Historic sketches of the Edwards and Todd families and their descendants : 1523-1895

Historic Sketches

The Edwards and Todd

FAMILIES

AND

Their Descendants.

1523-1895.

By Georgie Hortense Edwards.

/J SPRINGFIELD. ILL.:

1 ^ H. W. RoKKKB, Pbintkb and Bimdeb,

18W.

\MV •

\n;

PREFACE.

Some months ago an invitation was extended to tlie
writer to become a member of The Daughters of the Ameri-
can Revolution. To do this it became necessary to estab-
lish the fact that the applicant for membership is the
descendant, directly or collaterally, from one who had
served his country during the war of the American Revolu-
tion in the civil or military departments of the government.

It was not the intention, when this work was commenced,
to look beyond the period of the Revolutionary War in
searching out the antecedents of the writer's family, but,
as the reading and research of such records as were found
in the public libraries progressed, it was determined to en-
large the scope of the inquiry, and, to that end, other
works and books of reference were purchased.

Much of the information obtainable has not been included
here, though little has escaped notice, it being the aim
simply to mention the officers of the higher grades, or those
whose claims to distinction are historically assured.

The ancestry of the writer has been traced from the year
1523 down to the present time. Such information as has
been given of the paternal and maternal ancestors of the
writer; of the various public places filled by them, and of
the services rendered by them to their country in Revolu-
tionary times, has, necessarily, been briefly sketched— want
of time and other circumstances being accountable therefor.

PREFACE.

It was found, in the brief researches made, that of the
ancestors of the writer who assisted in establishing; Ameri-
can Independence during the War of the Revolution, the
following are to be numbered: Eight great grandfathers,
two great grandmothers, and sixteen great grand uncles;
the great grandfathers and great grand uncles having held
commissions in the American army, ranking from major
generals down to captains. The references and proofs of
the foregoing are on file with the Recording Secretary of
the Daughters of the American Revolution, in the city of
Washington, dated October 4, 1894, and numbered 4,604.

It was found, also, in the investigations made by the
writer, that six Presidents of the United States, three Sec-
retaries of AVar, one Secretary of the Treasury, two Attor-
neys General, five United States Ministers, five United States
Senators and seven Governors, were descendents of, or
connected by marriage with, the writer's ancestors.

G. H. E.
Springfield, III., Dec. 1894.

Historic sketches

OF

The Edwards and Todd Families.

I52:i—l89r>.

THE EDWARDS FAMILY.

IMCHAKI) KDWAKDS.

RICHARD EDWARDS, the father of William and oreat
<iTandfather of Haydeii, was born in SomerHetHhire in I
l.")2*J. He was a musician and writer of interludes; studied
at Corpus Christi college, Oxford ; took his Master of Arts
deo-ree in 1547, entered at Lincoln's Inn, and was appointed,
in 1501, a gentleman of the royal chapel and master of the
siiifiinj^ bo.ys. He died in the year 15()(). at "The Edwards
Hall," situated near Cardiff, in (jlemorp;an8hire, Wnles, and
liis epitaph was written by Tuberville in the following; year.
This hall was built in the time of William the Conqueror, by
Sir Godefory de Pomeroi, a Norman kni;»ht, and came into the
Edwards family by subsequent marria<^e, and was abandoned
about the year 1()20, when the brothers, John, Thomas, Rob-
ert and William, sons of William and <;randsons of Richard
Edwards, came to America to settle the land granted them
for service rendered to the King. The ruins of the old hall
are still standing, and a photograph is in the possession
of his great, great, great, great, 'great, great, great, great •
granddaughter, Georgie Edwards. Benjamin, son of Wil-
liam, Edwards, married Ann Harrison, a daughter of Wil-
liam Henry Harrison's great grandfather.

0 HIHTOmC SKETCHES OF THE

In luH own day Richard Edwards was held in the hin;he8t
estimation. "He united," says Warton, "all those arts and
accomplishments which minister to popular pleasantry; he
was the most fashionable sonneteer, the readiest rhj'mer,
and the most facetious mimic of the court."

HAYDEN EDWARDS.

Hjiyden Edwards, the son of Wilham and <»Tandson of
John Edwards, was my great, great, great grandfather.
He was born in 1723, and died in 1803, and was buried in
Paris, Ky,, where his tombstone may still be seen. His
grave is well kept and carefully cared for by his descendants.
He married Penelope Sanford. They had eight children— four
sons and four daughters. Hay den Edwards was a merchant
and lawyer, and he served several times in the Virginia Icgis-
ture, and filled many official positions with ability. He re-
moved from Virginia to Kentucky about the year 1800.

[Letter from Mrs. renelope E. Crouch.]

St. Auoustine, Texas, Dec. 15, 1884.

Deaii Cousin:— Yours of the 8th inst. has been received,
together with the engraving of your father, both of which
are greatly appreciated.

I will now write you a history of our branch of the
Edwards family, as far as I know. I descended from Hayden
Edwards, who married a Miss Penelope Sanford, who emi-
grated from England to America before the Revolutionary
war, with a brother and some other young men, Mrs.
Penelope Edwards being the only lady on board of the
vessel. The brother settled in one of the northern States.
Hayden and Penelope settled in Virginia. Their children were

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES. 7

as follows: Benjamin, the eldest and a prominent man,
married a lady of Maryland; one Hon, John, from whom I
descend, was a member of Congress; one son, Sanford, who
settled in South Carolina; the youn<?est, Georpje, settled in
Kentucky. One of the daughters married Col. Pope, who had
three distinguished sons, as follows: John Pope, senator,
also governor of Arkansas, Nat., governor of Illinois,
Alexander Pope, lawyer, of Louisville. My grandfather was
Amos Edwards, who married his own cousin. Her nnme was
Penelope Ashmore, daughter of Mary Edwards, who married
Wm. Ashmore. She was the only child. My grandfather's
brothers were as follows: Hay den, John, Gustavus and
Benjamin. I could write a great deal about the family.
Many I could mention, but do not think it necessary. You
will see from my statement that we are the same family.
I am proud of my Edwards connection. They are all people
of intelligence. I believe you will be greatly surprised when
I tell you I have in my possession the wedding dress of
Penelope Sanford, who married Hayden Edwards. It is of
elegant material,— we consider it a great curiosity. I in-
herited it with the name Penelope. I still find it impossible
to find out the name of the brother who came over to
America with Hayden Edwards, or the name of Robert
Edwards' brothers. Could you not by some means assist in
tracing up our heirship? The Secretary of the Edwards Heirs*
Association writes me that there was a Hayden Edwards in
the family he was tracing, and I thought probably we had
proved ourselves heirs, and that he had not been able
to trace his family. I think this property is well worth
any exertion to recover it, as it is valued at between two

K

S HI8T0IUC SKETCHES OF THE

or three huudred millions and the city of Troy. I would
be much pleased to hear from you again. Have you the
life of your father— if so I would like to obtain a copy— and
are you a man advanced in age? I think you or your father
are cousin to my mother.

