Life and public services of Gov. Rutherford B. Hayes. By Russell H. Conwell

Front matter

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Preface

God bless the man who invented a preface ! He was a public benefactor, and ought to have a monument on Mount Olj'mpus. It is such a sweet satisfaction to have some spot in a book where the author can be at home with his intimate friends, and out of the reach of intruders, and where a writer can say any thing he pleases without fear of being questioned by the public. It is also a good provision for the readers, as it furnishes a receptacle for all kinds of odds and ends for which there is no place in the body of the work, and in which, if there were a place for them, the general public would have no interest.

A preface is a most convenient thing. Some writers feel compelled to stride through their book on intellectual stilts, giving the impression that they are very tall men ; and even the members of their own family woukl not recognize them without looking back in the preface, and observing how the writers behave, and how they appear, at home. Others set about their work with lungs inflated, and cheeks pufled out, to such an extent as to deceive the very elect with regard to their lateral proportions. A preface corrects many of these errors; for there the author, trusting in his seclusion, appears in his natural leanness, and in his

6 PREFACE.

everj-'day apparel. A preface is a preparatorj' rest, a social morning call on old acquaintances, or a sunrise ramble over the fields with the companions we love. It has nothing, apparentl}^ to do with the work of the daj^ 3'et there would be no work without it. It has nothing to do with the public, and none but near friends are expected to read it ; yet a book without a preface would be like a church without a steeple ; neither preface nor steeple being of any practical use beyond distinguishing one from a congressional report, and the other from a barn. Nevertheless, we glory in prefaces, and shall make the most we can out of them.

It has been no small task to collect the materials for this work, and satisfy the demands of intelligent and critical readers ; for Gen. Hayes has not been one who has thrust himself before the people, nor one who has made anj' effort to make or to preserve an interesting biograph}'. He naturally shuns notoriety, and studiously avoids conspicuous positions. Hence, whenever he did any thing worthy of praise, he hid the whole matter as much as he could ; and his candidacies and elections to the offices he has filled have been remarkably void of clamor and displa}-. He seems never to have sought official position ; nor has he, apparently, cared for honor or distinction. He did his duty in whatever position he found himself, as though it was a matter of routine, and never has felt that he had done any thing worthy of particular mention. Hence the difficulty of writing a history of his acts.

Gov. Hayes did not desire either to Avrite a biography or to dictate one himself, and was very much disinclined to have such a book written at all, as he modestly shrank from that kind of publicity. Neither did we wish to have him

PREFACE. 7

take any especial share in the preparation of a biography of himself, had he been made of less modest stuff, as a book prepared by himself, or by anj- person under his direction, must be open to the objection that it might be made partial, or be overdrawn for his individual benefit. We were determined that our work should be clear of that objection ; and, although we could not have accomplished what we did without some of his assistance, j'et there was a distinct understanding that the book should be independent and truthful, without regard to any favor from him or the ties of social obligations. We found him a kind and genial man, willing to do an}' thing he could to assist us in our work, wherever it did not require egotism or assurance to do it. We are grateful to him for his kindness, but should not allow our gratitude or admiration to influence our minds in making up our judgment of the man and his work, for the instruction of an anxious and interested people. We mean to be as Impartial and independent in the following pages as we would have been, had the subject of these sketches never known our intention, and never shown us a favor.

But we could not send this volume to press, without expressing in some manner our appreciation of the uniform courtesj' and kindness of the people among whom we prosecuted our search. We cannot forget the many obligations we are under to the relatives and intimate friends of Gen. Hayes, who served us so faithfully, and without whose assistance we must have come far short of a complete biogrnph}'. Among those to whom we are particularly indebted, Ave Avould record the names of Capt. Alfred E. Lee (private secretary to Gov. Ha^es), Hon. Staiijy INIathews of Cincinnati, ^^ — Major M. H. White of Cincinnati, Hon. R. H. Stephenson

8 PEEFACE.

of Cincinnati, Mr. A. I. Redway of Cincinnati, and Ex-Gov. Noyes also of Cincinnati, Hon. T. C. Jones of Delaware, O., Sheriff E. C. Vining, Mrs. Ursina Wasson, Mrs. S. M.

Kilhourne, Mrs. Clarissa Hayes Moody, and Messrs. Beach and Bodiirtha, also of Delaware.

