub., 1991. 576:by Jessie Benton Frémont. 417:Emancipation Proclamation 319:Las Mariposas, California 158:, as the second child of 114:Jessie Ann Benton Frémont 102: 41: 18:Jessie Ann Benton Fremont 1136:Writers from Los Angeles 800:. New York: D. Appleton. 574:Sketch of Senator Benton 270:. He served as the 3rd 82:Los Angeles, California 1146:Writers from St. Louis 1106:California Republicans 1076:American abolitionists 644:(2007) by Sally Denton 432: 346:Frémont garnered many 238: 1017:Jessie Benton Frémont 943:"The Gentle Sword on 817:: 535. February 1903. 726:Tarnoff, Ben (2014). 626:(1987) by Pamela Herr 510:syndicated television 430: 385:to her crusade. When 247:James Fenimore Cooper 236: 36:Jessie Benton Frémont 1111:Missouri Republicans 543:Souvenirs of My Time 464:Territory of Arizona 453:Souvenirs of My Time 443:heavily in railroad 268:Mexican–American War 144:Territory of Arizona 1096:Arizona Republicans 882:Los Angeles Express 398:Sanitary Commission 156:Lexington, Virginia 48:Photo taken in 1876 602:Collection of 271 570:Memoirs of My Life 433: 239: 160:Thomas Hart Benton 154:She was born near 124:Thomas Hart Benton 945:Death Valley Days 930:Los Angeles Times 906:Los Angeles Times 894:Los Angeles Times 864:978-1-883982-30-0 549:Far-West Sketches 518:Death Valley Days 504:In 1960, actress 499:Rosedale Cemetery 483:Lucretia Garfield 379:Thomas Starr King 272:Military Governor 111: 110: 75:December 27, 1902 58:Jessie Ann Benton 16:(Redirected from 1168: 1013: 1012: 997:Internet Archive 970: 965: 959: 958: 956: 954: 939: 933: 927: 921: 915: 909: 903: 897: 891: 885: 875: 869: 868: 844: 838: 825: 819: 818: 808: 802: 801: 793: 778: 772: 771: 769: 767: 762:on June 13, 2010 758:. 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Index

Jessie Ann Benton Fremont

Rockbridge County, Virginia
John C. Frémont

Missouri
Senator
Thomas Hart Benton
military officer
John C. Frémont
American West
governor
Territory of Arizona
Lexington, Virginia
Thomas Hart Benton
Missouri
Virginia
social structure
languages
documents
John C. Frémont
Joseph Nicollet
Missouri River
Des Moines River
Army
exploring
West
U.S. territorial

James Fenimore Cooper

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