Your affectionate cousin,

P. E. Crouch.

BENJAMIN EDWARDS.

Benjamin, son of Hay den Edwards, was my great, great
srrandfather. He was born in 1752 and died 1820. He
married Margaret Beall, of Montgomery county, Maryland.
He was a member of the State convention, of Maryland,
that ratified the Federal Constitution, and a member of the
General Assembly of Maryland and a member of the first
Congress. The Hon. William Wirt was a member of Benjamin
Edwards' family. He was received into the family of Mr.
Edwards at the age of fifteen, nominally as a private tutor
for his son. This arrangement was an act of kindness and
beneficence on the part of Mr. Edwards to aid Mr. Wirt in
his education without the restraint that charity imposes.

SANFOUD EDWARDS.

Sanford Edwards, another son of Hayden Edwards, was
surgeon general in General Marion's army. Dr. Berwick,
one of the ablest and most distinguished of French surgeons,
justly said of him: "Had Edwards lived in France, he
would have been elected a member of the Royal Academy
of Surgery, received from the King the Cross of the Legion
of Honor, and obtained from the government a magnificent
reward as an acknowledgment of the services he rendered

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES. 9

his country, his profession and his fellow creatures." His
professional history is that of the greatest advance in
surgical science of modern times. With a broad and
elevated mind, and a heart gentle and tender as that of a
woman, he was not afraid of the sight of blood; pre-
eminently bold, his exceptional skill was aided by an
unfailing nerve. He was no mere money grubber; careless
as to pecuniary rewards, for the poor he had a kindness
and a charity that were inexhaustible. He was born in
1742, and died in 1815.

JOHN EDWARDS.

John Edwards, another son of Hayden Edwards, was a
member of the State convention of Virginia which ratified
the Federal Constitution, and was one of the first two
senators from Kentucky.

NINIAN EDWARDS.

My great grandfather, Ninian Edwards, was born in
ITTo, and died in 1833. He was a son of Benjamin
Edwards. He was major of the Kentucky militia in 1802,
Judge of the Court of Appeals in 180G, Chief Justice of the
State of Xentucky in 1808, Governor of Illinois Territory
from 1800 to 1818, United States Senator from Illinois,
1818 to 1824, Governor of Illinois from 1826 to 1830.
He died in 1833, aged 58.

PIIOM ford's history of ILLINOIS.

Ninian Edwards was born in Maryland and brought up
in Kentucky. He was bred to the legal profession, and
became attorney general of Kentucky at an early age.
At the age of twenty-eight he was appointed chief justice
of the high court of appeals. He held this ofSce when he

10 HISTORIC SKETCHES OF THE

was appointed the first governor of the Illinois territory
in 1809. Edwards was a large, well made man, with a
noble, princely appearance, which was a circumstance
greatly in his favor, as governor over a rude people, of
whom it may be said, that the animal greatly predominated
over the intellectual man. In fact, it may well be questioned
whether mankind ever will become so intellectual and
spiritual, that mere size, vigor of muscle, and consequent
animal spirfts, will cease to have more influence with the
multitude than mere intellect, unaided by these fleshly
advantages. Gov. Edwards had been governor of the
Illinois territory for nine years, and was then elected to
the United States Senate. In this oflfice he showed an
extensive knowledge of public affairs, and became dis-
tinguished as a man of fine talents throughout the union.
Whilst in the senate he was appointed by President Monroe
to be minister to Mexico. It is worthy of remark here,
that he never condesended to the common, low arts of
electioneering. Whenever he went out among the people
he arrayed himself in the style of a gentleman of the olden
time, dressed in fine broadcloth, with short breeches, long
stockings, and high, fair-topped boots; was drawn in a
fine carriage, driven by a negro; and for success, he relied
upon his speeches, which were delivered with great pomp, and
in a style of diffuse and florid eloquence. When he was
inauguratetl in 182G, he appeared before the general as-
sembly wearing a gold-laced cloak, and with great pomp
he pronounced his first message to the two houses of the
legislature. Governor Edwards died of cholera in Belleville,
in the year 1883.

EDWAKDB AND TODD FAMILIES. 11

NINIAN W. EDWARDS.

My ^grandfather, Niuian W. Edwards, wan the son of
Xinian Edwards, the first and on"/y territorial g:overnor of
Illinois, and was born April 15, 18U1), near Frankfort, Ky.
His father, at that time, was chief justice of the court of
appeals of Kentucky. He was married to Elizabeth P. i y^
Todd, in Lexington, Ky., February IG, 18Ji2. She was the
daughter of Robert S. Todd. In 18Ji4 Governor Reynolds
appointed him attorney general of Illinois. Inl8:U>hewas
elected a representative in the legislature, and he served in
the legislature, either in the senate or the house, from
1H.*5G to 18o2. He was also a member of the constitutional
convention of 1848. In 1854 he was appointed by the
<>overnor attornev before the board of commissioners to
investigate the claims of canal contractors against the
state, amounting to over $1,500,000. In 1854 he received
the appointment of State Superintendent of Public Instruc-
tion by Qovernor Matteson, and was the first incumbent of
that office. He was retained in this office by the legislature
until 1857. He was always a champion of free schools,
and drafted the law in regard to them which was first
adopted in the State. In 1862 President Lincoln appointed
him United States Commissary with the rank of major,
which place he held until August, 18G5. He had four
children: Julia, wife of Hon. E. L. Baker, United States
Consul at Buenos Ayres, appointed in 1873, and still holding
the place (1894); Elizabeth E. Clover, Charles Edwards,
and my father, Albert S. Edwards. Ninian W. Edwards
died Sept. 2, 1889. His wife died Feb. 22, 1888. She was
a sister of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. LIdcoIq died at

12 HISTORIC SKETCHES OP THE

tho residence of my o:raTid mother, Mrs. Ninian W. Edwards,
July 10, 1S82, the same house in which she was married
November 2, 1842.

[From the Address of the Rt. Rev. Georpe F. Seymour, Bishop of
Springfield, May Ist, 1888.]