In ever}^ town and city which we visited in search of historical facts, we were received with a kindly hospitality "which has left a fragrant memory. Even the newsboy's are gentlemen in Ohio. In all the multitudinous questions we asked" of strangers who knew not wh^^ we inquired, in all the unceremonious and tedious drafts we made upon the time of business-men in business-hours, and in all the guiding and explaining we received with reference to railroads, towns, streets, libraries, and hotels, we did not receive a discourteous or curt repl}', and did not meet a man or bo}' who did not show a disposition to accommodate and assist a stranger in whatever he could reasonably desire. It was a rich experience. It threw a charm about the whole undertaking, and made it pleasant and invigorating to linger among such a people. From the governor himself, down to the smallest and dirtiest bootblack on the corner, there was exhibited a gentlcmanl}- bearing and a spirit of liberality which excelled even the celebrated hospitalitj' of the ancient Germans.

Noble, industrious, generous people ! Your smile of welcome, j'our bi'otherl}' and sisterly- attentions, 3'our sweet goodb}', will strengthen our love for humanity, and will echo in our heart long after man}- nearer to us will have been forgotten. We can understand now, as never before, wh}" Ohio has reared so man}- statesmen and soldiers, and why her influence is so potent everywhere in the nation. Chivalrous regard for the wants and rights of others, genial good- will in their

PREFACE. 9

intercourse with each other, a high sense of honor, and a higii standard of intellectual culture, receive the admiration of every cultivated mind, and command the respect of all men. Such are the people of Ohio as we saw them a few days ago, and as we have seen them before. All honor to their great hearts 1

Chapter I

GEN. Hayes's native town.

PAGE.

Early Settlement. — Growth of the Town. — Gen. Hayes's Father.

— Characteristics of the People. — Wesleyan College. — The Birthplace of Gen. Hayes. — Description of the House . . 21

CHAPTER n.

GEN. Hayes's ancestors.

The Ancestry of the Hayes and Eutlierford Families. — The Nobilit.y. — The Coat-of-Arms. — The Settlement in Connecticut.

— Hemoval to Vermont. — Rutherford Hayes of Brattleboro*. — His Early Life. — Sophia Birchard 27

CHAPTER HI.

emigration to OHIO.

Rutherford Hayes determines to emij,'rate. — His Purchase of a Farm. — The Journey to Ohio. — Tlie Distillery. — The Home.

— The Great Pestilence. — Death of Paitherford Haj-es. — His Burial-Place 34

CHAPTER IV.

BIRTH AND EARLY YEARS.

Death of Rutherford Hayes. — Ursina Smith. — Sardis Birchard.

— Birth of his Son Rutherford Birchard Hayes. — Cliaracteristics of his Mother. — Sickness in his Early Years. — Illustrative Anecdotes of his Babyhood. —Drowning of his only Brother.

— Effect upon his ^Mother 40

CHAPTER V.

CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOLDAYS.

Childish Sports. — His Playmates. — His Sister's Teaching. — Success of a "Good Boy." — Punctuality. — Brotherly Love. —

Preparing for College 47

12 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI.

AT COLLEGE. PAGE.

Selection of a College. — Uncle Bircliard's Opinion. — Tonng Hayes enters at Gambia. — His Stndent Life. —His Sports. — His Speech to the Eebellious Students. — His Graduation . . 61

CHAPTER Vn.

AS A LAWYER.

Office Study. — At Cambridge University. — First Partnership. — Removal to Cincinnati. — Meagre Practice. — Effect of his ]\Iarriage. — Ciucinuati Literary Club. — Hon. Stanley Mathews . 67

CHAPTER Vin.

HIS FIKST OFFICE.

Increase of Legal Business. — His Part in Discussions and Recitations. — The Summons Murder Case. — Hon. Thomas Ewing's Opinion. — Election by City Coiincil. — Election by the People.

— Increasing Desire for Work 66

CHAPTER IX.

THE BEGINNING OF THE REBELLION.

Determination to enlist. — The Burnett Rifles. — Hayes's Opinion of the War. — Campaign in West Virginia. —Resignation of Lieut. -Col. Mathews. — Promotion of Major Hayes. — Military Expeditions. — Placed in Command of the Twenty-third Ohio.

— Raid on Princeton 69

CHAPTER X.

HAYES IN VIRGINIA.

First Trial in Manceuvring Troops under Fire. — Attacked by Superior Numbers. — Fighting and Retreating. — Long Marches. — Commissioned as Colonel. — His Attachment to his Old Command. — Arrival at Washington. — March into Maryland . . 77

CHAPTER XI.

BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN.

