Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-04-03

BIOGRAPHY.

Judge Fenuletons u TINS State is now for the
hfst time, presented to the public. IL 10 most
Interesting aad valuable relic. 1t holds out a
bngh, lesson, aud affords most encouraging
example to native genius, industry. persever.
aace and virtue. II bresthes spirit of piety
ADD homuisy, which Is most sdmirable. IN a
popular government IKE our own, such exam
pies ought to be cherished. Let the young
asPIrants for public hoaors and preferment. read
ms biography, and follow on N his slow, stea-
dy, useful, and brilliant course. To all such.
It 70 most earnestly dedicated. The writer OF
nese lew PREDATORY remarks saw him once, only
sfew months before ais death, IN 1905. and he
nnds renewed on hrs memory those feelings of
aspect, reverence, and gratitude, inspired by
ms venerable appearance, and the associations
OF ms eminent public services. He died at
the advanced age of 81 years, IN the full en-
Joyments uf his mental faculties, and almost
literally ia the discharge Of h,s judicial duties.
Twas born sept. 9, 1871: my father
died somehme before la Feb. 1854 5
Twas bound apprentice To Col Benjamn
Robinson, Clerk of Caroline Court. 10
1897, was made Clerk of the vestry
OF ST Mary's Parish IN Caroline; with
the profits purchased few book, and
read them very diligently. In l74o, l
was made Clerk OF Caroline court tlar
tlaL In April i74l, with my masters
consent, was licenced to practice the
Law, as an Attorney, being strictly ex
amined by Mr.. Barradall Jan IL, t74I,
was married to Betty, daughter OF M
John Roy, against my friends consent,
as also my masters, who, nevertheless,
still continued his affection to me. My
wife died Nov IL, l749 | was marrl
ed second time, the 10th OF Jan HAS
to Sarah, the daughter of Mr.. Joseph
Pollard, who was born the 4th day of
Nay, I725. | practiced my profession
with great appreciation and success,
more from my own good fortune, and
the kind direction of providence, than
my own merit; and in October, 174s
my reputation at the County Courts
prompted me to make An effort at the
General Court, in which continued,
till i774, when the dispute with Great
Britain commenced liz Nov 1851, 4
was sworn Justice OF the Peace for Ca
roline, and continued to Nov l777 In
Jan. 1852, was elected Burgess for
DO. was continued one of the repre-
sentallves OF Caroline without interrup.
ton until l774. at aE:ch time presided
ia Caroline Court, and was County
lieutenant In June OF that year, news
arrived OF the inlmical designs of Parha.
ment against the town Of Boston; on
which account the Assembi, voted a
fast and were dissolved by the Govern.
meat. A number Of members stay ed in
Williamsburg to keep the fast, when
news arrived of the Boston Port Bill,
when they collected and recommended
to the people to choose members for
Convention, TO meet in August WAS
chosen member to that convention,
who voted the utility of a General Con
gress OF the States TO meet in Pnlladel
phia the first of Sept Twas chosen, and
attended that Congress, and second in
May, 1875 In Aug i775, was ap,
pointed President OF the Committee of
Safety, and in Dec. following, President
OF the Convention, on the death of Mr..
Randolph, and re chosen President Of
the new one in May, 1875 Ia Oct. I776,
| was elected to the chair of the House
Of Delegates who sat under the new
CONSTITUTIONAL March, 1871, by fall
from horse, had my hip dislocated
and have been unable to walk ever
since, except on crutches: however the
good people OF Caroline the next month
chose ne a delegate. in hopes of my
recovery; but could not attend in May
session, and another speaker was ap
pointed. 10 which. however, | was high
y honored, by all the candidates having
promised TO resign the chair, when /
should come | attended, on crutches,
IN the October session, but meant then
to take leave Of all public business and
return: But the General Court aud
Court of Chancery being established, I
was prevailed on by some worthy mem
bers to consent to be nominated as
Chaocery Judge, in which was elected
to the Presidency; and the whole by
an unanimous vote. Ia 1879, when the
Court of Appeals was organized. and
made to consist of the Judges of the
General Court. Chancery and Admiral
ty, the ChanceIlors were to have The
frst rank, and Of course presided in
that Court. In 1888. when a new ar
rangement was made of the Superior
Courts, and that of Appeals tn consist