South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-08-29

John stood close TO the bedside OF his
dying master. The -four witnesses, 10
wit: Edmund Badger, DR.. Francis
West, my son, DR.. Isaac Parrish, and
myself, we're placed 10 semi-circle, in
fui! view.
l, was evidently an awfully interest
ing moment to the patient. He ra'li-
ed all the expiring energies OF mind g.
and body to his last effort. His whole
soul seemed concentrated in the act.
His eyes flashed feeling and inteHi,
gence. Pointing towards US with long
index finger, he addressed us, 81 con.
firm all the directions 10 my will re.
specling my slaves, and dIrecl them
to be enforced, particularly 10 regard
10 provision for their support" And
then raising his arm as high as he
could, he brought il down with his o.
pen hand on the shoulder Of his favour.
fife John, adding these words-"Espe.
ciaIly for this man.'' He then asked
each ofus whether we understood him.
AT the close Of this exhausting effort,
I remarked 10 my fellow witnesses,
that my patient short time before in.
formed me in private, that according
10 the laws Of Virginia, will might
manumit slaves, yet in order for their
bubsequent support il was necessary
hat declaration should be made 10
he presence of one or more white wit
besses, who efter receiving j, from the
party, should remain and never lose
blight of him until he was dead. 1 then
appealed to the dying man to know
whether i had stated it correctly; he
Replied Yes-and gracefully waving
bis hand as token Of our dismission,
lie said, "the young gentlemen will re.
pain with me.' took leave with an
assurance that would return as spec.
PLY as possible and remain with him.
After an absence Of perhaps an hour or
more and about fifty minutes before his
Eecease ! returned 10 his sick room but
iow the scene was changed; bis keen
Penetrating eye had lost its expression,
lis powerful mind had given away, and
lie appeared totally incapable of giving
my correct directions relative to his
korldIy concerns. To record what now
ook place, may not be required, fur
her than to say, that almost TO the last
noment, some of his eccentririties could
lie seen lingering about him. He enter
d within the "dark valley Of the shad'
w OF dealh," and what was now pass
hg in his chamber, was like the distant
oice Of words which fell with confu.
ion on the ear. The farther this mas.
Err spirit receded from human view, the
punds became less distinct, until they
Pere finally lost in the deep recesses
the Valley, and what was mortal of
Randolph Of Roanoke, was hushed in
cath. In conclusion, perhaps it may |
e proper for me clearly and distinctly |
state, that at the time he made the
declarations in my presence to his will,
e was capable of discriminating cor.
betty between thing and thing and he |
SO possessed tenacity of memory
ence, give it as my decided belief,
sal he was OF sound disposing mind
I'D memory. Early in the afternoon
the day ON which John Randolph
ed, it was concluded by the four wit.
ssses to commit to wiring the decla-
lions which he had made according
their understanding Of them. This
did, 10 room contiguous to the ore
herein he died, end where his corpse
as then lying and the original paper
now in my possession. The paper
Breto annexed, marked (D) and sub
ribbed with my name, is a true copy |
Inc sauie' JOS. PARRISH"