More recently our near neighbor, Mrs. Ninian W. Edwards,
was suddenly prostrated by disease, and as it were, in a
moment, taken out of this world.. The loss to us is irrepar-
able. She was the sister of Mrs. President Lincoln, and as
the wife of Mr. Edwards, she was for many years one of the
most prominent ladies of the State. Mrs. Edwards' winning
sweetness and gentleness of character we have never seen
excelled. Back of this exterior, so attractive, was a life of
devotion hid with Christ in God. The better one knew her,
the higher he placed her worth.

As a hostess, pr(»bably long practice had made her pro-
ficient, but native tact, and delicacy of feeling alone could
have enabled her to acquire the success which she attained
to a remarkable degree of radiating a charm upon the com-
pany over which she presided, whether old or young, and
throwing upon them a spell, so subtle and prevailing, that
it left an impi-ession upon the memory, which was never
likely afterwards to be effaced. Gracious and considerate
and tender to the last, she bade her husband, when she
was gone, to send as her offering to St. Agatha's school
and the Orphanage of the Holy Child, articles of her house-
hold furniture to a very considerable amount, which would,
as she well knew, with a refined woman's delicacy of per-
ception, be highly useful to these institutions, in which she
felt a deep interest. The donations are indeed prized, but
chiefly as coming from her, and for her dear sake.

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMIEIE8. 13

[From the Annual Address of the Rt. Rev. George F. Seymour, 1889.]
The departure of Ninian W. Edwards was not a surprise.
He was old and full of days, and life was held by a very
delicate thread, still he lino-ered on. Hecarried away with him
the record of a long life well spent. He united epochs in his
birth and death, which, were we to sketch them in reference
to the conditions of our country, would seem to be centuries
apart, so rapid has been the g:rovvth and so «:;reat the chang;o
since he was born, in 1809. Mr. Edwards fills no inconsider-
able place in the history of this State, and it was his fj;oo6.
fortune to be associated in most intimate relations with
many eminent men. While his memory continued unim-
paired, he was one of the best of living authorities in regard
to State and national politics and jurisprudence. He was
a thorough gentleman, and most anxious always that due
and proper respect should be accorded to others, while he
himself was extremely simple and unaffected in his tastes and
manners. When we came to Springfield ten years ago, Mr.
Edwards and his charming wife had already retired from
societv, but the tradition was that none had entertained
more elegantly and with greater satisfaction to their guests
than they had done in days gone by. It was our privilege
to be admitted to their friendship, and to enjoy the privacy
of a lovely home, on which the sun of life was setting. That
sun has now gone down. The wife went first. We spoke
of her departure in our last address: after an interval the
husband has followed, and both now are gone. The church
remembers them, she never forgets her children, since tbey
are always in her dear embrace, whether they live or die, and
the subjects of her prayers until the judgment.

14 HISTORIC SKETCHES OF THE

GENERAL ALBERT G. EDWARDS.

General Albert G. Edwards was born in Lexington,
Kentucky, on October 15, 1812. He was the second son
of Gov. Ninian Edwards. Benjamin Edwards, the grand-
father of General Edwards, was a member of the First
Congress of the United States.

At the age of 14 years General Edwards entered school
at West Point, where he graduated with honors, and was
commissioned as a second lieutenant, and went with a
company of artillery on the campaign ngainst the Indians
engaged in the lilack Hawk war. At the close of the
Black Hawk war he entered the United States Army as
second lieutenant and served ten years, and then resigned
his commission as major and went to St. Louis, where he
engaged in the mercantile business. In 1862 Governor
Gamble appointed him commander of the St. Louis division
of State Guards, and iov some time he had command of
the troops of St. Louis. Later, Governor Gamble appointed
him bank commissioner of Missouri, which position he held
until he was appointed sub-treasurer of the United States,
at St. Louis, by President Lincoln, a few days before the
President was assassinated. This was the last appoint-
ment made by President Lincoln. He held the position of sub-
treasurer until 1887. On June 4, 1850, he was married to
Miss Mary Jencks, daughter of Daniel Jencks, whose father
was Governor of the State of Rhode Island. Benjamin F.,
George L. and Albert N., sons of General Edwards, are
engaged in business in St. Louis. General Edwards died
in 1892.

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES. 15

BENJAMIN S. EDWARDS.

Benjamin S. Edwards was born on the 3d day of June,
1818, in Madison county, Illinois, and died in Springfield,
Illinois, February 4, 188G. He was a brother of m.y grand-
father, Ninian Wirt Edwards, and the youngest sou of
Ninian Edwards, the first governor of Illinois territory,
afterwards United States senator, and the third governor
of the State. Benjamin S. Edwards graduated in Yale
college in the class of 18*J8, studied law at the law school
connected with that college, and in 1840 completed his pre-
paratory studies for the profession with Hon. Stephen T.
Logan, of this city, and in March, 1841, commenced to
practice. He was contemporary with such legal lights as
Stephen A. Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen T. Logan,
Col. E. D. Baker, Jesse B. Thomas, McDougal and Lam-
born— men who have passed into history as "giants of their
day." The fact that he was able to attain and maintain
a prominent position among such men, attests his ability
and ene.-gy as a lawyer. He was regarded as the model of
industry in the profession, and a life student in the science
of law; standing as he did, the peer of the most distin-
guished, he had measured swords at the bar of the most
eminent tribunals, with all the most distinguished legal
Spartans, and always acquired a fresh laural to his pro-
fessional wreath.

He had but little taste, and less admiration for the
political arena, but on several occasions yielding to the
desire of his neighbors and friends, whose confidence he
never compromised, he permitted them to nominate him
first for the constitutional convention of 1862, to which he

IG HISTORIC SKETCHES OF THE

was elected, and then for congress in 1808, in a district
largely opposed to bim politically, the majority of which
he greatly reduced, although his opponent was highly popu-
lar with his party. In 1809, in response to a very general
demand on the part of the bar and people, regardless of
party bias, he became a candidate for Judge of the Sanga-
mon County Circuit Court, and was elected. He discharged
the duties of the position in a manner eminently satisfactory
to lawyers and litigants, but retired from the bench before
the expiration of the term for which he was elected, and
resumed the active practice of the profession which he
loved and adorned.

On the 13th of August, 1830, he was married to Miss
Helen K. Dodge, daughter of Col. Henry S. Dodge, and
granddaughter of Dr. John Varick, of New Yorlc (Mty, and
great granddaughter of Theodorus Van Wyck, of Holland,
and thus related to the ''Knickerbocker" families of Van
Wycks, Van Cortlandt, and Van Renssalears, on the Hudson.

3IKS. HELEN K. EDWARDS.

