U.S. Grant and Frederick Dent: Challenges of Politics in the Home (Senior Ranger Activity)

Instructions: Read about the relationship between Ulysses S. Grant and his father-in-law and answer the following questions. To enhance your knowledge about Grant and Dent visit our People page. This activity is designed for adults completing the Senior Ranger Program but all ages are welcome!

Ulysses S. Grant and Frederick Dent

NPS Photo / Library of Congress

While courting Julia in the 1840s, Ulysses worked to win the Colonel and Mrs. Dent's approval to marry their daughter. Colonel Dent didn't want to see his daughter married to an army officer and subjected to a life of hardship. Dent eventually agreed to the marriage and they got married in the Dent's summer home in St. Louis. Ulysses's parents, staunch abolitionists were upset that their son was marrying into a slaveholding family and did not attend the wedding. Later after they were married and Ulysses was stationed at Detroit, he told Julia, she could stay at White Haven with him and Grant could visit her on leave. Julia decided to go with Ulysses to Detroit. In 1854 when Grant resigned and moved back to White Haven, he was somewhat dependent on the good graces of Colonel Dent. They had their differences of opinions, mostly political. To learn more check out the articles on Colonel Dent and Slavery at White Haven, then answer the questions below.

1. How was Grant's upbringing different from Colonel Dent's? What issues divided Grant and Colonel Dent? Why did they not agree on them?

2. During the Civil War families could be so divided that they were willing to bear arms against each other.. What could cause a brother, father, son, relative to literally try to kill each other during the Civil War?

3. As a youth how did you decide your political views? As you have gone through life have your views of the world and politics evolved and if so why?

White Haven, circa 1850

NPS Photo

4. What changes can you identify regarding Grant's views towards politics and African Americans? What might have had an impact on Grant's changing views?

5. Julia, who grew up in the Dent slaveholding household had her own views on slavery and politics. What common views do you think they had? How do think their views on African Americans might be different?

6. Despite differences in politics, family ties were strong. Julia and Ulysses always had a great love for each other. Even though they differed on political issues, Ulysses and Colonel Dent maintained a relationship with each other. During the Civil War they corresponded by letters. Colonel Dent even moved into the White House when Grant became President. What valuable lessons can modern families take from this story?

7. How do you maintain family relationships despite political differences?