View of Catoctin Valley. — Appearance of the Army. — The Order to advance — The Skirmish Line. — The Discharge of Grape and Canister. — Col. Hayes wounded. — Regiment under Major Comley. — Return to the Field of Col. Hayes. — Charges by the Twenty-third Ohio 82

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XII.

WOUNDS AND PllOMOTION. PAGE.

Effect of his ^ound at South Mountain. — Searcli for him hy his Wife. — Promoted to be Colonel of the Twenty-third. — Placed in Command of the Kanawha Division. — Prevents Morgan's Escape from Ohio. — A Quiet Year of Camp Life ... 93

CHAPTER XIII.

BATTLE OF CLOYD MOUNTAIN.

March up the Kanawha. —Approach to Cloyd Mountain. —Hayes's Charge across the ISIeadow. — The Contest at the Fortifications. — Capture of Guns. —Death of the Confederate General.— Destruction of the Railroad. — Long and Dangerous March. — Arrival at Staunton, Va 100

CHAPTER XIV.

THE ATTACK ON LYNCHBURG.

The First Day's March. — Approach to Lynchburg. — The Appearance of the Enemy.— The Night Retreat. —The Heroism of Hayes's Brigade. — The Hardships of the March. — Hayes's Defence of Buford's Gap. — Surrounded by the Rebels.- Diary of an Officer 105

CHAPTER XV.

SHENANDOAH CAMPAIGN.

Fight with Early. — Col. Hayes covers Another Retreat. — Sheridan's Choice of the Kanawha Division. —Daring Attacks upon Early's Lines. — Capture of Prisoners. — Battle at Berry ville. — Gen. Grant says, "Go in." — Opening of the Battle of Winchester. — Charge of Hayes's Brigade. —Heroic Conduct of Col. Hayes. — Defeat of Early. — Col. Hayes's Charge. — The Enemy's Flank at North Mountain 110

CHAPTER XVI.

SHENANDOAH CAMPAIGN.

Battle of Cedar Creek. — Early's Night March. — Defeat of Thorburn's Brigade. — Retreat of Hayes's Troops. — Col. Hayes's Soldierly Bearing. — Col. Hayes saves Sheridan's Train. —Supposed Death of Col. Hayes. — Approach of Sheridan. — Early's Defeat. — Hayes's Promotions. — His Military Character . . 120

14 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVII.

BEGINNING OF POLITICAL LIFE. PAGE.

Hayes's Attachinent to the Whigs. — His Admiration for Daniel Webster. —The First Freesoil Clnb in Cincinnati. —Hayes in the Antislavery Convention. — Refuses Nominations. — Estimation of him in Cincinnati. — His Resolutions at the Grand TJuionMeeting.— His Support of Lincoln's Administration . 129

CHAPTER XVIII.

NOMINATION FOR CONGRESS.

Gen. Hayes partially consents t/i he a Candidate. — The Forces to

be overcome. —The Campaign of 18r,4. — The Popular Esteem

for Gen. Hayes. —His Famous Letter. —His Characteristic

Eeply to Judge Johnson. — Resolutions of the Ohio Soldiers.

— Fh-st Mention of him for Governor 133

CHAPTER XIX.

IN CONGRESS.

The Honor connected with his Election. — Opinions of his Ability.

— His Silence in the House of Representatives. — Placed on Unimportant Committees. —His Growing Influence. — Description of him as he then appeared. — His Reception on his Return Home 138

CHAPTER XX.

SPEECH ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. Gen. Hayes's First Political Canvass. — The Issues of ISGO.- His Diflidence in Public. —Speech on the Constitutional Amendments. — The Rebel Plan of Reconstruction. —The Union Plan.

— Johnson's Plan.— The Safe Method 145

CHAPTER XXI.

GOVERNOR OF OHIO.

Nomination for Governor. — His Leadership of a Forlorn Hope.

— The Word "White." — Makes Eighty-one Speeches. — His Election. — The Lil)eral Movement of 1872. — Hayes defeated.

— His Retirement from Public Life 181

CHAPTER XXII.

POLITICAL TEXTS.

Expressions by Gen. Hayes. —His Political Creed. —The Motives * of his Life. — The Principles by which he has been governed. — The Safeguards of the Nation 185

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXIII.

GEN. HAYES'S HOME. PAGE.

Death of Sardis Birchard. — Gen. Hayes becomes his Heir. — Description of the Estate he left.— Its Occnpancy by Gen. Hayes.— Its Simplicity and Cleanliness. — Gen. Hayes purposes to remain upon it, and avoid Political Promotion. - His Speech at a Pteception in Fremont 190

CHAPTER XXIV.