Mrs. Helen K. Edwards, wife of Judge Edwards, was born
in Kaskaskia, November 14, 1819. She resides at the old
homestead in this city surrounded by her three daughters,
Helen M., wife of Moses B. Condell, a prosperous farmer of
this county, Alice, wife of Benjamin H. Ferguson, a prom-
inent banker of this city, and Mary Stuart, wife of James
H. Raymond, a prominent lawyer of Chicago, and her
grandchildren.

Mrs. Jane Dey Dodge, mother of Mrs. Edwards, was
born in 1790-; was married to Col. Henry S. Dodge in
1813. They removed in 1817 from New York City to Kas-

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES. 17

knskia, 111. Here they resided seven years. As early settlers

»

in Illinois, and living among- French and Indians, they ex-
})enenced many vicissitudes and trials. In 1880 Mrs. Dodge
removed to this city and took up her abode with h'^r
daughter, with whom she continued to reside till her death,
on December 10, 187G.

DANIEL P. COOK.

Daniel P. Cook was a native of Kentucky; immigrated to
the territory of Illinois in 1815. He married Julia, a
daughter of Gov. Edwards. He was the first Attorney
General of the State of Illinois, and re])re8ented the State
in congress from 1820 to 1827, and filled, with great ability,
his duties as chairman of the Committee of Wavs and
Means, and was considered by such men as Madison, Mon-
roe, Calh(jun, McLean and others, as a man of remarkable
talents.

He was undoubtedly one of the ablest and most re-
markable men whose name ever graced the annals of Illinois.
He was three times re-elected, making a service of eight
years. He was but just of the constitutional age when he
made his first canvass. He discharged the duties of that
most onerous and responsible position with so much ability
and evinced such a thorough knowledge of all matters which
came before the committee and the house, as to challenge
the respect and admiration of all the members, and this
was at a time when his health was failing and his physical
]>owers were becoming exhausted. It seemed that as his
bodily weakness inc^'eased, his great mental qualities shone
brighter and brighter. He died at the age of thirty-two
years in October, 1827.

18 IlISTOUIC SKETCHES OF THE

GENERAL JOHN COOK.

General John Cook was the only child of Daniel P. Cook.
He was born June 12, 182(i, in Belleville, Illinois, and
married Susan A. Lamb, in Sprinj^field, 111., Oct. 20, 1847.
Mrs. Cook was born in Kaskaskia, April 3, 1828. They
had seven children, four of whom died in infancy; James L.
and John C. Cook reside in Springfield, and William J. in
Chicago.

In 18.")4, General John Cook was elected mayor of
Springfield, and in 18.")(), sheriff of Sangamon county. At
the expiration of his term, Governor Hissell appointed him
Quartermaster General of Illinois, and in 1858 he organized
an independent military company, called the Springfield
Zouave Grays, and was chosen captain. This company was
accepted by Governor Yates, under the State's quota of
7.'), ()()() men, in 18G1, and was the nucleus of the Ist Regi-
ment, III. Vol. Inf., of which he was chosen colonel, and
which was called No. 7, in honor of the six regiments fur-
ni.shed by Illinois for the Mexican War. Colonel Cook's
commission was dated April 24, 18G1, and the regiment
was mustered in at Camp Yates, April 25, 18G1, and was
consequently the first regiment to enter the field from Illi-
nois for suppressing the rebellion. Feb. H, 1802, he was
assigned to the command of General Charles F. Smith, in
the movement up the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers.
After the capture of Fort Donelson, Colonel Cook was com-
missioned Brigadier General for gallant conduct. During
the advance on Corinth he was ordered to report to the
Secretary of War, and was assigned a command consisting
of his brigade, with two brigades from General Shield's

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES. 19

division, eleven batteries of artillery, and two reg:iments of
cavalry. After McClellan's retreat from Harrison's Landin<;'
aud Pope's retreat from the valley, General Cook was re-
lieved at his own request, and the following fall was ordered
to report to Major General John Pope, commanding the
military department of the northwest, under whom he re-
mained until Oct. 0, 18G4, when he was asigned command
of the military district of Illinois, with headcjuarters at
Springfield. He was there mustered out, havitig been previ-
ously commissioned by President Johnson, Major General
by brevet. He was elected, in the fall of 18(58, representa-
tive in the Illinois State Legislature from Sangamon county.
He was instrumental in securing the second appropriation
for the erection of the new state house. General Cook now
resides in the State of Michigan.

CHARLES KDWAltDS.

Charles Edwards, the second son of Ninian W, Edwards,
born July 6, 184G, in Springfield, was attending Yale col-
lege in the early part of the Rebellion, and left there in the
latter part of 18G8 to fill a position in the ("ommissary
department of the United States army. After the war he
was an instructor in Bryant & Stratton's commercial college
in Springfield for a short time. Charles Edwards was married
in Springfield, February 18,18G8, to Mary Hickox, daughter,
of Hon. Virgil Hickox. They have one child, Edith, and
reside in Lagrange, Cook County, III. Charles Edwards was
connected with the Illinois State Journftl, and at one time
was one of the proprietors of the Illinois State Ref^iater.

20 HISTORIC SKETCHES OF THE

About fifteen years ajxo he removed to Chicago to take an
interest in the Shober-Carqueville Lithographing Company,
of Chicago. He is now secretary and treasurer of the
Rokker-O'Donnell Printing Company, of Chicago.

JULIA EDWARDS BAKER.

Julia C, daughter of Ninian W. Edwards, born April 29,
18.*^7,in Springfield, was married June 3,1855, to Edward L.
Baker, who was born June 'A, 1829, in Kaskaskia, the ancient
capital of Illinois. His father, Hon. David J. Baker, was a
native of the State of New York, and came to Illinois in the
year 1818. He became one of the pron:inent lawyers of the
young State. E. L. Baker was educated at Shurtleff, col-
lege, Alton, 111., and graduated in 1847. He read law with
his father two years, after which he attended Harvard law
school, and was admitted to the bar, in Springfield, in
1855. He became part owner and editor of the Illinois
State Journal, and, in 18G9, was appointed United States
Assessor, remaining in that office until it was abolished.
December 8, 1873, he was appointed United States Consul
to Buenos Ayers, Argentine Republic, South America, and
still (1894) holds the place. Edward L. Baker and wife
have three children; Edward L., Jr., is Assistant Clerk of
the Supreme Court of Nebraska, at Lincoln, Neb., Willis E.
is United States Consul at Rosario, Argentine Republic,
South America, and Julia E. resides with her father and
mother.

