Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Chapman, Augustus H. 'Augustus H. Chapman (William H. Herndon Interview)' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln' . Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998. [format: book], [genre: interview]. Permission: University of Illinois Press
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=herndon439.html

327. Augustus H. Chapman (William H. Herndon Interview).

[1865—6]

Col. A. H. Chapman—

Says that Abram Lincolns grand fathers name was Mordecai—& not Abraham—That Mordecai—the grand father was Killed by the indians in Mch 1784. Morecai had three sons—: Mordecai, Josiah & Thomas—. The grandfather was working in the field—laying up the last rails—when an Indian shot him—Mordecai ran to the house—Josiah ran to a stockade some four miles. Mordecai ran to the House got a rifle—ran up Stairs or aloft put his gun through the port hole—Saw the Indian with Thomas in hands or arms—took site—shot the Indian fell—Another Indian saw the port hole in the house—cautioned the other Indian but too late—the Indian in the field ran—threw away his gun which was found. Mordecai Killed 3 Indians—Kiled the Indian in the lane—one in the field and one that ran toward the fence—dropt his gun leaned up against the fence—got over—leaving his gun—crept into a tree top—In the mean time the party with Josiah came from the fort or Stockade & found what was done &c.

It is the opinion of the the Col that no man Knows that the original Lincoln's were Quakers—nor from Penn—nor were they born or raised in Rockingham Co Virginia—thinks from family reputation that they were born in Halifax Co. Virginia on the head waters of Roanoke—He gives this reason: he says Hanks tells him that it was the reputation in the family—including men & women—young & old that they the Grand father & Bros rolled Tobacco to Richmond—: there they rolled it—the Tobacco—about 60 or 70 miles—which rolling was putting the Tobacco in a hogshead—ran the pole through the tobacco to give the pole the power of guiding the Tobacco — use hand spikes &c—&c

Lincoln Came down to see his mother after Election—visited the grave of his father—as soon as I get time I want the grave fixed—wanted grave Enclosed— ^[1] Took a good parting from his Step Mother—

Bull dog story ^[2]—3 Girls, 1 his daughter and 2 of his last wife & old lady ran—So did the dog—bit him—He said G—d d—n the dog—take him off—Lincoln's Step mother—money sent to her—by Abe—did her no good—Lincoln was a great wrestler—he returned home about 1831. from N.O from one of his trips, and his fame for this was wide Spread—. Danl Needham heard of it and Came to see Lincoln—Lincoln & Needham met at Wabash point in Coles Co—. and Needham challenged Lincoln—Lincoln accepted it, agreeing both to wrestle side holds. Lincoln threw Needham twice—Needham said—Lincoln "You have thrown me twice, but you can't whip me." Lincoln replied—Needham are you satisfied that I can throw you? If you are not and must be convinced through a thrashing I will do that too for Your Sake."

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 3847—49; Huntington Library: LN2408, 1:153—55