Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-04-11
DOMESTIC.
From the Political Arena.
RIOGR PHX

! The following auto-bog raphy Of the late Judge
Pendeton, al this State, Is now, for the first time,
presented TO the public. II is most interesting
and valuable relic. 1t holds out bright lesson,
ana affords most encouraging example 10
tive genius, industry, perseverance and virtue
Ii breathes spirit of piety and humility, which
IS most admirable. In q popular government like
our own such examples ought to be cherished
Let the young aspirants for public homes and pre-
terment, read this biography, and fo~Jw in his
slow, steady, useful and brilliant course. To all
such, ii is most earnestly dedicated. The writer of
these few predatory remarks saw him once, only
a few months before his death in 1905, and he
hnds renewed on his memory those feelings of res
pect, reverence, and gratitude, npired ~ his ve-
nerable appearance, and the associations of his
eminent public services He died at the advan-
ced age OF 81 years, in the full enjoyment of his
mental faculties. and almost literally in the dis
charge OF his judicial duties.
Twas born Sept. ,,,l72l: my father died some
time before. In Feb. 1915 l was bound APP
prentice TO Col. Benjamin Robinson, Clerk of
Caroline Court In 1897, l was made Clerk of
the veslry OF st. Mary's Parish in Caroline; with
the profits purchased a few books, and read
them very diligently. In 1910, | was made
Clerk of Caroline Court Martial. In April, I74I,
with my masters consent, was licenced to prac-
tice the Law, as Attorney, being strictly ex-
anined by Mr.. Barradall Jan. q, III, was
married to Betty, daughter of MY John Roy, a.
S1inst Iay friends consent, as also my masters
who, nevertheless, still continued his affection to
me. My wife died Nov. II, 1912. l was mar
ried second time, the 10th of Jan. l745, to Sa-
raii, the daughter OF MIR. Joseph Pollard, who
was bonn the 4th day OF May 1925. i practised
my profession with great appreciation and success
more from my own good fortune, and the kind di-
rectIon OF providence, than my own merit and in
October, 1745, my reputation atthe County Courts
prompted 10 make an effort at the General Court,
IN which continued, till IVA, when the dispute
with Great Britain. commenced In p oY 1851,
was sworn Justice Of the Peace for Caroline,
and continued TO Nov l777. In Jan. 1852, was
elected a Burgess FOR Do. i was continued one
OF the representatives of Ca oline without inter
rnption until l773, at which time l presided in
Caroline Court, and was county Lieutenant. In
June oil that year, news arrived OF tile inhncal
designs OF Parliament against the town of Boston;
on which account the Assembly voted fast and
were dissolved by the Government. a number
I OF members stayed in Williamsburg 10 keep the
! last, wien news arrived OF the Boston Port Bill,
when they collected and recommended to the peo-
I pie TO choose members for Convention, 10 meet
! IN August. was chosen member TO that con-
| vention, who voted the utility of General Con-
GresS OF the States 10 meet in Phiade pia the first
/ OF Sept. l was chosen, and attended that Con-
| gress, and second in May, I773. In Aug. l775,
was appointed President OF the Committee of
Safety, and in Dec. following, President Of the
Convention, on the death OF MIR. Randolph and re-
chosen President OF the new one III May, l776.-
| In Oct. 1I7G, was elected 10 the chair OF the
! blouse OF Delegates who under the new Com
stItuti5r Ia March, I777, by fail from horse,
! had my mp dislocaed and have been unable 10
( walk ci,sincc, except on Clutches however the
good people Of Caroline tie next month chose me
a delegate, in hopes of my recovery; but could
not attend In May session, and another speaker
was appointed; iii which, however, was highly
honored, by all the candidates having promised to
resign the chair, when l should come ! attend
ed, on crutches, in the October session. but meant
then 10 take leave OF all public BUSINESS and re
turn: but the General Court and Court of Cham
Gerry being established, prevailed on by
some worthy members consent 10 be nom
mated az Chancery Judge, IN which ] was e.
! lected to the Presidency; and the whole 8 by an
| unanimous vote. N 1873, when the Court of
| Appeals organized, and made to consist OF
! the Judges OF the General Court, Chancery and
Admiralty, the Cbaneellors were 10 have the first
| rank, and of course presided in that Court. In
| 1888, when new arrangement was made of the
Superior Courts and that Of Appeals 10 consist of
separate Judges, retained my rank in that Court,
aud may be considered as having been now 10
years at the head OF the Judiciary Department.
! In 1873, when State Convention was TO meet to
consider of proposed plan OF federal Govern
ment and all the officers Of the Stale made egi-
bic, my good old friends in Caroline again called
me to their representation III Convention and that
respectable body TO preside them, indulging
rue with sitting in all my official duties, usually
| performed standing. Thus without any classical
| educaton--without patrimony--without what is
called the influence Of Family Connection, and
without solicitation, have attained the highest Of
! fees OF my Country,
traordnary instance, and pathcIcally exclaimed,
. Not unto me. not unto me, Lord, but unto thy
name, be the praise" In his providence He was
! pleased TO bestow docIie and unassuming
rnind, retentive memory, iondness for reading,
clear head, and upright heart, with calm tenn
per, benevolent to all; though particular in friend
! ship with but few: And il had uncommon merit
in public business, il that of superior diligence
and attention. Under the Regal Government
| was Wing in Notwithstanding il as design
ed for the good oil society, and not Tor the agrran-
dzement of It's officers; and influenced in my ie-
gslativc and judicial character by that principle
! When the dispute with Britain began, redress OIL
grievances, and not revolution of government was
my wish: in this 1 was firm, but temperate; and
whilst was endeavoring TO raise the spirits OF the
timid to a general united opposition, by stating to
the uniformed the real merits OF the dispute,
opposed and endeavorcd to moderate the violent
aud fiery, who were for plungng us into rash
measures, and had the happiness find a majority
Of ali the public bodies confirming my sentiments
which, believe, was the corner stone @ our sue.
cess. Although so long, and % so high degree
experienced the favor Of ms country I had al
ways some enemies; few indeed, and I had the
consolation 70 believe that their cn,nity was IN
provoked, as ! was ever unable TO guess the cause
unless it was my refusing 10 60 lengths with them
'''' "- NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Juy 20, 1893.
JACKSON'S BIRTHDAY.
MCRrREEsBoRouGH March 2O.---Pursu-
ant 10 arrangements made by public mcefnri