EDWARDS AND TODU FAMILIES. 21

ELIZABETH EDWARDS CLOVER.

Elizabeth E., second daughter of Ninian W. Edwards,
born January 7, IS-tli, in Springfield, 111., was married May

II, 1863, to Eugene P. Clover, son of Rev. Dr. Clover, at
one time Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Springfield,

III. E. P. Clover was killed at the battle of Wichita, leav-
ing a widow and two sons, Lewis P. and Leigh K. Mrs.
Clover resides in Milwaukee, Wis.

ALBERT S. EDWARDS.

My father, Albert S. Edwards; was born Dec. 15, 1839.
Ho is the son of Ninian W. Edwards, and grandson of
Governor Ninian Edwards. On June 3, 18G3, he was
married to Miss Josephine E. Remann, daughter of Henry
C. and Mary Black Remann, and great granddaughter of
Colonel James Black of the war of the revolution. Colonel
Black belonged to one of IG regiments in the continental
service, officered by General George Washington, and not
belonging to the line of any particular State, but credited
to the State of New York.

My grandfather, Henry C. Remann, was born in 1816,
and died Dec. 10, 1849.

MARY B. REMANN.

My grandmother, Mary B. Remann, was born March 5,
1823, and died Feb. 7, 1888, they were married April 15,

1841. My mother, Josephine E. Edwards, daughter of
Henry C. and Mary Black Remann, was born April 28,

1842. She is the sister of Henry C. and Mary J. Remann,
of this city.

22 HISTORIC SKETCHES OF THE

I have one brother, and one sister, Ninian Wirt Edwards,
and Mary E. Brown, wife of Charles R. Brown, of Spokane,
Wash. They were married May 4, 1886.

My father was appointed by President Lincoln Assistant
United States Commissary of Subsistance for the State of
Illinois, July 1, 18G1, and served until July 1, 1865; he
resigned to enter the mercantile business.

THE^TODD FAMILY.

What is known of the antecedents of the Todd family
is most honorable. Of the covenanters captured at Both-
well Brigg, two hundred and fifty were sentenced to be
transported to America; and two hundred of these were
drowned in the shipwreck of the vessel conveying them,
off Orkney. They had been shut up below the hatches of
the ship by tlie order of Paterson, the cruel merchant who
had contracted for their transportation and sale. Fifty
escaped and afterward took part in the defense of London-
derry. Among those who were drowned were Robert Todd,
of Fen wick, and James Todd, of Dunbar. Ii» 1670— the
year in which Robert Todd, of Fenwick, was drowned-
John Todd fled from the persecutions of Claverhouse, in
Scotland, to find refuge in the north of Ireland. Two of
his grandsons, Andrew and Robert Todd, came with their
families to America in 1737, Robert Todd was my great,
great, great, great grandfather.

EDWARDS AND TOOD FAMILIES. 23

ROBERT TODD.

My great, great, great, great grandfather, Robert Todd
was born in Ireland, in 1G07; died in Montgomery county,
Pennsylvania, in 1775, and was buried in the churchyard of
the Providence Presbyterian Church. His first wife, whose
name is supposed to have been Smith, died and was buried
in Ireland. In Ireland he married, for a second wife, Isa-
bella, sister of General William Bodley. The mother of
Isabella and General Wm, Bodlev was a Parker, a name
which belongs to many families of note fn Pennsylvania.
Hy his first wife he had two sons, John and Datid. By
the second wife he had five sons and four daughters, Wil-
liam, Andrew, Robert, Samuel, Levi, Elizabeth, Mary,
Rebecca and Sarah. David Todd, my great, great, great
grandfather, the second son of Robert Todd, was born in
Ireland, April, 8th, 1723, and when a child, was brought
by his father to Pennsylvania. His wife, whom he married
in Pennsylvania, was Hannah Owen, of Welsh decent and
a Quakeress. They had four sons and two daughters, John,
Robert, Levi, Owen, Elizabeth and Hannah.

COL. JOHN TODD.

Col. Jolm Todd was an aide to General Andrew I^wis in
the battle of Point Pleasant. He succeeded General George
Rogers Clarke in command at Kaskaskia, in 1778, and
was several years civil governor and colonel of the county
of Illinois. He was commandant of the Kentucky forces
at the battle of Blue Licks, August, 18, 1782, and was
killed in this battle.

24 HJ8TORIC SKETCHES OF THE

GENERAL KOBEUT TODD.

General Robert Todd, second son of David Todd, was
wounded in the defense of McClellan's Fort, now George-
town, in J77(); continued to be an active and brave soldier
all throu«j,h the troubles with the Indians, and was often
intrusted with important commands.

GENERAL LEVI TODD.

General Levi Todd, my o-reat great grandfather, third
son of David Todd, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1756;
was educated in' Virginia, studied law, became a surveyor,
went early to Kentucky, and was one of the defenders of the
fort at Ilarrodsburg; he afterwards assisted Logan to hold
St. Asaphs; was major, colonel, brigadier and major general
of the Kentucky forces until his death, in 1807. He married
Jane Briggs and had eleven children, Hannah, Elizabeth,
John, Nancy, David, Ann Maria, Robert S., Jane, Margaret,
Roger North and Samuel.

JANE BKIGGS.

General Levi Todd married Jane Briggs, in the fort of
St. Asaphs, in Lincoln County, Kentucky, February, 25,
1779. St. Asaphs was then a fortified station defended by
strong arms and brave hearts. We may be sure there were
no engraved cards tied with silken ribbons to bid the guest
to the wedding feast, no tables decked with silver plate em-
blazoned with coats of arras, no guest arrayed in immodest
gown bought from some mantua-maker in Paris. There
was no printing press, much less an engraver, within hun-
dreds of miles. Those shrewd men and heroic women, to

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES. 25

whom our people are indebted for most that is either <^ood
or powerful in them, were too seriously «rrapplin<^ with the
stern realities of life to think or dream of the lyin<»: vanities
paraded in most American armorial bearing's. And it is
the boast of the sensible decendants of fair Jane Brings,
that with her own brisk hands she spun and wove her
wedding dress from the fiber of the wild cotton weed. The
men wiio witnessed the exchanp;e of vows knew that at any
moment they mij2:ht be ordered to march; the women, that
at break of day they might bid their loved ones a last
farewell. No shoddy nor pinchback was there; nor any
shabby imitation of the coarse profusion of an intrinsically
vulgar English Squirearchy.

ROBERT S. TODD.

