Introduction

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Dedication v
3. Contents vii
4. Cast of Principal Characters ix
5. Family Tree xi
6. Introduction 1
7. 1. Ancestors in the House, 1817–1851 12
8. 2. Henry’s Backstory, 1801–1824 34
9. 3. Inmates All, 1825–1831 56
10. 4. For Better, 1831 76
11. 5. And for Worse, 1832–1835 101
12. 6. Happy Christmas and a Sad New Year, 1835–1837 128
13. 7. Panics, 1837–1838 147
14. 8. Ambition, 1838–1839 169
15. 9. Governor’s Family, 1839–1841 192
16. 10. Lame Ducks, 1842–1844 214
17. 11. Domestic Perplexities, 1844–1848 239
18. 12. Governor Seward Goes to Washington, 1849 261
19. 13. Losses, 1850–1851 284
20. 14. Bubble of Ambition, 1852–1856 309
21. 15. Sojourners, 1856–1859 333
22. 16. Launch, 1859 356
23. 17. Home Sweet Home, 1859–1860 380
24. Conclusion: Homes Again, 1860 405
25. Postscript: Reflections on Genre 419
26. Acknowledgments 421
27. Notes 425
28. Index 461