Ulysses S.Grant served as US president for two consecutive terms during 1869-77. He had enjoyed a successful military career as a general in the American Civil War before entering politics – during which time he helped bring about the emancipation of millions of slaves. Then, unsure of quite what to do with himself, he and his family set off on a world tour … which lasted 2½ years! He met and mixed with the great and the good, and spent a fair amount of time in the UK during the early months of his expedition.
After dotting around England and the near continent for a few weeks, Grant found himself in Scotland in the late summer of 1877; and then accepted an invitation to call in at Newcastle – which he did by train on 20th September. The locals, roused into a frenzy by a protracted press campaign, turned out in their thousands to welcome him. The bells of St.Nicholas’ peeled and the crowds cheered as the ex-president was met with the smiling faces of the mayor, Thomas Robinson, and famous industrialist William Armstrong. Historian William S.McFeely recorded that for the first time on the tour Grant was “loved as he needed to be loved,” and the distinguished guest was duly given the freedom of the town.
After an official banquet, Grant was, the following day, shown around the town, taking in the Castle Keep, St.Nicholas’ Church and the newly-opened Swing Bridge, before embarking on a Tyne cruise, with crowds thronging the banks. He arrived at Tynemouth to receive another official welcome by local dignitaries.
On the morning of 22nd September he was a guest of William Armstrong at his armaments factory; before attending a huge public gathering on the Town Moor – which itself was preceded by an elaborate parade through the town. Around 150,000 were said to have crammed the streets to witness the presidential drive-past. On the Town Moor, famous local MP, Thomas Burt, spoke with his usual eloquence, followed by huge cheers as Grant himself approached the lectern – at a spot reckoned to have been near the lake on what is now known as Exhibition Park. A gathering at the Assembly Rooms followed, at which Grant was heard to utter: “I have had no better reception in any place, nor do I think it possible to have a better one. All I have seen since I have been on the Tyne has been to me most gratifying as an individual.”
After spending the night at Hesleyside Hall near Bellingham, the party headed by train to Sunderland. Again, the welcome was overwhelmingly positive. The town’s shop assistants were given the day off to help swell the crowds, which again were stoked by an enthusiastic press campaign beforehand. Grant and his entourage alighted at Monkwearmouth Station at noon on the 23rd, walked across Wearmouth Bridge and arrived in the town to widespread acclaim. He witnessed the laying of the foundation stone for the Borough Free Library and Museum (now Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens), and had a wander around Mowbray Park.
After a lavish banquet at Victoria Hall, the great man was praised once more by local dignitaries for all he had done as a general during the American Civil War and as a politician thereafter. A visit to the docks followed, then a spectacular fireworks display was laid on in his honour. He retired for the day to Ashbrooke Hall (aka Corby Hall), and on the 24th visited the famous Wear Glass Works. He then called in at Lambton Castle and Biddick Hall on the 25th, before leaving for Sheffield for the next leg of his tour.
On his eventual return to the US in late 1879, Ulysses S.Grant decided to have one last shot at the presidency (in 1880), but failed to secure the Republican nomination. He died in 1885.
The Foundation Stone at the Borough Free Library and Museum
(now Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens).
Mind you, not sure if that date’s correct – most sources give it as the 23rd!
[article taken from The Great North-East: An English History Tour, vol.2 - see left-hand column]