Robert S. Todd, my great grandfather, seventh child of
General Levi Todd, was born near Lexington, Ky., February
L>r>, 1 71)1, and died July 1 5. 1840. When about 80 years old
he was elected clerk of the Kentucky House of Representa-
tives, and, by successive elections, held the position for twenty
years; he was then three times elected representative from
Fayette County ; in 1845 was elect>ed to the State Senate, and
was a candidate for re-election when he died. He was twice
married; first to his near relative, Eliza Ann Parker, a.
granddaughter of General Andrew Porter. They had six
children, Elizabeth, Levi, George, Frances, Mary and Ann.
Mary was the wife of President Lincoln, Elizabeth, my grand-
mother, married Ninian W. Edwards, February 16th, 1832.

26 HISTORIC SKETCHES OF THE

FRANCES TODD WALLACE.

Frances Todd Wallace, a daughter of Robert S. Todd,
and granddaughter of General Levi Todd, was born in
1817, in Lexington, Ky., was married to Dr. William S.
Wallace, May, 1839. Dr. Wallace came to Springfield, 111.,
in 183(), and at once engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession. He was born August 10, 1802, in Lancaster
County, Pennsylvania. In 1861 he was appointed by
President Lincoln Pavmaster in the United States armv.
After tlie suppression of the Rebellion he was placed on the
retired list, and died May 28, 1867. His widow resides in
Springfield. They had five children, William F., Frances,
Edward D., Charles E., and Mary F.

Mary F. Wallace was married to Col. John P. Baker,
November ir», 180.'). Col. Baker was born July 24, 1838,
at Kaskaskia, 111. In March, 1861, he was appointed by
President Lincoln Second Lieutenant in the First United
States Dragoons, placed on duty in Washington City, and
was at the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. He served
on staff duty at the headcjuarters of the Sixth Army Corps,
in the Army of the Potomac; also on staff duty as
Inspector General at Savannah, Ga., in 186."). liieutenant
Baker was promoted, July 17, 1862, to Captain in the
First United States Cavalry, April 9, 1864, brevet Major
in the regular army for gallantry and meritorious service
at Pleasant Hill, La. ; also brevet Lieutenant Colonel
for gallant and meritorious services during the war. He
resigned his commission in July, 1868. In 1883 he was
appointed Paymaster in the United States army.

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES. 27

EMILIE TODD HELM.

Emilie Todd, the fourth child of Robert S. Todd, by his
second wife, married General Ben Hardin Helm in IS.'G.
He was the son of Governor John L. Helm, of Kentucky.
John L. Helm was eleven times elected to the House of
Representatives of Kentucky, his terms of service extend-
ing from 182G to 1843, and was five times chosen Speaker
of that body. He was elected to the Senate 1844-48. He
was Governor in 1850. In 18G5 he was again elected to
the State Senate and served until 1867. In the latter year
he was again elected Governor of the State by a very large
majority. General Ben Hardin Helm was born June 2,
1831. He was mortally wounded in the battle of Chicka-
mauga, and died the same day, September 20, 1803. Emilie
Todd Helm is living in Elizabethtown, Ky.

ANN TODD SMITH.

Ann Todd, the fourth daughter of Robert S. Todd, by
his first wife, married C. M. Smith, a prominent merchant
of Springfield, 111. They had four children. Edgar and
Allen are liviog in this city and Clara and Minnie in Chi-
cago. Ann Todd Smith died March 21, 1891. C. M. Smith
was born May IG, 1820, and died July 29, 1885.

LEVI TODD.

Levi Todd, son of General Levi Todd, married Louisa
Searles, of I^exington, Ky. Their daughter, Mrs. Louisa
Todd Keyes, is the wife of Edward D. Keyes, a prominent
banker, of Springfield, III.

28 nrsTORic sketches of the

MAKY KLLEN YOUNG.

Elizabeth, second child of my great, great, grandfather,
General Levi Todd, married Charles Carr, of Fayette
County, Kentucky, son of Walter Carr, who was a member
of the Kentucky Convention of 1790, and was several times
in the Legislature. They had twelve children. Their son,
Charles Carr, a lawyer, was for years Judge of the Fayette
County Court. His wife was a MissDidlake. Their daughter,
Mary Ellen Young, married Alfred M. Young, July 8, 184G.
One of her daughters, Lizzie Todd Brent, is the wife of
Charles S. Brent, of Lexington, Ky. Another daughter,
Susan, married John C. Lanphier, a prominent lawyer, of
Springfield, 111.

Mary Ellen Young was born December 9, 1824, and died
January 22, 1885. Alfred M. Young was born January 8,
1808, and died March 7, 1870.

DK. JOHN TODD.

Dr. Jolm Todd, son of General Levi Todd, was born
April 27, 1787, near Lexington, Ky. He was married July
1, 181.*i, to Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Ilev. John Blair
Smith, D. D. She was born April 18, 1793, in Philadelphia.
Her mother was a daughter of General Nash, a leader in
the American Revolution, from Virginia. Dr. Todd was
appointed Surgeon General of the Kentucky troops in the
war of 1812, and was at the battle and massacre of the
River Raisin in Canada, where he was captured. In 1827
he was appointed by President John Quincy Adams Register
of the United States Land Office at Springfield, 111. Dr.
Todd and wife had six children. He died January 9, 1865,

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES. 20

and she died March 11, 18G5. Dr. Todd and wife cele-
brated their golden weddinj^ July 1, 18G8. One of their
daughters, Elizabeth Todd, is the widow of the Rev. John
M. Brown, and resides in this city. She was born in Janu-
ary, 1825. Another daughter of Dr. John Todd, Frances
S., was the first wife of Thomas H. Shelby, a grandson of
Governor Isaac Shelby, of Kentucky, and John Todd
Shelby, of Lexington, Ky.. is her son. She was born De-
cember 19, 1832, and died February 1, 1851.

KOGEK NORTH TODD.

Roger North Todd, tenth child of General Levi Todd,
married Miss Ferguson. They had eight children. Their
son, Robert L. Todd, married, first, Sallie Hall, a daughter
of Rev. Nathan K. Hall, an eminent Presbyterian divine.
The mother of Sallie Hall was a daughter of Colonel Wil-
liam Pope, one of the first settlers at the Falls of the Ohio,
and an aunt of General John Pope. After the death of this
wife, Mr. Todd married, secondly, Martha Edwards, daughter
of Dr. Benjamin Edwards, of St. Louis, whose wife was a
daughter of Willis Green of Lincoln County, Kentucky.

JOHN TODD STUART.

