Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/310

 306 HENDERSON. have heard the shots fired in an engagement that took place there in the year 1690; she likewise remembered carrying the victuals, &c. to the masons and carpenters who built Cullybackey meeting-house in 1727, being then forty-five years of age. - . . . She was not married till she had reached a period o f old maidenism, consequently had n o children, and enjoyed a continued state o f good health until a few days prior t o her decease, which occurred o n the 18th o f April, 1808. JOHN HENDERSON. Of this much celebrated young man, whose extraordinary acquirements attracted the notice, and even commanded the respect o f Dr. Johnson, several accounts have been published, abounding with eulogium. By many h e has been supposed t o emulate the variety and extent o f know ledge possessed b y the admirable Creichton, and, like that highly-gifted character, h e has left but little o n which pos terity may form a judgment regarding the truth o f those praises which have s o liberally been bestowed upon him. He was born o f pious and respectable parents o n the 27th o f March, 1757, a t Bellegarance, near Limerick, and received his education among the methodists. At the early age o f eight years, h e was s o well versed i n the Latin language, a s t o b e able t o teach i t a t the school o f Kingswood, i n Gloucestershire, from whence h e was removed t o the newly instituted college erected b y Lady Huntingdon, a t Trewecca, i n South Wales; which, after a residence o f several years, h e quitted, t o assist i n the management o f a school a t Hanham. The shortness of the distance between Hanham and Bristol was o f great service t o young Henderson, a s i t enabled him t o gratify that thirst for information which h e possessed i n s o eminent a degree, by introducing him t o the intimacy o f several men o f the greatest talents and piety i n that city. Indeed, his extensive and general knowledge, and his innate worth, were such a s t o ren