Petticoat affair

The Petticoat affair (also known as the Eaton affair) was an 18301831 U.S. scandal involving members of President Andrew Jackson's Cabinet and their wives, who socially ostracized John Eaton, the Secretary of War, and his wife Peggy over disapproval of the circumstances surrounding their marriage. The affair had a radical impact on the Jackson administration and led to the resignation of several cabinet members, and Jackson's subsequent reliance on an informal "Kitchen Cabinet". It aided in Martin Van Buren's rise to the presidency, and was in part responsible for John C. Calhoun's transformation from a national political figure with presidential aspirations into a sectional leader of the slave-holding Southern states.

Background

Margaret "Peggy" O'Neill was the daughter of William O'Neill, owner of The Franklin House, a boardinghouse and bar in Washington, D.C. which was only a short distance from the presidential mansion, making it a popular social center for politicians and military officials. Margaret was well-educated; she studied French and was known for her ability to play the piano. Future Postmaster General, William T. Barry wrote "of a charming little girl... who very frequently plays the piano, and entertains us with agreeable songs." An elderly Margaret reminisced that, "While I was still in pantalets and rolling hoops with other girls I had the attention of men, young and old, enough to turn a girl's head." Her reputation was already under scrutiny because she worked in a bar frequented by men and casually bantered with the boardinghouse clientele.

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Latest News for: petticoat affair

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The Virtues of Underwear by Nina Edwards review — a quirky history of pants

The Times/The Sunday Times 27 Jul 2024
If Mrs Pepys really had been having an affair, would she have left the house bare-bottomed under her petticoats? Pepys implies that she would.
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Bridgerton’s third season is its best yet — but not because of romance

Vox 16 May 2024
the identity of Lady Whistledown, the pseudonymous gossip writer whose salacious poison pen has repeatedly meddled in the affairs of both families ... (Daniel Francis) will be what curls your petticoats.
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What to watch

The Morganton News Herald 03 Dec 2023
SUNDAY. December 3, 2023. All times Eastern. Start times can vary based on cable/satellite provider ... The Lucy Show, Leave It to Beaver, Family Affair, The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, Green Acres and The Love Boat ... Magnolia Network, 2 p.m ... .
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George Smith: Time for GOP to face reality

The Marshall News Messenger 02 Aug 2023
Disclosure ... Think Andrew Jackson and the petty Petticoat Affair; Calvin Coolidge and the Teapot Dome scandal; Richard Nixon and “I am not a crook!”; Bill Clinton and “I did not have sex with that woman.” ... Goebbels ... — George S ... ....
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JAN MOIR: Own your views Gary, or else it's hypocritical hot air... Lineker is claiming ...

The Daily Mail 25 May 2023
Award for sulky teens goes to... Oh the horror ... Once upon a time this was a classy affair, where the young Brigitte Bardot ran along the beach in broderie anglaise petticoats while Kim Novak stared into Cary Grant’s eyes at black tie dinners ... .
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