Hannah, the oldest daughter of General Levi Todd, was
born in the fort at Harrodsburg, in the year 1780. Con-
temporary description represents her to have been of un-
usual beauty of face and person in her youth, and, in
maturer years, as a woman of uncommon force of char-
acter. In the early bloom of womanhood, she became the
wife of Rev. Robert Stuart, a native of Virginia, She died
in 1832. They had seven children. John Todd Stuart, son

30 HISTORIC SKETCHES OF THE

of Hannah Todd Stuart, was born near Lexington, Ky.,
November 10, 1807. He was married October 25, 1837, to
Mary Virginia, daughter of (ieneral Francis Nash. He was
a grand-nopliew of the General Francis Nash who was killed
in the battle of Germantown during the Revolutionary
"War. They had six children— Betty, John T., Frank,
Robert L., Virginia, and Hannah. His widow resides in
this city.

Joiin Todd Stuart graduated at Centre College, Danville,
Ky., in 1820, studied law with Judge Hreck in Richmond,
Ky., and came to Springfield, III., October 2;"), 1828. He
at once engaged in the practice of his profession, and when
the Indian trouble came on, that culminated in the Black
Hawk War, Mr. Stuart became the Major of the battalion
in which Abraham Lincoln commanded a company. In
18H2 he was elected to the Legislature, and re-elected in
1834. He had so grown in the confidence and attachment
of the people that there was a pressing demand for his
services, although he had only attained the age of 25
years. As a lawyer, it is sufficient of John T. Stuart that
he held his own with such men as Davis, Lincoln, Douglas,
Logan, Harlin, Baker, and other men of like caliber. In
1838 he was elected a member of Congress, and again in
1840, from the Springfield district. In 1843 he formed a
partnership with Benjamin S. Edwards, under the firm
name of Stuart & Edwards, lawyers, and they continued
together until the death of Mr. Stuart. In 1848 he was
elected to the State Senate. He was out of politics after
that until 18G2, when he waa elected to Congress from this
district.

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES. 31

EPHRAIM M»DOWELIi.

The grandfather of my great, great, great grandmother,
Elizabeth McDowell Porter, was born in the year 1072, in
Argyleshire, and emigrated to America in 1720, arriving
on the good ship "George and Ann" on the 4th day of
September, and settled in Pennsylvania. The following
sketch is from the life of Ephraim xMcDowell.

Of all the fierce and warlike septs that ranged themselves
beside the Campbells, under the leadership of the chiefs of
that name, in the struggles so replete with deeds of crime
and heroism, of oppression and stubborn resistance, which
had their fruit in the overthhrow of the right line of the
Stuarts, there was none more respectable, nor one which
more perfectly illustrated the best qualities of their race
than the sons of Dowall. Sprung from Dougall, the son
of Ronald, the son of the great and famous Soraerled, they
had, from the misty ages, marched and fought under the
Cloudberry bush, as the badge of their clan, and had
marshaled under the banner of the Ancient Lords of Lome,
the chiefs of their race. The form of McDowell was adopted
by those of the McDougal clan who held lands in Galloway,
to which they, the Black Gaels, had given its name. The
latter branch became allied by blood and intermarriages
with the Campbells. Presbyterians of the strictest sect,
and deeply imbued with that love of civil and religious
freedom which has ever characterized the followers of John
Knox, they found their natural leaders in the House of
Argyle. In what degree related to the chiefs of the name
was the McDowell who left behind him the hills of his native
Ar^Ieshire, to settle with others of bis name and kindred

32 HISTORIC 8KETCHEH OF THE

and relijiiou in the North of Ireland, durinj^ the Protectorate
of Cromwell, can not be accurately stated; he was, so far
as can be f:;leaned from va^ue traditions, one of the most
reputable of the colonists who there fi)unded the race known
as the "Scotch-Irish," the characteristics of which have
since been so splendidly attested by its heroes, scholars,
orators, theolo<2:ians and statesmen all over the world.
This Scotch Colonist, McDowell, had among other children,
a son name Ephraim, which, of itself, indicates that he
was a child of the Covenant. It was fitting that Ephraim
McDowell should become, at the early age of sixteen years,
one of the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who flew to the
defence of heroic Londonderry, on the approach of McDowell
of Antrim, on the 0th of December, 1G88, and that he
should be one of the band who closed the gates against
the native Irishry, intent on blood and rapine. During the
long siege that followed, the ♦'memory of which will ever bid
defiance to the effacing hand of time, and in which the
devoted preacher, (Jeorge Walker, and the brave Murray,
at the head of their undisciplined fellow-citizens— farmers,
shopkeepers, mechanics and apprentices— but Protestants,
Presbyterians— successfully repelled the assaults of Rosen,
Marmont, Persignan and Hamilton— the McDowell was
conspicuous for endurance and bravery in a band where
all were brave as the most heroic Greek who fell at
ThermopylH'. The maiden name of the woman who became
the worthy helpmeet of the Londonderry soldier boy was
Margaret Irvine, his own, full first cousin. She wap a
member of an honorable Scotch family who settled in
Ireland at the same time as their kinspeople, the McDowell's.

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES. 33

The name was and is one of note in Scotland, where those
who bore it had intermarried with the most prominent
families of the kinj^dom, breeding; races of soldiers, states-
men, orators and divines.

Remarkable in many wa^'s, other than the great age of
more than a century to which he lived, the span of Ephraim
McDowell's life covered the overthrow of tlie Stuarts; the
rise of the House of Hanover; the establiHhment of the
Empire of Britain in India and over the seas; the wresting
of New York from the Dutch, and the expulsion of the
French from North America; the erection of the electorate
of Brandenburg into the Kingdom of Prussia; the victories
of Marlborough and Eugene, and of the great Frederick ;
the consolidation of the Russian Empire under Petor and
his successors ; the opening of the great west by the daring
pioneers, and the growth of liberalism in Great Britain,
France and America. Foremost of the virtuous and hardy
community, planted chiefly by his inflnonce and exertions,
he and his associates erected school houses and churches in
the valley, even before they erected forts. Eminently useful
and practical in the character of his mind and the manner
of his life, Howe records the fact that he built the first road
across the Blue Ridge, to connect the valley with the tide-
water country, at once affording a mode of egress for the
productions of the former, and facilities for receiving from
the merchants of the latter the manufactures of the old
world. Religious, moral, intelligent and shrewd, the singu-
lar and beneficent influence he acquired among the inde-
pendent and intrepid spirits by whom he was surrounded,
was a natural tribute to his virtue, sagacity and unflinch-

34 HIRTORIC SKETCHES OF THE

in«>: devotion to the cause of civil and religious liberty he
had all his life upheld. It is scarcely necessary to state of
such a man, at once hospitable and provident, that he
failed not to use the opportunities with which fair and
generous nature had surrounded him to reap and store a
fortune considered very large in those days. Retaining full
])osses8ion of all his faculties to the very last, he died not
until the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, and not until
he had heard the ])raises bestowed on his grandchildren for
good conduct shown at the battle of Point Pleasant.