Called acain to lead his Party. — His Snpport of Judge Taft. — His Ileluctant Consent to be a Candidate for Governor. — His Great Speech at Marion. — Hard Money. —The School Question.— Catholic Voters. -Triumphant Election. . . 202

CHAPTER XXV.

EXTRACTS FROM GEN. HAYES'S SPEECHES. Keconstruction. —Paying National Debt in Greenbacks. — Issue of Bonds. — The History of Parties. — Negro Suffrage. — The Word " White." — Equality before the Law. — Administration of State Affairs. — Dedication of Fountain. — Dedication of a Soldier's Monument, &c

CHAPTER XXVI.

NOMINATION FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

Nominated by the Pvepublican Convention. — Unexpected Honor. — His Previous Conversation on the Subject. —His Reception of tlie News. — His Letter of Acceptance. —Civil Service.— Currency. — Public Schools. — Relations between the North andSouth.— Closing Remarks

WILLIAM A. WHEELER.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE.

Place of Birth. —Traits of his Boyhood. —Attendance on the Common School. — Course at the Franklin Academy. —Goes to the Universitv of Vermont. — Undertakes the Study of Law. — First Years of Law Practice. — Elected District Attorney. —

• Chosen to tlie State Legislature. —First Term in Congress. — President of tlip New York State Constitutional Convention .

16 CONTENTS.

Chapter II

OFFICIAL LIFE. PAGE.

Elected to Congress. — Influence in tlie Hottse of Eepresentatives. — Mentioned for the Office of President. — His Life in Washington. — Sends liis Back Pay in 1873 to the United States Treasury. — Nominated for Vice-President. — Letter of Acceptance . S19

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of Governor Hayes frontispiece.

Birthplace of Gov. R. B. Hayes . page 25

Capitol at Washington 143

Private Residence of E. B. Hayes, Fremont, 201

State Capitol of Ohio . 229

The White House .* . 301

Portrait of Plon. William A. Wheeler opp. p. 311

Introduction

To record the acts of a man wliose success attracts the attention of an entire nation, and to place in a convenient and permanent form a history of his acts, and tlie acts of others whicli influenced his life, is both a pleasure and a duty. It is pleasant to trace from step to step the rise of a great man, and interesting to note how strangely, yet systematically, events are made to combine in producing such a man at a certain time. There is nothing in life more convincing of an overriding Power, nor more clearly demonstrating the theory that the good is inspired, and the evil overruled, by some Personality having a mighty purpose, than the lives of America's great men.

The biography of our presidents presents to the superficial reader nothing but the fact that men have been selected from various classes of society, from noble and ignoble stock, as if by accident, to conduct the affairs of a chief executive. Wealth or poverty, ancestry or locality, as independent facts appear to have had no influence. Yet there is. a clearly defined plan; and to trace the \rorkings of Providence, and discover the a 17

18 INTEODLTCTION.

system whicli developed these men in tlieir different spheres, is an elevating and instructive exercise. It becomes, therefore, a clear, unmistakable duty to write the biography of such men in order that the people may understand the dealings of God with men, and profit by the example which is thus set before them.

There have been many popular theories upon this subject, which time and experience have served to dispel, not, however, until after each pet idea had been so far accepted and acted upon as to do the nation a vast amount of substantial ' good.

Once it was thought that none but a soldier could reasonably aspire to be president. But the election of John Adams, James Madison, John Quincy Adams, and Martin Van Buren, wholly overthrew that theory. Then it was thought that only such men as were wealthy enough in their boyhood to pursue the highest branches of learning could hope to be chief magistrate. But the choice of Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk overthrew that idea. Again : it was said and taught, that a man should have been born poor, and sholild have been compelled to battle hard with poverty and enemies, before he could be fitted for the presidential chair. The election of Franldin Pierce and James Buchanan destroyed that argument. When Andrew Jackson was chosen for president, every ambitious politician cursed the fate which permitted the existence of only one " Old Hickory." When Van Buren came into the White House, they wondered why it had never

INTRODUCTION. 19

occiirred to them to get a polished education, and studypolitical economy all their youthful days; when William Henry Harrison was president, they selected the medical profession for their children; when Zachary Taylor stood at the head of the nation, they desired nothing so much as to fight INIexicans and Indians ; and, Avhen Abraham Lincoln held the coveted place, they regretted that they were not brought up on a flatboat, and had been given no opportunity to win high honor b}' splitting rails, or building log cabins.

