Stuff You Missed in History Class Behind the Scenes Minis: Atlanta and Textiles
Mar 27, 2026
A lively dive into puzzling gaps in Richard Peters' life and unclear evidence about his stance on slavery. Exploration of Atlanta's civic legacy, Oakland Cemetery debates, and quirky local airport stories. Curious inquiry into Elizabeth Fulhame's textile experiments, sparse biography, and how she fit into the scientific world of her time.
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Richard Peters' Silence On Slavery
- Richard Peters' stance on slavery is unusually opaque despite his Southern ties and economic benefit from the system.
- Holly Frey and Tracy V. Wilson found no clear moral position in his memoirs or biographies, only pragmatic warnings about losing slavery if war came.
Peters' Memoir Ends Abruptly With Anecdotes
- Richard Peters' memoir is a long interview-style account that ends abruptly at his Civil War departure and shifts to letters for later life.
- The memoir includes humorous personal anecdotes illustrating his disdain for his father's repeated financial ups and downs.
Judge King Fell In A Well
- Peters recounts Judge King falling into a 10-foot well on arrival to Atlanta and subsequently refusing to buy real estate there for years.
- Holly Frey found this anecdote emblematic of quirky historical details that make Peters' accounts entertaining.