KOBKKT POllTKK.

Robert Porter emigrated to America from Ireland in the
year 1720. He came from what is known as the Isle of
liert, which is distant about nine miles from the city of
Londonderry. The ruins of the dwelling which his father
occupied may yet be seen. The original farm has been
divided into several parts, and continues to be occupied
and cultivated by those of the same family. It is a bold
and picturesque country, and a fit place for the rearing of
men of energy and decision. He landed at Londonderry,
New Ilanipshire, and soon afterwards purchased and settled
on a farm in what is now Worcester township, Montgomery
county, Pennsylvania, about four miles distant from Nor-
ristown. He occupied this farm until the day of his death,
which took place on the 14th of July, 1770, in the seventy-
second year of his age. The records of the church show
that in 1741 he was an elder in the Non*istown Presbyterian
church. He reared a large family — nine sons and five
daughters. Some of his sons moved westward and some

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES. 35

southward. The most successful and prominent of his sonH
was my •»:roat, oTcat, j::reat ^grandfather. General Andrew
Porter, born on his father's form on the 24th of September,
174a.

GENERAL ANDUEW POHTER.

General Andrew Porter was twice married ; first to Eliza-
beth McDowell, on the lOth of March, 17G7, a daughter of
General McDowell, of the Revolution, and secondly to Eliza-
beth, daughter of William Parker and Elizabeth Todd, on
the 2()th of May, 1777. The brother of his second wife
was the p:allant Major Parker, of the Revolution. Elizabeth
Porter, the oldest daug;ter by his first wife, married Robert
Parker, son of James Parker and Mary Todd, and first
cousin of General Porter's second wife. She was the «»rand- y
mother of the wife of President Lincoln and of my j^rand-
mother, Elizabeth Todd Edwards. This Robert Parker was
also a major in the Revolution. This raarriaj^e took place
in 1790, and the newly wedded pair made their bridal trip ,'
from Pennsylvania to Lexington, Kentucky, on horseback.
They had four sons and two daughters. Eliza Parker
married Robert S. Todd, and was the mother of Mary Todd
Lincoln, and my grandmother, Elizabeth Todd Edwards.

General Andrew Porter entered the service on the 10th
day of June, 177G. He was successively promoted to the
ranks of major, lieutenant colonel, colonel commandant
and brigadier and major general of the Pennsylvania forces.
In the war of 1812 he was appointed by President Madison
brigadier general in the regular army and Secretary of War,
but declined both positions on the ground that a younger
man might serve the country more efficiently.

1/

36 HISTORIC SKETCHES OF THE

ELIZABETH PARKER PORTER.

Some service was rendered by my {2;reat, great, great
grandmother, I^lizabeth Parker Porter, towards the estab-
lishment of American Independence during the war of the
Revolution. ,

This lady was the wife of General Andrew Porter and the
sister of Lieutenant, afterwards captain and then major,
Parker. They were married on the 20th of May, 1777.
She was evidently a woman of unusual prudence in the
conduct of her household affairs. During her husband's
long absences she managed his business, superintended the
farm and instructed her children with beautiful devotion
and fidelity. Her husband was heard to say that, during
the war. he never wore a garment which did not display
the evidence of her skill in needlework. General Knox said
to him: "Porter, how does it happen that you look so
genteel when tlie rest of us are in rags, and you are re-
ceiving no better pay than we?" "You must ask my wife,"
he replied ; "I thought this coat had seen its best days,
but recently she took it home, took it apart, turned the
inside of the cloth outward, and now you see it is almost
as good as new."

This lady had a real adventure to relate. While the army
was at Valley Forge she was accustomed to visit her
husband, carrying with her some small delicacies for his
use, or garments made with her own hands, and these visits
were generally made on horseback. One evening, on ap-
proaching the camp, she met a gentleman in undress uni-
form, of whose rank she was ignorant. He adjusted for
her some part of the trappings of the horse and paid a

EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES. 37

compliment to the animal which, she informed him, was of
their own raising. On learning her name he walked slowly
beside her horse to the camp, asking her on the way a
variety of questions respecting the inhabitants, and especi-
ally their feelings towards the array and the war. On
reaching the encampment he said: "I think I see your
husband," and, bowing politely, turned away. The face of
the latter wore an unusually pleasant smile. "Well, my
good lady," said he, "you come into camp highly escorted."
"By whom," she asked. "By the Commander-in-Chief,"
was the reply. "Not by Washington!" It was even so.
She turned to take another look, but her escort had dis-
appeared. This was an incident of which neither her children
nor her grandchildren spared her the repetition, and, as a
faithful chronicler, I am bound to state that she did not
avoid any proper occasion for repeating it.

There is an incident which connects the name o^ General
Porter with that of Lafayette, whose remarkable memory
of persons has often been spoken of. When the French
hero visited this country in 1824, Mr. James M. Porter, of
Easton, Pennsylvania, went, as did a vast number of
others, to greet him in New York. When Me- Porter's part
of the column reached the General the latter said, on hear-
ing the name, "Porter, Porter, I remember that name.
Any relation of Captain Porter, whom I met at the Brandy-
wine?" "Yes, sir; a son." "Well, sir, bless you for your
father's sake. He was a brave man. He had with hira
there a young man, a relative, I think, whose name I have
forgotten. They fought very nearly together." Mr. J. M.
Porter asked, "Was it Parker?" Gen. Lafayette: "Yes,

38 EDWARDS AND TODD FAMILIES.

that was the name." Mr. Porter: "He was my mother's
brother." Gen. Lafayette: "Ah, indeed; well they were
both <i;ood soldiers and very kind to me when I was
wounded. Farewell, young gentleman, I wish you well for
their sakes."

Mr. George B. Porter, of Lancaster, Pa., came to Phila-
delphia to meet Lafayette when he reached that city, and,
as Adjutant General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
took part in his reception. On hearing of the incident just
related, he invited the General to visit Lancaster and to
become his guest while there. The invitation was accepted,
and Genernl Lafayette thus renewed with the children an
acquaintance begun with the father. The then youngest
son of Mr. George B. Porter was an infant and without a
name. He was thereupon named Lafayette, and during
the ceremony of baptism the aged statesman and warrior
held the infant in his arms.

„^