Benjamin Helm BRISTOW, HON.

                   SOURCES:  1. This family group sheet compiled by Marion Grace Jewell
                Nicholls of Gilbert, AZ
            2. IGI-Kentucky-Batch A455181 (p.0799) Marriage Records.
            3. Book #RG975.5/Gen., "Genealogies of Virginia Families,"
               Vol.#5 [R-z],(p.319)
            4. Virginia Magazine of History and Biography
            5. FHL Book #929.273/B776b, "Bristow - Douglass", by Julia J.
               Bristow (p.22)
            6. Book #929.20976/Gen., "Genealogies of Kentucky Families,"
               Filson Club History Quarterly, (P.80-83). Leesburg Public
               Library, Lessburg, Flordia
            7. 1997 Ordinance Index
            8. 1998 Ancestral File

NOTES: 1. He was Solicitor General of the United States, Secretary of the
            Treasury in the Cabinet of President Grant &, a prominent candidate
            for the Presidency in 1867.
            He studied law in his father's office and on 15 Feb 1854, he was
            admitted to Kentucky Bar.  The War came in 1861.  His wife's Uncle
            and guardian - George Miles threatened disinheritance if he joined
            the army.  His reply to George Miles threat of disinheriting him
            was, "I will not sell my country for gold and silver, you may take
            your property and go to Hell." "Then with a stout horse and man-
            servant, he rode off to war." He was a gallant and distinguished
            soldier. While serving the Union he was offered a promotion to
            Brigadier - General (he refused it). "Just before he was discharged
            from the Union Army he was, without his knowledge, elected to the
            State Senate of Kentucky"..."Later, when he became an assistant U.S.
            attorney for Kentucky and then, the first Solicitor General of the
            U.S. he work indegatigably to secure civil rights for former slaves."
            President Grant had Benjamin Helm Bristow in mind for a number of
            different positions, including a Supreme Court appointment and the
            cabinet post of Attorney-General. However in 1874, he appointed him
            Sec. of the Treasury.
            "He (the President) wanted a hard-money man, and he was in need of
            a secretary with an undoubted reputation for integrity." His new
            appointee was qualified in both respects in the first, he lived up
            to President expectations; in the second, he exceeded them. As a
            result of his investigation of the "Whisky Ring" 253 persons were
            indicated and the U.S. Government recovered more than 3 million
            dollars annually in Liquor taxes.
            "Relations between Sec. and Treasury and the President became
            strained and the former submitted his resignation which the Pres.
            (refused to accept)." Rumors that Benjamin Helm Bristow was am-
            bitious to succeed to the President were never verified, not even
            when he became a leading contender for the Presidential Nomination
            in 1876.
            "After Rutherford B. Hayes became President, he offered Benjamin
            Helm Bristow - the ambassadorship to the Court of St. James, which
            he refused.  He retired from public life, although he continued to
            be an advisor to Presidents, both Democrat and Republican, on
            monetary & fiscal matters and established a lucrative law practice
            in New York."
            "His personal and family life was exemplary and elegant --- He
            Maintained an active social life."

          2. "Accustomed to good things of life, he purchased ex-
            quisite jewelry from Tiffany's for his wife, imported finest wines
            from France, and smoked excellent cigars from Havana.  His table
            was graced with finest foods and delicacies.  The Bristow home was
            constantly the center of small entertainment, where gather both
            great and small.  he was always generous in his contributions to
            charity, supporting religious organizations, veterens homes (both
            Union and Confederate), colleges and other needy institutions."
         3. Benjamin Bristow was a distinguished lawyer of Louisville, afterwards
           New York.
         4. Child: William, a lawyer of New York City.
         5. Child: Nannie, well educated- Conn. & in Neville, France married
           wealthy textile manufacturer who became a governor.