Hand in hand through the happy valley , page 27
by Mrs. J.A. Oertel.
Published 1881 by Church Charity Foundation in Brooklyn,
“Perhaps the best account that could be given of his life is contained in the epitaph upon his tombstone. This is more elaborate than his family would have wished, but the stone was ordered from the eastern part of the State, as such a thing could not, of course, be obtained in the mountains, and the matter of the inscription was left to some of his friends, his associates in public life. This is their estimate of him, and their tribute to his memory.

HERE LIES
All that is mortal of
WILLIAM LENOIR
Born, May 8th, 1751
Died, May 6th, 1839
“In the times that tried men’s souls he was a genuine Whig.
“ As a lieutenant under Rutherford and Williams, in 1776, and as a captain under Cleaveland at King’s Mountain, he proved himself a brave soldier. Although a native of another State, yet North Carolina was proud of him as her adopted son. In her service he filled the several offices of Major-General of the Militia, President of the Council of State, member of both houses of the Legislature, Speaker of the Senate, First President of the Board of Trustees of the University, and for 60 years Justice of the Peace, and Chairman of the Court of Common Pleas. In all these high public trusts he was found faithful. In private life he was no less distinguished as an affectionate husband, a kind father and a warm-hearted-friend. The traveller will long remember his hospitality, and the poor bless him as their benefactor. Of such a man it may truly be said that his highest eulogy is the record of his deeds.” “