Hey, everyone. My Mystery Monday posts have been sparse this year, and now that the book tours for House of Sorrow and Cold Dark Night are over, I thought it was a good time to revise this monthly series.
Last Sunday was Independence Day, and America celebrated its two hundred forty-fifth birthday. Since the official holiday was on Monday, July 5, I decided to delay this post a week.
A few of my past Mystery Monday posts are what I call “strange coincidences.” I think this one fits that category.
John Adams (Public Domain) 
Thomas Jefferson (Public Domain)
“Thomas Jefferson survives.” It’s rumored those words were among the last of our second president, John Adams, as he lay on his deathbed in Quincy, Massachusetts. However, unknown to Adams, Thomas Jefferson died hours earlier at his Monticello home in Virginia.
Some might not think the deaths of our second and third presidents on the same day to be unusual. However, it only happened once in history. Not only that, Adams and Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, American’s fiftieth birthday.
As both men signed the Declaration of Independence, it seems almost fitting they would die on the anniversary of the approval of the document.
In the weeks that followed, many Americans thought the deaths went beyond coincidence. Representative Daniel Webster of Massachusetts delivered a eulogy that suggested the deaths were a sign that God was protecting our nation.
Another theory is both men willed themselves to hold on to life until that important date. However, when our fifth president, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831, many agreed there was a religious significance.
James Monroe was a teenager who dropped out of college in 1776 to fight in the Revolution, enlisting in the 3rd Virginia Regiment. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Many historians consider Monroe the last president from the Founding Fathers.
In 2005, historian Margaret P. Batten suggested six possibilities regarding the deaths.
- Coincidence.
- Devine intervention.
- “Hanging on” to life to ensure they died on July 4.
- Caused to die at the hand of others. (Like today, there were also conspiracy theories in those early years of our country.)
- Allowing oneself to die.
- Causing oneself to die.
While three presidents have died on Independence Day, only one was born on this date. Calvin Coolidge, the twenty-ninth president, was born July 4, 1872.
James Monroe (Public Domain) 
Calvin Coolidge (Public Domain)
What do you think? Coincidence? Conspiracy? Devine intervention? Something else? Please share in the comments.
31 Responses
I never knew we we had three past presidents die on July 4th, or two on the same day. The two on the same day is a bit suspicious to me, so I’ll lean toward being helped along. Great post, Joan:)
At the least, it’s a “strange coincidence.” Thanks for stopping by, Denise.
This is so interesting, Joan. I never knew this. Thanks for sharing!
I learned of it a few years ago and found it interesting – particularly Adams and Jefferson. Thanks, Jill.
I’ve always assumed it was an interesting coincidence. I didn’t know people had turned it into a conspiracy theory. That is interesting. (My storyteller gears are turning!)
The conspiracy theory idea was a surprise to me. I always associated the beginning of those things with the Kennedy assassination. Guess there really isn’t anything new under the sun.
Probably goes back to Cain and Abel.
You’re probably right.
As a student of history, I found the Jefferson/Adams deaths to be an amazing circumstance. As one who also believes in an afterlife, I found the deaths to be an affirmation of the concept of spiritual continuation. Excellent post, Joan.
I believe in the afterlife as well, John, and so agree with you. I certainly don’t think it was a mere coincidence both men died on Independence Day.
I don’t either. I think it was a blessing for both.
Totaly agree!
I always thought it strange coincidence. I’m like Staci, in that I can see some story possibilities here.
Absolutely some possibilities, Craig. As mentioned in your Story Empire post today, take the ideas where you can.
Thanks.
I was completely unaware of this, Joan. I’m not a believer in coincidences, so I lean toward divine intervention. Also, that God would choose to take these men home on the day recognizing America’s independence is a cause for goosebumps.
Excellent post today!
I like that idea, Mae. Certainly, for the Giver of Life, there are no coincidences.
Wow, I did not know this, Joan. If I were to come up with a reason for the “coincidences”, it would be supernatural. Thank you so much for sharing. Fascinating! 😊
There certainly seems to be a supernatural element to this, Gwen. Thanks for stopping by today!
I don’t believe in the coincidence aspect. Not sure about divine intervention either. Conspiracy theory? Never gave that a thought. Now you have me thinking.
Lots of possibilities, Michele. And then again, it could be said it was just their time to die.
I didn’t know about this, but how fascinating! It’s a pretty big coincidence, and I’m not discounting divine intervention.
I don’t discount that either, Teri. Whatever the case, it is interesting.
I love reading historical facts I’ve never heard of. This is fascinating information about our presidents. Thanks for the research, the writing, and the renewal of Mystery Monday.
Mystery Monday was long overdue, but I have stories ready to go for the remainder of this year. I found the story of Jefferson and Adams to be intriguing, then I started digging deeper and learned of James Monroe.
Good to hear from you, Sherrey!
Interesting, “fun” post. I loved it.
Thanks, Rae. This was one where I heard about Adams and Jefferson, then the more I researched, the more I learned.
What interesting facts, Joan. I did not realize any of this and I’m fascinated. I’m not much of a believer in coincidences, but more a believer in synchronicities and Universal planning. 🙂 Thank you for sharing! This was super interesting!
I agree, Jan. I think there are things that are sometimes beyond our comprehension.
So fascinating! I don’t believe in “coincidences,” so something spiritual was happening I think. Something within each man that connected them to each other and our country.
I agree with you! It’s a fascinating story.