Dear Louise, Thank you for pointing this out. I guess that, while everything I need to know, I learned in kindergarten, this is one part of the kindergarten curriculum that has grown hazy in my mind in the years since. At one point, I knew it was the Rappahannock, but all my Washington myths seem to have merged in my mind, and an internet search reveals that a lot of other people are merging their Washington myths as well. Fortunately, I had not designed a lace pattern showing a coin not flying over the Potomac. So, it is unnecessary for me to institute a redesign to show a coin not flying over the Rappahannock. Apparently, the only basis for the story is a remark by Martha Washington's grandson to the effect that George Washington threw "a piece of slate" about the size of a silver dollar across the Rappahannock. As your experience with coin throwing over the Rappahannock illustrates, it seems to be something that a lot of people can do. Why this particular feat has been attributed to Washington as an example of his superiority to other humans, I don't know. Actually, crossing the Delaware River to Trenton, in winter, repeatedly, shows greater stamina. Perhaps, it would be better, then, to concentrate on the fact that Washington had a set of wooden teeth. Oh, darn, I just checked Wikipedia and he didn't have a set of wooden teeth. <<Washington had several different sets of dentures, only one of which is still complete - and the complete set is here at Mount Vernon. Our set is made from human & cow teeth and elephant ivory, set in a lead base, with heavy metal springs. Because of the way they would have fit within his mouth, we do not believe that Washington wore this set when eating or talking. They were probably entirely "ornamental," for occasions like making silent ceremonial appearances or having his portrait painted.
He also owned other, more "functional" dentures, which could have been worn while eating or talking. During the last ten years of Washington's life (1789-1799), a highly respected New York dentist, Dr. John Greenwood, made for the president at least two complete denture sets and several partial sets. In addition, in 1796 a man named James Gardette made Washington a set of dentures from hippopotamus ivory. The story of wooden teeth is interesting but alas according to Steve Swank the curator of the National Museum of Dentistry no proof of wooden teeth ever being made in America exists. This is just one of the fanciful myths about the first President of the United States.>> Actually, I find it more interesting that Washington had a set of teeth made from hippopotamus ivory. I wonder why that fact never made it to kindergarten. Hmm. Liz, were you looking to make a theme based pattern for Gros Point, or for Bedfordshire, since I know you are teaching both? Perhaps a nice Gros Point of cherry blossoms and roses on a jabot for a Supreme Court judge. I think turkeys and bald eagles in Bedfordshire, ala Thomas Lester. Devon - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
