<hi rend="bold"> Letter from John Henderson to his mother, Mary Ferrand Henderson, September 26, 1864 :</hi> Electronic Edition. Henderson, John, fl. 1863 Funding from the University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill supported the electronic publication of this title. Text transcribed by Bari Helms Images scanned by Caitlin R. Donnelly Text encoded by Caitlin R. Donnelly First Edition, 2007 ca. 16K The University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina 2007

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 John Steele Henderson Papers (#327), Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Letter from John Henderson to his mother, Mary Ferrand Henderson, September 26, 1864 John 2 pages, 3 page images 1864 Call number 327 (Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

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 </bibl> </taxonomy> </classDecl> </encodingDesc> <profileDesc> <langUsage> <language id="eng">English</language> </langUsage> <textClass> <keywords scheme="unc_history"> <list> <item> Any special keywords assigned for this project </item> </list> </keywords> </textClass> </profileDesc> <revisionDesc> <change> <date>2007-05-26,</date> <respStmt> <name>Caitlin R. Donnelly</name> <resp/> </respStmt> <item>finished TEI/XML encoding.</item> </change> </revisionDesc> </teiHeader> <text id="unc09-15"> <body> <div1 type="personal letter"> <pb id="unc09-15-p01" n="[1]"/> <head> Letter from <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">John Henderson</name> to his mother, <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">Mary Ferrand Henderson</name>, September 26, 1864 </head> <opener> <dateline> <name key="name0000165" reg="Chapel Hill, NC" type="place">Chapel Hill N. C.</name> <date>Sept 26 1864</date> </dateline> <salute>My Dear <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">Mother</name></salute> </opener> <p>(In great haste) Governour <name key="pn0001638" reg="Swain, David Lowry" type="person" rend="yes">Swain</name> tells me that he has seen it stated, that capt <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">Robert Gillespie</name> <hi rend="underscore">did</hi> survive the Revolution but only a very short period He doesent remember where or by whom or under what circumstances he was informed of the fact. I suppose you may safely rely upon this; for if there is any man in the state of <name key="name0000745" reg="North Carolina" type="place">North Carolina</name>, who is conversant with its history <name key="pn0001638" reg="Swain, David Lowry" type="person">D. L. Swain</name> is that man. I went to see the <name key="pn0001638" reg="Swain, David Lowry" type="person">governour</name> a few days ago and he very kindly showed me a great many rare and valuable manuscripts, curiosities etc, etc. I saw the original portraits of <name key="pn0000575" reg="George III" type="person">George III</name> and his <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">queen</name>, which formerly hung up in the sitting room of Mrs <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">Elizabeth Steele</name> with the writing plainly eligible on the former — "Oh George hide thy face and mourn." These pictures are in a tolerably fair state of preservation; but unless something is done to keep them in this state, they will after a few years be numbered among the things that were. I saw also an engraving (I reckon thats what you call it) done up in <name key="name0000839" reg="Paris, France" type="place" rend="yes">Paris</name>, representing Mrs <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">Steele</name> handing Gen. <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">Greene</name> two purses of gold. I mean to visit governour <name key="pn0001638" reg="Swain, David Lowry" type="person">Swains</name> again to examine more minutely his rare and choice library. <pb id="unc09-15-p02" n="[2]"/>To be able to gratify my curiosity by visiting such a select collection of books as his is what I most of all take pride in. Such recreations as these are decidedly in accordance with my turn of mind, my tastes, and sentiments. The love of reading is hereditary in the Henderson family and it has always been a matter of surprise to me that <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">father</name> never desired or at least never endeavoured to have a fine library; for with him reading is not a mere passion but something almost akin to disease. One of the most ambitious hopes of my life is to be enabled to collect materials full enough for a detailed history of my ancestors both on my father's and mother's side. Strange as it may seem I can go no further on my paternal side than <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">Samuel Henderson</name>. The name of Henderson is even now illustrious in <name key="name0000336" reg="England" type="place">England</name> and <name key="name0001032" reg="Scotland" type="place">Scotland</name> I have an idea that we are all from the same common stem; but it may be years and years before I can ascertain the relationship. I received a letter from <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">Baldy Boyden</name> this morning of as late a date as the twentieth; has been in bad health but is improving at present. Tell <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">father</name> I will most certainly not lose my heart <hi rend="underscore">here</hi>. This is the last place in the world I should like to marry. The social atmosphere is too impure. I am enjoying good health but yet I have lately been subject to cold night sweats. Can you suggest no remedy. Col. <name key="pn0001488" reg="Saunders, William Laurence" type="person" rend="yes">Saunders</name> is still here; appears weak and feeble, cannot be very well. I see him every day or two. Love to all. Farewell.</p> <closer> <signed> <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">John</name> </signed> </closer> </div1> <div1 type="postscript"> <pb id="unc09-15-p03" n="[3]"/> <p>I am certain I am related to D<hi rend="sup">r</hi> <name key="pn0001070" reg="Mallett, William Peter" type="person" rend="yes">Mallets</name> family. I was told so some years ago and I think you were my informant, tho, of course I will not be certain about that. His <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="">wife</name> was from <name key="name0000362" reg="Fayetteville, NC" type="place" rend="yes">Fayetteville</name>. So also was your grandmother. Endeavour to recall your confused ideas to some order and I think perhaps you may see the link which connects us. It is a matter of little consequence to me except that I would like to be convinced of the fact. I know almost every lady in <name key="name0000165" reg="Chapel Hill, NC" type="place" rend="yes">C. Hill</name> that I would desire to know. I wouldent pay a great sum for the knowledge I have of them either</p> </div1> </body> </text> </TEI.2>