Skip to main content

Primary sourceBook1842

The Andover Husking

1842

An 1842 Boston booklet, a political tale dedicated to the Whigs of Massachusetts, that comments on the politics of the time, including Tyler's administration.

A Whig-era political tale from 1842 that shows how Tyler's administration was judged by partisan writers of the time.

Ask John Tyler about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
The Andover HuskingPDF · 36 pages
The Andover Husking, Boston: J. H. Eastburn, 1842. Internet Archive scan.

About this source

What it is

The Andover Husking is a printed booklet from 1842. Its subtitle reads 'A Political Tale, suited to the circumstances of the present time,' and it is dedicated to the Whigs of Massachusetts. It was printed in Boston by J. H. Eastburn. The story is told by a farmer from Andover, in Essex County, who describes a meeting at his house that he thinks was important. The title page carries a quotation from Milton about free speech. The record does not name the author.

Why it matters

The catalogue describes this piece as a Whig-era work about Tyler's administration. Political tales like this one were a way for supporters of a party to express opinions to readers, often with humour and satire. It shows how Tyler's presidency was discussed by ordinary voters and party writers in 1842, not only by officials.

Look closer

  • Who is the narrator, and why might a farmer be a useful voice for a political argument?
  • The booklet is dedicated to a particular party in one state. How might that dedication affect what the story says about Tyler?
  • The author is not named in this record. What would you need to know about the writer to judge the tale fairly?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of John Tyler on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More John Tyler sources

Meet the AI John Tyler →
Document

Primary source

Joint Resolution for Annexing Texas to the United States

U.S. Congress · 1 March 1845

Document

Primary source

Webster–Ashburton Treaty

1842

Painting of an elderly man with gray hair seated in a dark suit with a white shirt and black cravat, one arm resting on a chair, holding a folded newspaper. Books and papers lie on a table at right; the signature reads G.P.A. Healy, 1864.Painting

Primary source

Portrait of John Tyler

George P. A. Healy

Black-and-white restored portrait of an elderly man with white hair, seated and turned slightly to the left, wearing a dark coat, white shirt, high white collar and dark cravat, with one hand resting on his knee against a dark background.Photograph

Primary source

Tyler Daguerreotype

Edwards & Anthony

Black-and-white half-length portrait of an older man with wavy, swept-back hair, wearing a dark coat, waistcoat, white shirt, and a dark silk cravat tied in a bow. He faces the viewer with a calm, serious expression against a dark background.Photograph

Primary source

John Tyler

Mathew Brady

Ready when you are

Start chatting with John Tyler now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions