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Famous Americans Involved in Duels
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2026 11:24 am
by Ernie
https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/fam ... d-in-duels
I had no idea there were so many and who was involved.
Re: Famous Americans Involved in Duals
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2026 12:00 pm
by barnhart
As a boy in rural Georgia, a close farming neighbor was from north Georgia where his family feuded with the Carter family before they moved south to Plains. He said his grandfather and Jimmy Carter's father challenged one another in a duel planned for the next day. During the night his grandmother secretly sabotaged the weapons to misfire otherwise Jimmy Carter might never have been born.
Re: Famous Americans Involved in Duels
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2026 1:47 pm
by JohnH
Yes, duels were a standard part of English culture at that point in time and became part of American culture, too. Something to remember whenever people complain about how politics used to be more civil or something.
Re: Famous Americans Involved in Duals
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2026 10:25 pm
by Soloist
barnhart wrote: ↑Tue Jun 09, 2026 12:00 pm
As a boy in rural Georgia, a close farming neighbor was from north Georgia where his family feuded with the Carter family before they moved south to Plains. He said his grandfather and Jimmy Carter's father challenged one another in a duel planned for the next day. During the night his grandmother secretly sabotaged the weapons to misfire otherwise Jimmy Carter might never have been born.
Wife: I looked that up because that was interesting sounding. I couldn’t find anything about that, but I did find out that his great grandfather was killed in a gun fight and his grandfather was shot in the back and killed after somebody stole a table from him. And then he became well known as a teetotaler president/Sunday school teacher. Very fascinating.
https://www.deseret.com/1998/5/3/193777 ... t-reunion/
Re: Famous Americans Involved in Duals
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2026 11:18 pm
by barnhart
Soloist wrote: ↑Tue Jun 09, 2026 10:25 pm
barnhart wrote: ↑Tue Jun 09, 2026 12:00 pm
As a boy in rural Georgia, a close farming neighbor was from north Georgia where his family feuded with the Carter family before they moved south to Plains. He said his grandfather and Jimmy Carter's father challenged one another in a duel planned for the next day. During the night his grandmother secretly sabotaged the weapons to misfire otherwise Jimmy Carter might never have been born.
Wife: I looked that up because that was interesting sounding. I couldn’t find anything about that, but I did find out that his great grandfather was killed in a gun fight and his grandfather was shot in the back and killed after somebody stole a table from him. And then he became well known as a teetotaler president/Sunday school teacher. Very fascinating.
https://www.deseret.com/1998/5/3/193777 ... t-reunion/
According to my neighbor the Carter's were a rough family.
Re: Famous Americans Involved in Duels
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2026 11:19 pm
by JohnH
That might explain Jimmy Carter's personality a bit - seems like the exact opposite of that.
Re: Famous Americans Involved in Duels
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2026 6:43 pm
by JoyE
I would say that whoever thought up dueling was an idiot, but I don't want to insult people who can't help being literal idiots.
Re: Famous Americans Involved in Duels
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2026 12:42 pm
by Soloist
JoyE wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 6:43 pm
I would say that whoever thought up dueling was an idiot, but I don't want to insult people who can't help being literal idiots.
Wife: yeah, don’t say that to his face if I were you although he probably died long ago in a sword fight
Re: Famous Americans Involved in Duels
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2026 1:21 pm
by barnhart
Soloist wrote: ↑Sat Jun 13, 2026 12:42 pm
JoyE wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 6:43 pm
I would say that whoever thought up dueling was an idiot, but I don't want to insult people who can't help being literal idiots.
Wife: yeah, don’t say that to his face if I were you although he probably died long ago in a sword fight
The obligation initially only applied to men of "honor", a specific social status. Men outside that category were generally free to disagree in other ways. The franchise may have widened over time to include those without "honorable" ancestors because Hamilton famously got caught up in it.