But a study of the lives of our presidents, now that the number is large enough to form a basis from which to draw conclusions, will clearly demonstrate that no rank of birth, no station or profession, no creed or genius, ai-e certain to receive preference in political selections. So far beyond human calculation are the events of each four years, it has become to be an old saying, that " to be talked about beforehand as a candidate for the presidency is to be certain of defeat." It appears to be an office to which it is useless to aspire. The surest way to obtain that prize is to attend to one's own business, whatever it may be, faithfully and honestly. The occasion seeks the man in a nation where " the voice of the people is the voice of God," and as we cannot tell what will be the needs of the nation four years ahead, nor foretell the emergencies which may arise, neither can we tell who, or what manner of man, will be called upon to guide the ship of state. However, some broad principles remain fixed. Certain

20 INTEODUCTIOIT.

qualities a man must not lack, if he would be exalted in an enlightened republic. He must be honest; he must be just; he must be patriotic. The more these qualities are eulogized, and the more these prerequisites are impressed upon the peof)le, the more stable will be both our government and our communities. To set before the public the life of one in whom these qualities combine is the solemn duty of every writer to whom an overruling Providence offers the opportunity; and in that spirit has tliis work been undertaken. Men are not prophets, and cannot foretell the results of such a complicated matter as a man's life ; but, after it has been set before them, they can study the relation of cause and effect as therein exhibited, and, recognizing the leadership of a superhuman mind, they will emulate those qualities which have won favor from Him who laioweth all things. In these pages we set before you a life worthy of imitation. Men and women will be made wiser and better by its perusal, and we enter upon it with joy.

IIFE or EUTHEEFOED B. HAYES.

CHAPTER I.

GEN. HAYES'S NATIVE TOWN.

Early Settlement. — Growth of the Town. — Gen. Hayes's Father. — Characteristics of the People. — "Wesleyan College. — The Birthplace of Gen. Hayes. — Description of the House.

In the town of Delaware, situated in tlie central part of the State of Ohio, was born the subject of this biographical sketch. The town is located on the western bank of the Oleutangy River, a muddy tributary of the still more muddy Scioto, the latter being a small branch of the Ohio River. The location of the village appears to have been chosen by the earliest settlers, as it had been before them by the Delaware Indians, because of the exceeding fertility of several hundred acres of land in the immediate vicinity. It is possible that the idea of securing a water-power sufficient for manufacturing purposes may also have had its weight with the New England emigrants who built their cabins there. But the shght fall in the river was not brought into extensive use until many years after the settlement began. The country in the vicinity is somewhat rolHng, and quite thickly wooded, furnishing excellent farming-lands, and beautiful sites for private residences. The town, though now boasting wide streets, long brick blocks, fashionable mansions, suspension-bridges, railways, newspapers, and colleges, was, at the time of which we desire to speak, but a diminutive hamlet of Western log-huts, with here and there a brick or stone dwelling, which, in the absence of saw-mills, was more easily constructed than those of wood. It had in 1817 about four hundred inhabitants, nearly all of whom were natives of New England. The first settler was a Mr. Bixby from the Berkshire hills of Massachusetts, who soon gathered neighbors from Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachusetts. These settlers carried with them moro or less capital, and, what has more to do with this biography than money, they neglected not to take also with them their New England enterprise, energ}^, and integrity. Their schoolhouse, church, and courthouse was one and the same building in the earliest years, although it was soon found, that, practically as well as theoretically, a school and a criminal oourt could not long exist together. Like many other village^ of Ohio, Delaware was an Eastern village set down in the wilderness. All the people attended church on the sabbath ; every family sent their children to school ; and there was industry, frugality, and sociability.

The spu'it of speculation and land-gambling, which

GEN. HAYES's NATIVE TOWN. 23

has ruined many men, and doomed a great number of Western towns and cities, never found its way into that quiet retreat. Corner-lots were never held for a premium, and the people obtained all that they did get of money or wealth, either by inheritance from their parents in the East, or by continual and vigorous toil. Once it was said by scientific men, that Delaware had a bed of silver ore, and many of the oldest inhabitants believe it still ; yet so regular have the people been in their habits, and so disinclined to believe in sudden riches, that they have never investigated the story.

Once, however, the habitual calm of the community was ruffled by the prospect that Delaware was to be a fashionable watering-place ; and a noble mansion was constructed on a beautiful hill out of the side of which flowed one of the brightest and most musical of all sulphur-springs. It was an excusable fallacy, and had the West been less healthy, or the people less modest, the enterprise could not have failed; for the medicinal qualities of the water, and the charming nature of the surroundings, were established beyond question.

