Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), whose theology was Unitarian, edited an abridged version of the New Testament that stripped the gospels of their supernatural elements and Jesus of his divinity. Jefferson had no use for the traditional church acceptance of the miraculous, which he thought was designed to confuse the flock and herd it toward an unquestioning faith. While Jefferson didn't quite do to his God what he'd done to his king,
Developed in Roxbury, Massachusetts in the early 17th century, the Roxbury Russet is considered the first distinctly American apple variety. Featuring a green skin prone to russets (rough, brown patches), it has a firm flesh with a tart taste and a high sugar content that makes it ideal for cider, in addition to eating and cooking. Harvested in the fall, the Roxbury Russet stores well throughout winter as its flavor continues to develop.