Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-19

loe In an instant by his close resemblance
TO Abraham Lincoln"
Mr.. Joseph y. Caldwell thought the
matter ought 20 be thoroughly investi-
gated. and devoted considerable editorial
space 20 It. Tbs people OF North Carolina
are as devoted TO the memory of Abra-
ham Lincoln as are the people of Illinois.
In the western portion OF the State he is
particularly popular. throughout which
section this story Is currently believed.
THE NAME OF LINCOLN.
Miss Nancy Hanks married worthy
man named Lincoln while she was an In
mate OF the family OF Mrs. Nancy Enloe-
Thompson, In Hardin county. Her son
naturally took his name.
Hon. II. A. Enloe, member OF Congress
from the Eighth Tennessee District, says
he has often heard the substance OF the
above story. but knows nothing about
II. lie recalls, however, the following
incident: He says during the war n num-
Der or soldiers from Illinois stopped at
his fathers house In Tennessee. Mr..
Enloe, ST.. was a strong Union man. and
often extended the Inequalities OF his
home 20 the Federal soldiers. Some OF
these knew Mr.. Lincoln, and they re-
marked upon the striking personal re-
sefnblance their host bore 10 the Presl-
dent.
Congressman Enloe probably belongs 10
collateral branch OF the family Of
Abram Enloe. The Congressman Is chair
man of the Committee on Education, and
Is n man OF far more versatile gifts
than the average representative. His
father is said TO have been one Of the
brainest men In West Tennessee. and to
have shown his mental strength In his
face as strongly as Mr.. Lincoln undoubt-
eddy did.
Senator Vance, who IL kinsman OF
Colonel A. r. Davidson, said % me that
he had great confidence in whatever state
ment that gentleman or his son, the ex-
Attorney General would make. He says
he has heard Colonel Davidson give this
account Of the parentage of President
Lincoln frequently.
HIS REPUTED FATHER.
In this connection / will add there was
another President born in North Carolina
who is not half so much revered by her
people as the illustrious Lincoln. 1t was
Andrew Johnson. When ne was Presl-
dent the citizens of Raleigh erected a
monument over the grave Of Andrew
Johnson, Sr., a tailor OF that city. and
invited the Executive to deliver an address
when the monument was unveiled. He
did so. but in the speech he referred to
the dead man as my reputed fatherr'
The father Of President Andrew Johnson
was Chief-Justice Leonard Henderson.
late OF North Carolina. / have stood be-
side his unmarked grave in an old family
burying ground belonging TO the planta-
don known as Montpelier" one mile
from WnliamsborOugh. Granville county
nov vance,, y. G. Even the legitimate
children Of the late Chief Justice conde-
scended TO take an interest in the poor
tailor, Andy Johnson" when he became
President OF the United States. Andrew
Johnson more closely resembled his father
than any of the many of his legitimate
descendants, whom / have known init
mately. There is now in Yanceyyille,
Caswell county. y. c., an old portrait of
Chief-Justice Leonard Henderson which
would almost pass for a refined face of
Andrew Johnson. The resemblance Is
startling. Andrew Johnson married a
woman greatly his superior in years as
well as IN education. who taught him TO
read. This woman and the virie strength
md intellectually he inherited from Chief
Justice Henderson made Andrew Johnson
what he was. AS / have trenched on he
redlty / might as well add that the mother
or grandmother Of Chief-Justice Hender-
son was the sister Of the great Lord
Chancellor Erskine. OF London. The por
trait above referred TO IS the property OF
Justice Archibald Erskine Henderson,
Esq, Yauceyville. Caswell county. N. c.
AN UNMARKED GRAVE.
The "reputed father" of Johnson has
monument ] was asked by an elderly
member of the Henderson family about
fifteen years ago "to remember the spot
where the Chief Justice slept In the old
graveyard at Montpelier" lest in com
ing years his country might wish TO know
it and no one would be able TO designate
his final Testing-place. The splendid old
homestead Of Montpelier" was burned 20
the ground about ten years ago. Desola-
ton, decay. and neglect have doubtless
40 changed the landmarks in the old
grave yard that 1t would probably be with
difficulty that l could identify the cedar
tree that once stood near where his head
was laid, the only trace OF a monument
that marks his grave.
Among the slaves Of Chief-Justice Hen
derson were a number Of bright mulattos
whom he had educated 20 follow trades.
and who are as much above their environ
ment Intellectually as Andrew Johnson
was above his when his "reputed father
and mother worked for living as tailors
in Raleigh, y. G.
ROBERT ap. V. ALEXANDER.