But the invalids did not come, and the watering-place project was a failure : so the people afterwards purchased the whole property, and gave it to the Ohio Wesleyan Seminary and Female College corporation, thus characteristically founding and endowing that which is now one of the most influential collegiate institutions of the State.

The growth of the village was somewhat remarkable in view of the lack of manufacturing and commercial interests. The statement of that old settler must be true, who said, that " they cared more for good neighbors than they did about getting rich." The first house was built 1802 ; and it was without near neighbors for some years. Yet when Rutherford Hayes, the father of Rutherford B. Hayes, moved his family there in 1817, it was a flourishing village, having nearly all the conveniences that characterized a country town in his native Vermont. They had log-huts, bad roads, many Indians, and the fever and ague ; but they were not without preaching, sabbath schools, prayer-meetings, day schools, and debating societies. Even the singing-master was there ; and some of the old people speak with enthusiasm of the singing-schools, which Mr. Hayes himself liberally supported,- and where the young people sang some, and courted more, very much as they do, and have done, in New England from time immemorial.

Hence, as much as our readers may desire it, and as closely as we may scrutinize it, the home of Rutherford B. Hayes at the time of his birth in 1822, and through the five years of his parents' residence in Delaware previous to his birth, had nothing very strange or wonderful about it. It was like the man of whom we write, industrious, quiet, and modest.

The house which Rutherford Hayes built, and in which Gen. Hayes was born, is still standing on Williams Street, near Sandusky Street ; and though other

GEN. HAYES S NATIVE TOWN.

buildings have somewhat crowded it, and some changes have been made in the front-walls, it has the same outline and material with which it was at first constructed. The front or main part is built of brick, two stories high, with a pitched roof, and stands with the side toward the street. The front-door w^is in the middle of the front-wall, with a room upon each side. There wei'c

BIRTHPLACE OF GOV. R. B. HAYES.

[From a photograph by Beach & Bodurtha, Delaware, O.]

four ordinary frame-windows in the first storj-, — two each side of the front-door, — and five windows in the front of the second story. The roof is shingled ; and the log L, or addition at the back-side, is neatly covered with clapboards. The brick part of the house is about twenty feet by thirty feet, and the log L about fifteen feet by thirty feet ; the latter having had formerly a porch along the whole side, at the farther end of which

26 LIFE OF KUTHERFOKD B. HAYES.

was the well. Since the Hayes family left it, the house has been sold, and the brick front has been changed into a store by tearing out the partitions between the frontrooms and the front-hall, and by uniting the two frontwindows on either side of the front-door, so as to make two show-windows. The store is now occupied by a dealer in furniture ; and, until recent events called it to mind, the people had forgotten that a family by the name of Hayes ever lived there. ^

CHAPTER II.

GEN. HAYES'S ANCESTORS.

The Ancestry of tlie Hayes and Rutherford Families. — The Nobility.

— The Coat-of-Arms. — The Settlement in Connecticut. — Removal to Vermont, —nntherford Hayes of Brattleboro'. — His Early Life.

— Sophia Bircaard.

The Hayes family cculd boast a long line of honora- Me ancestry, if it ciiose to do so ; but it appears to have taken but little or no interest in the matter. That branch of the family which includes Gen. Hayes can be traced, it is said, back as far as 1280, when Hayes and Rutherford were two Scottish chieftains, fighting side by side with Baliol, William Wallace, and Robert Bruce. Both families wer3 numbered among the nobility, owning extsnsi/e estates, and having a large number of followers. The Hayes family, in its prosperous days, before any of its descendants ever visited this country, and before the intermarriage with the Rutherfordo, had for a coat-of-arms a shield, barred and surmounted by an eagle in the act of flying. There was a circle of stars about the eagle, and above the shield; while on a scroll underneath the shield was painted the motto, " Recte." Some antiquarians

28 LIFE OF BUTHEKFOED B. HAYES.

describe the coat-of-arms as having alternate bars of silver and red on the shield ; while others claim that the colors were white and blue. But, whatever may have been the shape or the color, no one but curious antiquarians would care to know ; and the least interested searcher of all would be Gen. Hayes himself. There is no pride of ancestry to be found in his character : and, in fact, it is doubtful if he ever took the pains to ascertain whether his progenitors had either nobility or a coat-of-arms ; for he looks upon life very much from the standard of Robert Burns ; —