Wilma Frances Minor letters

[RJNorton]

The only reason I recall seeing for the name change was in a letter from Robert Rutledge to Herndon written on November 1, 1866. Rutledge wrote:

"In 1830, my sister being then but seventeen years of age, a stranger calling himself John McNeil came to New Salem. He boarded with Mr. Cameron and was keeping a store with a Samuel Hill. A friendship grew up between McNeil and Ann which ripened apace and resulted in an engagement to marry. McNeil's real name was McNamar. It seems that his father had failed in business, and his son, a very young man, had determined to make a fortune, pay off his father's debts and restore him to his former social and financial standing. With this view he left his home clandestinely, and in order to avoid pursuit by his parents changed his name. His conduct was strictly hightoned, honest, and moral, and his object, whatever any may think of the deception which he practiced in changing his name, entirely praiseworthy."