The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-07-03
A SOUTHERN WEBSTER.
Romantic History O. an Atlanta Bar
Der.

Il is not generally known that there is to
dav living IL the city of Atlanta a son of
Daniel Webster, a mulatto barber, well
known all over Georgia as Bob Yancey, a
man OF more than ordinary intelligence. In
arpeayance he has some marks OF striking
resemblance To " ebSter, his broad forehead
and Wldely-separated eyes are noticed as cir
rmlStautlai proof as soon as you hear the
story of his birth. \ few days ago | had a
conversation wit Bob, In which he made
the following 1t is due to him
t. >ay that his story is corroborated b. the
members OF his former masters family, who
are still living. 1t is as follows:
Robert lancey, whose real name is Rob
ert Webster, was born at Gadsby's Hotel, on
the corner of Pennsylvania avenue and
Fourth street, III Washington City, on the
C9th OF August, 1920. His mother was
Charlotte GOODRICH, a mulatto of rare beau
y, and her father was one Of the old aristo-
Gratis of N%irginia. Mr.. Godsby bought Char
lotte from Billy Billiard, of Fredericksburg,
Va. and took her to Washington to wait IN
his hotel. Daniel Webster boarded with him,
and in this way saw Charlotte, and induced
those intimate relations which supply a sub
ieet cf this sketch. The matter was kept
quiet in Washington at the time, though
the truth was suspected by several of Mr..
Nebster's friends. After the birth of Rob.
ert, Charlotte became the waitIng-maid of
some Of the most distinguished ladies at the
capitai. She was III the service OF Mrs.
Clay for a long time, and she continued to
eniuv an intimacy with the greatest man of
his time. MIR. Webster once gave her a
beautiful gold necklace, which she acclden-
tally left ia q drawer III Mrs. Clay dressing
case. Here her mistress found the neck
lace. and asked Charlotte whose it was. The
girl vas confused and frightened, and told
the whole truth. 1t is said that Mrs. Clay
showed the necklace to Webster, and asked
him il lie had ever seen it before. After
ward Charlotte was purchased by Mr..
Webster. lie took her to Boston and
gave her perfect freedom, though she con-
tinued to be a housekeelcr III his home.
She died in Boston only a few years ago.
Bob frequently heard from her. He says
she talked freely TO HIM OF his origin, and
told him many anecdotes OF the private life
Of Mr.. Webster, to him she was passionately
devoted. When her son grew up he became
the property Of young Gadsby, who was a
rash. hot-headed Southerner, and led the
gay life SO common IN the old flush times.
Once N Richmond he had been drinking
and gambling desperately until he had lost
all he had. He staked Bob, his body ser
want, against 81, 300 in gold and lost. \
man ltlIipt. ISIiIN 4tdltit WON titG WI vi
Webster, but shortly afterward sold him to q
Mr.. Cunningham, OF Charleston, ;. G.
This NJ. Cunningham was an uncle OF Colo
ne. Ben. lancey. a prominent member oil
the present Georgia Legislature. Colone.
Nancey fancied Bob, bought him and kept
him a. a body servant. Bob was such a
faithful slave that hns master in 1863 gave
him his liberty and enough money to start 4
business IN Atlanta. Here Bobdid we'll and
before the Conieicrates surrounded tie city
had saved quite an independence. When
Sherman army passed through Georgia,
with it came CAPTAIN Fletcher Webster, q
son Of Daniel Webster. He had heard the
story OF Bob's nativity, and accidentally
found him while stationed III Atlanta. lie
bestowed various attentions on HIM. tie
gave him a picture q Daniel Webster, which
Bob still has, Fletcher Webster was killed
III a battle near Atlanta. Sherman soldiers
destroyed all the property Bob had accumu,
lated. One hundred boxes Of tobacco ana
other yaluables Of his We're burned IN At
lanta.-Chtcago 1lhe2.
The tale OF the Times gIides glibly on, but
We close down the scissors at the hundred
boxes Of tobacco" 1t is useless to add that
Bob has been in the manufacturing business
yarn spinning-since that great loss.
Not that anybody need doubt the story Of
his parentage. Old man Daniel Webster
Was famed for foniness for "Wine, and
" lckedness.' There is said to be an whole
SUNDAY School full Of his posterity in the
vicinity Of Washington and Marshfield. In
oeed one OF his boasts was that he had
Swiiled a pint OF brandy daily for a long term
oI his congressional career.
but We took up pen to say that there is a
0ight mistake III the above account. Fetch
ct Webster was never in Georgia, was not q
captain, Was not killed near Atlanta and
lor the very good reason that he mas killed
at Groveton, Va, three years before Allan
ia lell, and was buried on that field by a