Monument: 7 more things to know about John Breckinridge Castleman

1. Thomas Jefferson's mother was the sister of John B. Castleman's great-grandmother, Susanna Randolph.
   
   

   

   Mary Hopkins Cabell Breckinridge
   "Grandma Black Cap"
2. When visiting with Mary Hopkins Cabell Breckinridge he would often hear her talk about her late husband John Breckinridge. Very often did he hear her say: "My son, 'twas in this office that my husband would write to Tom Jefferson and to his other friends and it was here that my husband wrote the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798."
   
   

   

   Honorable Robert Letcher
   15th Governor of Kentucky

3. In 1853, John B. Castleman attended a political debate at a small Indian fort at Cabell's Dale. The debate was between John Cabell Breckinridge and the Honorable Ronald Letcher, Governor of Kentucky.
   
   "I understood little of the controversy between the Whigs and the Democrats, but was impressed by the enthusiasm of the great crowd and by the wonderful voice and graceful manner of Major Breckinridge.
   
   From miles around a great throng of people came to listen to the debate. Interest in young Breckinridge was remarkable, and to me everyone seemed to favor and to cheer him. When the debate was finished, he held me by the hand, and together we walked through the multitude.
4. In 1857, as a 16-year-old boy, he entered his horse "Lightfoot" into the exhibition at the United States Fair.  There were thirty-five exhibitors in this "Saddle Class." He won first prize, a blue-ribbon, and a check.
   
   

   

   Abraham Lincoln
5. John B. Castleman said he "owed his life" to Abraham Lincoln.
   
   General Castleman wrote, "Abraham Lincoln was tolerant and tactful, and unflinching. It is of small public interest that the writer owes his life to this great man. This will be mentioned further on, and is of no importance other than as exemplification of the greatness of Lincoln in dealing always with the smallest detail which involved the welfare of individuals, even midst tremendous public responsibilities."
6. His father's first wife, Mary Breckinridge Castleman died in 1816. Her brother was Dr. Robert J. Breckinridge, was a staunch Unionist and Presbyterian preacher.
   
   During the Civil War, Kentucky Presbyterian minister Robert J. Breckinridge was an important advisor to President Abraham Lincoln.
   
   John B. Castleman wrote:
   "Dr. Robert J. Breckinridge was, in his day, recognized and designated as "The Napoleon of the Pulpit." Whenever it was known that he was to preach, no church where this gifted orator and intense controversialist spoke could hold the crowds that sought to listen to his persuasive eloquence. In after years this able and many-sided man presided as temporary chairman over the National Republican Convention that met in Baltimore in 1864 and nominated Abraham Lincoln for a second term.
   
   
   
   
7. In November 1864, Samuel Breckinridge made a visit to President Abraham Lincoln on behalf of John Breckinridge Castleman. At the meeting Lincoln gave Samuel a letter to be used in an emergency if needed.
   
   
   
   Nov. 29. 1864, Abraham Lincoln to Alvin P. Hovey
   
   "Executive Mansion, Washington, November 29, 1864.
   Major General Hovey, or Whomsoever may have charge:
   Whenever John B. Castleman shall be tried, if convicted and sentenced, suspend execution until further order from me, and send me the record.
   
   A. LINCOLN."

Major General Alvin P. Hovey

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